Childbirth can be a profound experience. It is a very personal event for every woman. In our society many women are not aware of their options in childbirth until after they have had a baby. To have the birthing experience you want it is important to plan ahead. Know your options, and think about what suits you best. Remember, it’s your body, your birth.
Commonly Held Myths
There are a number of myths about childbirth in our society, these include:
- Birth is unsafe.
- Birth must be managed by a doctor or surgeon.
- Medical technology makes birth easier and safer.
- You can’t get the support you need during birth outside the hospital system.
- After one caesarean, all subsequent births must be via caesarean section.
- Caesareans are just as safe as vaginal births.
- You have to give birth in a hospital.
And The Reality…
- The vast majority of women do not require medical assistance during childbirth.
- Childbirth is a very personal experience for the birthing woman, and has the potential to be a very intimate and empowering experience for her if she has the right support.
- Your experiences of childbirth can impact how well you bond with your child.
- One medical intervention in childbirth usually leads to a series of interventions, this is known as the “cascade of intervention”.
- Home birth is safe.
- Vaginal birth is the safest way to birth.
- You can give birth wherever you like!
It is up to each individual woman to decide what model of care will best meet her and her baby's needs during childbirth (and for the immediate postpartum period), whether it be: homebirth with a midwife and/or birth servant, free birth (in the comfort of her home free from midwifery or medical assistance), a birthing centre with a team of nurses and midwives attending, or a hospital with an obstetrician as her primary carer.
No matter which model of care or place of birth you choose, you are in charge! Remember your obstetrician, or GP, or midwife, or birth servant, or nurse is working for you, so all decisions rest with you.
To help you consider your options here is a list of different places to birth explained at Ilithyia Inspired:
