Your Birth Team Matters | Grand Rapids Doula + Birth Photographer

Don’t get me wrong, I do think that the process of making a birth plan is valuable.

Creating a birth plan (or your birth philosophy, or list of your birth preferences, etc.) helps you understand/explore your options, gain confidence in your birthing rights, and think about what matters most to you. Presenting a birth plan to your OB, family doctor, or midwife can be a good way to provoke a conversation with your clinical care provider. It can also reveal information about your provider’s philosophy of birth.

For example, if your OB laughs at a statement like “I want to be able to push in whatever position I am most comfortable in. Ex: all fours, squatting, or sidelying,” then a red flag should go up that your provider may not understand or know how to support physiologic birth. (For the record, this literally happened to me during my first pregnancy. Straight up laughter. You better believe I fired her.)

On the other hand, if your midwife reads on your birth plan that you want delayed cord clamping and says, “Absolutely, we wait until the cord is white, and then ask for permission before clamping and cutting the cord,” this reveals that they know the most recent evidence on cord clamping.

“Be aware: A provider using language like ‘letting you’ or ‘allowing you to’ is a major red flag. This is your body, your birth experience, and these are your choices.”

However, even if you are encouraged by your provider’s reaction to your birth plan…that may not necessarily translate into fully respecting your birthing autonomy when the time comes. I’m going to tell you about one of the more upsetting realities I have seen more than I’d like. This is true mainly in the hospital birth system - and I’ve seen it with doula and birth photography clients who have had OBs, family doctors, and midwives. I have had clients with providers who look at a birth plan and say “Yep, yep, this all looks great! We can let you (or allow you to) do all of this. Your birth, your way.” But then…

When it comes down to the actual labor and birth process, the provider reverts to their typical practices and processes rather than giving individualized, evidence-based care. Sometimes the processes “required” in triage, the culture of the hospital unit, or the OB that happens to be on-call disrespect or disregard your wishes. Sometimes providers simply tell you what you want to hear prenatally and things are much different when it comes down to it. Depending on what you hope for, the reality is that there are providers in every area with whom it is MUCH harder to have the kind of birth you desire.

So, while I do see value in the process of composing a birth plan and in presenting it to your clinical provider, I see much MORE value in having a birth team that aligns with your philosophy of birth in the first place and has shown time and time again that they practice what they preach.

Midwife Kristen Dib, CNM, from Advanced OBGYN in Grand Rapids, Michigan delights in new life after her care contributed to an empowered, supported birth experience for this mother.

How do you find which provider is right for you to build your team?

Here is it…unapologetically, this is what I truly believe. HIRE A DOULA FIRST. Tell your doula what you value, what you hope for, and how you want to feel during your pregnancy and birth. Then ask your doula to honestly inform you about which local providers will best support these wishes. Be open to hearing that your current provider may not be the best option given what you are looking for.

No doula has worked with every single provider in their area. It is important that your doula is plugged into the birth community and has strong relationships with other doulas in the area. I regularly spend time with and consistently communicate with many doulas and other birth workers in Grand Rapids. As a group, we have first-hand experience and a strong handle on how various providers operate. There is an incredible WEALTH of knowledge in the doula hive mind.

Find a doula who you trust…and then trust her knowledge of local providers.

With a doula and a clinical provider that you are really confident will support you, you will be set up the best you can be for the unknowns of your individual birth experience. Your birth team matters more than your birth plan.