“The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new.” – Rajneesh
One of the first and most important things you need to figure out after becoming pregnant is who should be your birth provider and where you would like to give birth. This decision can be overwhelming because you want the best for yourself and your baby.
If you already have a GYN you love who also happens to be an OB, you're ahead of the game. But for some (and I was one of them), you might not have one or know where to start. It's important to remember that we all have different needs and desires for our birth experiences, and these can change over the course of your pregnancy. So, the question becomes not just, "What's the best place to give birth in Reading, PA?" but rather, "Who is the best birth provider for me?"
There is one crucial question you will want to ask first:
“How do I envision giving birth?” This powerful question helps you understand what you want, making it easier to find a birth provider that fits your needs.
Are you high risk and need a hospital with a solid reputation?
Are you looking to go the natural route and have an unmedicated birth?
Or maybe you don't care how your birth goes as long as you trust your OB?
Once you figure out your main desires, research is key. This isn't something to go into blindly—this is your health and your baby's health! Look into possible medications or medical procedures you're open to using during birth, what they do, and their possible side effects and outcomes. If you are high risk, research what needs to be done to keep you and your baby safe. You and your partner will be your biggest advocates on the day of your birth, so this information is crucial unless you hire a doula, but that's a topic for another discussion.
I went into both of my pregnancies with very different expectations and had two very different births. During my first pregnancy, I was open to pretty much anything because I trusted my OB completely. However, after researching the epidural I initially wanted and attending birthing classes for an unmedicated birth, my birth plan drastically changed. My vision no longer aligned with my OB, and I thought it was too late to change providers. This led to me not having the experience I truly wanted. For my second pregnancy, I knew exactly what I wanted, so finding a birth provider who aligned with my desires was much easier, resulting in a much better birth experience.
If you're looking for the best hospital to give birth at, I've heard great things about both Tower Health Reading Hospital and St. Joseph's Hospital. I gave birth at Tower Health Reading with my daughter, and the nurses were amazing! Past clients have also praised the nurses at St. Joseph's. If you are not high risk, the Reading Midwife Center for Women’s Wellness is a wonderful place for a birth, or consider a home birth, which is what I chose for my second pregnancy.
So, with all this being said, I don't necessarily think any of these places are better than the others. It's more about what’s going to be best for YOU and, even more importantly, who will be the best birth provider for YOU. Your birth provider is crucial during your birth, playing one of the biggest roles in your birth story. Make sure you find someone that aligns with your beliefs, and don’t settle until you find just that.
I hope you found this blog helpful during your pregnancy journey! If you liked it, please join my VIP list to get weekly blog updates and be the first to hear about studio news and promotions.
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