5 Things You Should Know Before Giving Birth

Congratulations! You have now entered the journey of becoming a mom! You are probably full of emotion, whether that be excitement, anxiety, nervousness, joy, etc. This is expected, especially since there is a lot to prepare for before giving birth.

As your little one is growing inside of you, there are some important things that you should be aware of. An empowering pregnancy and birth does not happen without preparation and intentional decision making. Listed below are ways that you can make the most of your pregnancy and birth. I want you to know that this is your experience and you have the power to make it a positive one. Here’s how.

1. You have the final say.

Nobody can force you to do anything. Whether it be your doctor, midwife, doula, parents, spouse, friend, nobody can force you to do anything. This is your body and your baby, so if your intuition is telling you that the recommended procedure isn’t necessary, then you have every right to say no.

If you find your doctor telling you what to do or how your birth will go, you can openly agree or disagree with them. They are not legally able to force you to do anything, even if they believe it to be the optimal choice.

2. You can change your mind.

If any variables involved in your pregnancy or birth make you uncomfortable, you don’t have to be compliant. You can change doctors or midwives up until the day of your birth. You can ask a pushy nurse to leave the room. You can change your mind about the epidural. You can decide to labor at home a little longer. You can ask about your other options. 

You can change your mind because you are in charge!

3. Educate yourself about pregnancy and birth.

The bodies that God gave us as women are made to create life! Yes, there are difficulties that come with being human. But ultimately, God created us to succeed! 

When you learn about the process of pregnancy and birth, you will be more empowered to make wise decisions for you and your baby. Here are some things that you should learn about:

• What your body is doing to create your baby and the placenta
• The stages of birth
• What your body does to prepare you and your baby for birth
• The risks and benefits of eating certain foods (This book is a great source with details on the do’s and don’ts of pregnancy eating and has some delicious recipes!)
• Different ways women’s bodies handle pregnancy and birth 
• How the brain is affected by pregnancy and birth
• How pregnancy and birth are affected by the brain 

Here are some books I highly recommend that will help you feel empowered and educated during pregnancy and before giving birth!

4. Know your options, the risks, and the benefits. 

There are many ways to give birth. And as I mentioned above, it is totally up to you. There may be curveballs the baby or your body throws at you, but you still need to know your options for those curveballs. You may feel like an unpopular option is best for you, and that is okay!

Some of the choices you will need to make are:

• Where to give birth (home, birth center, hospital, etc.)
• Who will be at your baby’s birth
• How you want to give birth (vaginal, unmedicated, c-section, hypnobirthing, etc.)
• Whether or not and how to be induced
• What to do in the case of an emergency

There are many options for each of these choices, and likewise there are pros and cons to each. Once you learn the pros and cons, you will be better prepared to make informed decisions before and after giving birth. Evidence Based Birth has a great website that shows research-based evidence on the effects of birth interventions and options. Go here to check it out!

5. You need somebody you can trust.

While you do have the final say in the decisions you make, you still need someone that you can trust. If you are planning on going solo for pregnancy and birth, it will likely be very challenging.

Trusting in the power of Jesus Christ was a big help for me before giving birth. I had fears, but I gave them to Jesus and knew that He would help me get through any struggles I faced. And He did! (Check out this post to learn more about my experience.)

My husband was another person I knew I could trust. He was aware and supportive of my goals and dreams, which also became his goals and dreams. He also advocated for me when I needed it, took a hypnobirthing class with me, and believed I could give brith unmedicated. My pregnancy and birth experience would have been much more challenging without my husband’s support.

You Can Do It!

While the process of becoming a mom can be scary, know that you are capable. God has provided you with everything you need to have an empowering and positive experience. Ask Him to send people your way who will be supportive during this amazing time of your life. Turn to Him for strength to make the best decisions for you and your baby, and know that He is watching out for you.

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

Isaiah 41:10