Childbirth Options

  • Before Hiring a Midwife

    Before you hire a midwife, be sure to interview several carefully. Take your time reviewing their history, call up their references, have a list of questions handy, research the legal issues in your state and ask the midwife for proof of her certification.

  • Birthing Positions

    Want to know what positions you can birth in? Standing, sitting, side-lying, kneeling... What are the advantages and disadvantages of birthing different positions? Read "Birthing Positions" and find out!

  • Birth Centers

    Birth centers offer a personalized and comfortable place for childbirth. They are a homelike facility with a program of care designed in the wellness model of pregnancy and birth -- pregnancy and birth are normal situations, not an illness. Read "Birth Centers" to learn more

  • Epidural Anesthesia

    Epidural anesthesia is the most popular means for pain relief during labor. In fact, more women ask for an epidural by name than any other method of pain relief. It is important to understand the benefits and potential risks that an epidural may have when you are deciding if this option is right for you. Read "Epidural Anesthesia" to learn more.

  • Home Birth

    Our understanding of anatomy, modern medicine, the mechanics of childbirth, and technology have significantly increased, causing more and more women to explore the idea of a home birth. As the curiosity in home birth grows, the number of studies and statistical data will continue to grow and give us a greater understanding of the risks and benefits. Read "Home Birth to help increase your understanding as you move toward an informed decision.

  • Concerns About Placenta Previa

    QUESTION

    Dear Midwife,
    I have placenta previa. I also have to take Prometreum because I do not produce enough progesterone. I am approximately 22 weeks and am about to go in for my second ultrasound.

    I am scared to death of what is going to happen if the placenta doesn't move up. I know that I will have a C-section if it does not. But I am still worried about bleeding a lot and healing times. I was wondering if you could help put my mind at ease.

    Thanks,
    Brittany

  • Agreeing on a Birth Plan

    QUESTION

    My partner wants a hospital birth complete with an OB/GYN. My preference is a home birth with a midwife but I was willing to compromise on using a birth center. He's not budging.

    What are some ways that I can help him move away from this sterile birth experience to one that I'm more comfortable with other than just telling him "I'm not doing it!" and creating another war?

    I get that is how his sisters and friends' wives delivered but this is MY birth experience, too!
    Dani

  • Homebirth: Whom to Invite

    Having a home birth affords you total control of who attends your birth. Choosing your birth companions, however, can be one of the main sticking points when planning your birth. Read "Homebirth: Whom to Invite" to learn more.

  • Choosing the Birth Experience You Want

    Though there are more choices in the United States for birth attendant and place of birth than probably anywhere else on this planet, women mostly give birth one way here -- with a doctor in a hospital.Over the last eight years, despite the availability of these choices and with the exception of an increase in the use of midwives and VBACs, options in the birth process have become less -- not more -- flexible. Read "Choosing the Birth Experience You Want" to learn more.

  • Hypnobirth Tip: Your Birthing Choices

    What most expectant parent don't realize is that they truly are in charge of their baby's birthing. They get to choose the way the labor and birth go, as well as their baby's care after birth. It is no different than any other service that you pay for, except that it is much more important. Read "Hypnobirth Tip #9: Your Birthing Choices" to learn more.

  • Giving Birth Naturally

    There are a number of different childbirth techniques that have been used for many years in aiding with natural birth. You should take time to study the different techniques and examine which would work best with you and your partners personalities, beliefs and preferences. Read "Giving Birth Naturally: Techniques to Use" to learn more.

  • Hypnobirth Tip#4: A Sample Birth Plan

    A sample birth plan based on the preferences of a typical hypno-birthing couple. Yours may vary, but consider the length and format as a guide. 2 pages is the longest it should be, and using bullet points or small paragraphs will help ensure it gets read.

  • Is a Doula for Me?

    The word doula is a Greek word that means "Women's Servant." Women have been serving other women in childbirth for centuries and have proven that this support from another woman has positive effects on the labor process. When a doula was present, women were less likely to have pain relief medications administered, less likely to have a cesarean birth, and reported having a more positive childbirth experience.

  • Bradley Method of Childbirth

    The Bradley method is an extremely natural approach to childbirth, with few or no drugs and little medical help during labor and delivery. 90 percent of mothers who use this method are able to deliver their babies without medication. Read 'Bradley Method of Childbirth" to learn more.

  • Labor and Birth Terms to Know

    If you've been reading about labor or birth and are wondering what some of the terms mean, check out list out for concise definitions and links to more information.

  • Birth Centers

    Birth centers offer a personalized and comfortable place for childbirth. They are a homelike facility with a program of care designed in the wellness model of pregnancy and birth -- pregnancy and birth are normal situations, not an illness. Read "Birth Centers" to learn more

  • Lamaze Method of Childbirth

    Lamaze emphasizes pain management through relaxation and breathing exercises. The belief is that a woman in labor is able to condition her responses to contractions through breathing and imagery to reduce her pain. Also, the class stresses education, preparation, and your role as an informed patient. Learn more...

  • Signs of Labor

    Wondering if today is the day? What's the difference between dilation and effacement? Braxton-Hicks or the real thing? If you've lost your mucus plug will labor start right away? Learn more about the changes your body makes as it prepares for and begins labor.

  • Hypnobirth Tip #9: Your Birthing Choices

    What most expectant parent don't realize is that they truly are in charge of their baby's birthing. They get to choose the way the labor and birth go, as well as their baby's care after birth. It is no different than any other service that you pay for, except that it is much more important.

  • Is a Midwife Right for Me?

    If you're looking for more personal, less rushed care during your pregnancy, you may want to consider a midwife. The midwives' model of care is based on the fact that pregnancy and birth are normal life processes. She usually offers a variety of options and seeks to eliminate or minimize unnecessary interventions. Read on to learn more about midwifery care.

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