Rethinking the nature of intervention in childbirth

There is much awareness and conversation of what the routine interventions are that can occur during the labor and birth process within the hospital environment.  These interventions can include induction, augmentation with Pitocin, epidural, or cesarean. In all my professional and personal roles, I am privy to a great amount of pregnancy and birth stories. [...]

Building Your Birth Support Team

As practice through the ages and evidence shows, support during the birth process can be greatly beneficial to both mothers and babies. It is not about having an experience. It is about healthier emotional and physical outcomes for mothers and subsequently for babies as well.  Putting together a support team is not as simple as [...]

Preparing For Birth – Affirmations

Guarding what you put into your eyes, ears, and mind is such an important part of pregnancy and birth.  As women we learn socially, from one another.  When we allow the pervasive negativity (TV, horror stories, fearful education, good patient education, unsupportive comments, etc.) to take root we lose so much inborn knowledge and wisdom [...]

Preparing For Birth: Question of the Day #3

Please share with me what encouraged, supported, and enabled you to continue in labor and delivery.  I may use your quote later in a post!!!
Email me at desirre@prepforbirth.com or simply add comment to post.

Pushing for Birth – another look

“Pushing felt good.” “The urge to push was unstoppable.” “I loved when I got the urge to push!”. “I felt like I was going to split apart.” “It hurt so much more than I thought it would.” “I didn’t want to push.” “Why did I have to hold my breath and tuck my chin?” “I [...]

Comfort Tips for a Hospital Labor and Delivery

No matter how a hospital room is decorated, it is still a hospital room and not your home.  It smells different, sounds different, looks different, you name it not your home.
What can you do to make is more comfortable for your labor and delivery?

Labor at home as long as possible and arrive when you are [...]

Preparing For Birth – A sample low-intervention birth plan

A birth plan is a tool to express your desires and needs for birth and initial postpartum, as well as, to make sure that you and your provider are on the same page.  Your birth plan should be brief (no more than one page) and only have the bullet point information that is specific to [...]