You Can Have The Birthing Experience You Desire
Excerpt from Painless Childbirth
The Labor Day: Navigating Hospital Birth with Confidence
When the time finally comes—after laboring at home for a while—you will know when it is the right moment to go to the hospital, if that is where you have chosen to give birth. Your doula, if you have one, will help assess whether your desire to go is rooted in fear or readiness.
The Importance of a Doula
Having a doula by your side can be invaluable during labor and delivery. A doula provides emotional, physical, and informational support, ensuring you feel heard and respected throughout the process. Unlike medical professionals who focus on clinical care, a doula prioritizes your comfort, advocates for your birth plan, and helps you navigate hospital protocols. Studies have shown that continuous support from a doula can lead to shorter labors, reduced need for interventions, and a more positive birth experience overall.
Ideally, you are going to the hospital because you feel prepared, not because of panic. So, what can you expect? There are two primary reactions to entering the hospital: a conscious, rational one and an unconscious, emotional one.
The Conscious Reaction
You have prepared for this. You understand that the hospital is simply a facility you are utilizing, but you are bringing your own sense of home with you. You will continue laboring naturally with the support of your team. Upon arrival, you’ll adhere to hospital protocols, such as initial monitoring for about 20–30 minutes and a series of routine checks (vaginal exam, blood pressure, temperature, etc.). Once admitted, however, you have the right to move freely, walk, or take a shower to manage your contractions.
The Unconscious Reaction
Your body and mind may instinctively respond with, “We’re going to the hospital—something must be wrong!” This reaction is natural; historically, hospitals have been places we associate with illness or emergencies. Many hospitals further reinforce this perception by requiring you to sit in a wheelchair upon arrival—a seemingly small practice that can make you feel powerless. The transition from comfortable home attire to a hospital gown further blurs the line between a laboring individual and a patient, creating an implicit sense of vulnerability.
The Power of Language and Decision-Making
Once inside, you may notice the shift in communication. Medical staff often begin instructing you—what to do, when to do it, and why. Their reasoning might include statements like “It’s for your own good,” “There’s no need to suffer through the pain,” or “The baby’s health is the most important thing.” While these statements hold truth, they are often presented without seeking your input. The reality is, you deserve to be heard and respected. You are not just a patient; you are an informed participant in your birthing experience.
To ensure your voice remains central in the decision-making process, review your birth plan with your doula or support team before heading to the hospital. Unless there is a true emergency, there is usually no need to rush. If an emergency arises, you will indeed become a patient, but you will also be an informed one. In such cases, listen carefully to medical advice, ask questions, and make empowered decisions. When lives are at risk, trust in the professionals, but do not hesitate to advocate for clarity and understanding.
The Seven Key Questions for Informed Consent
To ensure decisions are made with your full understanding, remember these seven crucial questions:
Why is this an emergency? Do we have time to discuss or consider alternatives?
What are the benefits of this procedure or intervention?
What are the risks involved?
If we proceed, what additional procedures or treatments might be necessary as a result?
Are there alternative approaches we could try first or instead?
What would happen if we waited an hour or two (or a day, a week, etc.) before proceeding?
What would happen if we chose not to proceed at all?
By asking these questions, you maintain agency over your birth experience, ensuring each decision is made with informed consent.
Final Thoughts
Your birth journey is unique, and while hospitals provide essential medical care, your voice, instincts, and preparation matter. Having a doula can make a significant difference in feeling supported and empowered throughout the process. Advocate for yourself, trust your body, and enter this experience knowing that you are both informed and prepared for the birth you envision.
Doctors are invaluable when it comes to emergencies. They are good at what they do, and they are there to help.
Assuming all is well, before you go to the hospital please review the following. This will take only five minutes, but those few minutes can truly make a world of difference.
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