Birth is Important.
2 March 2023
“WHENEVER AND HOWEVER YOU GIVE BIRTH, YOUR EXPERIENCE WILL IMPACT YOUR EMOTIONS, YOUR MIND, YOUR BODY AND YOUR SPIRIT FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE” - Ina May Gaskin
What you want matters, especially when making big decisions. And for many, childbirth is one of life’s biggest events. You may not always get the outcome you wanted, but ideally you’ll understand your options and make informed decisions, which can allow you a sense of acceptance and ownership over how things turn out.
Ever since I was pregnant with my first child, I really wanted to experience a vaginal birth. It may sound strange but I was curious to know what it would feel like, and what my body was capable of. Above all I felt that it was a rite of passage for me; it was something I just needed to do in my lifetime. When I found out my unborn son was breech, after much deliberation and discussion with healthcare professionals I ended up deciding to have a caesarean birth. So when it came to my second child, I was determined to birth her vaginally - and I did.
If you’ve read my postpartum post you’ll know I didn’t have the easiest recovery from this, but does that mean I wish l’d had another caesarean? Nope. The birth was both magical and intense in equal measure, and while there were rough moments, I was mentally prepared for it. I feel positive about how both births turned out, at least partly because I understand what transpired and why.
What can you do to improve your chances of a positive birth experience?
Do your research on where and how you want to give birth
Write down your birth preferences/plan and discuss with your midwife
Make a plan B, and a plan C! Think about what could happen and what you would want if things don’t go exactly according to your ideal scenario
Use the BRAIN tool for any decisions you’re struggling with (more on this later…)
You might find this all a bit overwhelming and want the decision taken out of your hands, and that’s fine too! Talk to your midwife or obstetrician, and they can help you. Wherever you end up, it’s a good idea to ensure you understand the implications of any decisions made, in terms of what it will likely mean for the birth and your recovery.
You got this, mama.
