I'm Pregnant, Now What?? Choices in Childbirth

It finally happen. The double pink line or the "+" appeared on the test. You are pregnant!! Congratulations!

Now what?!?!

After you've celebrated and shared the news, the next call you make is to your doctor to schedule your first appointment. It makes sense right? This is the doctor you've been seeing for your well woman visits and you do plan on giving birth at the closest hospital, right? That's what you should do, right? It's what everyone does, right?

Not that your doctor who you've been seeing for the last few years won't deliver your baby and not that you won't go to the hospital that is 5 minutes from your home, but you have other options. This is your birth and you DO have choices.

Did you know that you do not have to deliver laying on your back like you see in the movie?

Did you know that you can and it is often helpful to move throughout labor?

Did you know that there are trained healthcare professionals that specialize in normal childbirth?

Did you know that you do not have to have constant electronic fetal monitoring?

Did you know that the hospital is not the only option you have to give birth?

Take as much time deciding which stroller your baby will ride in as who will be apart of your healthcare team when he or she is born.

The Coalition for Improving Maternity Services has put together 10 questions to ask your healthcare providers that might help you as you explore your birth options. The questions include everything from who can be with you while you give birth to what you can expect while you are in labor.

Learn your options. Educate yourself. Become empowered so that you can make the best decisions for you and your family.

Don't Be Quiet - Share Your Amazing Birth Story!

You know if you're pregnant everyone has some advice for you. How you should do this or how you should do that. The other thing that often happens is that you will start to hear more birth stories. Not to make lite of the individuals who have had difficult births or things they wish they could change about their experience, but I think it's time to celebrate our amazing births.

If you had an inspirational birth tell your story. Don't be shy. Share what made your birth experience incredible. It doesn't have to be the birth you dreamed of or the one that was carefully laid out in your birth plan, but share it nonetheless. Your words of wisdom could help to empower and inspire other women throughout their pregnancy.

Don't be quiet. SHARE your amazing birth story!

Here. I'll start.......

While the birth of my twins was by no means the birth I thought I was going to have when I found out I was pregnant, it was very empowering. I went into labor on my own, I was able to see them being born via c-section and I had the support of my husband and amazing nurses that I had gotten to know during my antepartum stay in the hospital. If you wish to read the birth story of my twins visit my Twins Make 5 Blog. My experience was empowering because I was educated about my pregnancy and birth options and I strongly advocated to let my body and my boys make the decision about when they were going to come.