What REALLY worked for you in labor?

1. Hi! I'm making another film (see www.birth-media.com for my first one). This one will be a multimedia project linked with a book and an interactive website. It will be about what REALLY works for labor. Experienced moms will be able to share with new moms and offer advice. No matter what your birth experience was like, YOUR VOICE IS VALUABLE! Please take a moment to remember what REALLY worked for you, whether it was something you learned from a friend or a teacher, or something you discovered on the spot. It might have been an attitude, a person, a drug, an activity, a technique, a ritual, a word, a belief...If you've had more than one baby, you can comment on all of your experiences, and any differences between them. Please try to be concise, honest, and candid. Let's begin................What REALLY worked for YOU in labor? *This question is required.

2. What surprised you?

3. What do you wish you had known?

4. Have you experienced...

Professional labor support / doula care?
Pitocin to start or speed up labor?
Narcotic drugs for pain relief (shots of Demerol, etc.)?
Epidural Anesthesia (numbs the lower body)?
Cesarean?
Orgasmic birth? (Yeah, I wish too.)
Serious problem with baby?
Postpartum stress, depression, or mood difficulties ?
Breastfeeding?

5. Where did you give birth? Check all that apply.

6. What advice would you offer to pregnant people?

7. Do you still think about your experiences giving birth? Do you think those experiences have had an effect on who you are as a person? as a mother?

8. I'm trying to collect stories from a varied bunch of moms. If you like, please say a little bit about who you are: age, life situation, cultural identity, whatever you'd like to share.

9. May I quote you in the film, website, and/or book? *This question is required.

Sure! Go right ahead! You can use my name.
Sure, but sign it "anonymous."
No, please don't.

10. If I do quote you, please spell your name for me.

11. What's your email address? (Optional -- this is just for me to keep track. If you're interested in seeing how this project progresses, I'll offer you an e-newsletter that will be easy for you to opt out of receiving, and that's it.) This question requires a valid email address.

12. Do you live in or near Western Massachusetts?

13. Where do you live?

What REALLY worked for you in labor?

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