In the first part of this blog, I discussed setting goals for labor. Those goals focused on your perfect labor and how goals can help you achieve it. The same is true for the actual birth and the time immediately following the birth. Clear goals and expectations can help you have the best possible experience. Your birth plan should reflect your goals for the birth of your baby. Many of the issues that will need to be addressed involve medical interventions. Philosophically speaking, how do you feel about the interventions commonly used in child birth? Is your basic belief that … Continue reading →

A birth plan is an essential part of having the birth that you want. All pregnant women should write a comprehensive birth plan that describes their preferences for labor, birth and the immediate post partum period. Before you can write a birth plan, you need to know what you want. That is where having goals is beneficial. Setting goals for your birth is a big topic. For this reason, I will split it into two blogs, one for labor and the other for the birth and beyond. In our society, we often focus on what can go wrong during birth. … Continue reading →

In two past blogs, I’ve talked about the benefits of having family and the benefits of limiting the people you have present at the birth of your baby. In the end, only you can decide how you want to give birth. Inevitably, someone will have an issue with your decision. This will happen regardless of the choices you make. If you decide to have family present, you can bet there will be a few that won’t want to be there. They may make comments about birth and not ever wanting to see it. This sometimes happens with grandfathers and may … Continue reading →

In a past blog, I talked about the benefits of including family in the delivery room. Some women view birth as a family event and want a room full of loved ones on the big day. Other women don’t want a crowd watching the birth. These women often view birth as an intimate time that is best enjoyed with only the father of the baby. I fall into this category. When my first baby was born, my mother in law, sister in law and a close friend came to the hospital. This was fine during labor, since they were in … Continue reading →

At some point in your pregnancy, you will need to decide who will be present at the birth. This can vary from just the couple to a room full of family and friends. Don’t be surprised if friends and family members have strong opinions on this subject. They may voice them loudly, particularly if their ideas differ from yours. How do you feel about company in the delivery room? Are you the type of person who craves support from extended family or close friends? Do you prefer to be alone with your partner to welcome your baby into the world? … Continue reading →