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Birthing Options

Birthing options are one of the most important thing you may research during your pregnancy. Talk to other women to find out about their experiences, discuss the issues with your midwife or obstertician, watch a birthing option video and read about them, too.

Place of birth
Remember that you always have a choice. Whereever you live, you will find a number of maternity units, birth centres or you may choose to have your baby at home. I live in a country where there is only one birthing option - a hospital birth. Still I had my too children at home. It is you who can decide where to give birth and this decision is crucial for your birth experience.

Do your best to find any information you need. I can rely on friends, your doctor, midwife, other mothers and organisations. If you are pressed for time a wonderful inforamtion resource is a childbirth video.

When you think about your birthing options consider:

Whether this is your first baby - Then you might need to learn more about the prenatal parenting and effective ways to stretch the pelvic region. With the second baby the body is naturally prepared for birth, if the first was natural.

Whether you're having one baby, twins, or more

How any previous pregnancies and births went

How your pregnancy is going at the moment - how did you develop from conception to birth

Any special health needs - understand your needs during the pregnancy period - learn about pregnancy from inside out.

Where you'd prefer to give birth

If you're over 40, some doctors and midwives might underline your age in discussions, but age in itself needn't change your decision. You can be very well prepared for the birthing option you prefer, if you do some pilates or prenatal yoga.

Bear in mind circumstances that may have an impact on your choices.

Circumstance which might require medical assistance are:
labour early;
preblems in baby growth.

Keep in mind thought that every baby is unique. We do not need always to fit in the standards. If the baby growth is a week back, do not worry so much.

If you have some anxiety yet, listen to your heart. In a consultant-led maternity unit your small baby will get immediate paediatric care.

Hospital birth

When you choose a hospital birth, it is a good idea to know personally the midwife or doctor who will attend the birth. If you 'book' your birth at hospital near the beginning of your pregnancy, you can change your mind later if you want. The booking appointment is not a reason to stop considering other birthing options if you became aware of them later in pregnancy.

When you choose a hospital, the distance of the hospital from your home is important, It is better to go to the same doctor not just for the birth but also for any antenatal clinic appointments.

If you choose to give birth in a hospital prepare a birthing plan in advance and discuss it with your doctor. Do some research on the policies and practices of hospital so that you can experience the type of birth you prefer.

Home birth
If your pregnancy is normal and free of problems, why should you expect complications in birth. There's no evidence to suggest that a planned home birth is any less safe than a hospital one.

Home births are usually assisted by a community midwife or an independent midwife. It is important to trust the midwife and rely on her availability. The beauty of homebirth is that you have greater feeling of security and safety. Make sure you are in tune with any birthing assistant or partner you may choose to attend your home birth.

Do not give in to pressure to choose a hospital birth if you feel that home birth is for you, this is one of the most satisfying birthing options.

Birth centres
Birth centres aim for a home-style birth but with medical technology on hand if necessary.

Research the birthing center policies and the experiences of mothers giving birth there.

Birth plans

Birthing plans are wonderful for you and for your assistants. This is a nice way to note what you expect from your birth. In some countries like UK, your midwife will help you with any information and even ask you to prepare a birth plans. Elsewhere the birth plan is unheard of. Yet since you are at the center of your birth, you can always show it to your health professional and discuss it before the birth. Take it with you during the birth itself and give with any other documents to your doctor or midwife.

Ask as many questions as you want to work out what you'd like.

The birth plan is a guide, not a blueprint for what has to happen. You can change your mind at any time, even at the very last minute. Circumstances might change, too, which could make you see things differently or change your needs.

Think about:

What are the reasons for acceleration of birth and do you want an induction?
Who you want to attend your birth?
Do you want to have a birthing pool for labour and/or birth, for some of the time or all the time
How you want your baby's heart rate to be monitored
What are your pain relief options
For a hospital birth, how long you want to be in for (although you may not get the choice)

Do you need some emotional support and who can provide it best for you?

If you have continuous emotional support during labour, you might not need pain relief, interventions (including a caesarean section) might not be needed, your labor will be shorter and you will feel better. Your baby will be less likely to be born distressed, too.

Questions to ask
Antenatal care:

Can I have your antenatal appointments with the same midwife or docotor who will help me in labor?
If I decide to take antenatal classes, where and when are they held?
Can I discuss and work out a birth plan?
Can I be seen by a doctor of my choice ?

Labour and delivery:

Who will be present during my labor and birth?
Will I be able to move freely and choose the best position for birth?
Will my partner be able to cut the cord?
Are we allowed to take photos/film of the birth?
What's hospital policy on induction, pain relief, routine monitoring (or any other aspect than concerns me)?
Will I be supported if I don't want to follow the routine policy?

Postnatal care:

Will I be able to breastfeed my baby immediately after birth?
What services are there for babies who have to be separated from their mothers because of illness?
Who'll help me breastfeed my baby?
How long can I expect to stay in hospital?
What are the visiting hours?
Are there any special rules about who can visit?

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