My encouragement is for women to rightfully protect the valuable time which benefits her and her baby. Firstly, aim to avoid unnecessary interventions such as induction or acceleration of labour and epidural or spinal anaesthetics involving the administration of opioids. I do acknowledge there may be some times for some women when intervention is necessary. Prepare your birth and breastfeeding plan so that you are in control and those who are caring for you understand your rights. One of the reasons that women feel they are not in control of the three golden hours is because they are victims of the system. The system is not designed to accommodate and respect a mother during these early hours. I hear stories from women every day who feel they are obliged to follow orders that may not be beneficial to them or their baby.
