Mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, girlfriends...having the support of your loved ones and the wisdom of those who have gone before you into the world of childbirth can provide comfort during your labor. Fathers and grandfathers can watch in awe as their child brings forth their grandchild. Photo on left by Julia Swyers. Photo on right by Senhoritas Fotografia.
You asked and Anne answers! Should your family and friends attend your birth? Click play and watch!
Ahhhhhh, spring. How are you spending yours?
Starting fresh with some spring cleaning?
Prepping for a spring or summer birth?
Spend some time outdoors most days, if not every day. Play, garden, walk, swim, or simply sit quietly practicing your breathing. Watch a closed flower bud blossom into a beautiful flower. That's a great visualization for labor; your tightly closed, thick, and firm cervix ripens, softens, and opens. Your vaginal and perineal muscles and pelvic bones stretch incredibly for birthing your baby. Note the process and time it takes for a planted seed to burst open and grow into a lovely plant - that's biological time, the wise, patient clock of pregnancy.
In this issue of "Ask the Midwife", Anne talks about how to know if you want family members and friends at your birth. She addresses the difficulties in deciding, how to politely decline requests to attend, and how to prepare those you do choose to have there.
Please visit our blog for a comprehensive list of "Dos and Don'ts" to give your chosen support team.
If you are looking for a movie that can give those who will be in attendance a better understanding of birth, buy or rent The Business of Being Born and Orgasmic Birth.
Don't forget to make a list of ways your family and friends can help you postpartum if you decide you need them more then than at the actual birth! Include errands, cleaning, cooking, and childcare.
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