Decisions, decisions.
Now that it’s been confirmed you’re having a baby, one of the next decisions you need to make is how are you going to have your baby. There’s the home delivery, the hospital, a birthing center, water births and hopefully, not on your way to the hospital and having to pull over to the side of the road births. Regardless of what method you choose, the baby will arrive. Let’s discuss your different options:
Home Delivery
Here you’re in the comfort of your home with familiar things around you. Family members and/or friends of your choosing can attend. More than likely, you will have a mid-wife (and please check to make sure your state license or regulate midwives, if necessary). In some states it is illegal for anyone but a certified nurse-midwife (CNM) to practice. You can also use a doula, which is also known as a birth companion and post-birth supporter. Most importantly, you should know their experience before hiring them for this event. As an aside, there are no pain-killers used and you just breathe through this process. Of course, in case of an emergency, there is a hospital that the mid-wife should be affiliated with and you should know before-hand how quickly you can get to a hospital in case of an emergency. Planning all the what-ifs are very important.
Hospital Delivery
Here you can have all the bells and whistles you desire. A team of nurses, nurses-aides and technicians watching and monitoring you and your baby. A choice of an epidural or other pain relievers if the pain becomes too severe can be administered. You can also, most times, have your labor, delivery and recovery in the same room now. Before-hand, especially if your pre-natal visits are at your doctor’s office, you can schedule a tour of the hospital where you child will be born. Find out all the options that the hospital offers such as classes, certified mid-wives on staff, un-medicated natural delivery, birthing pools or tubs for water births, birthing stools, balls and other equipment. Most importantly, who can attend the birthing process and if the recording of the event is permissible.
These are just some of the choices and options available to you. Research to make sure your experience is all that you want it to be. Let us know what your choice is or was and of course in Oh, What A Life!, there is a section on “The Story of My Labor” for you to document your experience.