I’ve been struck recently about conversations about risk mitigation in birth.
I teach Bradley classes which help families to learn what they need to know to reduce their chances of needing interventions, through proper pregnancy, nutrition, exercise, and knowledge of the body’s birthing systems and hormones. But recently a colleague stood up and said in a public forum ” You can do all the things and your birth might still go sideways.” She has a point. But I always prefer to focus on the glass half full side of the equation. If we focus on the negativity of an aspect then we might as well give up, and that’s something most people have already done when they hand their power over to a caregiver, and don’t make choices, but follow directives.
There needs to be a balance between the medical attitude of “well, If we assess all aspects of your body, we can mitigate risk in birth with tests, and procedures, and restrictions.” The other side of the coin is focusing on what is in your control as a human being. That being specifically: nutrition; exercise; educating yourself and your partner on what is normal, and what is not; how to avoid problems, and how to help, and when to ask for help. Reducing your chances of needing interventions or a cesarean reduces your risk factor. My statistics speak for themselves: a 15% cesarean rate, and a 20% medicated rate. This shows that for the majority of women Bradley classes do make a positive difference in reducing risk.
So pardon me if I continue to be the eternal optimist that yes you can help yourself be healthier and low risk. You can help yourself have a more positive experience through education so that you can make choices that are right for you. I’ll always see the birthing glass as half full rather than half empty.
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