Where to birth? - Intro

Where to give birth? And what do I need? If you have never given birth it can be hard to know the answers to these questions. How can you totally know what you need during something you haven’t experience before?  Even if you have given birth before, this birth will no doubt be different and you might find yourself wanting to explore your options again.  

Where to birth is a personal choice.  And the best choice is the one where you feel most comfortable and supported as you need.   Whatever that means to you.  There isn’t a right answer.  Depending on where you live, though, there can be some variability in what care is available to you.  If you live in the Portland area like I do, there are so many options it can feel daunting starting to research a decision like this.  

My aim is to help you explore these options for yourself.  This is the first in a series of posts to delve into different topics around birth that can help you make a decision for yourself on where to give birth.  Some of my posts will be location specific, exploring the options in Portland, OR and surrounding areas, but many will be general and can be helpful no matter where you are.  

As a side note,  while lots of people you love (and some you don’t) may have opinions about your birth, when it comes down to it you are the one who is going to need to surrender to the intensity of labor and birth your baby. How well you feel supported in this endeavor is important.  So you can go through the hard and noble work we call labor.  Because no matter what path a birth takes (unmedicated, epidural, intervention or cesarean birth) all options have their intensities.  Birth is an amazing experience, but it is an intense bodily transformation.  What will ease this journey for you?  What will help you settle into it? Who do you want with you for the journey?  Deep in your knowing, what do you feel is right for you for this journey?

More thoughts and questions to follow in my next blog post.