I considered a C-section not the desired outcome, says Austin, but a possible outcome.
That possibility became a reality when Austin spiked a fever after 24 hours of active labor.
And that disappointmentor even traumacan put a woman at risk for developing aperinatal mood or anxiety disorder.
Hospital birth classes tend to teach parents how to be good patients and are good for the medical part.
Its never too late to switch providers.
Women who were assigned to the doula had lower levels of epidurals and C-sections, says Oster.
Places to find a doula includedoulamatch.net,The Childbirth and Postpartum Professionals Organization(CAPPA), andDONA International.
Often, new or training doulas who are still completing their hours for certification will offer lower fees.
A birth plan is a good place to start, says Brown.
Ill ask for drugs if I need them.
Austins plan included the sentence, I dont want anything being done to me without having information.
Its like a game tree: If this happens, then this is what I would like to do.
Think about one or two things you hope wont happen, and then prepare for them, recommends England.
Some people are afraid of needles and really dont want an IV.
Some people are terrified of a long labor.
That was Austins approach to the possibility of a caesarean birth.
Having talked it through in advance made a big difference, says Austin.
We had thought about how we could make it as pleasant an experience as possible.
I believe that whether you birth vaginally or via caesarean, a woman is still birthing her child.
Expect uncertainty
In our society, everybody wants to keep their shit together, says England.
In birth that isnt what we should be striving for.
Even with hundreds of years of research in obstetrics, we dont know what starts labor, Abrams says.
So, its unpredictable, and you have to get into the mindset of letting go.
Its going to happen when its going to happen.
Its going to be what its going to be.
