What does it mean to have an empowering birth?
I don’t know about you but before I became a Doula, I remember hearing the term “empowering birth” and instantly thought I had to jump through hoops or do some kind of hippy dippy kinda thing to have this kind of birth experience. After all it sounded so fancy and foreign to what I had learned about birth back in the day. Wow, was I ever wrong!!!
Having an empowering birth is actually fairly simple. To empower by dictionary definition is to give someone the authority or power to do something. It also means to make someone stronger or more confident, to claim their rights and take back their birth experience.
As a Doula this is exactly what I want for you! I want you to take back your birth experience, to know your options for birth, to have all the authority and power over your birth experience and to find your voice because the truth is……..your birth is YOURS, nobody else’s. You have the power to have the birth experience you desire. But what if things don’t go as planned? Well, then you have the power and authority to declare your wants and wishes throughout your birth process and make informed choices that give you full control over your body and your birth experience.
But how do you accomplish all this? It’s simple really…
The choice is yours: Informed choice allows you, as the birthing person, to make choices and decisions that are consistent with your goals and values for birth. This also means that you are given options by your health care provider so you can freely make the decisions and choices you need to. This also means you are provided with informed consent. This is when your care provider provides you with all information, risks, benefits, and expected outcomes before performing any tests, treatments or procedures. This gives you the power to make an informed decision or choice. As a Doula I recommend finding a care provider who is consistent and agrees with your goals and values for birth and who will work with you to help you achieve these goals.
Ask questions: Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Questions allow us to learn about the best options available for us. They help us better understand our circumstances and situations. Don’t wait until birth. Ask questions at every appointment you have. I recommend making a list of questions you have surrounding birth, your options, and goals and bring them with you to your doctor or midwifery appointment.
Build your support team: Starting building your support team early on in your pregnancy. Who will support you during your birth and I’m not talking about your partner. I’m talking about someone who is educated on birth. To the first time parents reading this thinking, “ we want a private birth, we want it to be just us, my partner will be all the support I need.” Trust me on this. I have been that first time parent and even said those exact words. Remember your partner is most likely going through birth for the first time too. They will need support as well, someone to help guide them on how they can better support you. Look into having a Doula present and the support they can offer for you and your partner for birth. Depending on your needs or desires for birth you may consider a labour Doula or a postpartum Doula. Looking into these options ahead of time will provide you with more options for your birth experience. A Doula can also help you advocate for your birth goals and preferences along the way.
Respect: During your birth it’s important you feel respected. When you feel respected you are more likely to speak up for yourself, advocate and ask questions that can help you make informed decisions. But what if you have a nurse or care provider you don’t jive with? Ask for a new one! It’s that simple. If you have a care provider or nurse that is making you feel disrespected, shammed, unheard, it’s really important you use your voice and ask for another care provider or nurse. If you are feeling nervous about making this request have your partner or Doula assist you. Anyone who steps into your birth space should treat you with respect and the same goes for treating your care provider with respect.
A safe environment: Your birth space should be a safe environment. Consider the lighting, sounds, location and people who make up your birth space. It should feel safe, relaxed and calm. Think about the kind of birth space you want. Think of what makes you feel safe and relaxed. Consider having someone keep your birth space. This is someone who ensures your birth space remains safe, calm and relaxed during your birth. This might look like your Doula asking you permission of who you want in the room if a family member shows up at the door. This might look like your Doula saying to that family member that you currently aren’t accepting visitors. Keeping space might look like keeping the lights dim and using soft voices or turning down loud monitors. It might look like your Doula reminding others to speak softly. Having someone keep the birth space allows you to focus on labour rather than bring distracted during the process.
An empowering birth experience is more about you being respected and you being able to make informed choices than your birth going as planned. When we are in control and get to call the shots for our own birth experience we take back our birth.