Childbirth: You Really Are in Control

You’ve probably heard that birth is unpredictable and unexpected.  That’s true.  You can never know with 100% certainty how your baby’s birthday will go.  Labors can be long, labors can be super fast.  There can be a lot of pain, and there can be no pain.  It may all look like model birth in a doctor’s textbook, or it may go completely differently.  You can’t predict birth.  But you can still be in control.

There are a lot of different people involved in a typical childbirth — the mom giving birth, her husband, sometimes other family members, a doula, the doctor or midwife (s), and nursing staff.  There may be even more people there for the mom or the baby!

Things can seem really confusing, but it’s important to remember that there are really three roles: Your role as the birthing mom, the role of your partner or coach (no matter who you choose for that role), and the role of the medical team (for you or baby).

You can’t really control what your medical team does.  You can become informed and choose wisely – that will truly help.  But you need to realize that what goes on with your birth is most directly in your control by your own actions.  The actions of your chosen birth partner or coach are also important.

The great thing about this is that you are totally in charge of how you prepare for childbirth.  You’re also in control of how you and your partner prepare for the big day.

So you know that you can make a big difference – you can prepare for and be ready to handle anything your birthing day brings… regardless of it’s expected or unexpected!  They key is that you need to prepare.  You need to do the work.

That’s where things get tricky, and where many moms get stuck.  What do you do?  Some books make it sound like you’re powerless and your body is going to do what it’s going to do (and it’s going to hurt!).  Some books make it sound like you just “trust birth” and things happen like magic (but just what does that mean??).

It’s not always as easy as trusting birth — because really, you can’t do that until you understand childbirth (and your body).  You need to figure out how your baby and your body work together.  You need to know the steps to take during pregnancy: nutrition, exercise, emotional well-being, and how to prepare your body.  Oh, and how to talk to and let your labor partner know what you’ll need.

If you’re ready to take control of your baby’s birth and make it the safe, satisfying experience you want for the both of you, this is the information you need.  I’m here to walk through your pregnancy with you, giving you step-by-step information on how to keep yourself happy and healthy — and what to do to prepare for the best birth you and your baby can have.

Click here to get free emails on how to have a healthy pregnancy and prepare for a great, safe birth

Corwin and me shortly after his birth 🙂