Women choose homebirth for a variety of reasons. The reasons are as varied as the women choosing this type of birth. I have always wanted a homebirth. Sadly, with four children, I never got to have a baby in my home. My husband was always afraid of the concept. I gave in and went off to the hospital for each of my four babies. If I could do it over again, I would give it a try at home.
My husband’s grandmother made me want to give birth at home. When we were first married she said, “Now I want to tell you something. When you have a baby; have your baby at home.” She went on to tell me that three of her four children were born at home. The youngest was born in the hospital because that’s what everyone was doing at the time. She said, “I was never as sick in my life as I was after that baby.”
I’ll admit I thought she was a little crazy, or senile, when she first mentioned it. The more I thought about it, the better it sounded. I began to mention it in passing to my husband. “No way!” was the response I got. His grandmother was his most loved family member. He really loved and respected her. I tried to use this to my advantage. It didn’t work. Sadly, Gram passed away shortly before I got pregnant with our first baby.
Many women choose to birth at home because the atmosphere is more serene and relaxing than the hospital. These women view birth as a natural process and don’t think the medical model is necessary. They may have genuine fears about hospitals or just prefer the peaceful setting of home sweet home. They want to welcome the baby into the family at home.
Some women choose a homebirth after a bad experience in a hospital. In the hospital, it’s easy for a woman to lose control over her birth experience. Doctors and nurses are calling the shots. Even with a well written birth plan, the medical model of care can take over. Interventions lead to more interventions. This may leave the woman feeling cheated out of her experience.
Other women choose to give birth at home because the whole family is there to celebrate the arrival of the new baby. Siblings, parents, grandparents and the couple’s other children can all share in the experience. The baby is welcomed into a warm and loving family. The mother and baby are not separated after the birth, as happens in too many hospitals.
If these or other reasons make you want to try a homebirth, contact a midwife. Schedule an appointment to go over your health history to determine if you are a candidate for a home birth.
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