Key Terms

birth plan
form of communication between a birthing person, their support people, and the care team they have chosen for their birth outlining their wishes for the labor and birth
childbirth education
becoming educated in the process of pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum and newborn care
deepening
relaxation to the point where the birthing person is in a limp, almost anesthetized state
directing
consciously organizing one’s body prior to and during an action so that the head leads the body’s movement
inhibiting
conscious act of preventing oneself from rushing into an action without thoughtful consideration of the body
physiologic birth
birth that occurs vaginally and without medical intervention