Re-Blog: I Don't Think You Should

What a Doula is all about!
I'm re-blogging this because it is just that good.
Enjoy!

I Don't Think You Should
by Kristen at Birthing Beautiful Ideas

I’ve talked a lot about my individual pregnancy and birth experiences on this blog.

I’ve had a cesarean section.  I’ve planned two VBACs.  I’ve birthed two babies in the hospital, and one at home.  I’ve chosen to give birth twice with an obstetrician/gynecologist, and once with Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs).  I’ve breastfed all three of my babies.  Heck, I’ve even encapsulated my placenta.

With all of this sharing of my personal experiences, some people might worry that I am advocating for everyone else to make the same decisions that I have.  Perhaps, one might wonder, my goal is to create an army of HBAC-ing cyborgs whose babies will take over labor and delivery units with a vengeance.  [Sadly, I could not find a graphic to depict this bizarre yet intriguing image.]

But really, this couldn’t be further from the truth.  In fact, I don’t think you should make any of the same exact decisions that I’ve made.

Truly.

If anything, what I think you should do is far different from doing exactly what I’ve done.

For I don’t think you should have a home birth.

I think you should give birth in a setting where you feel respected by your care providers.

I don’t think you should have a hospital birth.

I think you should give birth where your birth site and your care providers make you feel safe.

I don’t think you should birth with an OB/GYN, a midwife, or unassisted.

I think you should birth with a care provider who is well-trained to serve your particular prenatal, birth, and postpartum needs and wishes.

I don’t think you should have a vaginal birth.

I think you should be given every chance to have the safest, healthiest mode of birth for you and your baby.

I don’t think you should have a cesarean section.

I think you should have access to discretionary and judicious use of medical technology if and when you and your baby need it.

I don’t think you should have an epidural.

I think you should be viewed as an autonomous woman who can make her own decisions regarding pain relief and comfort measures during labor.

I don’t think you should have an unmedicated birth.

I think everyone around you should reinforce just how powerful and amazing you are for bringing a baby into the world, no matter how you do it.

I don’t think you should have a VBAC.

I think you should have access to accurate and transparent information about your birth options, and that no one should use scare tactics to dissuade you from your choices.

I don’t think you should have a repeat cesarean.

I think you should make birth decisions that are right for you and your family–not anyone else.

I don’t think you should breastfeed.

I think you should have access to accurate and transparent information about baby-feeding options well before your baby is born, and that you should encounterall of the support you need to pursue your baby-feeding goals.

This is what my blog is about, what my advocacy is about, and what my doula work is about: I think you should do what is right for you.  Not anyone else but you.