Doula

Answer: D - Women should make informed decisions regarding any and all interventions in the birth process. This includes knowing all the pros and cons, as well as being given the right of informed refusal, for any course of action. Autonomy is an essential ingredient in allowing labor to progress. In order to trust the birth process and allow for an optimal hormonal milieu, a mother should choose a caregiver whose birth philosophy matches her own, should plan non-pharmacologic coping and comfort measures, should avoid labor induction and pain medication, should plan for continuous labor support from her partner and/or a doula, create an birthing environment that feels safe and private, keep her baby with her after birth, and breastfeed.