In 2016, when I was pregnant with my first baby, I decided to use cloth diapers. I never would have expected that diving into the world of cloth diapers would open my eyes to all the “crunchy mom” ways and show me that there are other options to all things pregnancy, birth, and parenting. But it did!
From there, I started exploring the idea of natural birth. By this I don’t just mean birth without an epidural. I mean a full mama-lead, consent-filled pregnancy and birthing experience. I learned that I don’t have to do things just because my OB told me I should. I realized that I could decline any tests – STD testing, Gestational Diabetes tests, cervical exams, even ultrasounds if I wanted to. I started looking into all the things that are routinely suggested and offered in pregnancy and birth and deciding which ones I was going to consent to and which ones I was going to decline.
I also decided that I wanted a hands-off, very free labor. The problem was, most resources that coach a first time mom through having an unmedicated, hands off birth (also called a Physiological birth) lean towards birthing outside of a hospital – either at home or in a birthing center. As it happened, my insurance benefits covered the cost of our hospital so much better than any outside option (go figure) and my husband and I weren’t entirely sure a home birth was safe for us. We were, after all, first timers here with no prior experience to lean on.
I spend the next 9 months gathering as much information as I could about how to be in charge and own my birth experience even though I knew I’d be in a hospital. I had all the research to support my desires such as moving freely while laboring, eating and drinking in labor, not using constant monitoring, delaying cord clamping, among other things. I knew I’d have to speak up for myself and my baby about all the things I wanted that were not hospital protocol.
In the end, my first birth was everything I set it out to be! It was empowering and beautiful and completely controlled by me. Out of that experience, I created a short E-book full of juicy information on just how I accomplished my physiological birth, despite being in a less than ideal setting and I want to share it with you!
Where you choose to give birth does not have to dictate the type of birth you have. You have options and choices even if your place of birth has standard protocol. Click the link below to get your FREE copy of my guide which includes a detailed birth plan that you can use to make your own!
I hope this helps you have the birth you desire and deserve and leaves you feeling empowered and incredible.
Be sure to pin for later and share with friends!
O says
Thank you for sharing!