Ingredients for a “Good Birth”

In recent years there has been a lot of pressure placed on people giving birth to have a very specific type of birth experience. Natural births or unmedicated births seem to be the only births praised in mom groups and on birth blogs. I do support an enormous amount of deliveries that are unmedicated and have minimal interventions, but those births are not the only ones worthy of the title of “good births”.

Unmedicated births are beautiful and powerful experiences. The problem I have is not with this type of birth at all, but rather the one-size-fits-all approach that often uses shame to push the idea that ONLY these births are best. This pressure to have a particular type of birth is a rigid and exclusionary approach that does not work for everyone.

• Many people need the tools that modern medicine offers for their birth.
• They may not have access to birth providers that support and encourage collaborative care within their area.
• There may be restrictions due to cost and/or lack of insurance coverage.
• Or they may WANT a fully medicated hospital birth with or without the support of a doula, and that is absolutely OK!!!

Choosing a different type of birth does not exempt you from having an amazing birth experience.

The magic to a good birth is in the choice! We all have the right to choose what is best for us, even if that choice is very different from what another person would choose. There is no right way to give birth. Explore the available possibilities. Recognize what options add a feeling of safety and comfort for you. The only true ingredients for a good birth are respect, validation, support, and quality care. That's it. It is that simple, and that complex. Honor your feelings, build your team, explore your options, and embrace your power.