When it comes to preparing for labor also known as birth planning, there are a few things that we like to discuss with clients in our childbirth education classes.
The first is that birth is a journey. You know that you’re going to have a baby. You even have a pretty good idea of how you’d like it to go. What you don’t know is how it will all play out in the end.
Unless you are preparing for a scheduled cesarean, how your birth will unfold depends on many factors.
The second is that labor is a journey that you and your baby must take together. The course your journey will take is not just about how you prepare for it beforehand. It is also about how you navigate it together at the moment. When it comes to navigating labor, your doula is your personal GPS. Your doula is the master of options for your birth. They are your own personal toolbox.
We recommend the following to help you prepare for the birth of your baby.
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Preparation through education
- A quality childbirth education class can help you learn the ins and outs of labor and delivery. Along with learning the possible paths that your labor may take, childbirth education classes can also provide you with the tools you need to help you navigate the possible paths your labor may take.
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Planning the journey – Birth planning
- Once you have learned about the many options that exist, sit down and identify the options that most appeal to you. Some people refer to this as birth planning. Others prefer to not make a plan. Instead, they choose to identify their preferred options when it comes to the choices they may need to make during labor. These preferred options may include topics like interventions, comfort measures and positions for labor.
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Assembling the team
- Choosing your support people is an important part of planning your labor journey. Often it isn’t as simple or easy as you thought it may be. From family to friends, there is usually no shortage of people who want to share your big day with you. In person. Labor and birth is an intense and intensely vulnerable experience for most individuals. Choose people who bring you a feeling of safety, security and bring a sense of calmness and relaxation. This can help to set the tone of the room during labor.
- Add a personal GPS system to your labor support team by hiring a doula. Having a doula present to help you navigate labor and birth can give a big boost to your confidence. Your doula is the expert in options for labor. Regardless of the path that your labor or birth may take your doula is there to help you navigate the unique path your birth will take. Having a doula by your side can also take a lot of pressure off your partner to remember all the things and allow them to pay attention to self-care during the process as well.
Here at Tucson Doulas, your doula team can provide you with childbirth education, labor support and after baby care. One team, providing you continuity of care from start to finish. Give us a call or reach out via our contact form today to learn more about we can support you as you welcome your new addition!
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