This weekend the Birth Center (http://www.sactobirth.com/), Sacramento county's ONLY freestanding midwife owned and operated birth center celebrated its Birth Day! They recently moved to a new location on Laurel Hills Drive and with the move they were able to open The Nursing Nook: http://www.thenursingnook.com/ CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
For women who are sexual abuse survivors pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the postpartum period can be a vulnerable and EMPOWERING time. Choose your attendant carefully. This means if your OB or midwife doesn't feel right interview more, hire a doula, and get training in relaxation techniques. Sorry to say the brief minutes spent on relaxation breathing during a hospital's general l&d class are woefully inadequate to prepare any woman for birth and should be considered an introduction and not a full preparation education. Looking into Hypnosis, Bradley, or Lamaze classes in order to have the best experience possible.
For sexual abuse survivors being pregnant can open up fears about your body, trust, sexuality, and vulnerability that are reminiscent of being abused. Talk about your feelings with a trusted therapist, your midwife or doctor, or clergy person. Use the time that your body is growing and changing to learn to trust yourself again and restore faith in your body's awesome abilities. Do not tolerate further intrusions in the form of medical interventions if they are unnecessary and don't feel right. If your midwife or doctor treats you like a child or an unequal participant you have the right to find a care provider that is more competently able to provide services. You deserve a care provider who is as compassionate as they are competent.
One of the most fabulous, normalizing books I found about childbirth and pregnancy was this one:
"The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth" by Sheila Kitzinger
Good luck and happy deliveries...
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