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Birth Inventory Questions

Answer each question as truthfully as you can. You need not be concerned about accuracy. Remember, there are no right answers – only what is true for you. Give three answers for each question.

It may be helpful to do this exercise with your partner, or with another friend who is pregnant.

• What do you believe about your own personal birth (not your child’s)?
  
• What does your mother believe about your birth?
  
• What does your father believe about your birth?
  
• What do you believe about women?
  
• What does your mother believe about women?
  
• What does your father believe about women?
  
• How would a group of women from your family (aunts, sisters, grandmothers, etc.) fill in this statement: The women in our family are:
  
• How would a group of women from your family fill this statement: Childbirth is:
  
• What did you believe about sex at age 16?
  
• What does your mother believe about sex?
  
• What does your father believe about sex?
  
• What do you believe about pregnancy?
  
• What does your mother believe about pregnancy?
  
• What does your father believe about pregnancy?
  
• How do you feel when talking to a midwife or physician?
  
• What have your friends told you about pregnancy?
  
• What have your friends told you about childbirth?
  
• What three words do you associate with “pain”?
  
• What three words do you associate with “hospital”?
  
• What do you believe about your siblings’ birth (if relevant)?
  
• What does your mother believe about your siblings’ births?
  
• What does your father believe about your siblings’ birth?
  
• What did/does your religion teach you about birth?
  
• What did/does your religion teach you about sex?
  
• What are your three most secret thoughts about childbirth?
  
• What do you fear the most?

Once you have completed the questions take some time to look over your answers. You may want to wait a day or two before doing this. Then, analyze your answers to see what preconceived notions you may have about birth.