Use Your Voice in Birth
Using your voice in birth:
Being able to speak up in birth and voice your desires is reason why many people hire a doula.
Birth makes each of us feel vulnerable in a unique way, and I've heard it described by many mothers over time, you're not really motivated to be outspoken and assertive during intense active stages of labor about what you want and do not want.
Many people in the medical world would argue, why do you need a voice in labor? Just listen to what everyone tells you to do during your labor. But that is exactly the problem: not every single person is an amazing birth provider, and that is why women go so far out of their way to change hospitals during their pregnancies, to change providers, to get a doula, because they've learned this from their own past birth experiences.
And even with the best of providers, doctors and midwives alike, and even with the best of L&D nurses, they all want to know what your preferences are and if you have a birth plan. Do you want your partner to catch the baby? Do you want to get an epidural or do you want to wait a few more hours or maybe not get one at all? Do you want to get up and have movement during your labor (movement is good) or would you prefer hydrotherapy (getting in the shower or tub)
There are many decisions to be made and there is no one-size-fits-all model because no one mom births identically to another. Strong providers who are beloved by the community know this and they automatically expect mothers to speak up and voice their concerns / desires, they create room for a mother's voice.
So remember, when using your voice in labor, you also speak for your baby who cannot yet use their voice.
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#birthadvocate #womensadvocate #birthworker ##useyourvoice #yourvoicematters
