Choosing A Patient Centered Care Provider During Pregnancy

You've just received exciting news--you're pregnant! Now what? The first step most women make, besides telling their partner, is calling their OB/GYN office, and setting up an initial appointment. Many women continue to see the same provider that they use for well woman check ups, throughout their pregnancy. Some women decide to switch providers. Why might this be? Well, for one, all care providers are not the same. Whether you see a midwife or an obstetrician (OB), there are certain things to look for in the way they treat their patients. 

If you choose to see an obstetrician, you'll give birth in a hospital. Keep this in mind when choosing your obstetrician. Most OB's only deliver at one hospital. Is the hospital they deliver at one that you would like to be in? Are there any major policies at that hospital that disagree with your birth plan? Perhaps you're planning to have a doula. Does your hospital have any policies concerning doula support? Maybe you plan to have your placenta encapsulated. Does your hospital have any policies about taking your placenta home? As a doula, I'm heartbroken for clients who find a care provider they love, only to realize the hospital they will be birthing at has policies that directly conflict with their birth plan. Consider both your care provider, and the hospital they have privileges with.

If you choose to see a midwife, you may give birth at a hospital, birth center, or at home, depending on where they work. Here in Hampton Roads, we have midwives who deliver at a variety of places. Just like with an obstetrician, make sure you know where your midwife delivers. If your midwife only delivers at the hospital, ask yourself the same questions we ran through above: does this hospital support my birth plan?

If your midwife serves in a birth center, it's equally important to find out their policies. Does the birth center have certain requirements? Can you decline any of the standard procedures? What are the birth center's medical capabilities? How far away is the nearest hospital, in case of a medical emergency?

If your midwife offers homebirth, you'll want to know slightly different things. What are your midwife's policies? What would "risk you out" of a homebirth? Do they support your birth plan? What does their prenatal and postpartum care look like? How far is your home from a hospital, in case of a medical emergency? Are you comfortable giving birth in your home, and is your home suitable for a home birth?

These are all great questions to ask your care provider about the place you are going to give birth. But what about the person who will be attending your birth? Different care providers have different qualifications, but that doesn't mean one is "better" than the other. Consider your view of birth.

Would you prefer that your pregnancy is managed closely by a doctor, or would you rather have someone guide you through it with less strict direction? This is one of the primary differences between an obstetrician and a midwife. An obstetrician is a physician and will manage your pregnancy care, just like they would manage, for lack of a better comparison, an illness. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. If you prefer that your pregnancy is managed, and want to give birth in a closely monitored setting, or if you require high-risk care, an obstetrician will serve your birth wishes best.

If you prefer to be a little more gently guided in your pregnancy, a midwife may be a great fit. Midwifery care is a little harder to define, since every midwife has a slightly different idea of how to care for pregnant and birthing women. The basis of their philosophy, is to provide evidence based care. Midwives believe that pregnancy and birth are normal life events that don't usually require intervention. Midwives' model of care includes prenatal care, assistance during childbirth, and postpartum support. They strive to reduce technological interventions and are able to identify and refer women who may need obstetrical attention.

Wherever you give birth, and whoever you choose to attend it should treat you with respect, compassion, and individualized care. Your care provider may see dozens of births per week, but that doesn't mean you should be treated as if you are a product on an assembly line. You only give birth to this baby once, so choose your care provider wisely.

We cover this extensively in my childbirth education class, Hypnobabies, but most of my students are already in their third trimester, and for better or worse, have already chosen a provider. Hopefully this post encourages women to find the right doctor or midwife earlier on. Please contact me by email at doula@lowerybirthservices.com if you'd like a list of recommended care providers.

What If My Birth Could Be Comfortable, Without Pain Medication?

A comfortable birth, from start to finish. Isn't this the dream? What if it were possible to have a relaxing, comfortable, and confident birth, from start to finish? This is what we learn to do through childbirth hypnosis. Now, hold on a minute! I know what you're thinking...a swinging pocket watch, glazed over eyes, laying on a chaise in an office somewhere? I'm happy to report that it's nothing like that at all.

