One of the most important aspects of planning for a positive birth experience is creating a birth plan.
Positive Birth Visualization
Start by visualizing what kind of birth you want to have.
Choosing Your Birth Team and Location
Choosing the location for your birth rather it be at a facility or at home is one the most important decisions that rule the type of experience you may have.
Birth centers support natural birth without medication and are usually equipped with birthing tubs, showers, and beds.
They offer midwives that truly support natural birth with the least cause for medical interventions as possible. On the other hand hospitals will have more options for pain relief during labor but may not be as supportive of your decision to avoid unnecessary medical procedures.
Your birth team can be compromised of your midwife, doula, lactation consultant, and chiropractor. You should feel free to add others that you may have a good relationship with or feel is needed.
Giving Consent & Making Decisions
Your birth plan will typically include things such as:
- preferred birthing position
- pain relief options
- use of IV fluids and blood products
- circumcision if its a boy
- testing and vaccines
- baby’s first bath
- use of pacifiers
- preservation/ownership of placenta
You must advocate for yourself to give consent only to what you desire to take place, as long as it is a safe decision for you and your baby.
