Healthy Birth Choices Workshops – Providing a Space to Empower Families about Choices in Childbirth

Background: Many women do not have accurate, empowering information about their birth options – from hospital birth to doula care to breastfeeding options.  There are few spaces for women to hear from other women, their partners and providers about the full range of opportunities for a safe, healthy and empowered birth experience.

Methods: To fill this gap, Choices in Childbirth designed an innovative series of Healthy Childbirth Workshops on important topics (e.g., building a birth team, how to have a great hospital birth, engaging men in birth). These workshops are presented by facilitators in a non-judgmental space for new and expectant parents to engage in conversation surrounding choices in childbirth (e.g, choosing to breast vs formula feed, to use an ob/gyn versus a midwife).  Each workshop has a highly curated panel of new parents that have experience in the topic and providers. These interactive workshops help families consider the risks, responsibilities and realities associated with childbirth to make informed decisions regarding where, with whom, and how they plan to give birth.  

Results:  Over the past 10 years, these workshops have reached 5,000 individuals across New York City.  Stories have been shared with the team, including validation of experiences, like medically necessary c-section. Choices in Childbirth is planning an expansion to reach underserved areas within New York City with this collaborative group model of health education that includes peers and providers. 

Conclusion: Choices in Childbirth’s Healthy Childbirth Workshops create a safe space for families to learn to make informed healthcare decisions.