Why Your Birth Team and Location Matter
The Power of Your Birth Team
Birth is both physical and deeply emotional. Who you invite into that space matters. Your birth team—whether it’s your midwife, OB, doula, partner, or trusted family member—can either support your vision or unintentionally work against it.
A team aligned with your goals listens first, offers options, and respects your right to make decisions. This alignment creates trust, and trust allows your body to labor more freely. If you feel dismissed or pressured, stress hormones rise, which can interfere with the natural progress of labor.
Partners play a critical role as well. Being present, supportive, and engaged helps the birthing person feel grounded, safe, and encouraged. Together, the birth team and partner create a circle of strength and advocacy.
Every birth setting—home, birth center, or hospital—carries its own culture. Some settings allow more freedom, movement, and flexibility, while others have stricter routines or policies. Choosing a setting that reflects your values creates space for birth to unfold in the way that is best for you.
A Story of Patience, Support, and the Right Team
This mother had planned a peaceful home birth. She carefully chose her team and built relationships with them over her pregnancy. It was finally baby day and for 30 hours she labored at home with incredible strength, much of it in active labor. But after two nights with little rest, all the positions and tricks, her cervix hadn’t changed for over 24 hours. Exhausted and still longing for a vaginal birth, she made the brave decision to transfer to the hospital for an epidural.
Her partner was by her side the entire time, offering encouragement, holding her hand through contractions, and helping her feel grounded and safe. The closest hospital was at capacity, so we drove an hour to the next available hospital. What could have felt like a setback turned into a blessing. We were met by an OB who respected home birth and shared the mother’s desire for a vaginal birth.
The staff was patient, creative, and respectful. They thoughtfully and gently used interventions—light epidural so mom could rest but still be mobile, just a touch of Pitocin, encouragement to move and change positions—and, most importantly, they gave her time. Protocols were adapted to honor her wishes, and her voice remained central in every decision.
As her doula, I stayed with her every step of the way, providing constant reassurance. Her partner remained a steady presence, offering love and support throughout. After a marathon 50 hours in labor, this mother delivered her baby vaginally. The room was filled with joy, relief, and reverence. Her partner and parents, who had been a source of encouragement and prayer, celebrated the arrival of this long-awaited little one. As I drove home, I cried—partially from exhaustion, but mostly from gratitude. Gratitude that the first hospital couldn’t accommodate them. Gratitude for a provider and team who embodied the true spirit of ‘preventing the primary cesarean,’ and deeply honor the mothers who chose to birth in this space. And most of all, gratitude for God’s sovereign plan.
I know that in most other local hospitals, with most other providers, this mother would likely have been taken for a cesarean—labeled “failure to progress” or “fetal distress.” But what she needed was patience, creativity, a team willing to walk with her—and a partner willing to be present through it all.
Why Doulas Are So Valuable
In transitions like this—leaving home and a trusted midwife for a hospital and a new provider—doulas provide continuity. We are the steady presence that carries the birthing person’s values, vision, and voice across settings.
Doulas support emotionally, physically, and spiritually. We hold space when plans shift, advocate for your preferences, and ensure your voice is central in every decision. In this story, having a doula meant the mother had continuity of care, even in an unfamiliar hospital with a provider she had just met.
It’s worth taking the time to research providers and birth settings, ask questions, and find a team that fully aligns with your values. Don’t be afraid to change providers or birth locations if something doesn’t feel right. Your birth and your baby deserve courage, planning, discernment, and advocacy.
Next Steps for Your Birth Planning
Reflect on your values. What matters most to you in birth—privacy, movement, natural progression, minimal interventions? Write these down.
Research providers and birth settings. Ask about philosophy, policies, and typical interventions. Compare how well each option aligns with your goals.
Interview your team. Meet potential midwives, OBs, hospitals and doulas. Ask questions openly and honestly.
Include your partner in planning. Discuss roles, expectations, and how they can support you during labor.
Hire a doula. A doula provides continuous support and advocacy, especially during transitions or unexpected changes. Local doulas often have provider and birth place suggestions that will align with your values.
Be willing to adjust. If your provider or birth setting doesn’t fully align with your values, it’s okay to change. Trust that the right team and environment can make a meaningful difference.