I believe that birth is a natural process. I do not feel that it is a medical condition that requires constant observation and intervention in order to be successful. Tracy Hotchner says "The home-birth "movement" reflects not just attitudes about birth but about life as a whole: to simplify one's life and to get back to real human values in a technologized society. The trend toward home birth has been in direct proportion to the trend within the hospital to treat every birth as a potential high-risk situation. In a technologized society there are constant trade-offs between technical advances and human values: people who choose home birth are not willing to pay the price tag of birth in a hospital where the individual and emotional aspect of birth has been compromised."
I feel that having our child at home is the best choice for this pregnancy. I know about birth and the ability of my body to develop and produce this child. I do not feel that the numerous OB's and midwives available to me through the nearby hospitals and birthing centers meet the criteria for the birthing experience that I am searching. I want a birth with very minimal intervention. I do not desire pain medications of any sort. My husband and children desire to be a part of the birth experience.
To me it's not enough to be told that I will not be given an episiotomy unless it is "needed" when I have plainly stated that I do not wish to be given one in my birth plan. Or, being told that even though I do not want to have my membranes ruptured, that they may ask me if they can perform this procedure to *hurry things along*. I don't want to be put on a time-schedule. I also want encouragement and someone who respects my wishes concerning the choices I have made dealing with my own body. My first birth was in the hospital with a caring OB. She respected my wishes for a natural birth. The episiotomy and rupture of waters were the only procedures that I allowed because I did not know at the time that I could or might want to refuse them. The birth of our daughter was a bit different and may have led us to the intense research and changing of our view of the birth options available. I told them that I did not want to be induced (because it was not necessary because the baby and I were not in any danger and she was also a week early). I signed a release stating that I did not want any pitocin, pain killers, or an episiotomy. But, I was asked if these interventions could be performed repeatedly. Then, they would leave the room so that I could re-think the answer that I had chosen (ie. You don't not know what your saying. I'll be back when you're ready to give me the "right answer"!)I want to avoid this type of power struggle and confrontation. To me, that should have all been discussed and taken care of before the birth. The OB that I had seen throughout my pregnancy was very receptive to my wishes. It may have been different if I she had been the one on-call that evening. But, I choose not to take chances like that again.
I feel blessed to have found a midwife who views childbirth the same way that I do and respects the body's natural design and abilities. She terms herself as a non-interventionist who is given a special gift when asked to assist with the delivery of a child.
What got me through the doubts of family members and friends? Some say it must have been my confidence in my midwife or that it may have strictly been the confidence I had in myself. These simply were not what made this homebirth experience such blessing and renewal to my life and marriage.
My faith in God through my Savior, Jesus Christ is what turned this experience into a testimony of faith and has encouraged and strengthed our spiritual walk with God. I say "our" because this brought myself, my husband, midwife and children all closer to the Lord. Having a Christian midwife, knowing she's praying right along with you and everyone submitting to God's Will is what made the difference. This isn't a case of "I did it" or "We did it" but "Look what through faith, the Lord has done!".
If you are uncertain about what choices are available and would like to explore your options, I recommend reading the bookGentle Birth Choices : A Guide to Making Informed Decisions About Birthing Centers, Birth Attendants, Water Birth, Home Birth, Hospital Birth by Barbara Harper, Suzanne Arms (Photographer)
The book titled A Good Birth, a Safe Birth by Diana Korte and Roberta Scaer covers such areas as; the benefits and drawbacks of cesarean sections, episiotomies, and artificial induction of labor; and the use of fetal monitors, medications and painkillers.
**These books may be found at your local library or you can order them through our website and Amazon.com by clicking on their title. They also make great gifts for expectant parents!
Read our son Jacob's homebirth story! Also read our doula's version of Jacob's birth.
Knowing all of your options does not guarantee peace with your current situation or provider. Only our Almighty, All-knowing God can know just what you need in your unique situation. Pray to Him and ask Him to lead you to do what He would want and what will bring glory to Him. If you would like to enhance your walk with God or maybe you would like to know more about how to know Him personally, these sites may be helpful -
Learn about Jesus and His Church -
Great Christian resource with sound Doctrine
Search the Truths of the Faith
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