5 Taboo Topics For New Parents

photo credit: https://www.allielauritson.com/

Talking about pregnancy, labor and birth can be exciting from the beginning. It starts with a fun announcement or reveal, and things unfold from there. 

Throughout the process, there are many choices to make, including taboo topics that are not openly discussed. As a result, finding the correct information takes time and effort.

For this reason, the Twin Cities Birth Center will discuss 5 taboo topics for new parents (and what to do about them).

Epidural vs. No Epidural: What Should I Do?

Let’s break down the pros and cons of the epidural, a form of pain relief in labor. For most, this comes down to personal choice and, in very rare circumstances, someone’s anatomy. 

An anesthesiologist places an epidural in a hospital setting. The needle is placed into the birthing person’s back, and a tube remains there throughout labor and birth, continually flowing medication around the spinal cord to numb the person from the belly down to the toes. 

An epidural helps remove most of the pain from contractions but still allows the person to feel pressure. 

Pros of Epidural

• Allows you to rest

• Helps you conserve energy

• Helps you feel minimal discomfort

Cons of Epidural 

• Can slow down labor

• May lead to further interventions

• Can cause injury in rare circumstances 

Check out this helpful article for more information on the pros and cons of epidural vs. no epidural. 

Cloth Diapers vs. Disposable Diapers: Is One Better?

You can argue for either choice, so it comes down to personal preference. The cost for disposable diapers for two years is $2,000-$3,000, and for cloth, it is $800-$1,000. 

Disposables are more convenient, more absorbent and have more size options. The downside is that they are not environmentally friendly and can cause skin irritations. 

Cloth diapers are reusable, eco-friendly and more gentle on the skin. The cleaning process, especially poopy diapers, can be tricky. This option also uses more water for cleaning.

Birth Center vs. Hospital: Is There a Difference?

Hospitals and birth centers are very different when it comes to giving birth and even your prenatal and postpartum care. 

The first thing to know is that a ‘hospital birth center’ is NOT a birth center. A birth center is a free-standing building, not attached to a hospital. 

• Freestanding birth centers are often midwife-led care. 

• In hospitals, the care is obstetrician-led with the option of a midwife, depending on location. 

Hospitals provide pain medication for labor and birth. The most common are narcotics through an IV and epidurals. In contrast, births out of the hospital are unmedicated. The closest form of a medicated relief would be nitrous oxide (laughing gas). 

Birth centers only see low-risk people, while hospitals see low-risk and high-risk people.

Waterbirth: What Is It & Is It Safe?

Waterbirth is a wonderful option for relief for low-risk people. Waterbirth is nicknamed the "midwife’s epidural."

It provides relief during contractions, helps with minimizing tearing and is relieving during pushing. It is also a very gentle environment for a baby to be born into. 

Waterbirth is an option for women birthing in an out-of-hospital birth center. Some hospitals offer waterbirth, but they have rigorous criteria. For this reason, it is rare for someone to have a waterbirth in a hospital.

Midwife vs Obstetrician: What Are My Options?

Let's review the differences between a midwife vs. obstetrician.

• An obstetrician specializes in providing care for high-risk patients, focusing on performing surgical births. 

• A midwife specializes in low-risk pregnancies and physiological birth. 

Certified Nurse Midwives are trained in supporting both medicated and unmedicated births. They work in hospitals and out-of-hospital birth centers and also do home births occasionally. 

Certified Professional Midwives focus on out-of-hospital births.

DID YOU KNOW…the Twin Cities Birth Center is a freestanding birth center in St. Paul, Minnesota. Request a consultation if you're interested in our care!

Have Questions?

It's important to remember that pregnancy is different for everyone, and at times, you'll encounter a few taboo topics that we may not have covered in this list. 

Remember that it's okay to have questions or concerns about your pregnancy and to seek support from a trusted source. Our premier birth center is here to provide guidance, answer questions, and offer support during this exciting and transformative time. 

So, whether you're a first-time parent or have been through the process before, we're here to help. Please don't hesitate to contact us today to learn more about our services or to talk to a friendly team member.