Sherry Bushnell, LM, CPM, of Lavender & Roses Birth and Mothering Center in Libby presented common questions women ask:

• Can a woman really decide where she wants to have her baby?

• Can she decide who she has for a care-giver or who is in the room as she, her baby and her partner first meet?

• Are choices in birth even important?

• Should a caregiver decide what is best for a mother and baby, and just convince them to do it?

• Should a woman simply be thankful for a safe, healthy pregnancy and let others manage the details?

• What makes a good birth experience for a family?

• Is having a “good experience” during one of the most dramatic, emotionally packed, vulnerable times in a woman’s life possible?

“The choices a woman makes regarding her maternity care can have a huge influence on the outcome of her labor,” Buschnell said.

Mothers have choices:

• Deciding on a birth plan that shares her heart’s desires with her care-giver, those caring for her during labor, her family and others who surround her during birth;

• Choosing who will be with her when she has the baby, who will be in the room during the actual birth and how many people she wants with her;

• Choose what she wants to eat during and after labor;

• Decide what she wants to wear during labor;

• Option to bring things from home, her own pillows and comfort items;

• Option to choose what entertainment she would like to have during the time she is in early labor;

• Choosing to walk around, change positions, use a birth ball, kneel on all fours, or sit up during labor and birth;

• She can choose what position she is in when the baby is delivered, whether the baby will be placed directly on her chest, or will the baby be examined first, and

• Mothers also can decide to have pictures/video of mom during labor, during the birth and as baby meets mom for the first time.