Home Birth "Chatter"

Since posting "Let's Talk Midwives and Home Birth" I have received dozens upon dozens of 'anonymous' comments in the past couple of weeks. 

NONE of which I've published. 

Mainly because they are rude, heartless and there is no place for that here. But to give you an idea they usually go like this "You are putting your child at risk dumbass and if it dies it will be your fault". 


Crazy right? 

There are SO many mis-conceptions about home birth I'm realizing that now more than ever. So I thought I'd chat about it once more, even if its for the sake of dumping clearing my thoughts. 

I firmly believe that our culture in this country has instilled in us the FEAR of natural child birth and inevitably our bodies. Just look at shows like maternity ward or ER and you'll see women covered in sweat and blood looking like they are fighting for their lives instead of giving birth. We've basically been told we are not responsible for our birth and that we should leave it in the hands of professionals. Professionals themselves that most likely have NEVER witnessed a natural childbirth much less gave birth. 


America has the second largest mortality rate in the developed world. Like the whole-wide-world - let that sink in for a moment. 


But in places like Europe where women are supported in their desire and abilities for a natural birth, babies and mothers have the lowest mortality rates. 

When we decided on home birth it wasn't because we wanted to do it on our own caveman style and I'm certainly not extra brave or resistant to pain.  It was because of the dozens of people I've talked with and the hundreds of birth stories I've read. More than 80% of mothers I spoke with or read about felt out of control of their birth. They felt that unnecessary medical interventions were performed (when they looked back in hindsight). Then I researched the statics myself (which you can read about here). 

After much discussion we decided as a couple what we would feel more comfortable with. For me a hospital is not comfortable, beeping machines, constant monitoring, bright lights, the IV, not being allowed to eat, not being allowed to move around as I please, the doctor not being present the whole time, nurses changing shifts, having to ask for ice chips for the third time…. then combine that with my desire to try a water birth for ease of pain and pressure and alas a home birth seemed like the option for us. 

So far the process of pre-natal care has been amazing. Our mid-wife is here every three weeks at our home. I get to stretch out on my sofa and hear our babies heartbeat as opposed to a paper liner in an office. We talk for at least an hour at every visit covering things from my feelings, husbands concerns, preparing for birth, my diet, etc. It's been a wonderful holistic journey and I wouldn't change it for the world. EVEN if we end up delivering at a hospital due to complications. 

I am an adult and I realize that not everything works out according to 'our plans' and no matter what our end goal is of course a healthy baby and mom. Which means doing whatever is medically necessary. That being said the plan is to birth here at home. 


I know I'll sound like your nana repeating myself again but "I truly believe in my bodies ability to give birth naturally. I have faith that my body will know what to do even if my head doesn't. Women have been giving birth before there was a language". 

….(climbing off my soap box)

A question I get the most is "What if something happens your not afraid" to which I usually reply: Our midwife is qualified to manage a variety of medical complications. I trust her to know when / if a transport is needed. She is certified in neonatal resuscitation and CPR. She can also stop hemorrhaging, unwrap the umbilical cord and she has a heart rate monitor on hand to monitor the babies heart rate. Add to it that she's delivered more than 600 babies naturally and is a certified nurse. 

It's not witch craft. 

Anyhoo - I'm 30 weeks today so the count down to meeting our baby is on like tron I'm SO excited to find out what we are having and finally hold our baby. I feel like a kid at Christmas counting the days.