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Preparing for your new baby involves many decisions for you and your family. It is vital to be aware and knowledgeable of the options that are available to you and your growing family, especially as a Black birthing person in America. This starts with a strong and harmonious birthing team dedicated to ensuring you and your needs are the center of attention (it’s your time to shine, mama).
A birth team is a group of chosen people and professionals who work together to assist a birthing person from conception until the baby is delivered and even a few weeks after. You may choose to have a combination of people on your birthing team. Here are some options:
OB/GYN
OB/GYN stands for obstetrician/gynecologist. An obstetrician cares for babies and birthing people during and after childbirth. A gynecologist is a physician who diagnoses and treats aspects of the female reproductive system but doesn’t deliver babies. An OB/GYN is a professional that does both. OBs are also surgeons, according to the Cleveland Clinic, if you need one during delivery.
Seeing an OB/GYN as soon as you learn you’re pregnant allows you to build a relationship with them, get your questions asked, and receive the care you and your baby need. OBs perform routine prenatal exams, check for and monitor potential abnormalities, and provide postpartum care. Most people who choose a hospital have their babies delivered by an OB/GYN. The number of Black OB/GYNs is close to our population percentage at 11%,
Certified Nurse-Midwife
A Certified Nurse-Midwife is a registered nurse qualified to support a birthing person from pre-conception to postpartum. Having a nurse-midwife on your team may also give you the option of a more holistic pregnancy and birthing experience. In a hospital setting, nurse-midwives are welcomed in the delivery room to assist but don’t deliver babies. They offer support to the birthing person and the baby after birth. But only 7% of Certified Nurse-Midwives are Black.
Family Physician
While many women may choose to select a new doctor, an article by Health Partners states that some family doctors, especially in rural areas, provide care for birthing people during pregnancy. If you’ve maintained a healthy relationship with your family doctor or there aren’t many OBs in your area, seeking care from a family physician could be an option.
Doula
Per DONA International, a trained and certified doula is someone who can provide emotional and physical support to a birthing person during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum periods. Doulas bring evidenced-based knowledge to help advocate for the birthing person’s needs, so long as it doesn’t interfere with medical emergencies. Doulas can work in homes, hospitals, and birthing centers. However, doulas are not considered medical professionals. To find one, visit BlackDoulas.org.
Understanding where you plan to give birth is essential to building your team. Some states and medical providers have boundaries around where they can provide care for you and your baby.
Hospital
Hospitals are the most common place in the United States for delivering babies. Hospitals will offer you the most comprehensive array of medical needs, from pain control to care units specific to infants (neonatal intensive care units), support from a wide range of staff members, and more. A hospital birth can be defined as a “one-stop-shop” for birthing people and can bring peace of mind, knowing that everything you need is under one roof.
Birthing Center
A birthing center aims to give patients a “home-away-from-home” feel with birthing suites or private rooms, softer lighting, and a family-centered approach so you can invite your loved ones to be a part of your life event. The benefits of choosing a birthing center include the option to eat and drink during labor, lower Cesarean sections and infant mortality rates, the option to different birthing positions, and more.
Home Birth
Birthing people who deliver at home enjoy the benefits of being in a comfortable and familiar environment, reducing the use of medical equipment, having friends and family present, cost-efficiency, and more. Preparing for a home birth will look different than birthing at a center or hospital, but the trade-off may be worth it. If you plan to choose a home birth option, be sure to bring this up with your medical team as soon as possible so the appropriate procedures can be put in place.
Welcoming a new soul into the world is a beautiful and fantastic event that has happened since the beginning of time. As technology evolves, options become plenty, but it’s essential to trust and stick to your instincts when making decisions for you and your family unit.
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