Thoughts on Birth

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Nona and Henry Sullivan, born August 19, 2011. Birth attended by Kellay as doula
I believe childbirth is a natural process and that a woman's body knows exactly what to do during labor and birth. I have confidence in women's ability to give birth. I believe in stepping back as much as possible and letting a woman's body do what it was designed to do. I believe that natural childbirth is possible in the vast majority of situations, but that interventions such as epidurals are good tools in certain situations. I believe that interventions are sometimes necessary but ought not to be routine. I believe that the laboring woman should be in charge of her labor and birth, and have her choices respected by her care providers. I believe that there are many ways to cope with pain that do not include medical intervention and I am trained in these. I believe in the value of emotional support during labor as a deeply fulfilling way for a mother to bring her baby into the world.