Decisions shouldn’t be made during a contraction.

Written By Ciara Tallon

There is always time for a conversation. Unless it’s an emergency you can ask for more time or for things to be explained again. If you’ve ever had someone ask you a question mid contraction, you know what i’m talking about. You will agree to just about anything to get them to stop talking. Another reason is because we don’t want activate our thinking brain, it really knows nothing about birth.

This doesn’t mean that birth education can take place in the birth space. Both you and your partner should know your answers to the big questions that will be asked of you. Such as “do you consent to CTG monitoring?” or “can I perform a vaginal exam?” etc.

In an ideal world we would all be educated about our choices and options preconception, but we can settle for it happening prior to labour. I strongly advocate for birth partners to know your choices and birth plan/map off by heart so they are able to advocate for what you want if you’re in the throws of labour. You want to feel confident that you have made an informed decisions, in order for it to be an informed decision you need to know the benefits, risks and alternatives.

There are so many ways to gain knowledge and information.

  • You could attend a birth education class such as Hypnobirthing Australia, Calmbirth, She Births and so much more.

  • Following doulas, birth keepers and private midwives is a cost effective way to gain knowledge as they post some fantastic content.

  • Reading or skimming through some great birth books such Gentle Birth Gentle Mothering - Sarah Buckley, anything by Rhea Dempsey or Sara Wickham.

  • Listening to podcasts such as The Great Birth Rebellion, The Midwives Cauldron and Positive Birth Australia. They contain so much evidence based information which is easy to consume while driving, walking or making dinner.

Just a few things I suggest to do further reading or listening on:

  • CTG monitoring vs Interminant Monitoring

  • Group Strep B (GBS) swap

  • Episiotomy vs natural tearing.

  • How oxytocin works in labour.

Ciara Tallon