Why We Chose Homebirth
I have delivered both of my boys at home with caring and skilled midwives. I was able to labor and push however and whenever I needed to. I want every mother to have that experience.
It is not important to me that every woman have their baby at home, but that every woman is given the truth in order to make an informed decision.
Here are a few reasons that we chose homebirth…
It is Just as Safe as Hospital Birth
Safety is most people’s biggest concern, but statistically it’s just as safe, if not safer than hospital birth. We can look outside of the U.S. to make a comparison…
- In the Netherlands 30% of all births are homebirths. They have an infant mortality rate of 4.73 deaths/1000 live births (source).
- In the United States 1% or less of all births are planned homebirths. The United States’ infant mortality rate is 6.26 deaths/1000 live births (source).
There are Fewer Interventions
The current c-section rate is nearly one third of all hospital births. One third. That rate has increased 50% since 2005 and it is double the World Health Organization’s recommended rate of 15%.
I am not against c-sections – they can be life saving for both mother and baby. But it is also major surgery with significant risks, and therefore should only should be used when necessary. Many experts are now calling it a "snow ball" effect because when a woman is induced she is more likely to get an epidural and is then more likely to have a c-section.
The average transfer rate, and therefore intervention rate, for homebirth is 12%.
It Costs Less Than Hospital Birth
Have you seen The Business of Being Born? If not I would highly recommend it for anyone who will ever have a baby.
There is a lot of money involved in birth. If half of us mamas chose to birth at home, with midwives, does that mean that half of the obstetricians would lose their jobs? Would they make half the money? I don’t know, but they certainly have some incentive to keep us in the hospitals, even if we don’t need to be there.
If you look at the average facility labor and birth charge by site and method of birth you can see that it is not cheap to give birth in the hospital. In 2005 a vaginal birth in the hospital cost almost $7,000, and that doesn’t count prenatal care. In 2006 we paid one third of that for the birth and pre- and post-natal care.
God’s Sovereignty
The above three reasons helped motivate us to have a homebirth, but they were more like side benefits because we know that whatever the outcome of a hospital or homebirth – God is sovereign.
We can nourish our bodies as best as we know how, but God already has plans for your birth and they are for our good and His glory. This was never more clear to me than during the birth of my younger son.
I am often asked if we will have another homebirth if we become pregnant again. At this point I can’t say for sure, but I know it will depend on my health and how the pregnancy goes. I can say that if it is not a homebirth we will look for a birthing center and the wonderful midwives who do not get near the credit that they deserve in the medical community.
What are your thoughts on birth and homebirth?
I gave birth to our girls at home and our son in a free standing birth center. All three were wonderful births (and by that I do not mean pain-free, people sometimes think that natural birthing women must have some higher tolerance for pain – I tell you that is not true!) but I am a huge advocate of homebirth.
How do you find midwives? We do have some in my area, but they work right in the hospitals. My husband and I are hoping to get pregnant and I would like to have a homebirth, but have not been able to find a midwife. Thank you for your time!
Christy, That’s a really good question. I found them by doing a google search of “homebirthing midwives in (my city)”. But I also live near a larger city. My SIL had a hospital birth recently because there were no birthing centers or homebirth midwives near her. So she found a midwife that worked in the hospital, but was able to assist her in a perfectly natural birth. That would be the next best option, I think.
I did a homebirth with my son, Christopher, and the plan (Lord willing) is one this time around also.
I loved a homebirth because…
A few minutes after giving birth, our whole family was snuggling on our bed.
I was able to hold my son immediately.
My midwife made me work hard for that homebirth. (If you don’t as nutritiously as you should, exercise, or take your vitamins faithfully, bye bye. I respect her for that.)
I gave birth in a caring environment. My midwife knew me, and stayed with me the whole time. She didn’t just come in to catch the baby. I felt comfortable to sing through contractions. (Something that helped and probably sounded terrible.)
I was in the comfort of my own home, I was able to roam around until it was time to push.
I was able to give birth on a birth stool. No back labor with a lot of monitors and wires.
I was not in a hospital with a more negative mentality about birth in general. No wires, wards, or hospital gowns to set the mood.
Many many many more reasons.
@Debra Worth @ Happy To Be Home,
Oh, and my husband got to help. That was cool. He was also the one who told me it was a boy.
I would definitely do things different if I were to have more kids. All three of my kids were born in the hospital setting.
Beautiful post, Shannon and a good recap of important reasons to home birth!
