03/07/2025
We need to eliminate the word 'allowed' when it comes to birthing mamas.
You're a grown ass woman so no, you don’t need to be “allowed” to eat, move, stand, or hold your baby during birth.
But for far too many women, that’s exactly how it feels. They are told:
⚠️They can’t eat or drink anything but ice chips.
⚠️To stay in bed, hooked to monitors.
⚠️They can’t use the tub or shower.
⚠️They must push lying on their back, legs in stirrups.
⚠️Their partner has to leave during exams.
⚠️They can’t delay cord clamping or newborn care.
⚠️Photos or videos aren’t allowed.
This isn’t care. It’s control.
You are not a passenger in your birth.
Your body. Your baby. Your birth. You deserve respect, autonomy, and evidence-based support.
Most of these “rules” aren’t about safety. They’re about outdated protocols, convenience, and liability fears. Here’s what evidence actually shows:
🍎 Eating and drinking in labor is safe for most women—and fuels stamina.
🚶♀️ Moving, walking, using the tub (if your water isn't broken) or shower, and choosing your position can shorten labor and reduce interventions.
🤱 Immediate skin-to-skin and delaying newborn care improve outcomes for both of you.
📸 Photos and videos? Your birth is your sacred story.
Birth is not something to be managed. It’s a rite of passage. You don’t need permission to make informed choices—you need support to stand fiercely in them.
That’s why I created MamaPathway—a radical, compassionate birth course to prepare you for birth, protect your autonomy, and step into motherhood with unshakeable confidence.
We cover what your OB should teach you but rarely does:
🌿 Nourishing your body and microbiome
🌿 Your rights and options in the hospital
🌿 How to reduce interventions in labor and recover powerfully postpartum
Birth is not something that should happen to you. It’s something you get to do, your way, with respect for your preferences.
💭 Did you experience these restrictions—or were you supported in your choices? Share below. Your story can empower another mama today.
✨ Tap the link below to join MamaPathway and walk into your birth with clarity, courage, and power.
https://avivaromm.com/mama-pathway/
