Thoughtful Thursday

Hey Gorgeous Mama! How are you feeling on this fine Thursday in your pregnancy? Got a minute to dive deeper into something about your pregnancy?

Let’s go.

Let’s be real: one of the most overwhelming things about pregnancy (besides trying to figure out what your baby is doing during those late-night belly-dancing sessions) is trying to wrap your head around how you’ll actually give birth.

Like… are you supposed to just show up and hope your body knows what to do?

Spoiler alert: your body is actually incredible, but it helps a lot to know your options before game day.

Because yes—there are options.

More than anyone usually tells you at first.

And once I realized that birth isn’t one-size-fits-all, I felt a little less like I was heading into an alien abduction scenario and a little more like, “Oh okay—I can do this my way.”

So let’s talk about those options.

1. Hospital Births (a.k.a. the standard path)

This is the route most first-time moms take—and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that!

You’ll have access to medical care, pain relief like epidurals, and all the interventions if needed.

But it’s important to know that hospitals often have their own protocols that may or may not align with your preferences—like when you’re allowed to eat, how long they'll let you labor, or whether they want you pushing on your back (which, fun fact, is actually the least effective position).

So even in a hospital setting—you still have choices.

You can bring a birth plan, ask for intermittent monitoring, request delayed cord clamping, and say “no thanks” to routine cervical checks.

2. Midwife-Led Birth Centers

This is for the mom who wants medical backup nearby but doesn’t want to feel like she’s on a conveyor belt.

Birth centers are designed to feel homey, and care is usually more personalized and hands-off (in a good way).

They’re run by certified nurse midwives, and they’re great for low-risk pregnancies.

You might get to labor in a big tub, eat snacks mid-contraction, and birth in any position you like—with soft lighting and less beeping.

Dreamy, right?

3. Home Births

Ok, I know this one can sound intense at first, especially if you’re imagining yourself free-birthing in a candlelit bathtub while chanting.

But honestly?

Home birth with a licensed midwife is a totally valid choice for healthy, low-risk pregnancies—and in many parts of the world, it’s the norm.

You’re in your space, you’re in control, and you don’t have to go anywhere when the baby comes (which is major).

Plus, there's something kind of magical about welcoming your baby into the world in the same room where you’ve been nesting for months.

4. Planned C-Sections

C-sections are often talked about like a “last resort,” but for some moms, they’re the plan from the start.

Maybe it’s medical.

Maybe it’s trauma-informed.

Maybe it’s just what feels safest.

All reasons are valid.

Understanding what happens during a C-section—from anesthesia to recovery—can help take away a lot of the fear.

And trust me, having a belly birth does not make you any less of a badass.

5. Med-Free (Unmedicated) Birth

This might sound wild to some and thrilling to others.

You can absolutely choose to give birth without an epidural or pain meds—and no, it’s not about being a superhero.

It’s about being informed and prepared.

A med-free birth doesn’t mean you “suffer through it.”

It means you’ve got coping tools, movement, breathing, and support in place to work with your body.

Birth isn’t a pain-free experience—but it can be powerful, intense, and even beautiful.

6. Doula Support

Okay, technically not a place to give birth, but this is an option I wish every mom knew was available.

Doulas aren’t medical providers, but they’re trained in birth support.

They help you understand your options, cope through labor, and advocate for what you want—especially when things get intense and you need someone who knows the system to speak your language.

If I could, I’d wrap a doula in a bow and give one to every new mom.

The Bottom Line?

You have options.

More than you might think.

And the best thing you can do for yourself right now isn’t to pick a path and tattoo it on your birth plan—it’s to learn.

Educate yourself.

Think about what feels good, what feels empowering, and what kind of environment helps you feel safe.

Then build your plan around that.

(And yes—plans can change. That’s okay. Flexibility is strength.)

For a deeper look into how to prepare for your birth your way, Chapter Four of my book First Time Pregnancy for Modern Moms is packed with the full breakdown—from the "cascade of interventions" to how to advocate for what you really want when things get real.

And if you’re already feeling more curious than anxious?

You’re doing it right.

You got this momma,
Naomi