Natural Birth

Being an advocate for women can look very different depending on the woman I am serving in labor. For a woman desiring a natural birth, the biggest piece of advise I can give is be prepared. Giving birth can be your greatest accomplishment and the process can be  very humbling. “The right kind of preparation for childbirth is essential and mothers need to take full responsibility and seek the care that makes the heart and gut feel right and not be swayed by intellectual arguments or the fears of others. So many women pass the responsibility of their safety over to the obstetrician and then wonder what went wrong when they are not heard or listened to. Fighting for your rights as a woman must begin before pregnancy and birth, not during labour when you are vulnerable.” This statement also means many things to many women. Good nutrition, exercise, looking at any issues of abuse in the past that may need to be dealt with,  and a positive attitude are all very helpful tools in preparation for pregnancy and birth. Understanding how labor unfolds, what it can look like, choosing a care provider that understand and supports your vision of birth, and surrounding yourself with support for labor that is dedicated to supporting your vision makes a huge difference in achieving the experience you desire.

This article about physiological birth does a good job of laying out things you can do in each stage of labor to understand and trust the process of giving birth. I highly recommend reading this article if you are a mama to be, support person, or care giver. Taking responsibility for the choices we have in birth is a huge step in achieving the birth you want and critical for a woman wanting a natural birth. Know your options, ask questions, and trust your intuition. You know yourself and your body best.