By choosing a caregiver who deals with the emotional and psychological issues and of pregnancy and childbirth issues you are lowering your chance of having an unnecessary Cesarean Birth.  The mainstream medical model views labor strictly as a mechanical process and does not acknowledge the possibility that a mothers environment and her past experiences can influence labor progress.  Midwives provide that support throughout both pregnancy and delivery.  It is always best to deal with any excessive psychological baggage as it can prevent you from making good choices and impede labor.  Psychological baggage includes such issues as history of childhood sexual or physical abuse, prior traumatic birth experiences, over whelming fear of labor and birth or overwhelming control issues.  Your midwife can be of assistance during your prenatal care.  Always remember:

1. Do not plan on having a repeat C-section.

2. Take steps to attempt to turn a breech baby head down.

3. Refuse a planned C-section to a large baby.

4. Consider refusing induction of labor or premature ruptures of the membranes.

5. Refuse a C-section for slow progression of labor when you and the baby are both tolerating labor well.

6. Try to avoid an epidural

7. Stay active in labor.

Information obtained from "A thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth." by Henci Goer