Finding a Doctor
Not everyone you meet is going to be "on your team" or believe in the same things that you do. If you have strong desires for your pregnancy and birth, there is someone out there who is willing to support you through that. Don't settle for the bare minimum.
Birth Plan
Many women will wait until an appointment in their 30th week of pregnancy to discuss their birth plan with their provider, but you need to know some important parts of your birth plan to choose your provider. For instance, some things you should know before you choose your provider are where you would like to give birth: in a hospital with an epidural available or a scheduled C-section, or another choice could be at home with a certified nurse midwife in a tub in your living room. Medical interventions or physiological? These are some major research points before or as soon as you find out you are pregnant. Here is a link to a birth plan template to help you make your decisions, and a quiz to help you decide.
Edit 5/1/25: I was listening to episode #410 of the Birthing Instincts podcast today. A birth educator and doula was a guest on the podcast. She made a point to mention that you should look at your birth plan as "Labor Preferences" instead of a plan. It is very hard to "plan" how your birth and labor experience would go, but it is helpful to your doctors and nurses when you list your preferences. There was also discussion about the wording and format of your birth plan. If you use a template you find online, likely nurses have already seen it, and they lose faith that you have actually put time, effort, and research into what is on the template. This is a sad truth, but it makes sense. To sound more competent and responsible, you should draft your own labor preference document from scratch. Another thing to avoid is bullet points or lists. Instead, you should use wordy sentences that make your point. You should be descriptive and explain as much as possible.
For example:
Don't:
- I do not want Pitocin
Do:
My preference is to have a natural labor. I would like to avoid synthetic contractions created by Pitocin, but if there is a medical necessity to stop bleeding post-delivery, I will do what is best for me.
Once I develop my own Labor Preference Document, I will include it here.
What type of facility is best for you?
Hospital-Traditional OBGYN
Most people would automatically assume this is where they will deliver because it is the most common option. Women deliver in hospitals all the time and have great experiences. Many women also experience the lack of informed consent, feel as though they are treated to be in and out as soon as possible, and some feel they have to fight to protect themselves and their babies.
Things to think about when choosing a hospital:
Do they have a tub for you to labor and/or birth in?
What medical interventions will you accept? You MUST research informed consent.
Who will be advocating for you if you cannot advocate for yourself?
How many support people are you allowed to have in the room with you?
Who will be delivering your baby?
Do they have Certified Nurse Midwives, if that is something you want?
Birthing Center
Birthing centers are a great option for women interested in less medical intervention and more of a personalized, holistic approach. Usually, they will provide all your prenatal care and the place where you will give birth. They will have all the necessary tools and equipment for medical intervention if requested or needed, but they will also allow you to try natural first. You are typically the only patient at the center during your labor and delivery, depending on how large of a facility it is. This allows for a much more private and personalised experience.
If you are looking for a physiological birth but want to be assisted by medical professionals, then this is the option for you. One thing to keep in mind is that since these centers have fewer patients, you must try to get into one as soon as you find out you are pregnant. I attempted to get in around 12 weeks and was turned away from every birthing center within an hour of my home.
Home Birth
Home birth refers to a planned birth which occurs at home and is attended by an experienced midwife with collaborative medical backup in case transfer should be necessary1. Planned home birth increases the likelihood of experiencing a birth that is ‘both satisfying and safe. This is important, as positive birth experiences (characterised by feeling safe, supported, respected, and listened to) are associated with better postpartum mental well-being.
Most midwives and choice activists say that true physiological birth is when you are alone, unbothered, and making choices based on your own instincts. Home birth is truly the only option for those seeking the ultimate physiological birth.
With a home birth, you are able to have the experience you want with the vibes and atmosphere you create.