Choosing Your Birth Team
In a Nutshell
The birth of your child can be one of the most amazing, challenging, intimate, and vulnerable experiences of your life. You will literally and figuratively be in the process of unfolding, opening, and falling apart in the most beautiful way. Choosing who will be present is a personal decision and not one to be taken lightly!
Some people feel most comfortable surrounded by all their closest friends and family, while some want it to be just them and their partner. There is no right or wrong answer. Some people also hire birth professionals called doulas who can guide you through labor, birth, and life with your new baby. A doula provides support and education for you and your partner but does not provide any medical care.
While the place that you choose to birth is a very important decision, the provider that you choose must be someone you can trust and someone who makes you feel safe. These two decisions are the most critical in terms of the outcome of your birth. If you choose a doula to help guide you through this important and special time, be sure you "click" and feel comfortable with that person as well.
[Inline Labor - 62](//images.ctfassets.net/brptmzxi5576/1hKSRQOUgDCQIHMA0ngxA3/ec84c4dfb161aecf45548413759bdcc5/InlineLabor-_62.jpg)
Dig Deeper
Some things to consider
- Who makes you feel safe? Above all, feeling safe, nurtured, and protected is so important during this process.
- What roles can you foresee needing filled during your birth? If photography is important to you, designate someone to be in charge of the camera or hire a birth photographer. If you have other children present, find someone who will make them their number one priority, like a family member or [sibling doula](h
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Your Selection
Allow Students
Your care team may include midwives, doctors, residents (doctors in training), labor nurses, nursing students, nursery nurses, NICU team (if baby is having issues), etc. Residents have already graduated from medical school and are actively managing patient care. Medical students are in the process of medical school and they mostly observe. Midwifery students have typically completed coursework and are now training with a staff midwife. Nursing students are in nursing school and are supervised. You may be comfortable allowing students the opportunity to learn from you and your birth. You may want to allow students but have a say in who, how many, or when. Or you may want privacy.