Birth is a natural process – as it is expressed in the media it might be hard to figure that out….
Someone recently said to me that she forgot that birth is a natural process and need not be a medical event. It is hard to feel or see that the way birth is portrayed in the media. A woman gets a contraction, it’s one that either breaks her water or sends her to her knees. And that is just not how it happens 90% of the time – maybe even more.
Birth is a normal, natural process and your body knows how to do it. Do you need to educate yourself and have a great support team that includes midwives or OBs, yes! But the more you know, the better prepared you will be both physically and psychologically. We wouldn’t run a marathon without preparing, and birth is a personal marathon – not 26 miles, but it’s a process as well as an event. That means taking care of you as you grow your babe and working with your care providers – they have studies for years and have experience and skills well-honed to help you birth your baby in a safe and loving environment.
Please read some thoughtful well-written books that do not induce fear. Author Ina May Gaskin is a good start, as well as The Business of Being Born by Abby Epstein and Ricki Lake. Know the policies of the midwives and doctors you are seeing. All of your practitioners work for you. Ask what the policies are that you are concerned about i.e. how long can I go post dates if my baby isn’t on my estimated date? What is your C-section rate? Do you allow women to birth in any position as long as mom and baby are doing well? Do you do what you can to avoid epesiotomies? Can my baby room in with me? These are some questions, please come up with the important ones for you and your partner and ASK THEM. The best way to get what you need is to ask for it. Knowing the services provided by and the policies of the practice you are CHOOSING will get you closer to what you want.
Do come in to work to soften and ripen your cervix. When your cervix is soft, when your contractions come, it is easier for them to be more effective. I have only given birth six times, and this much I can attest to. Will your cervix do it on its own? Yes! AND we can support you to facilitate the process. Much like we compost soil to make it more fertile and prepare for a marathon by building up our stamina and running shorter distances and beginning with small weights and slowly increasing. The softer your cervix is, the easier it is for it to be responsive and support you to have the birth you want.
Have a great birth and let me know if I can support you!