Fredericksburg Parent

www.FredericksburgParent.NET 21 Pregnancy is an exciting time. Your body is changing, your household is changing, and you're preparing to bring an entirely new person into the world. There's a lot to do prior to birth, but one thing that shouldn't be overlooked, or taken lightly, is the birth itself. Births don't always go according to plan, possibly leading to feelings of helplessness in the the delivery room, which can be traumatizing for both the birthing person and their partner, and can even lead to post-traumatic stress in new mothers. This is why it's important for mothers and their partners to plan and prepare for the unexpected so that you can feel comfortable and confident, even if things don't go according to plan. How to Prepare for the Unexpected During Birth Write Your Birth Plan - Including Contingency Plans Explore your options. Imagine your labor and how you'd like it to play out. Rather than visualizing what you don't want….. cesarean, forceps, etc….. Focus on what you do want. You'll want to visualize your birth all throughout your pregnancy so you will be much more at ease when the day finally arrives. Once you've research and settled on your desires for your birth, it's time to consider contingency plans. Namely, what will you do if your birth doesn't go according to plan. It's important to discuss these plans with your provider. Because your attending physi- cian in the hospital may not be your obste- trician, it's important to make your desires for your birth clear in writing. Knowledge is Empowering Childbirth Classes provide invaluable information to help you plan for a posi- tive birth experience. Learning about what to expect at different stages of labor, exploring pain relief options, comfort measures, and possible inter- ventions enables you to write a well thought out and personalized birth plan. Consider Hospital Policies All hospitals are different and some pro- cedures you may have read about may not be available at your chosen hospital. Options such as nitrous oxide, wireless monitoring, use of tubs are just a few examples, as are VBAC policies. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic we've seen ever-changing hospital pro- tocols vary greatly from one hospital to another. Know what your hospital's policies are so you can make adjust- ments as needed. Practice physical and Mental Exercises Physical exercise is useful for pre- paring your body for birth while calming exercises can be used to prepare your mind, and enable you to harness your body's natural relaxation response. Calming practices, such as medita- tion, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, and visualiza- tion can be used to counter the unexpected during birth. Practice throughout your pregnancy! Communicate With Your Birth Partner All of the preparation in the world cannot replace a good birth partner. Share your desires with them; practice your breathing and visualization techniques together throughout your pregnancy. The more you prepare with your part- ner, the better team you'll make. Consider Hiring a Doula Employing a doula is like having a birth coach, a supportive friend, and a knowledgeable advocate by your side. A doula's primary responsibility is to you— not the hospital administrator, nurse, mid- wife or doctor. This responsibility directly translates to advocacy inside the labor and delivery room, helping you to communicate your desires and concerns, amplifying your voice, helping you to navigate your birth journey, wherever that journey takes you. Planning for the Unexpected: Interested in hiring a doula? Reach out to A Mother's Perspective Doula Services. Visit www.mothersperspective.com Email: jennifer@mothersperspective.com Call: (540) 907-7892 Sponsored Material WRITTEN BY JENNIFER WOODHEAD CD(DONA) Founder, A Mother's Perspec ve Doula Services Photo of actual client, used with permission.

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