| Pregnancy and Natural Childbirth |
| Pregnancy is a time filled with wonder and excitement. But with that excitement also comes questions, confusion and anxiety. Will my pregnancy go smoothly? Will I get the birth I want? How will I care for a tiny baby? Will I be a good parent? Whether this is your first child, or your tenth, I hope that these pages will provide you with some valuable information to help prepare you for the wonderful experiences that lie ahead . . . childbirth and parenthood. |
| There are many things to consider upon becoming pregnant. I would advise anyone to sit down and write out what their goals are for this pregnancy and birth. Among the things you should be thinking about: nutrition, exercise, who do you want to attend you during birth (ob, cnm etc), where would you like to give birth - home, birth center or hospital. How would you like your birth to go, would you like a natural unhindered birth or do you want to get an epidural right away, (we won't hold that against you but do you know the side effects and dangers of routine interventions in birth?). All of these things will factor into the kind of pregnancy and birth experience you have. My advice would be read, read, read anything and everything you can get your hands on (and no I am not talking about the "What to Expect Books"). There are many good books out there that talk about all aspects of pregnancy and birth (check out my recommended reading list). Reading others birth stories is also a great way to learn about birth. Only through educating ourselves can we truly know "what to expect" and how to handle whatever comes our way. Only by educating ourselves can we protect ourselves from routine interventions and mismanagement that occurs so often in preg. and birth. Learning about our bodies will help enable us to listen to our instincts when the time of birth arrives. Through faith and education we can empower ourselves to seek out and insist on the birth experiences that we and our babies diserve. |
| For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your words, and that my soul knows very well. Psalm 139:13-14 |
| I believe birth to be a natural process best left unhindered and uninterrupted by doctors, hospital protocauls and people who treat it as a disease that needs to be fixed. I truly believe the best chance we as women have to achieve this is to give birth on our terms, in our own homes. I believe in Homebirth!! |
| I could never in good conscience advise someone to give birth in the hospital unless they had a serious medical condition that would warrant that type of medical care. However, I do believe that you should give birth where you feel safest and most comfortable. And if that should happen to be in a hospital then who am I to advise otherwise. How to have a successful natural hospital birth? That depends on several factors: your OB or CNM, your nurse, your hospital and it's protocol. A good unhindered birth in a hospital is possible, but not common! You need to really educate yourself, find a good independent childbirth class, find a good doula, supportive OB, familly practictioner or CNM (preferably not an OB) and a hospital with low intervention rate. Surround yourself with only positive support. Make out a very detailed birth plan and be ready to assert yourself or have someone else supporting you who will. And most importantly . . . know your rights. There are many things you can refuse, learn what they are. |
| Free standing Birth Centers are the next best thing to homebirth. They are run by midwives who promote natural low intervention births. Birth centers can provide a wonderful atmosphere where you and your baby will most likely be treated with respect. Most birth centers are located within a short distance of a hospital should transport be needed. For those who want a natural gentle birth but don't feel that home is the best place for them, a free standing birth center is a great option. |
| My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Psalm139:15 |
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| "Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed, And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me. When as yet there were none of them." Psalm 139:16 |
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| "Lo, chidlren are a heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty warrior; so are children his youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them ..." Psalm 127:3-5a |
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