Birth choices 101: Decisions you have to make before labor

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Birth choices 101 Decisions you have to make before labor

Now that you are nearing your birth date, you need to make important decisions related to the arrival of your baby. But of course, since the onset of pregnancy you’ve had to make several choices already, from the most comfortable shoes for you, to regular exercises to do. The birth of your child is bound to be one of the most memorable experiences you’ll ever have – not to mention something your whole family is looking forward to. Of course, it goes without saying that the choices you will make prior to giving birth will have a lot to do with your health history, financial capability, preferences and, to some extent, opinion of your well-meaning friends who have gone through the same thing. Now, the two primary things you’ll have to decide on prior to the birth of your baby are the location of the birth and your health care provider. You need to keep in mind that these choices go hand in hand, as many health care providers actually have their chosen locations. Below is a quick overview of the decisions you will need to make prior to your labor:

For your birth, you can have an obstetrician attend to you. An obstetrician is a medical practitioner who specializes in the areas of pregnancy, labor and childbirth, so you have the assurance that he received education highly focused on the female reproductive system. It’s recommended to get an obstetrician if you have certain medical conditions. Generally, this kind of doctor handles birth and deliveries in a hospital.

You can also let a family practitioner take care of you during your birth period. This type of physician has had adequate training in different fields of medicine such as surgery, pediatrics and obstetrics. If you have a low risk pregnancy, having a family practitioner attend to you should be fine. Like obstetricians, family practitioners also do deliveries in hospital settings.

If you want a more personal approach in giving birth, then you may opt to get a midwife. It’s important to note, though, that many midwives have limited medical intervention despite having related training and experience. For a low risk pregnancy, having a midwife would suffice. Midwives usually offer their services at home or in birth centers, although there are some who are also present in hospitals.

The birth of your child entails a lot of choices on your part. It may be more than a bit confusing on your part, especially if you’re a first time mom, but if you do research and consult with your partner, ob-gyn, and other people you trust, you’re going to come up with well-informed decisions.

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