Babies All Come In Different Ways

My first two children were born at a hospital. While the experience at the hospital was fine, there were many things that it lacked.

First - the Dr. has many maternity patients at a time. Some being due at the same time. He also has other patients that he sees every day. I could expect to spend at least 30min just in the waiting room and over an hour total for each visit. He only knows me by the name on my chart and doesn't take time to get to know me personally, he doesn't have time.

Second - Hospitals are more about policies than people. They have policies in effect to protect them from lawsuits and other such things. They aim to follow these policies at all cost, even if it makes a patient uncomfortable or is against their beliefs or wishes. They also are saturated with patients who need care. Most nurses work long hours and some were grumpy by the time they saw me. They did not have time to sit with me and help me manage pain or get to know me and my personal circumstances. Nurses have shifts and typically I saw 6 different nurses a day.

Third - I felt as though they thought the baby should be cared for more by them than me. A nurse even told me I needed to let them take care of the baby and rest. Neither my husband or I were able to give the baby it's first bath. With my second child the nurse told me they needed to have the baby in the nursery at night. And they would bring him to me when he woke up.

Among other reason we have decided to have our baby at home assisted by a midwife. This decision comes with much thought, research, and prayer. Some people close to us have expressed their concern with this decision. I feel that most of the concern and fear comes from ignorance. We will soon be giving a letter along with information about home birth and midwifery to our family and close friends. We want them to know that this is a good decision and we aren't just being reckless with my life and the baby's life.

Some reasons I am excited about a home is the personalized care I have and will continue to receive from our midwife. She is interested in me, my family, my pregnancy, and my wishes. She takes the time to answer any questions we have. She is very friendly and seems to enjoy our visits. She only takes a small number of patients at a time so that she can give each personal care. Also, because of this she is able to be at the birth of your child and does not have someone else on call in case she is delivering another baby at the same time. The setting of being at home will be more relaxed and intimate than a hospital. It will be my husband, two children, the midwife and her assistant. We have also decided to document this birth with a photographer. I will be able to birth in the position and place that is most comfortable for me. I can walk around if I want. I am even going to try a water birth. Not sure if I'll end up having the baby in the tub, but I'm going to have it available in case I want to.

My children are 6 (Audrey) and 4 (Ethan) and they are very excited about this baby. As is our extended family. My children are old enough to understand things that Audrey did not understand when Ethan was born. They are able to share in this wonderful experience with me and my husband. I want them to be able to witness the birth if that is what they choose. I feel that if I was delivering in a hospital it would be a little traumatic. I believe birth to be a beautifully spiritual experience. The hospital takes a bit of the beauty and sacredness out of it. Stirrups and iv's are anything but beautiful. That could be scary for a child. I remember Audrey being concerned about my iv's and sitting with me when I had Ethan. Being at home in a familiar environment, in our own space, will make this a wonderful experience for our entire family.

Babies come to this world in different ways. We have chosen for this baby to come to us in our home. This decision makes me feel at peace and excited about this birth.