RaMa Mama Doula Share: Changing Gears During Labor - How To Navigate Through the 180* Shift...

The birth plan has been discussed and written out with great passion and desire for a certain reality to unfold when labor begins. There are moral issues, beliefs, dreams, and wishes all at play when deciding what is best come birth day. So what happens when labor begins and everything suddenly changes? This happens more than people think it does. It is completely normal to change plans mid-birth. What matters more than the change of plan is how the birth team responds and integrates the new plan into action.

Before active labor begins, dreams and fantasies about the "perfect birth" constantly flow through the mind. Books, articles, videos, podcasts, friend's advice, new mother groups, classes, experts, and so much more bombard us with their "proven to be right" research and information. It is overwhelming, but there are parts that really make sense and resonate. We remember and hold onto these concepts, create a plan, and come to find out that the entire thing is out the window once the real experience begins. As a birth doula, I find that new mothers just don't have all of the information they need until their bodies kick in and tell them. Every child is different, every pregnancy is different, and every child has a lesson to teach and a different way of entering the world. Until the pain begins, the intensity sets in, and the vulnerabilities become more exposed, each mother is unable to really know what they are going to do or need during labor and delivery. Whether the pain becomes too much to handle, fatigue sets in, or some sort of medical issue arises, a birth can suddenly shift into an entirely different situation that was not planned for or thought about. This is not an act of failure on the part of the mother-to-be, but instead the very real outcome of our adaptability during changing times. A mother who first wanted no interventions may ask for them during labor and delivery, and a mother who knew she wanted interventions may shift to a desire to be more natural when the moment presents itself. Both changes are perfectly normal and acceptable. This is why it is most important to stay present with the birthing experience and take one minute at a time to allow the destiny to unfold. Birth takes a new mother to the most primal, vulnerable, and survival-minded state of consciousness. The brain shifts, control decreases, and the body's inner knowing takes over. This is why it is so important to be flexible, open, and present during the entire pregnancy, labor, birth, and delivery.

Rigidity leads to disappointment. When a mother-to-be says the "must have" or "needs to" do or be something specific during labor and delivery, then there is a greater chance of disempowerment and a lesser chance of having a sense of agency in the decision-making process. These women need to feel heard, respected, physically and emotionally protected, and involved in decision-making throughout the entire process. Deciding to be present, supported, connected, and flexible creates the space to do what is best in each scenario that presents itself. New decisions can be made, there is support to do and be what the moment calls for, there is communication between the birthing team and the mother throughout the experience, and there is no judgement, shame, or blame for not following the original plan. Plans are made so they can be shifted or even broken when needed. Nothing is written in stone - especially when it comes to birth. For a birth to look and feel "successful", the mother-to-be must feel at peace with how things unfolded. This all starts in her ability to remain neutral and flexible when big shifts present themselves. Emergencies happen, perceptions change, and information is gained to help make the right decisions at each fork in the road. By keeping a flexible plan with an open structure, mothers-to-be can feel more free to decide what is best as things unfold and leave the guilt, blame, and judgement out of the birthing room. Whatever happens at the birth is a gift with a purpose. Everything happens for a reason!