You’re a Viking! A trooper! A superhero-esque creature when it comes to all things pregnancy. Or not. Labor day (and not the one that means the pool is getting ready to close for the year) is just over the horizon, and your birth plan needs some buffing up. Natural birth leaves you med-free and focused, while the other option involves some sort of doc-lead intervention. It’s a one-of-a-kind type of day, and you want everything to go the most “right” it possibly can. Weighing the pros and cons of natural birth is a totally normal part of during-pregnancy planning. If you’re on the fence, check out some of the reasons to (or not to) go natural!
1. No: You’re a pain wimp. Okay, so no one is making fun of you here. It’s perfectly normal to get kind of creeped out when it comes to things that hurt. Did you stub your toe and scream loud enough for everyone in LA to hear you (oh, and you happen to live in NYC)? Well, maybe natural childbirth isn’t for you. Hey, that’s okay. There’s no labor and delivery prize for shouldering the most pain.
2. Yes: Focus is your friend. You’re a meditation master. When you have a pain (any pain — even a migraine-level pain), you can focus it away. Your friends are in awe at how well-trained your mind seems to be. If you’ve got the breathing focus thing under control, the natural way may make more sense than dealing with drugs.
3. No: You’re beyond exhausted. Sometimes things don’t go as planned. This includes childbirth. You’ve been contracting for hours, and you’re exhausted. That’s it. You’re done. Mama out. You can’t possibly stand one more moment of pain. If this sounds like a possibility, consider the idea of medication. This doesn’t mean that you’ll get an epidural the moment you feel the teeniest, tiniest twinge. Instead, keep the option open just in case an overwhelming wave of tiredness takes hold.
4. Yes: You’ve totally got this. Positivity is on the brain, and you’re 100-percent sure that you can do this whole childbirth thing, medication free! If your mind is completely made up, then go for it. As long as the doctor doesn’t have anything to say otherwise, stick with your gut and let your confidence flag fly high. Your Mother Nature-esque mindset will help to carry you through the childbirth process, without asking for meds.
5. No: You totally don’t have this: Childbirth is scary. You don’t know what’s going to happen and you’re scared, excited, happy, anxious and impatient all at once. When you’re wavering and not sure that you can manage the pain of childbirth, talking to your medical provider about your options is entirely in order. This doesn’t mean that junior has to be born all drugged up. But, consider the possibility that a little medical helper might make you feel better about the whole birth process.
6. Yes: The idea of being medicated makes you squirm. When you had your wisdom teeth removed, the oral surgeon offered you something super strong. You filled the script, but left the pill bottle in your medicine cabinet for the next four years. Unless you absolutely need them, you tend to shy away from meds. Obviously, if there’s a real medical issue and your doc says they’re a must, you take the medication. If not, au natural may be for you.
7. No mama’s better than another. Whether you go completely natural or you’re all about feeling nothing from the waist down, keep in mind one thing — this is your decision. You need to do what’s best for you, and not what you think other people expect. Don’t worry about what anyone else says (unless it’s your doctor, midwife or other medical pro who is part of your pregnancy process). This is your pregnancy, your delivery and your baby. Not some judgy mommy friend’s choice. Just be you!
What’s your take on natural vs. medicated birth? Share your ideas and tweet us @BritandCo !
(Photos via Getty)
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.