Reasons I Chose Homebirth
I am a reasonable person, I am not crazy, I’m a wimp when it comes to needles, I don’t like being in pain, I’m basically the farthest thing from Superwoman in the known universe, and I’ve had two planned homebirths after a c-section.
With my first son, I knew nothing. Point blank: I was uninformed. I didn’t even have enough information to make a decision on what was or wasn’t informed. So when the doctor said to me “your baby is too big, we should induce you on your due date,” I said “whatever you say, doc!”
When the induction turned into a c-section, I knew I never wanted to repeat that experience. Some women swear by c-sections, inductions of labor and epidurals, but I had a terrible experience with all of them. My recovery was awful and I’m still dealing with the effects more than 5 years later.
When I found out I was pregnant with my second son, I started looking into homebirth options. I found an amazing midwife who not once treated me differently for having had a c-section.
I was constantly asked by friends, family, and random strangers, “why would you want a homebirth?!” To which my response has always been, and will always be, “why WOULDN’T you want a homebirth?!”
There are many reasons why to choose a homebirth, but here are mine:
Recovery time
I spent 5 days in the hospital recovering after my c-section. It was awful. Not to mention the 2 weeks after that I couldn’t sit up on my own or move freely. They made me shower in the hospital 3 days after my c-section and I could barely do that; I needed to have my husband to help me, and even then I still almost passed out from the pain!
With my first homebirth, my son was born at 10:19pm, I was sleeping in my own bed by 1am with my new baby in the co-sleeper, and I woke up the next day to take a shower without help (my husband was close by in case I needed help, though).
No leaving home
I didn’t have to pack anything, I didn’t have to go anywhere, I didn’t need to make arrangements for my pets… I woke up in labor and went to bed that night with my new baby and that was the end of my birth day.
No worrying about making it to the hospital on time
I feel like you can’t go a week without reading about a baby being born in a car on the way to the hospital. None of my labors have been that fast (hey, a girl can dream!), but I’d much rather have the midwives come to me instead of me having to go to them.
No foreign germs or pathogens
How many “super bugs” have you heard about in hospitals? I don’t really want to expose my brand new baby to THAT many germs yet! Not to mention, how awful is to take care of a newborn if YOU get sick? No, thanks.
No chance of someone walking out with your baby or switching the babies
I know this doesn’t happen too frequently and that there are so many security measures in place, but it always made me uncomfortable to even think about! This way, baby never has to be out of your sight or out of the sight of a family member at all times.
The birth is 100% on your terms
Within reason, you can call the shot in labor. If you want to labor in the backyard, you can. In the shower, you can. Give birth standing up, you can! The restrictions and “rules” from doctors about the 1-centimeter-an-hour progression, or pushing lying on your back, or coached pushing, don’t apply in homebirths… unless you want them to!
You can have whoever you want there
If you want a team of doulas there, you can do that. If you want 100 people watching you deliver, you can do that. If you want your other children there with you, you can do that! Homebirth is all about what the laboring mama wants!
Your labor will be less stressful because you’re in a familiar environment
It’s not uncommon for people to be anxious when they go to the hospital. White coat anxiety is a real thing! But that anxiety when you’re in labor can be detrimental to your progression; your labor might slow down and that would wind up causing the doctors to give you pitocin to speed things up.
You can EAT!
In the hospital you can’t eat at all in labor. You can’t even have water. They’ll give you ice chips, but that’s it.
In a homebirth, you’re encouraged to eat and drink! And frequently! Staying hydrated and nourished helps move labor along. I made amazing Laboraide to help me stay hydrated and give me electrolytes during labor!
Plus, labor just is awful; do you want to be hangry AND in labor? No. No, you don’t.
Much more personal and friendly
For my oldest, the midwifery group I was going to had 12 midwives and you get whoever is on-call that day to deliver your baby. I never met the woman who was there when I was in the hospital until birth day (and she looked at my chart after coming in when I had been in labor for 24 hours on Pitocin, saw my progress and said “that’s IT?!” I could’ve slugged her!).
The same midwife delivered both of my younger sons at home. She was with me at every prenatal visit, she checked the baby’s heartbeat for the first time, she told me to stop eating sugar, she told me to spend time on hands and knees to get the baby to turn from sunny side up. In labor, she held my hand when I was scared, she reassured me over and over again that I could do this, she helped with counter pressure when I had back labor, she spent hours in my house waiting around for me to need her. IÂ could never have done it without her. And I’ve never heard of any doctors doing all of that for a mom in labor.
