OWN YOUR BIRTH
Photo courtesy of Karen Edwards of Apple Tree Doula & Birth Photography karenedwards @ shaw. ca
can relax deeply and‘ let go’ by trusting their bodies and maintaining an inward focus. Instead, they hand their experience over to someone who will‘ deliver’ their baby to them by‘ doing’ to them what they will. For example, birthing is often not allowed to begin in its own time. An epidemic of inductions is part of the reason for our soaring caesarean rate. Though mother and baby are both completely healthy, she is told of dangers and complications that“ could” arise by waiting for birth to begin normally. The mother agrees to an induction. The contractions are wildly intense. Mother is bedbound with belts, machines and IVs. She cannot move into positions that would allow her more comfort and baby a chance to descend. Baby’ s heart rate becomes a concern. Baby is not fairing well with this style of labour. A caesarean is recommended, for baby’ s sake. By waiting just one day, this same motherbaby duo could have experienced a normal, healthy labour and a joyous, empowering birth.
With a 33.3 % caesarean section rate at Kelowna General Hospital, it’ s so important that Okanagan women and families take the lead in deciding how their babies will come into the world! Serious implications for the parent-mother-baby relationship can occur when interventions happen, whether they are avoidable or not. Separation, drugs and disappointment all have the potential to affect bonding, breastfeeding and that feeling of fulfillment and joy that this lifechanging experience can and should bring. When the rights of families are respected and the parents are allowed a decision-making role, then their selfaffirming experience of birthing will lead them onto parenting with love, joy and confidence.
Learning to‘ OWN’ your birth and empower yourself can happen through many avenues, such as through childbirth education classes, hiring a doula, research, sharing of ideas with like-minded families, and reading positive birth stories and other literature that inspire confidence and teach about the simplicity of birth itself. Watching videos of empowered or conscious births can be a very beneficial piece of your plan also! Preparation of mind and body for birthing by practicing relaxation, deep breathing and visualization techniques, as well as developing your confidence and your birthing companion’ s confidence and having the courage to be your own best advocate so that you can bring your baby into the world in a way you dreamed it could happen – This is being empowered! Own it baby!
Contributed by Christy Phillips, parent educator and owner of Born to Birth Hypnobirthing.
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