Choosing a Homebirth

I often get asked why I choose to give birth at home. Simply put choosing a homebirth became the path to the dreamy birth I always envisioned.

Firstly, I love birth! Bringing a new life into the world is always exciting. Being a mother has been the greatest accomplishment of my life thus far. I do not intend for this to be medical advice. I am just sharing my experiences.

To start a little about my birthing experiences. I have had two hospital, two birth center births, and one homebirth, and I am planning on a second one this winter. Having tried everything so far, I think I have a unique perspective on the subject. To begin, I will say that I think you should give birth where you are most comfortable and where you think you will feel the safest. Why? Simply put, birth is an extremely vulnerable time and it all goes much more smoothly if you are the most relaxed you can be. I have friends who absolutely loved their hospital births and would never dream of giving birth anywhere else. Honestly, I think that is wonderful! Also, I know that it was not what I was looking for and I had difficulty finding information about alternatives.

Is a homebirth right for you?

Firstly, I think the biggest factor when choosing your birthing place is what your expectations and wants are. Here are some questions to ask yourself.

• Do you want a natural birth?
• Is your pregnancy considered high-risk?
• What interventions are you hoping to avoid?
• Have you found a trustworthy midwife?
• How far is your home from a hospital?
• Is this your first baby?

Why Choose a Homebirth

I was looking for a place where I had complete control of my birthing experience. I chose a homebirth because I wanted to feel safe and in control of the choices being made when the time to give birth to my baby arrived. Having had two previous hospital births I knew that was not going to be the case in the hospital. I loved the two birth center births I experienced, however, we have since then moved states and are in a much smaller town. The closest birth center to me is about an hour away through some very beautiful but very bumpy country roads. There is no way I would not have a car baby if I attempted that trip. Home became the best option available to us and it went so well that we’ll be doing it again.

Choosing a homebirth allowed me to give birth the way I always envisioned it would be. No, unnecessary interventions, no having to rush anywhere, and no having to leave after a few hours or days. I was already where I was supposed to be in the comfort of my own home. My precious newborn was born into the home he belonged to not having to be exposed to unnecessary germs when he is at his most vulnerable. Yes, my house has germs and is not a sterile environment but this is where he will live not the hospital. I have also learned not all bacteria are bad. Your body has a symbiotic relationship with certain kinds of bacteria. Building your baby’s microbiome from birth is important and beneficial to his or her overall long-term health.

Why I choose a homebirth review

• A homebirth allows me to go through the stages of labor the way I find most comfortable and effective for my body. I have chosen a waterbirth for my last three.
• Choosing a homebirth provides me with the tools for the natural birth and postpartum experience that is important to me.
• By choosing a homebirth I am able to do skin-to-skin, delay cord clamping, and establish breastfeeding right away by bonding with my newborn right away.
• A homebirth avoids interventions that can lead to further bigger interventions like a C-section

A Better Postpartum Period

The postpartum period is often overlooked when choosing where you are going to give birth. The funny thing is that this is a crucial part of giving birth. The first few hours with your baby are so important. I love that by choosing a homebirth I get to do exactly what I need for my baby and I while also being with my other children. I right away get the instant bonding experience crucial for establishing breastfeeding. Uninterrupted boding time with all check-ups done right in our bed is exactly what I want. Choosing a homebirth also allowed for the other siblings to participate in such a special occasion once appropriate and they too bond with the newest member right away. I also appreciate that we get uninterrupted rest!

Once all the excitement of meeting the new baby is done I get to just snuggle my beautiful squishy bundle of joy and sleep without the constant monitoring of well-meaning nurses. At the hospital, I often got woken up to be checked on, they woke up the baby more than once to weigh and measure them. Not to mention the constant offering of formula, pacifiers, baths, and warnings about not sleeping with the baby in bed. Yeah, I think I’ll stay home. Choosing a homebirth for us meant we got exactly what we wanted and needed as a family.

Homebirth VS Hospital

Hospital

• Constant to intermediate monitoring
• No, food or water during labor
• Routine vaginal exams
• IV fluids throughout labor and postpartum
• Often you will be made to labor in a hospital bed as well as push on your back.
• There is a time limit on how long they consider “safe” for you to labor
• You will not have the same birth team throughout your labor especially if it goes long.
• Postpartum you will have specific check-ups that are part of the hospital protocols at specific hours after birth no matter the time of day.
• Newborn exams are done almost right away, often there is no delay in cord clamping
• Waterbirth is almost never an option

Homebirth

• You have no limit in the time you can labor as long as your vitals and baby’s are what they should be.
• Intermediate to very little monitoring. Meaning you are not hooked to any machines.
• You may eat and drink if you wish to throughout labor super important if you are having a long labor.
• Only your chosen birth team is there. Midwife, husband, doula, or you may choose to be alone until active labor with them nearby if needed.
• You can labor in any position you feel comfortable, and use exercises and techniques that help labor progress.
• You can push in a comfortable position for you and more conducive to a faster active phase.
• Waterbirth is almost always an option

Important things to consider when choosing a homebirth

• Midwives are a crucial part of the journey. Choosing the right midwife for you can be the difference between the birth you want and the one you dread.
• Having a plan in case complications arise.
• Prepare for a natural birth. Just because it is natural it does not mean it is easy.
• Know your why. Why are you doing this? I know my why, I have a very clear vision and convictions about why I choose to give birth the way I do. What is yours?

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