Childbirth Options
"I felt this was the most important decision I could make!"
Where?
Hospital
There are many childbirth options.The decision of where to have your baby and choosing a caregiver are very personal decisions and should be made as early as possible. How do you make such a decision? Do you choose a hospital birth just because that’s all you know? Do you want to go to the hospital because that’s where all of your friends and family went? Like I said above, this is a very personal decision. I just want you to know you do have childbirth options and it’s up to you to do the research and make decisions based on what YOU want, not what your family tells you. Personally I did have a hospital birth, but I also had in my mind that this was MY birth experience and I know that I did have choices, being educated about the birth experience gives you more power to ask for what you want knowing that you do have a say in how things proceed.
Yes, hospitals do have rules about some things. For instance, rules about having an IV or at least a heplock, but if you have a good relationship with you doctor, you can have a good hospital birth. I have more information on this in the hospital birth section.
Birth Centers
Birth Centers are great ideas for some Moms. Giving birth at a birth center does give you more choice over how your labor proceeds. You must do your homework on your local centers and feel comfortable with your decision. Ask for your local birth center’s statistics.Homebirth
Having a home birth is an option also, a woman choosing this must be totally dedicated to this decision. There are so many resources for learning more about home births.Visit our home birth page to learn more about this childbirth option.Who?
MidwifeA midwife is a person, usually a woman, who helps assist a woman through childbirth. Historically, the midwife was a skilled woman who was called on whenever a birth happened. The original Old English word that “midwife” comes from means “with woman.”
Do you know what a doula is? She is like a birth assistant to you help with labor. Visit our doula page to learn more.
I urge you to do the research into any and all of these childbirth options. Remember that you are planning on having the best birth experience, one that you will remember and re-tell to your little one over and over. Again, remember, being educated is your best tool. Hospital Birth
Birthing Centers
Home Birth
Doulas
10 questions to ask Great article. A MUST read!
