For most women, birth is a low-risk, natural event, so innate to the body that were a woman alone in a room by herself, she could deliver her own child. A healthy, speedy birth really boils down to where you find yourself most able to relax and release your body to the process of birthing.
This requires trust and comfort in your environment and providers. Doing your homework beforehand; carefully selecting the people who will participate in your child’s birth; and knowing what questions to ask will help increase your confidence and the likelihood of a satisfying labor and delivery experience.
Obstetricians
An obstetrician is a medical doctor specializing in the care of pregnant women. At each visit during your pregnancy, your OB will explain the changes occurring in your body. An OB is also trained to help manage high-risk pregnancies and provide surgical services, such as Caesarian sections, if needed.
Midwives
Midwives follow the Midwifery Model of Care, which is based on parents being active, educated participants in their pregnancy and labor. Your visits with your certified midwife tend to be 30-60 minutes long and are aimed at developing a trusting relationship between the family and the midwife as well as providing extensive education regarding nutrition, the growing baby, and mom’s body and over-all health. Midwives are trained to provide prenatal care as well as labor, delivery, and postpartum care up to the 6th week for both mom and baby. Washington State recognizes two certifications for practicing midwives. Licensed Midwives complete an accredited midwifery program and are licensed by the State of Washington. Certified Nurse-Midwives are educated in the disciplines of nursing and midwifery, certified by the American College of Nurse-Midwives, and licensed by the State of Washington.A few area hospitals have groups of Certified Nurse Midwives with privileges to deliver in the hospital. Other midwives deliver in a Birth Center; a free-standing clinic with rooms appointed for birthing, or in the privacy and comfort of the mother’s home. Midwives are trained to recognize high-risk pregnancy, and at no time will they compromise the mother’s or the baby’s health. If your pregnancy requires specialized care, they will help transfer your care to an obstetrician. If all is healthy, the midwife will help you work with your body to birth your baby on your terms.
Doulas: Professional Labor Support
The origins of doulas can be traced to the beginning of mankind. In nearly every culture throughout history, women have been surrounded and cared for by other women during childbirth; sisters, aunts, mothers, and servants who helped women through labor and delivery. The word “doula” is from Greek, and means “woman’s servant”.
Current studies on birthing practices tell us what women around the world have known for thousands of years: surrounding a laboring woman with knowledgeable and capable support from loving, experienced women increases her chances for a healthy and satisfying birth.
The presence of a doula allows you and your partner to be focused on each other and the birth of your child. She will be with you from the time you call her to your home or to meet you at your birth setting until after you settle in with your new baby. A doula provides massage, pressure and counter-pressure, heat and cold therapy, help with positioning, and reassurance to the mother that what she is experiencing is normal and healthy. The doula works carefully with fathers, never taking away from their role in the birth experience.
As with all decisions surrounding pregnancy, parents should investigate their options within the context of evidence based research and care. For more evidence based articles and information, please visit http://www.childbirthconnection.org/
Written by: Jodilyn Owen, www.seattlebirthnet.com
Photo by Javier Delgado Esteban