At Lowery Birth Services, we teach a wonderful childbirth education class called Hypnobabies. Just like other methods of childbirth education, you'll learn all about maintaining a healthy pregnancy, the process of birth, postpartum care, and newborn care. What you won't learn about with other methods of childbirth education, is how to have a comfortable and joyful birth. That's because with Hypnobabies, we spend six weeks using medical grade hypnosis to "re-train" your mind. It's nothing crazy, like how the media typically portrays hypnosis. You'll be asked to get comfortable in your chair, in a fully supported position. Then, your instructor or your partner will read a script to you. It's very similar to guided imagery or meditation, except hypnosis actually works to re-shape your thoughts on birth. It's a common misconception that childbirth has to be painful. This is why other childbirth education methods teach "pain coping" techniques and "comfort" measures. While there is nothing wrong with those who choose to grit their teeth and bear the pain, I often wonder if they know there are other options. When you choose to commit to a Hypnobabies birth, you are choosing to have a birth experience like no other--comfortable, awake, aware, and relaxed! Yes, relaxed! A wonderful side effect of hypnosis is relaxation! 

The most amazing births I have ever seen as a doula have been the ones where the mother pushes her baby out with a smile, gasping for joy, not pain. I love seeing birth partners able to enjoy the birth experience too. So often, at traditional births, I see birth partners anxious or upset that their partner is in so much pain, and they feel helpless that all they can offer is a hand to hold. At a Hypnobabies birth, I see birth partners smiling, laughing, and involved in the process without fear! In class, your birth partner will learn cue words that instantly put you into a deep hypnosis. During intense moments of birth, your partner is actively able to participate and help you stay comfortable, simply by placing a hand on your shoulder or forehead and saying your cue word.

What about families who are planning to use an epidural? Birth goals differ for every family. Some families want to birth without pain medication. Some families prefer to use pain medication, like an epidural. Hypnobabies is a thorough childbirth education course that will prepare you for all birth scenarios, so you can have your baby happily, comfortably, and with confidence. Each birth is different, and every individual has their own goals. If you're in the Hampton Roads area, and you'd like more information about how our Hypnobabies class can fit your individual birth goals, please visit our contact page.

Welcome

Welcome to Lowery Birth Services. Let us tell you a little about our history. Lowery Birth Services began a few years ago when owner Adara Lowery realized her passion was no longer Early Childhood Education, but birth. She trained as a labor and postpartum doula, and began working in Hampton Roads. For a few brief months, she worked and lived in Greenville, South Carolina, but both she and her family realized they were missing the Hampton Roads area. Once they moved back, she began doula work again and finished up her doula certification. She also trained as a Hypnodoula through Hypnobabies, and there found another passion; childbirth hypnosis. Seeing the beautiful, comfortable, birthing time her clients experienced while using this program was life changing and Adara decided to pursue becoming a Hypnobabies Instructor in addition to continuing her doula work. Recently, Adara finished her Hypnobabies Instructor training and is currently finishing up the certification process. She looks forward to beginning teaching Hypnobabies Childbirth Education during the summer of 2017.

Adara Lowery is a wife, mother of two, and passionate birth professional. She believes that fostering positive communication and interaction between medical and birth professionals is what will truly bring change to the birth world. Adara enjoys attending all types of birth and providing valued support through physical comfort measures, confidence building, emotional support, and informative education. When Adara isn't working, you can find her outdoors, at the beach, park, or trails, enjoying time with her family.

At Lowery Birth Services, you'll find doula services and childbirth education that bring peace, joy, and confidence to your birth. We've found that the right amount of competent training, personal development, experience, and continued education makes fantastic professional birth services come to life. Questions, comments, and feedback are always welcome, and can be communicated on our contact form, through a phone call, in an email, or on our Facebook page.