Ask Me Monday

Okay, getting back to town and things in order from our wonderful Easter weekend with family!

Thought I'd get a quick Ask Me Monday post in before I hit the hay before schools starts back tomorrow bright and early! Luckily, my husband has off work tomorrow, so he can drive me--it makes getting up and out of bed early a little more fun with a friend!

Anyway, here's this week's question:

1. Can you give a run down on the birth center process (do I just show up for the birth or do I do check ups there)? I'm pretty clueless when it comes to that but definitely willing to learn/give it a try.

This is a common question--birth centers are for more than just birth! 

They will do all prenatal visits and are on-call for you throughout your pregnancy just like a doctor. When considering your birth location, go take a tour of your local birth center. You will learn a lot more about what they do! 

A birth center can basically do anything a hospital can do to deliver your baby--except cut the baby out. Many times, once people tour a birth center, their fears are relieved! Patient volume is typically lower, you get to speak directly with the midwife, and questions are welcomed. The beauty of midwifery, in my opinion, is that a midwife has time to dedicate to you and wants you to understand what to expect so that you will be empowered to trust in the birth process and your body to complete it. I know many people who have gone into birth centers unsure--even skeptical--and come out feeling much more confident in them than before. 

What's more is that all your appointments are in one place, (usually except sonograms), you deal with the same small staff at every visit, (usually the same person), and they have time to make you feel like the only person in the world while you're there. Check your insurance plan--I think many people assume they are not covered for a birth center birth, but many are pleasantly surprised that their plan does, in fact, cover it. 

2. Should I hire a doula if I have a midwife? 

Yes. A midwife is a trained, medical birth professional. A doula is non-medical. If you are delivering at a birth center, your midwife will likely be in and out of the room, and come in actively during the pushing phase. Before that, she will check in on you, do intermittent heart monitoring and things of that sort, but you will be left alone with whoever else is at your birth. 

A doula is a NON-MEDICAL birth supporter. She knows and understands birth, but is there strictly for assistance, support, carrying out pain relief techniques, and practical help (another set of hands). She stays with the mother and works with her and her birth partner to successfully birth baby. A doula may meet you at the birth center, or before-hand at your home, depending on how your birth goes. She will stay with you throughout birth. A doula is also great to have around if dad or your birth partner needs to use the restroom or wants to step out for a minute so that the laboring mother is never left alone. She will know when to call the midwife into the room as well, if necessary. When a laboring mother says or does things during birth, a good doula will understand what is okay and what is not, whereas an unexperienced dad or birth partner may feel panicked. 

A doula and a midwife have two completely separate roles, but work beautifully together as a birthing team. If you are planning a birth at a birth center (or at home), ask your midwife for suggestions of local doulas for you to contact/use.