I wanted to be able to move about freely and without constriction. I knew from research that mothers instinctively move in ways that bring their babies down. I didn't want any drug in my system that would speed up contractions or numb the pain because I knew these drugs would come with risks. I know it's possible to have a natural birth in a hospital, but I didn't just want "natural" as in "no epidural"; I wanted natural as in I allow my body to take over and birth my baby without anything hooked up to me or anyone telling me where or how I had to give birth. My body didn't need help.
5 Reasons Why I Chose Home Birth
I had both of my boys at home; one while kneeling down on the floor of my bedroom and my second one in water. I'm usually asked why I chose home birth, so I wanted to share those reasons here in case there are any mamas out there considering it or anyone who just wonders why in the heck someone would give birth at home.
There are many reasons why women choose to birth at home. I actually have way more than 5 reasons, but to keep it from turning into a novel, I'm going to share with you my top 5 reasons for why I personally chose home birth.
1. I wanted the midwifery model of care - I've always disliked the coldness of doctor's offices; the long waiting times, the sitting in the room half dressed and waiting forever for the doctor to finally make an appearance, the quick visit that never allows me to get all my questions asked because my provider has one hand on the door ready to leave...I just don't fit in there.
“To be pregnant is to be vitally alive, thoroughly woman, and undoubtedly inhabited.” ~Anne Buchanan
I needed more than that when I was pregnant. Pregnancy is such a magical time as well as an emotional roller coaster, and I wanted a provider who knew me and my baby. Visits with my midwife were like visiting a best friend; completely laid back and comfortable. I sat on a sofa in her office and she'd let me talk for an entire hour if I needed to, and she'd never let me leave without giving me a hug. She always wanted to know how I was doing emotionally as well as physically. She let me make the decisions when it came to my health care and she was always there to reassure me along the way. She believed in me and my body and constantly reminded me of that. I tear up when I think of just how special my midwife is to me.
2. I wanted to avoid interventions - Interventions are a common occurrence in the majority of hospital births. From the moment you walk in, most laboring women are hooked up to fetal monitoring systems and IV's. They are restricted from the beginning, which leads to more interventions down the line. With each intervention, birth gets less and less safe.
"Treating normal labors as though they were complicated can become a self-fulfilling prophecy." Rooks
"There is power that comes to women when they give birth. They don’t ask for it, it simply invades them. Accumulates like clouds on the horizon and passes through, carrying the child with it." Sheryl Feldman
3. I wanted to experience birth - From my first OB appointment (and only one), I felt under the impression that my pregnancy was being treated like a condition and was going to need to be "overseen" by people who knew more about it than me. I sensed it's how my birth would also go. I envisioned that I'd go into the hospital when I was in labor, hand myself over and let them call all the shots while having my eyes closed and hoping for the best. That's not an experience that I would recall fondly for the rest of my life.
In medicalizing childbirth and removing it from the home, in separating it from the family, our culture has made birth, like death, a fearful ordeal that can be dealt with only by trained experts, that is no longer part of our shared lives, and is out of woman's control.- Sheila Kitzinger
”When a woman births without drugs…she learns that she is strong and powerful…She learns to trust herself, even in the face of powerful authority figures. Once she realizes her own strength and power, she will have a different attitude for the rest of her life, about pain, illness, disease, fatigue, and difficult situations.” –Polly Perez
I wanted to follow my body's lead. I wanted to feel my contractions so I would know where I was at. I knew I could do it and it was extremely important to me that no one take that right from me.
4. I wanted to birth my baby safely - Like the interventions that can happen during labor, there are interventions that can happen while the baby is being born. Vacuum suctioning and the use of forceps are more common in hospital births than in home births. They rarely happen during home births due to the fact that mothers are usually epidural-free and can easily move around on their own as opposed to being bed-ridden (which causes more work for mom and baby and can lead to exhaustion and dropping heart rates), and mothers birthing at home are much more likely to be in birthing positions that utilize the force of gravity and help bring the baby down.
5. I wanted my baby to have a peaceful beginning - What I loved about my home births was that I was handed my babies immediately after they were born. While holding my baby, the midwife was able to check their heart tones and clear anything out of the nose and mouth without having to take them from me. And then Luis and I were left alone for a little while to just be with our baby and bond as a new family. Later, my midwife came back in and gently performed the newborn screen and measurements. Babies don't have to scream through those. Babies can be calm, warm, and possess a feeling of security because they know where their mother is and are being handled gently.