When I was pregnant the first time, my husband wanted to home birth, but I was scared. So we didn’t. I ended up with a C-Section. I believe it saved my daughter’s life (there was a poorly planted umbilical cord) and am thankful for the outcome — her precious life. But the environment/experience convinced me that I would rather labor and deliver at home. Our doctor “ordered” an emergency C-Section for me over the phone, and then was late to the OR because (in his words), “Can’t I finish my pizza?”
Our next two births were VBAC homebirths under the care of an experience, caring, gracious, gentle, lay midwife. The births were very different: one intense and the other more peaceful but fast (strange, I know). Both wonderful! I’m grateful that God gave us the opportunity to learn more about Him and His sovereignty over all life. He taught me so much about trusting Him for the outcome and gave me peace in His plans for my life and the lives of my children. I’m so very grateful and humbled for His grace and care.
Thanks for reminding me today of those special times!
If you are not able to have a homebirth (or even if you do) consider having a doula with you. Their job is to just be with you and support you. They are trained in natural techniques to help you along and give you comfort. The reason it is helpful (might I say indispensable/crucial) to have one in the hospital is that they can be with you the whole time-unike the doctor who often times arrives just in time to catch the baby. They are able to give your husband support too, when he is emotionally involved and needs some guidance in helping you make decisions when you are in the middle of pain or exhaustion and the doctor is asking you to make a decision. They are there, not to make decisions for you or speak for you, but to be an “impartial” third party who can give you their informed opinion. I found this invaluable when I had my first daughter in a hospital with midwives. It helped me have courage to speak up when I was not comfortable going a particular route leading to interventions that would have probably ended in a C-section. It is very difficult to avoid interventions in a hospital even with a doula and midwives, so I chose to have a homebirth with my second daughter. From beginning contractions to birth, my labor lasted 7 hours with no interventions and a healthy daughter.
Stephanie – Thank you for adding this. I forgot to, and yes, in my experience doulas are absolutely wonderful to have around. We used a post-partum doula last time around and she was so helpful. From cooking to cleaning to helping with breastfeeding and our oldest. Some charge by the hour and others are volunteer. I have actualy considered becoming a doula myself someday, if just to help others through such an intense experience.
Do you know anything about VBACs and homebirths? Is it safe, legal, etc?
I was totally a statistic and had a C-Section due to ‘failure to progress’. I regret letting fear rule my decisions on how to bring my son into this world. I struggled with trusting God vs. giving into my fear of something going wrong.
God has been so good to me throughout the aftermath of my C-section-he’s taken me by the hand and has led me through the onslaught of emotions.
In my core though, I know that I’m still scared. What if I really couldn’t push my son and I needed the section…what if, what if, what if.
Do you have any advice, prayers, etc to help me with this?
I have to disagree with you in one area~Home births are not ‘just as safe as hospitl births”, as in most cases they are much MORE safer!!!! No interverntions, no drugs, no electronics to give false reads, no butcher-happy doctor who wants to ‘hurry things up”, no premature cutting of the cord, no pressure to have baby vaccinated with potentially harmful injections, no potentially harmful drops put in baby’s eyes (silver nitrate), and no separation of mom and baby.
With all that said, I had two horrendous and abusive (my strongly held belief!) hospital births back in 1975 & 78. When I got pregnant again in 1983 I knew I was NOT going to the hospital, but having a home birth (Believe me! This was radical back then!) We ended up having six home births, unassisted, by choice, and they were the very best experiences I could have had!
As another poster said~It still hurt, but it was manageable and awesome!
Thanks for a great post! Brought back happy memories!
I decided a long time ago that when I get married and have children, I will be having them either at a birth center or at home. Hospitals are for sick people; pregnancy and childbirth are not a sickness.
Shannon – I LOVE this post. Although I’m on the RFM blogroll, lately I haven’t been able to get away from blogging about birth. That’s probably because I welcomed my second child via waterbirth at home just six weeks ago. I tend to labor for DAYS rather than HOURS. If for some reason I had to give birth in a hospital I can only imagine how much pressure I might receive to go ahead with the interventions rather than drag things out 🙂
I know you don’t know me, but after reading (and crying through) your second son’s birth story I wanted to share mine with you. My son was limp and didn’t breathe for two whole minutes after being born . . . one of the many reasons I am grateful for the help of my very skilled, competent midwives during those last few hours. Here’s the link: http://www.mommypotamus.com/micahs-birth-story-part-1/
Also, we had a photographer present and it was really amazing. I’m not trying to spam you with birth-related stuff, but I just love this topic! http://www.mommypotamus.com/83-reasons-to-hire-a-birth-photographer/
I had 2 wonderful births. At the very first one, we had present 2 midwives, 1 apprentice, 1 doula, DH and I – quite a houseful!! At the second (this past January) it was just a midwife (same one that delivered my firstborn!), her apprentice, DH and I. Both were a bit “touch and go” since I bled somewhat and had high blood pressure, but I have been blessed with 2 wonderful boys. Homebirth is an absolutely awesome experience – not at all like I imagined, but so much better.
