Although I was unable to have a natural childbirth, I am very supportive of moms-to-be that desire a low intervention experience. After all, my mother had me natural and I was breech – “frank breech” actually, which means I came out butt first. Yup, hello world! Way back then (you know, cuz I’m old and all) they didn’t have as many forms of medical intervention nor did they know what they know now so my champion mother delivered me with no drugs, folded in half. Because of my glorious entry into the world, I desired a natural childbirth experience. I wanted to prove I was as amazing as my mom. But with gestational diabetes and a third trimester kidney stone, my desire quickly became to get the baby out, quick!
My personal plight aside, I’ve always been a proponent of natural childbirth if a mom-to-be truly desires it. And, I have an OB (Dr. Rupe) who is also very supportive of natural, hospital births. Which is why I was very interested when Jenny Yarborough shared with me about her book, Unbound Birth. As you know from Dr. Rupe’s past post on home birth, as a community, we could discourage moms from birthing at home due to the complications that can arise and the danger outside a hospital setting. Therefore, a tool that encourages and empowers moms to deliver naturally in a hospital setting is very valuable.
In Unbound Birth, Jenny shares her own birth experiences, which are very textbook and conducive to natural delivery. She encourages that natural children is for everyone. I agree with Jenny that natural childbirth can be for everyone if their pregnancy and delivery progresses without major complications. Unbound Birth does a great job sharing stories and tips that will encourage expectant moms to educate themselves and find the right birthing partners to plan for a natural birth. Although some women may not be able to follow through with a natural birth, I do believe all women that desire one should prepare themselves for it. I encourage moms – there is no reason to think that you will not be able to give birth naturally. . .so prepare to do so. If complications arise (which most likely they will not) you and your team can adjust your course at that time.
In the book, Jenny shares about her experience with a doula (birthing coach) and how she found an OB who was “natural birth friendly.” I believe that the team surrounding you throughout your pregnancy and childbirth is of utmost importance. As the book suggests, if you want to give birth naturally, hire a doula and educate yourself on the process of natural birth. No matter what your birth preferences, you should find an OB that you can trust. When giving birth naturally in a hospital setting, a doula is part of the team but you still need to trust your physician first and foremost.
I love Jenny’s chapter on birth plans. She shares our viewpoint that birth plans can be a blessing and a curse. Her advice is similar to that of Dr. Rupe’s post last month that a birth plan should be more of a list of preferences rather than demands. The plan she uses as an example is pretty simple and does not include any of the crazy, unidentifiable instructions that Dr. Rupe has seen before. Jenny encourages readers to “be firm but flexible” with their birth plan. I definitely agree but would add – if you trust your doctor than you know he/she will not make any intervention beyond your desire unless it was absolutely necessary to the safety of you and your baby.
Jenny ends the book by giving moms-to-be tips on maintaining a healthy pregnancy through diet and exercise which are important keys to having a healthy delivery.
Unbound birth is a good tool for pregnant women who think they may want to have a low intervention birth. This book will get you started on your journey to preparation and empowerment for natural childbirth. Thank you Jenny for your passion to help women have the natural childbirth they desire in the safest setting possible.
We are giving away two digital copies of this ebook today. Thank you Jenny for sharing your book with our readers. Leave a comment on this post about your experience or desire to have a natural hospital birth and we’ll pick two lucky winners on Sunday. If you are pregnant and not yet sure if you would like to have a natural birth, this book would be great for you too. So share any thoughts on pregnancy and birth to be entered to win.
Unbound Birth: Natural Childbirth Book Review w/ Giveaway is a post from: The Pregnancy Companion
