Birth-

[PrettyButterfly]

When you hear the word "Birth" what comes to mind?

What is your definition of "Birth"?

Will you be using a midwife or ob/gyn?

Do you really know the difference between the two?

Would you like a doula?

Will you have a doula?

What are your reasons for wanting/having a doula?

Do you know what a doula is?

Where is your preference for giving birth? hospital, birthing center, home?

Do you feel that your views on these questions are the "norm" for Americans ad what makes you feel that way?

I am asking these questions because I am writing a research paper on Americans perception of birth. I know that my personal feeling on pregnancy labor and birth are not the norm in America. I can get my facts and statistics easily from the internet. I am here in hopes of getting some personal opinions to quote in paper. Its just a small paper for my english class but this is a subject I am very interested in.

I am not sure where to find info on exactly why we Americans are "brainwashed" into using epidurals with every birth with out question and fear birth in general. I was hoping that posting this in a few different mothering/pregnancy forums I belong to I could get a good idea of others views on these questions.
Thank you for your help

[elonwy]

When you hear the word "Birth" what comes to mind? Welcoming my child into the world.

What is your definition of "Birth"? Same.

Will you be using a midwife or ob/gyn? Hopefully a midwife, I will find out if I am eligible next week.

Do you really know the difference between the two? Through extensive reading, yes.

Would you like a doula? I'm not sure.

Will you have a doula? Still thinking about it.

What are your reasons for wanting/having a doula? I think I would want one to make sure that someone there has their entire focus on me. Also, if I end up having to go the hospital route instead of the birthing center, I'm getting a doula.

Do you know what a doula is? There are different kinds I believe? But it's someone who helps you labor, helps makes your needs known, and can also help with post-partum stuff, depending.

Where is your preference for giving birth? hospital, birthing center, home? Birthing center.

Do you feel that your views on these questions are the "norm" for Americans ad what makes you feel that way? Absolutely not. Every single person I have told about wanting to go to a birthing center and have a midwife looks at me like I'm completely bonkers and tries to convince me that it's not safe and that I need a doctor. Course none of these people have kids so.....

Oh I wanted to add... Up until about a year ago, I had no idea the answer to any of these questions. Then I started researching, and learned a lot, all of it on my own. (I learned a lot from here too, by on my own I mean not from RL friends, family or doctors).

[PrettyButterfly]

Elonwy- Thank you so much for you input.

[IdentityCrisisMama]

I'll play. FYI, my favorite birth book is called "Pushed". And, I assume you know the philosophy of Mothering Magazine and that you're likely to get a very skewed view of typical views of birth here, right?

Originally Posted by PrettyButterfly

When you hear the word "Birth" what comes to mind? Flashes of births I've seen in videos. Mostly "alternative" births - either at home, outside (unassisted), in water.

What is your definition of "Birth"? When a baby leaves it's mamas womb.

Will you be using a midwife or ob/gyn? Yes. I will be using a homebirth MW.

Do you really know the difference between the two? I think so.

Would you like a doula? No.

Will you have a doula? No.

What are your reasons for wanting/having a doula? I don't want one. It's just never seemed like my kind of thing. I will have some friends around (mother, sisters) but not a trained/paid doula.

Do you know what a doula is? Yes.

Where is your preference for giving birth? hospital, birthing center, home? Home.

Do you feel that your views on these questions are the "norm" for Americans ad what makes you feel that way? No. Although I know a lot of women who birthed the way I hope to, I read somewhere that homebirth is still quite rare in the US. I actually don't personally know anyone in this town who homebirthed.

I am asking these questions because I am writing a research paper on Americans perception of birth. I know that my personal feeling on pregnancy labor and birth are not the norm in America. I can get my facts and statistics easily from the internet. I am here in hopes of getting some personal opinions to quote in paper. Its just a small paper for my english class but this is a subject I am very interested in.

I am not sure where to find info on exactly why we Americans are "brainwashed" into using epidurals with every birth with out question and fear birth in general. I was hoping that posting this in a few different mothering/pregnancy forums I belong to I could get a good idea of others views on these questions.
Thank you for your help

Have fun with your paper.

[lillymonster]

Originally Posted by PrettyButterfly

When you hear the word "Birth" what comes to mind?
A new life

What is your definition of "Birth"?
I don't know - good question - but it doesn't just apply to the physical act

Will you be using a midwife or ob/gyn?
Midwife

Do you really know the difference between the two?
Oh yes, I had OB the first time

Would you like a doula? yes

Will you have a doula? yes

What are your reasons for wanting/having a doula?
trying to shorten this - had a typical intervention full OB birth with a schedule induction date, baby was taken away for 7 hours and then only could see her for a few minutes until the next day. Was denied food for over 48 hours, wasn't allowed to move, wasn't allowed to nurse because I was throwing up. Luckily breastfeeding was not affected, but I suffered from PPD and felt "detached" from my baby for a long time.

Do you know what a doula is?
yes

Where is your preference for giving birth? hospital, birthing center, home? Would love a birthing center, but had a c-section first, so know I am a vbac. My only choice is home (which can't do because of very long distance to closest hospital) or hospital with midwife.

Do you feel that your views on these questions are the "norm" for Americans ad what makes you feel that way?
I think with #1 I was the norm, but going for a vbac with midwives, seems not to be the norm in my area.


Thank you for your help

Sure, I all answer because I didn't know about natural birthing, etc until AFTER I had #1 - so I think maybe I can give both sides