It is extremely valuable to go into pregnancy and birth with eyes wide open and a healthy respect for and understanding about the medical model of maternity care. In healthy, low risk situations, interruptions and interventions have the greatest potential to really hinder the overall process. "These interventions and restrictions make labor and birth more difficult for women by increasing stress, disrupting the hormonal orchestration of labor, and interfering with the natural, physiologic process of labor and birth. The result is unintended complications, including cesarean." "Childbirth education, right from the beginning of pregnancy, can help women choose health-care providers and places of birth that provide evidence-based maternity care, make thoughtful but sometimes difficult decisions about prenatal testing, and deal with fears for themselves and their babies. And, over the course of the pregnancy, childbirth education can help women develop plans for labor so that labor and birth can unfold optimally in the safest, healthiest way possible." A couple of insightful snippets from this very well written article about the "normal, physiological process of birth" and what every woman ought to consider before giving birth:) A supportive care provider and birth location also make a world of difference! Choose providers that are the best fit for you and your desires. Here's to your learning journey! Here is a link!