5 things to consider when choosing your birth team.

1. What type of care provider do you want to support you?

• OBGYN
• Midwife
• Family Doctor

Does your care provider respect, share, and value your birth goals? Choose a care provider who will support your birth goals. Change providers if you feel uncomfortable or unsupported during the process. 

2.Personal support people

Who will be with you during your birth? 

• ​Partner
• Mother
• Sister
• Other family
• Close friend

Do your support people know your plan? Are they willing to help you achieve these goals? How will they help you reach them? Will they take classes, practice comfort measures with you, assist your partner, find out how they will help you.

3.Professional Support

Will you consider using a birth doula? A birth doula is someone you should trust and feel comfortable with. Ensure they are the right fit for you and all other support persons at your birth. Look for a doula who is trained and supports your birth choices.

4. Educational Support

Childbirth Educator
How will you prepare for your birth? Have you considered taking childbirth education classes? Research and take a class that is geared to the type of birth you want. For example, do not take a class that talks mainly about hospital birth if you are planning a home birth and vice versa. 

Lactation Consultant
If you are planning on breastfeeding a preparation class can lead to greater success. It also connects you to a great resource person if needed later.

5. Birth Photography
Some people would like their birth captured by a professional photographer. How do you want them to be involved? It is important to have clear expectations of them. Make sure your personalities mesh well together, although they are there to document your birth, a negative energy could impact you in ways you don't expect. 

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