With my first birth behind me, I’m heading into this next delivery with a much clearer sense of what I need to feel safe and supported. My goal for this birth isn’t a ‘perfect’ outcome. Since birth is unpredictable. But rather a centered experience. Here is a look at the pillars of our plan for April:

1. A Mindful Environment

I’ve learned that I labor best when the world feels small and quiet. We’re planning on keeping the lights dim and the ‘medical footprint’ as small as possible. This means I’m opting for minimal interruptions and hoping to stay as mobile and ‘untethered’ as I can during the early stages. I want to be an active participant in every shift of the process.

One big priority for us this time is keeping the room as intimate as possible. After a crowded experience with my first birth, we’ve decided on a ‘no observers’ policy. We are requesting that only the essential medical staff and my direct care team be in the room. This helps keep the energy calm and ensures that every person in that space has a specific, active role in our care.

2. Modern Support with Traditional Movement

I know for certain that an epidural is part of my plan this time, but I’m not planning on just ‘lying back.’ My focus is on active laboring. We’ve talked with my care team about ‘laboring down’ and using different positions. Like side-lying or hands-and-knees. Even after the epidural is in place. It’s all about helping the baby find the best path forward.

3. Protecting the “Golden Hour”

The first two hours after birth are incredibly sacred to us. My priority is immediate, uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact. We’ve requested that all the standard newborn checks and procedures happen right on my chest or while I’m holding the baby. I want our little one’s first memories of the world to be the sound of my heartbeat and the warmth of our family.

4. Setting the Stage for Postpartum

Because I have a history with IGT, my feeding plan is a huge part of my postpartum recovery. You can read my full lactation and IGT plan here.

Because we have a very specific feeding plan in place, I’m focused on a smooth transition to recovery. This means advocating for ‘clustered care.’ where the hospital staff performs checks all at once so we can actually get some sleep. And a quick discharge so we can get settled into our own routine at home.

Resources & Further Reading

If you’re curious about some of the choices we’ve made for this birth, here are some great evidence-based resources that helped us find our way:

On Labor Positions & Movement:

• Spinning Babies: A fantastic resource for understanding baby’s optimal positioning and how movement (even with an epidural!) can help labor progress.
• Evidence Based Birth on “Laboring Down”: If you’ve ever wondered why some moms wait to push until they feel the urge, this article explains the benefits of the “rest and descend” approach.

On Postpartum & The “Golden Hour”:

• The Power of Skin-to-Skin: Check out the Cleveland Clinic’s guide on why the first hour of skin-to-skin is so vital for both mom and baby’s regulation.
• Delayed Cord Clamping: For a quick look at why waiting a few minutes to clamp the cord is becoming the new standard, ACOG’s committee opinion is the gold standard.

Disclaimer

While I love sharing this journey with you all, please remember that every body and every birth is unique. These choices were made in partnership with my medical team specifically for my history and my baby. I’m not able to offer medical advice, but I’m so happy to share what is working for our family!