Building Your Birth Team
Why do I need to build a birth team
Whether you are preparing for your first baby or your fifth, it is wise to have a plan for your birth. Babies can be unpredictable and they can surprise us; what better way to feel comfort and at ease than having a team who supports you, encourages you and helps you navigate the best birth possible.
Women have been birthing babies for centuries with other strong, supportive women by their side. If your dream birth is “all natural” or more of a “come as it is” plan, there is a team for you.
We suggest surrounding yourself with a Birth Team who understands your wants, listens to you, and roots for you always! Although many would say this is what every provider should be doing already, the reality is that yes, providers want to keep you and your baby safe through the birth process but their practices may not be the best or safest for you and your child. The direction of life can be set on the wrong foot with a traumatic or invasive birth, yet this is not the worry of a birth team whose main concern is to simply birth a baby and keep mom and baby “healthy.”
When should I put together my brith team
A supportive birth team starts in pregnancy. “Chiropractic care in pregnancy is vital to the normal physiological function of both the mother and baby throughout pregnancy and birth.” By seeing a Webster Certified Chiropractor during your pregnancy it helps to reduce the effects of sacral subluxation and joint dysfunction. In doing so , neurobiomechanical function in the pelvis is facilitated. Put differently, “sacral subluxation may contribute to difficult labor for the mother (dystocia) caused by inadequate uterine function, pelvic contraction and baby mal-presentation. Correction of sacral subluxation may have a positive affect on all of these causes of dystocia. “ Preparing your body for a smooth labor is a vital part of obtaining the birth you desire.
Other members of your birth team such as a doula and OB/midwife will allow for a smooth birth. They will encourage you, uplift you and keep you progressing forward (even when you are feeling exhausted, tired and DONE!)
Post-birth Changes
Many women forget to prepare for post-birth changes. Reaching out to a lactation consultant, pelvic floor physical therapist, etc. may be helpful to quickly recover and enjoy your new baby in the best possible way!
If you have any questions about where to find like-minded professionals or what to look for when seeking out a chiropractor, OB, midwife, doula, physical therapist, etc., please reach out as we’re always happy to help mamas!
Happy Birthing!!
-Dr. Katie