I am not a doctor. I will NOT advise anyone one way or another. Especially when it comes to birth. I am not condemning one birth or another. Do what is right for you and your baby! My hope is to let you know that there ARE options out there and that you DO have a choice in the birth you have. If I can have a homebirth, you can too.
Jam Jar Gill says
What a beautiful and informative post. It definitely does seem that the pros outweigh the cons by a long shot. Though my hubby was born at home he’s always said he wants us to have our first in Hospital just in case, and I am inclined to agree as it is all new and scary but I like the idea of having my second at home 🙂
Caroline says
I totally get having the first in a hospital! Especially if you find a doctor/ midwife who supports your birth plan 100%!
Iryna says
I love it! I haven’t had a home birth yet, but I’m considering it one day. My first daughter I delivered in a hospital with midwife and I’m pretty satisfied with the result. I’m pregnant with my second baby and again I chose to deliver in a hospital with a midwife. I trust them and feel like they can accommodate my natural labor request. But I can totally understand you, it’s great to labor at home. I’m just not there yet to agree on a home birth:)
Caroline says
That’s so awesome that you had such a great birth, Iryna! As long as you have a supportive provider, you’re in the good hands. 🙂
Lindsay says
If I had children or was having one, I would most definitely do the home birth or even a water birth, as that seems far more ideal for many reasons than being in a hospital, however, subject to any complications arising. It just seems far more comfortable, far more organic, less clinical and relaxing – exactly what a mom-to-be would want, you know?
Caroline says
Water births are so incredible to me, Lindsay! I have back labor so the water helped a little, but nothing like it did for the women you see in the water birth videos.
Angela @ Setting My Intention says
That is really sweet. I agree with you that home births can be wonderful. I know a friend who had a home birth. I had all 3 babies naturally with a midwifery practice. My second was premature so we delivered in a hospital and all my labors have been quick! I was so nervous about a premature birth for my 3rd son that I wouldn’t consider a home birth. I’m grateful that they’re all healthy!
Caroline says
That’s so great, Angela! Midwives are an incredible resource!
Robyn says
Lots of good points to recommend home births here. I think many people are frankly terrified of not being in a medical setting in case something goes wrong, but often it’s the first intervention (sometimes needless) that causes the rest of the complications and that’s often avoided in home births. My baby was born on the side of the road. My midwife said afterwards that she’d get me a home birth kit for next time. I laughed and said no way! Then I thought about it and realised it would have to be better than in the middle of nowhere, haha!
Caroline says
Exactly, Robin! And WHAT!? The side of the road!? You’re my hero!
Hil says
So true! Exactly why I had my second as an at-home water birth. I wanted my first but had gestational hypertension and had to be monitored at the hospital, it was an awful experience and I wanted my second time around to be different. My gestational hypertension the second time around was borderline, but enough they could keep me home, by doing so I was able to keep it under control. If I had been in the hospital it would have gone up again for sure requiring drug interventions and the slew of complications that result because of it.
I didn’t leave the house with baby for a week! It was amazing!
Caroline says
I’m so glad your second birth experience was better! Having a bad hospital birth is really scarring and it’s something a lot of people don’t understand.
Amila says
Beautiful story and thanks for sharing your birth story with us.Actually I have one son and as you said,even I didn’t know anything.We said ‘yes’ to whatever Doctor said.We planned a natural labour but ended up with a C-section.Luckily I recovered in about 1 week (I mean I could walk without help)
Caroline says
Amila, mine was the same. Although my recovery took long, long time. I don’t think I felt “normal” again for probably 2 months.
Izzie Anderton says
Sounds like an amazing experience and you were lucky to find a midwife to support you at home following a C-section.
Caroline says
Oh my goodness, do I know it Izzie. You’re in the UK, right? I don’t know how it is there, but almost 95% of all doctors won’t even let you TRY to have a baby naturally after having a c-section. It’s a mess.
JES says
Great reason Caroline and many of the same reasons I opted for a home birth too! Thank you for sharing this week on the Art of Home-Making Mondays! 🙂
JES @ Strangers & Pilgrims on Earth
Cristina says
Thank you for linking up at #healthylivinglinkparty! Hope to see you again next week! Pinned!
Lexie Robinson says
Birth is such a beautiful and special time, I think it is only right for Mama and Baby to be in the place they are most comfortable during birth.
I found you at Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth
Sarah Eliza says
I really appreciated reading this!! Lots of good food for thought. 🙂 Thanks!!
Deborah Davis says
So helpful and enlightening! Thank you for sharing your reasons for choosing home birth
at the Healthy Living Link Party! I’m Pinning and Sharing!