How to Pick Your Birth Team

A woman’s health and medical care is a partnership between her and her health care provider. Your health care team is responsible for providing excellent care and education while being comforting and sensitive to your concerns and needs. They can greatly influence your birth experience, which is why picking your birth team is no easy task. It is important to find a team that fits what you are looking for in your birth experience so you can walk away feeling fulfilled and happy about your birth.

When selecting your birth team, take time to interview every candidate, and ask questions about their approach to birth. You will know you have found your perfect birth team when you feel confident that they have the same philosophy around interventions and births, as well as knowing they understand and respect your birth plan and wishes.

To help you select your birth team, here are a few things you should consider first!

What type of birth do you envision having?
Where do you plan on giving birth (home, birth center, hospital)?
What are your options?
Who do you want in the room with you?

Once you have considered those questions, the answers will help guide you to whether you are looking for an in or out of hospital birth experience with an OB/GYN or Midwife. Once you do that, it is important to learn more about their philosophy surrounding birth.

At Charleston Birth Place, we believe that a woman’s health is her responsibility. We expect her to communicate with us and participate in the decision-making. Our Midwives believe that pregnancy and birth are physiological processes that should be subject to as little intervention as possible. We offer women choices in place of birth, choosing the appropriate level of expertise and technology. Our team is made up of incredible Certified Nurse-Midwives and support staff dedicated to helping you have the best birth experience possible.

Other essential people you might consider for your birth team:

Doula. A doula is a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to you before, during, and shortly after childbirth. Doulas are not healthcare professionals. They are trained companions to assist you in achieving maximum comfort throughout pregnancy and labor.
Spouse/Partner. This may be obvious, but the intimate connection you share is beneficial in your labor and birth. A partner who learns about their role during birth can help provide you with comfort, perhaps a relaxing massage, and will certainly ease your nerves.
Childbirth Educator. Some people love adding childbirth educators and instructors to their birth team to help them learn all about their needs and feel empowered to take control of their care. A childbirth educator will help you in the prenatal preparation for your birth.
Massage Therapist. There are many benefits to prenatal massage. Massage can help foster a better physical and emotional balance for the mother and help her create a more healthy environment for the growing baby.
Chiropractor. Seeing a chiropractor for prenatal chiropractic work can help relieve back pain that stems from the relaxed ligaments and joints that occur during pregnancy.

Charleston Birth Place clients can receive massage, chiropractic, and education through The Exchange, which is located inside Charleston Birth Place. They offer resources for holistic care before, during, and after pregnancy. Remember, this is your pregnancy and your birth, so your team should be comprised of people who will support you every step of the way. To learn more about Charleston Birth Place and if we are a good fit for your birth team, start here!