Pop A Squat

I believe in educating myself in areas that interest me or have direct impact on me.  Tell me that I don't need to be concerned about something I think is important, I'll spend half an hour searching for information to back up my position, just for my own satisfaction

To that end, early in my pregnancy with my first, I determined I would like to educate myself about birth. The process, the procedures, the risks and benefits of various approaches.  I read a ton, talked to like-minded and non-like minded people. I collected birth stories.  I read Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth. I took Lamaze classes and prepared myself for a husband-coached child birth that may or may not include induction, labor augmentation, intervention and pain relief... with the goal being to do as much of it on my own as possible to keep my risks of complications lower.  My greatest fear was c-section.

I had that "natural" birth, if you will. Antibiotics, yes. Induction, augmentation or pain meds, no. I was extremely pleased and naturally euphoric following the birth of my daughter.

With my son, he turned breech on my due date, and I was forced to get the c-section I was so afraid of.  I was devastated, but took some time to grieve and moved on.  He was healthy, I managed surgery well. We're all good, and now I've had both experiences, and found that there are some good things and bad things for both of them.  If I had my choice though.. I'd go with my first birth experience every time. Every. Time.

That said... If you are a woman not currently expecting or recently post-partum, it is my opinion that someone else's position on their anticipated birth method is, quite simply, none of your business.  I make the exception of the expecting/recently delivered mommas because it seems like so many mothers in that position are really interested in talking with others about their opinions and/or recent experiences, as it helps one mentally prepare for the marathon task ahead... or process the life-changing experience they just had. 

In any case, it is not your job to judge that person's choice.

So when your granola co-worker tells you that she's not planning on laboring on the bed, and hopes to deliver in more of a squatting position because it's better for everyone and can reduce the chance of tearing...
that is not an invitation to you (mother of teenagers who had them by c-section and never really experienced labor) to derisively call said co-worker "Pop-a-Squat."   Otherwise maybe we'll have to call you "Slice-a-delivery."  And that's not cool either.