Home birth, from the beginning of pregnancy to the day the baby was born, was a very peaceful and respectful experience for me. I loved having my midwife as my guide while maintaining the experience as my own. If you would like more information on home birth, I would recommend starting with the following resources:
And if you live in the Phoenix area and are in search of an amazing midwife, I highly recommend LifeSpring Midwifery.
“Childbirth is an experience in a woman’s life that holds the power to
transform her forever. Passing through these powerful gates—in her own
way—remembering all the generations of women who walk with her… She
is never alone.”
—Suzanne Arms
Les
I'm really glad that you wrote about this- I've always wondered about what I wanted to do when I have kids someday, and your opinion was very helpful and insightful! I found you through the GFC blog hop, and I'm your newest follower!Have a great day! :)-Lesleslyni.blogspot.com
Kate Megill
Those are most of the reasons why my friends who've chosen home birth have, and they are excellent reasons. I've never done home birth and for 7 out of 8 births I could have without complications. Coming over from Mommy Mondays link-up.
Jessica
Thank you! Wow, 8 births, you're my hero 🙂
MrsP
My children were born before home birth was as available and supported as now, and I am so glad for all of you young moms. I wanted it, too, so that I could fully experience the birth. It is folly to ignore medical intervention when necessary, but oh my, how wonderful it must be to welcome your baby into your life without unneeded strangers.
Jessica
Thank you so much, I loved reading your comment. It's definitely a wonderful experience and I wish more women could know this.
Raising Reagan
I have always been curious about home births but never knew anyone that had done it. What incredible information.Thank you for linking to Raising Imperfection. Please come back Friday to see if you were featured. :)¤´¨) ¸.•*´ (¸¤ Lanaya | xoxoRaising-Reagan.com
Jessica
Thanks!
Leslie @ Violet Impe
Love your reasons for home birth, seems like it was the perfect choice for you.Thank you for linking up to Raising Imperfection! Make sure to check back on Friday to see if you were featured.Leslie <a href="http://www.violetimperfection.com" target="_blank">www.violetimperfection.com
Jessica
Thank you, it definitely was 🙂
Alyssa
I found your blog at Raising Imperfection and I am so glad I did. These are very similar to the reasons that I chose home birth with the last of my four children. My sweet daughter was born here at home in March and it was a wonderful way to start a life. 🙂
Jessica
Wow, you're a homebirth pro! I'm glad you found my blog too, I love meeting other homebirthing mamas 🙂 Congrats on your newest addition!
Kristi Campbell
I really wanted a home birth but was put on bedrest at 26 weeks and monitored throughout. I was too afraid to go through with what they knew would be complicated (I was almost 41 at the time). I love that you were able to do it and send a huge message of YES to all that are able.
Jessica
Wow Kristi, that must've been stressful! I wouldn't have done it either if I had been in your shoes :/ I'm grateful for hospitals for just these reasons!
LaVonne Long
I had my first at a birth center with a midwife and had a great experience. My second was at a hospital with a midwife and that went well too. Not quite as nice as my first but still very wonderful. Childbirth is so amazing. I wanted to experience and be present as well. No drugs. Boy, did the second one HURT! 🙂
Jessica
How cool LaVonne! I like hearing the experiences of women who have done both. And yeah, it HURTS! I always say for about 4-5 months after giving birth that I'm NEVER doing that again lol.
Jessica @ The Wonder
What a lovely experience! Many I know did the homebirthing too and loved it! Unfortunately, I had to have both my kids at a hospital due to my health. Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us @ My Favorite Posts SHOW OFF Weekend Blog Party! JessicaThe Wondering Brain
Jessica
Thanks Jessica!
jessica | piganddac
I'm glad you found my post helpful 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Andrea
I'm late to the party on this one, but I love this post! After a horrible hospital experience, we are hoping to find a midwife who will take us/me on as a hbac patient next time we're pregnant.
Daniel and Sara
Found your blog through the blogger's digest blog hop! I had my daughter at home last October! Loved reading this! All of your reasons were my reasons as well! And the fact that the state of NJ has a 1 in 2 C-Section rate!! Looking forward to following!