Homebirth: Not just for hippies anymore
By danotoyou2
January 16, 2008
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When I was pregnant with my first son, I decided to have him in a hospital like everyone else I knew had done. It wasn’t even a decision, so much as a lack of initiative to search for other options. I was just doing what everyone else was doing.
My mother-in-law had a homebirth with her second son, and I’d heard those stories. But it just sounded too organic for me. A midwife with 20 babies, and another on the way; with women surrounding her and coming together for the birth. I could practically smell the incense just listening to these stories!
My fear of hospitals finally won me over, and I made the big decision to switch my care to a homebirth midwife and have the baby at home. Two months later, and 2 weeks overdue, I developed pre-eclampsia and transferred my care back to the hospital because of possible complications. In that time, all of my worst fears of hospitals came to fruition. Cold and cruel doctors, inept nurses, a cesarean and long recovery, and months of wondering what I’d done wrong.
My second chance came with another pregnancy, and the determination to birth this baby the way I knew I could. I chose another homebirth (homebirth after a cesarean: HBAC), and was rewarded with the most amazing experience of my life.
Along the way, I met a surprising group of women who were like me. Well educated, conservative (in demeanor if not politics), main stream Americans. It made me realize that more women would choose a homebirth experience if they just saw how normal it is. We’re not all hippies (though if you are a hippie, homebirth would be up your alley too!).
Making the decision:
Choosing to homebirth is a major decision that will affect all aspects of the birth. It isn’t something to take lightly, but do understand that nothing is set in stone until it’s done. If complications arise, you can always transfer to the hospital.
Similarly, it’s never too late to choose a homebirth. That is, until it really IS too late and you’re holding your precious baby! Some midwives will accept patients (with a low risk pregnancy and history of prenatal care) up until their due dates, and sometimes beyond that.
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