After much thought, deliberation and soul searching we have decided to have a home birth.  Earlier this week I had my last visit with my ob and am now transferring my care to a Certified Nurse Midwife.

My husband and I have thought a lot about this decision, probably originating with the birth of our older daughter four years ago.  He has been pro home birth since we found out we were having #2, while it has taken me a little longer to decide that this is what I want to do.  We both had reservations about going back to the hospital and we’ve decided that home birth makes the most sense for us.  We believe in the natural process of birth and feel like the home setting offers an environment where that natural process can unfold.   Interventions used in the hospital can disrupt the process and many times result in unnecessary complications (This is an excellent blog post, The Trouble with Extrapolating Hospital Events to a Homebirth, on this topic by a midwife).  We do have a transport plan in case going to the hospital becomes medically necessary, we respect the skills of obstetricians and recognize that they save lives and have a role in the medical process.

With our first daughter I wanted no parts of a home birth, I can remember my doula, Susan Mooney, suggesting a relaxing home birth and I thought, what would be relaxing about that?   That sounds so stressful!!!!   But this time around, after our previous hospital experience I feel excited and empowered about having a home birth.  With my first daughter I wanted a natural birth and I felt like in the hospital I was under pressure to get the baby out in a certain amount of time and that we were fighting against a system that said, “Let’s get this baby out JUST TAKE THE DRUGS!”

While home births have increased 20% in the last 4 years, they still remain less than 1% of the total births in the U. S., so it has been interesting when telling family and friends that we have decided to  have a home birth.  Some people are very supportive and have a positive reaction.  Other reactions are more skeptical and include, “I could never do that, it is too scary,” “Are you crazy?”  “Why wouldn’t you want drugs during childbirth?” Other reactions are worried because last time I had an inverted uterus.  However, many people don’t realize that our midwife is a nurse practitioner and brings medical equipment with her (not just a bag of herbs) including oxygen for the baby and medications to stop a hemorrhage after delivery.   Also, if needed we have a transport plan to go to the hospital.  I get that it is something that makes many people uncomfortable and that many people haven’t spent time researching and thinking about it, so I just take it in stride and recognize that all women have to give birth in an atmosphere where they feel most comfortable.  At this point in my life, a home birth makes me most comfortable.

Do I have fears that something might go wrong?  Yes, I think every Mom has those.  Being a parent involves making difficult decisions where you weigh your options, learn as much as you can, and then go with your gut.  Do you always know 100% if you are making the right decision?  No.  This is just the first of many decisions we will make in the life of this precious child as we help guide her through life.   I am left with feelings of faith, hope, trust, and love.  Faith in my body to deliver this baby naturally, hope that it will all work out as it should, trust in my labor team, and intense love for the little girl I feel growing inside me daily.

Live Well,

Laura