When I was pregnant with my first daughter, I read any and every book on childbirth (I was just starting out as a doula). I was determined to avoid an unnecessary cesarean (my mother had all seven children born c-section!). Through my studies and experience I have distilled this process down to three basic steps.
Ways to avoid an unnecessary c-section:
1) Choose the right medical provider. Providers vary in their own philosophies on birth, as well as their intervention and c-section rate. As doulas, we have the privilege of seeing many providers in action. We can help you find the right provider for you based on the kind of birth you want.
2) Avoid unnecessary intervention. Limiting intervention to only medical necessities greatly increases your chances of a vaginal birth.
3) Consistent support. Having support in labor makes a huge difference to a laboring woman. In order to be emotionally, mentally and physically relaxed a laboring mom needs hands-on support. This can be from a partner, friend, family member, or doula. It greatly helps when that support person is knowledgeable on ideal laboring positions and comfort measure techniques.
Ways to avoid an unnecessary c-section:
1) Choose the right medical provider. Providers vary in their own philosophies on birth, as well as their intervention and c-section rate. As doulas, we have the privilege of seeing many providers in action. We can help you find the right provider for you based on the kind of birth you want.
2) Avoid unnecessary intervention. Limiting intervention to only medical necessities greatly increases your chances of a vaginal birth.
3) Consistent support. Having support in labor makes a huge difference to a laboring woman. In order to be emotionally, mentally and physically relaxed a laboring mom needs hands-on support. This can be from a partner, friend, family member, or doula. It greatly helps when that support person is knowledgeable on ideal laboring positions and comfort measure techniques.
While there are certainly great reasons for interventions (induction, epidurals, etc) in the birth room, being able to tell the difference between medically necessary intervention vs, not medically necessary is vital. This key factor is something I bring to all my personal births, as well as training the other doulas who work for Intuitive Birth. Unnecessary interventions can be a slippery slope. One intervention can easily and likely lead to another, and so on. Through my research and my own experience I learned about the amazing female body, and our own delicate system of hormones. This system gives us what we need when we need it, whether that is energy and focus through oxytocin, or pain relief through endorphins, all of which are heightened during and after labor. Yet there is a time for medication/intervention during birth, even if it is simply to avoid the pain. But it needs to used wisely in order to avoid other unnecessary complications. Regardless of where and how, or whether it's an unmedicated or medicated birth, when a woman gives birth it is essential to understand the body and birth process, and to have continuous labor support through a doula. This not only protects our bodies and babies, but also gives a great start to motherhood.
I work as a student midwife, birth doula, doula trainer, and childbirth educator to empower women regarding their birth and bodies, to help the father know how to support the mother, and to make their birth experience, whether medicated or not, a safe and joyful one.
