The concept of the birth plan was introduced to provide a sense of agency to women in an increasingly medicalized maternity care system in which the cultural messaging and power imbalances dismiss women’s experiences. Birth plans were intended to improve communication between women and their care providers. However, in the 40 years since their introduction, birth plans have been reduced to restrictive templates and checklists that hinder communication, impeding informed decision making and bringing the validity of consent into question.
In response to these issues, The Birth Map was developed as a consumer-driven, woman-centred, and structured approach to birth preparation. It encourages communication and confident decision-making, whilst acknowledging the importance of the experience for women.
What is Birth Cartography*?
It is a personalized and comprehensive approach to preparing for birth.
This unique practice guides you through every aspect of your birth journey, helping you make confident, informed choices about your care. It’s about exploring the physical, emotional, political, and social factors that shape your birthing environment, ensuring your voice is heard and respected.
Through Birth Cartography, you’ll gain clarity on potential pathways and interventions, equipping you to face the realities of birth with greater assurance. You’ll create a customized Birth Map, a practical guide used by your care providers and support team, that reflects your values, preferences, and priorities. Including your birth partner in these sessions allows them to understand the reasons behind your choices, fostering a unified support system.
With Birth Mapping, you’ll be prepared, confident, and empowered, ready to welcome your birth experience with clarity and strength.
The true power of a Birth Map lies in its ability to anticipate your pathways in advance. By exploring these possibilities ahead of time, you cultivate a deep confidence that radiates through you and your birth support team, creating an atmosphere of calm and readiness. This confidence allows everyone involved to approach the birth with clarity and ease, making space for a more peaceful and empowered experience.
The Birth Map involves three main pathways –
The Physiological Pathway – This pathway considers the full spectrum of natural birth possibilities—from a quick, intense birth to a slower, gradual one. Preparing for the Physiological Pathway helps you gain a deep understanding of birth physiology, equipping you to respond with confidence, no matter the pace of your labor. Embracing this pathway builds trust in your body’s natural process, helping you feel prepared for the unique rhythm of your birth.
The Medical Pathway – This pathway explores possible medical interventions within a vaginal birth, helping you understand when and why these interventions might be suggested. Preparing for the Medical Pathway equips you with knowledge about various options and empowers you to make informed decisions in collaboration with your care team, ensuring that any interventions align with your birth preferences and goals.
The Caesarean Pathway – This pathway prepares you for the possibility of a Caesarean birth, offering a clear overview of both planned (before labor) and unplanned (during labor) Caesarean options. By understanding the differences between these scenarios, you’ll feel informed and prepared for a surgical birth if it becomes necessary. This knowledge allows you to approach a Caesarean birth with confidence, knowing what to expect and how to advocate for a respectful, supportive experience.
Each of these pathways can also shape your postpartum experience. By preparing for various scenarios, you gain insight into how different birth outcomes may influence your recovery, allowing you to plan for a smoother transition into postpartum life.
Book Your Birth Mapping Session
Each 90-minute session offers ample time to discuss your preferences, answer questions, and explore every aspect of your birth plan.
If you’re based in Taranaki, NZ, we can meet in person; otherwise, sessions are available online, allowing you to join from anywhere in the world.
Birthing partners and support people are warmly encouraged to join, as their involvement fosters a united and informed support team.
In our session, we’ll play The Game of Birth—an interactive experience that guides us through potential pathways, helping you understand which elements of birth can be planned and where flexibility is key. Like a “choose your own adventure,” The Game of Birth illuminates the many possible outcomes, and by mapping your unique birth preferences, we ensure you’re prepared for each one. This clarity empowers you to make confident, informed decisions for a smoother birth experience.
This can be done in person, if you are based in Taranaki, NZ, otherwise it will be online.
Session Fee: $150 NZD
Please fill in the form below and I will be in contact with you to book a session.
*Cartography is the science and art of making maps
*Birth Cartography is the scientific art of creating a personal birth map
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