January - 17, 2025

Caitlin’s Birth Story

The care at the birth center was so personal. They remembered things we talked about from previous appointments — asking how my kids were doing and following up on details. They weren’t just preparing me for birth; they were invested in my experience.

My husband’s role during the second birth was so much more involved. At the hospital, he sat on the sidelines, unsure how to help. I was hooked up to machines and didn’t know what I needed from him. He basically just held my hand and ate Chick-fil-A while I sat in the hospital bed. But this time, after taking a birth course and learning what to expect, I knew exactly how he could support me. He felt more prepared and like a part of the process.

The birth center offers online courses to take at your own pace and even a free in-person class toward the end of your pregnancy. They teach you about birthing positions, counter-pressure, ways to stay comfortable, and even how to make better diet choices in the last trimester. The education they provide is incredible.

I wish more women knew how important it is to ask questions. I used to think that whatever the doctor said was final — I never questioned it. Now, I know that you’re in charge of your own birth. You can ask, ‘Why are we doing this?’ or, ‘What other options do I have?’ So much of what happens in hospitals is about what’s most convenient for them, not necessarily what’s best for you.

I’d recommend that everyone take a birth course, no matter where you plan to give birth. Knowing how your body works, what to expect during each stage of labor, and what interventions mean can change your entire experience. Birth is something we’ve been made to fear, but once you’re educated, you realize your body is built for it. It’s empowering to have that knowledge and to know you have a say in your own birth.