What is Empowered Birth?

I throw the words "empowering" and "empowerment" around a lot when it comes to my services as a doula and birth in general. But what does having an empowered birth really mean?

Dictionary.com defines it as: em·pow·er
1. to give power or authority to; authorize
2. to enable or permit: Knowledge and preparation empowered her to have a wonderful birth experience. (Okay, so I added that example in! ;p) 

So how does this apply to birth?
Knowledge is power! ~ Empowered birth is a mama and her partner who know their options and are educated on the birth process, common procedures, and their rights as a birthing couple.
Options ~ Empowered birth means that the mama and her partner are in the driver's seat of their care. They know their options, and they make the choices that are best for THEM and THEIR baby. What is right for one couple may not be right for another. What is right for one baby's birth may not be right for the next baby.
Support ~ The birthing couple should have experienced, compassionate people around them during labor and birth who will support and help them achieve the birth wishes they have prepared for.
Freedom ~ Empowered mamas do what they need to do in labor! Some mamas may want to move around, take a bath/shower, groan, moan, yell, crawl on the floor, rock their hips, sing songs, chant. Other mamas may want to have medical pain relief. Whatever is right for her!!
A safe place ~ Empowered birth happens in the place of the mama's choosing. She should labor and birth wherever is most comfortable and meets her needs, whether that is at a hospital, in a birth center, or at home.
A caring provider ~ Empowered birth should include a care provider who respects their patient's wishes, takes time to hear and answer her questions/concerns, and does everything they can to help her have the experience she desires. (This is not always the case, unfortunately, but women can have the experience they want regardless of this!)
Intuition and Belief ~ Empowered birth is a woman who listens to her intuition and goes with her instincts. She has a strong belief in her body's POWER and her ability to give birth to the child she has grown.

For me, it's all about education and setting yourself up for success. This is what I focus on in prenatals. Arming the mama and papa to be with info on their choices, their rights, and walking with them through creating the scene in which their baby will be welcomed. What birthing environment to choose? What type of care provider to have? Where to labor? What comfort techniques to use during labor to achieve their goals? For each woman, the vision of birth is different. We all have unique wants and needs. Empowered birth is about preparing and planning to have those wants and needs met. And if they change during labor, that's fine too! A mama who has just given birth her way, to the best of her ability, making informed decisions along the way... that's empowered birth!