Why did we choose to have a homebirth?
- We wanted to have more control over our birth experience. Often times
doctors will let you make birth plans, but when push comes to shove
(pun intended), they will do things their way -- not the natural way.
- We wanted to avoid as many unnecessary interventions as possible.
Statistics show that C-section and episiotomy rates are significantly
higher when births are done in the hospitals.
- We found that several research studies involving many thousands of
births show that homebirths are as safe as hospital births for a
low-risk mother who is attended by a qualified midwife.
- We enjoyed the friendship and care of our midwife. Routine prenatal
checkups have been over an hour long each time... and the volume of
information she gives (books, videos, etc.) is enormous! She informs
us of all options -- and lets us decide what we want done and not.
- We wanted to be in the comfortable surroundings of our home. Not only
is it more relaxing, but also the risk of infections from other diseases
found at hospitals is lower. Mother & baby have natural immunities
to germs found at home.
- We wanted a water-birth. Imagine giving birth in a hot tub. The
warm water sooths the pain, and helps the skin expand. Our midwife
lent us a baby pool which we filled with warm water.
- We wanted to save money. The costs were less than half the price of
a hospital stay, and since our midwife was certified, we received full
support from our insurance company.
- We had heard nothing but good reports about the services of our midwife.
All the reports were true. :)
Links to other homebirth sites
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jash@wwc.edu