WHY OH WHY?

As to be expected, we've had a variety of reactions from people when they found out we're doing a homebirth. Everything from "oh cool!" to "huh?" to "that's freaking crazy!" While we don't think it's for everyone, nor are we advocating it's the *only* way, it's something we want to do. Again, it's not something we've jumped into lightly without doing a lot of research - we've read a lot of information, and feel like we're making a good, educated, informed decision.

Here's an excerpt of an email I wrote to a friend and thought it would be prudent to post on here as well.

[begin excerpt]
The hospital birth more & more these days is like an operation or a procedure. You go there to have a baby & the doctor's job is to get the baby out (more often than not, quicker than it should take; hence all the cesareans & drug-induced labors). In fact, in a lot of cases, the cesareans & drugs cause more problems than they prevent. It's a very impersonal, methodical experience.

The homebirth is totally focusing on the experience, and sacred and spiritual side of giving birth. It's all about the comfort of the mother, done in a very comforting, familiar setting, rather than in this very strange, institutionalized room. I mean, how wonderful is it to have the baby in your very own bedroom, close by (or on your very own bed)? After the baby is born, you're not stuck in an uncomfortable hospital room, surrounded by strangers, and having to wait to have things done for you. The baby is already in a warm, cozy, loving environment.

And the moment that the baby is born - what an incredible, spirtual, sacred, *powerful* moment - a moment where you can feel just how precious life is, and that you're holding the beginning of a life in your very hands. Even though the baby has already been alive & developing for 9 months, it's at that moment where you actually feel like the baby is given life, taking its first breath of air. We feel like that moment should really be cherished between parents and baby in an intimate setting if possible, not in the chaos of a hospital room.

It's also very empowering for the mother - to know that she can go through this natural process that's supposed to be that way. We want to be able to bond with the baby after its born - not have it taken away for tests that can actually wait. We want Jen to be comfortable and do whatever she can to get comfortable - not confined to a bed. Actually, lying in a bed is probably one of the most difficult ways to deliver a baby, yet they do it all the time.

We just don't want it to turn into a situation where the hospital dictates what to do because they are getting impatient. In a lot of cases, the labor slows down and so they immediately call for drugs or a c-section. Whereas if they moved the woman to a different position or let her walk around or a variety of other things, they could probably keep the labor going.

Hospitals are required for emergencies, I give them that, but a lot of labor & deliveries are NOT emergencies. People in other cultures & (even historically) gave birth naturally all the time...why should it be any different here in the US or today?

That's another benefit of a homebirth - it's not set in stone what you have to or need to do - because every labor & delivery is different. It's all about trying different things to get Jen comfortable. If we don't have a waterbirth we won't be disappointed. Actually, with Braden, Jen did get into a tub at the hospital - but her labor slowed down when she first got in. So they made her get back out. We found out later that labors do sometimes slow down a bit when you get into the water, but it'll pick back up. They just didn't give Jen enough time...(see?? Impatient!)

The midwives are there to help & support through the labor & delivery - they have methods to turn the baby if it's posterior - they know what to do in a host of different situations. They are there to see that the placenta is delivered. We're actually quite excited to see this through! And I think hearing the stories of the other homebirthers last night gave Jen some inspiration that she can do it too. :)

The thing is...a lot of people go into a hospital birth thinking that that is the only way to do it & that's the only way it's done....they plan on getting an epidural, getting drugged up & being induced. They just want the operation over & done with with as little pain as possible. But sometimes, it's going through the painful struggle that makes it all the ever more rewarding at the end. I liken homebirth to running a marathon. People don't run marathons because it's comfortable or painless. It wouldn't be as meaningful if they ran the first mile and then rode in a car the remaining 25 miles. :)
[end excerpt]