Each and every birth story has its own tale to tell. There are always unexpected twists and turns whether the labor goes very quickly or drags on for days! But it is the unexpected that makes the birth process and individual birth stories so beautiful.
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Giving birth to your first baby is like a crash course in parenting. It is an incredibly intense, yet rewarding experience that you are responsible for, yet somehow is simultaneously out of your control.
Your birth story will be uniquely yours. The ups, the downs, and everything in between. And regardless of how that birth story plays out, it is beautiful. There are no medals given out for following your birth plan to the letter, and there should not be shame in any birth experience.
Bringing a new baby into this world should be celebrated, no matter how it happens! And we hope that you see that through the variety of experiences below…
Please note that we are not medical professionals, and you should always consult your team of medical professionals before making decisions about you and your baby’s health. We also acknowledge that this article is not sharing statistics, data, or research but is simply shining light and understanding on a complicated topic.
Non-Medicated Delivery, Pain Management, or Epidural
There is a spectrum of pain management that is available to you during labor and delivery. You can use natural ways to help breathe, walk, and focus through the pain. There are medications that will take the edge off of your pain. And there are epidurals that essentially numb the body while allowing you to stay alert and feel pressure.
No mother should be made to feel less-than for choosing any of these options. Birth is one of the most intense experiences that women get to go through, and you should choose whichever option will allow you to get through the labor process as best as you can. Consider what is most important to you, and then use that priority as a starting point.
Women’s bodies and personalities are all so different, and there is such a wide range of experiences. There are women who have progressed rapidly after being able to relax after an epidural, and there are women whose labor has stalled after receiving an epidural. There are women who felt that a natural birth was an incredible experience, while others felt that it was traumatic. Please know that there are no “right” answers here… only what is best for you! No birth stories are better than others – simply different.
[ Read: My 3 Different Childbirth Experiences ]
Home Birth, Birth Center, or Hospital Birth
Some women feel most comfortable in their own homes. They feel safe, calm, and at-ease inside their own four walls. However, there are other women that find the thought of giving birth at home terrifying. And, of course, there is the option to find a birth center that you are comfortable with as a sort of middle ground.
It is important to remember that the decision to deliver a baby at home is a very personal one. Each mother knows herself best, and it is so important to tap into your gut instinct on this decision. Birth is such a primal process that you should be where you are most comfortable and feel most taken care of! Taking in other’s birth stories can be helpful, but you still need to tune into yourself and figure out what you need most.
Of course, you should always listen to your medical professionals and take their advice under advisement. You would never want to put yourself or your baby at risk. Things don’t always go as planned, and I mean this regardless of which option you end up choosing! Every mom should at least acknowledge that things might not work out the way they hoped. How often have we heard about the poor moms that have given birth in the car on the way to the hospital? And similarly, situations can arise that require home births to seek further intervention and care.
[ Read: My Home Birth Birth Story (and why I loved it) ]
VBAC or Repeat C Section
VBAC stands for vaginal birth after cesarean and can be an option for many women who had a previous c section. However, it is not and option for all pregnancies as there can be risk factors or complications that may not allow for a safe attempt at a VBAC. Even if a VBAC could be an option, you are still able to opt for the repeat c section should you choose that route.
If you choose to try for the VBAC, it is important to surround yourself with supportive medical professionals that know your history. It is crucial to know and understand your information surrounding your first c section so that avoidable issues can be prevented and potential concerns addressed. You should also mentally and emotionally prepare yourself in case you end up needing a repeat c section.
If you opt for the repeat c section, that is completely understandable as well! If your first c section was done under emergency situations, then you can take comfort in knowing that a planned c section can be a much better experience. When you and baby are not in distress, it allows for more potential to hold them and bond with them more quickly.
And if the decision is essentially made for you, then you can take strides to come to terms with that! A VBAC may not be a safe option for you or your baby, and that is okay. As mentioned above, c sections don’t have to be a horrible experience; and you can take strides to prepare accordingly.
[ Read: My Successful VBAC with a Doula ]
All Birth stories are beautiful
Our main takeaway? Regardless of how your birth story turns out, you are not a failure. You made it through, you are incredibly strong, and you love your new baby more than anything. There are so many factors that are in play throughout the birth and labor process that it is impossible to completely predict and control it all. Take heart in knowing that whatever you decide (and whatever is decided for you) makes for a beautiful birth story.
For more on this topic, check out the full Pregnancy Through Postpartum collection
