Why homebirth is right for me
10:16 PM Edit This 3 Comments »
"Why in the world would you want to have a homebirth? Are you crazy?"
I expect to get this question a lot during the next few months, which is why I'm not going to be screaming the fact to the world. If people ask, I will tell them, but I'm not going to openly offer it.
I know that homebirth is not for everyone, but it's right for me, and here's why:
I TRUST BIRTH. I trust my body. I believe that birth is not a medical event. Birth is a natural process that occurs in nature, in all mammals, and does not always need to be in the hospital. Given the right surroundings with supportive people and under the care of a knowledgeable midwife, a woman can labor and birth her baby without complication. Note: this is for low-risk women. If I do not stay low-risk, I will not stay at home to give birth.
Arguing with my doctor about whether or not I will have my water broken or about how I am "failing to progress" (according to whose standards? Pregnant women do not fit into a box; all labors are different) is not something I want to deal with when I know, deep down in my soul and my heart and in everything else, that my body is meant to give birth.
I understand the concerns about being at the hospital "just in case," but if things are allowed to progress naturally and without intervention (which they most often are not in the hospital), then those worries oftentimes disappear.
Bottom line: Home is where I will feel most comfortable. Birth your baby where you feel most comfortable. Do your research and be confident in your choice. Yes, all labors are different, but you don't have to leave everything up to chance. It's your body and your baby, and women are powerful.
I expect to get this question a lot during the next few months, which is why I'm not going to be screaming the fact to the world. If people ask, I will tell them, but I'm not going to openly offer it.
I know that homebirth is not for everyone, but it's right for me, and here's why:
I TRUST BIRTH. I trust my body. I believe that birth is not a medical event. Birth is a natural process that occurs in nature, in all mammals, and does not always need to be in the hospital. Given the right surroundings with supportive people and under the care of a knowledgeable midwife, a woman can labor and birth her baby without complication. Note: this is for low-risk women. If I do not stay low-risk, I will not stay at home to give birth.
Arguing with my doctor about whether or not I will have my water broken or about how I am "failing to progress" (according to whose standards? Pregnant women do not fit into a box; all labors are different) is not something I want to deal with when I know, deep down in my soul and my heart and in everything else, that my body is meant to give birth.
I understand the concerns about being at the hospital "just in case," but if things are allowed to progress naturally and without intervention (which they most often are not in the hospital), then those worries oftentimes disappear.
Bottom line: Home is where I will feel most comfortable. Birth your baby where you feel most comfortable. Do your research and be confident in your choice. Yes, all labors are different, but you don't have to leave everything up to chance. It's your body and your baby, and women are powerful.
3 Observations or Opinions:
Love this post, Katherine! I know your going to have a fantastic, safe homebirth for this little one. ((hugs))
Love Love Love it!
I know when you told me you were going to have a home birth you probably expected me to get on my soapbox.
But I diiiiidn't.
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