Labor Support
Labor support isn't limited to the time when your labor contractions begin. It starts when we first meet! Pregnancy is the time to explore, question and reflect on the kind of birth you want and the things you don't understand or that scare you.
Women stop by, call and email me because they want information, alternatives and evidence based research. They also want a safe place to be heard, cry and explore new ways of approaching birth non judgmentally. They come with their partners so he too can learn how to accompany her lovingly and without fear. Some women begin this relationship as soon as they know they are pregnant and others make contact in the last weeks of pregnancy. There is no right way but there is YOUR way.
Nancy Wainer, a wise teacher and midwife, asks women "what does support look like? How does it feel? How do you know that you are supported?" Answer those questions and you will have defined how I will support you.
Each woman’s expectation is different. Some think the only choice is between a vaginal birth or a cesarean birth and don’t realize that decision is greatly influenced by the philosophy of their caregiver rather than any real medical need. For some women learning the difference between Active Management and Expectant Management of care opens a whole new world of possibilities. As you can see “support” can take many forms and one of them is educational!
Maybe you want the assurance that you can call someone at any hour of the day/night to share the excitement of your membranes releasing or like the idea that you don’t have to pack a tape recorder and music or massage oils for the birth. Maybe you are comforted by listening to Scripture or a HypnoBIrthing script.... each family’s ideas are different!
