what if something bad happens during my labor?

I wish I could reach through the screen and give you a hug. This is a scary prospect and it sits in the back of almost every mom’s mind.

Here’s the thing: Birth is inherently unpredictable. I tell my clients all the time that “the only thing I can predict about your labor is that it will be somehow unpredictable.” It’s annoying to say, and it’s annoying to hear. Unfortunately, it’s the really annoying reality of the situation.

I offer you the following affirmations:

I trust myself to know what is right for myself and my baby.

I am safe, and my baby is safe.

I and my baby are well cared for.

If a serious complication comes up, the right decision is usually fairly easy to see. Hire a care provider that you trust, and don’t be afraid to ask for a second opinion if you do not feel aligned with the options being presented to you. If you’re worried about being able to advocate for yourself, check out my free Advocacy Mini-Workbook and use it as a launch pad.

And I’ve got to say it—these are the scenarios that doulas are made for. I have walked though dozens of situations with clients that came up unexpectedly. Even if the specifics are unfamiliar to me, I know the questions to ask and how to facilitate communication that gets answers. If you would feel safer with an advocate on hand just in case, build your birth team with that in mind.

Christine Rogers is a birth doula and childbirth educator. She is the owner/operator of Draw Near Doula Services and serves in-person in Anchorage, Eagle River and the Mat-Su Valley regions of Alaska, and offers virtual doula services and education all over the United States. A mom of four, she works hard to ensure every client she serves has a positive and empowering labor experience, because no one should have to be afraid of birth. When not doula-ing, she’s a writer, baker, aspiring potter (as in bowls and vases, thank you very much), and her love languages are mason jars, dangly earrings, and Dr. Pepper.

Need a doula? Looking for childbirth education? Find Christine’s services online at www.drawneardoula.com. You can also follower her online on Instagram & Facebook: @drawneardoula .