Figuring Out Your Birth Philosophy for A Better Birth

I’m sure if you’re here you have probably thought at least a little bit about how you “hope” your birth might go. But how do you know what you really want out of it?  Of course, a healthy baby and momma are key, but what else?

The thing to start with is figuring out your birth philosophy.  What is that?!  The way you think birth is meant to or “should” be.  Some people believe that birth is best done in a controlled environment with skilled providers ready to help birth be as easy and painless as possible. Others believe that our bodies grew the baby, they know how the baby needs to be birthed with minimum to no assistance from outside influences, including providers.  Still others believe that birth can be a beautiful sacred experience where both parents feel empowered no matter how baby needs to be born because they are respected, heard, and informed. Anything in between those examples could be your birth philosophy.

So, how do you decide where you stand in your birth philosophy? You can ask yourself the questions below to help you determine what your birth philosophy includes.

How do I feel about birth as a normal, natural process?

How do I want to cope with the pain of childbirth?  Medication, movement, water, etc?

Who Do I want there?

Where do I feel most safe or most at peace when I think about having my baby?

Do I have some anxiety about pain or childbirth? If yes, will learning more through a childbirth class ease that anxiety or make it worse?

Who do I trust to care for myself and my baby through pregnancy? OB, midwife?

Now there are pros and cons of all philosophies of birth. At SJ Childbirth Education & Doula Services we believe that clients should never feel judged because of their birth philosophy or choices. They should never feel bad or make choices on what their doula will think. If a cesarean is what you need to help your anxiety about the unknowns of birth, we will support that and make sure it’s a special experience for you.  If you want an epidural because you know you can’t do the pain, by all means we will help and support you in that. If you want a home birth with a midwife and no other medical tools, we will support you in that.  If plans change for you, we will be there to hold your hand and help you navigate the next steps. That’s our job, and we love it! 

Next week, we’ll talk about differences in providers and how the provider you choose can effect your birth experience.

Tell us about your birth philosophy! We’d love to connect with you!

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a doula do?

A doula is a non-medical support person. As a doula, I provide clients with the emotional, informational, and physical support they may need to help them have the best birth experience for them. Whether your goals are a cesarean birth, epidural birth, unmedicated, home birth or any variation of that, I can provide the extra support you need.

I like to compare my job to that of a wilderness guide. You choose the type of birth you want and I help you navigate all the twists and turns and choices to get there. I stand by the choices you make and provide the knowledge you need when unexpected things come up. I provide continuous labor support. While a medical provider may have lots of other patients, policies, and things to worry about, my soul purpose is to be the calming influence you desire to support you throughout your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

What do you do if I want an epidural?

I support you in your choice to have an epidural and help you through all of the what ifs. What if the epidural anesthesia doesn’t work as expected? What if it takes a while for the epidural to be placed? What if I get to the hospital too late to have an epidural? Having the continued emotional support from someone who has been through this type of experience can be extremely comforting.

What if I choose to have a scheduled cesarean birth?

I support you in your choice to have a cesarean birth and help you prepare for the possible outcomes of that surgery. On the day of the birth, I will be there in case your baby needs to go to the NICU and your partner accompanies him or her. I will stay to support you while you recover. I will also be there to help with your partner’s worries or anxieties about the procedure, baby, etc.

What does a Postpartum doula do?

I help you formulate goals around your postpartum health and facilitate the implementation required to achieve or adapt those goals as time progresses. I can assist in Infant care and feeding, light house cleaning or day to day tasks, I’m there to listen to you, and more. I’m a knowledgeable guide in helping you through this sometimes difficult and isolating time.

What does a doula cost and why do you not post pricing for doula packages on your site?

I believe that everyone should have the support they need, by the person that will be able to support them best. This means that having a consult first allows us to get to know each other without worrying about price. In addition, it allows me the opportunity to tailor a package to best fit your needs.