- Proper support is important for childbirth - builds confidence in mom, builds safety in mom, lowers complications, interventions, medications and cesareans.
- Induction is only for medical reasons - big baby, past "due date", tired of being pregnant, care provider preference, upcoming holidays... all put mom and baby at risk for complications, interventions and cesarean.
- Cesarean only for medical reasons - cord prolapse, placenta previa, pre-eclampsia or HELLP syndrome where induction fails, true fetal distress, some breech positions, placental abruption, uterine rupture (there are other less common reasons as well - notice previous cesarean, non-medical reason, large baby, gestational diabetes, obesity, convenience are not on the list)
- Unrestricted movement in labor -
- Pushing in gravity prone positions - only use reclined or lithotomy of mom desires it.
- No separation of mom and baby unless there is a complication.
- Drinking and eating in labor - the uterus is a muscle it needs to be watered and fed.
- Intermittent monitoring of mom and baby - only high risk moms and babies need continuous monitoring.
- No routine medications or interventions - pain management should not be pushed on a mother, episiotomies should not be routine, augmentation of labor should only be done AFTER non-medical methods are tried and patience is used, naturally occurring rupture of membranes, etc.
- Unrestricted breastfeeding access.
- Informed consent and refusal need to be utilized.
Check out http://www.cappa.net/, http://www.independentchildbirth.com/, http://www.lamaze.org/ for resources outside of Colorado Springs, CO (classes, doulas, other related professionals).