Great Post! And what a Precious Picture!!!!! It sure made my heart jump and made me miss having a baby at home! My “baby” is now 6! I LOVED having babies and snuggling them and pulling them into bed with me for breastfeeding. Oh, what precious times in a woman’s life!!!
I have given birth ten times (not counting miscarriages) — two very traditional labors and deliveries (23 and 25 years ago), hospital births with obstetricians, family practice doctors, and certified nurse midwives, one birth in a birthing center with a CNM, and two homebirths with a midwife. I definitely endorse home births! Mine were awesome experiences! However, due to excessive post-partem bleeding, I ended up back in the hospital with an OB for my last two births. God leads as He knows what is best for each birth!!!
Thanks for this great post! Most people don’t realize how SAFE home birth is, IF you have a skilled midwife. I was blessed to have a Great midwife for my home births!
After having a variety of birth experiences, I would certainly recommend home birth to others!
Well. I didn’t and won’t likely ever had a homebirth option but I do agree with being informed. I had a super-duper high risk pregnancy with my son that included heparin for an antibody issue, 15 weeks of bedrest and he was frank breech since around 20 weeks so I had early on pretty much come to peace with the idea that it wasn’t an incredibly natural pregnancy (in any other generation I would have lost him or lost me- actually I probably would never have had living babies) so I wasn’t going to have many if any options of a natural delivery. I had lost 4 prior to him so his safety and health was my only concern and they could slice and dice me any way they wanted as long as he was ok.
So I had a c-section, like I thought I would. I recovered quickly and I’ve still managed to pull off a few crunchy things like cloth diapers, slings and nursing. I don’t have any regrets with the way things went! He’s such an amazing boy! I don’t know if I’ll get so lucky as to have another one. If we do, I’d do it all again.
I had both of my boys at home with a wonderful lay midwife 20 and 17 years ago. It was a wonderful experience and I would advise every woman to consider it seriously. They both breastfed for over two years each. We did cloth diapers and covers, family bed, natural foods from the table when ready, didn’t vaccinate, home schooled and now they are all grown up. I love ’em to death. We are really into the “home” thing. Great post.
I live in NYC and there are hospital here that have an almost 50% C-section rate! I had my first in a hospital, my second in a birthing center and my third and fourth at home. I am in the very tiny minority of New Yorkers who have had a homebirth.
I do volunteer breastfeeding support and I can’t begin to tell you how often a hospital birth disrupts and potentially ruins the breastfeeding relationship. Taking away a baby right after birth to bath and weigh them, not allowing and encouraging lots of skin to skin contact and taking babies to the NICU (and away from mom) for almost anything that a hospital is worried that they may get sued over are just a few examples of what hospitals do that undermine breastfeeding.
A friend of mine is the oldest of 9 and I think the majority of them were birthed from home by a midwife. This midwife birthed a good majority of the babies in their community. I *think* she said she birthed 2000 babies during her career. This, of course, didn’t make good business for the Hospital in the area and my friend told me that the Doctors “went after her” and tried to put her out of business. What were they (the doctors) in it for?
I’m not against doctors and hospitals, they have their place in the world. We need them for heart transplants, hip replacements, ect…
http://visionarywomanhood.blogspot.com/2010/06/peter-is-here.html
You can go to this website and see the schedule of the day after this woman gave birth to her baby at the hospital. Read the whole article, or just scroll down a ways, past all the pictures.
What I love about homebirth, is you are able to spend time with your baby, your family, and just relax. Visitors are less likely to invade your home without invitation.
That’s my 2 cents. 🙂
Thank you for your insight. It’s just so uplifting to read about mothers who trust God in these things and not the medical world. You inspired me a little today.
We had a midwife deliver our baby at the hospital. For me, I liked the security of the hospital if anything went wrong(as did for both of my sisters during their births), but also the choice, communication and wisdom that a midwife offers. I have to say that I have never recieved such great health care as I did with a midwife. Becuase of the way our medical system is set up in canada, doctors have 10 mins. with you, that’ s it. A midwife spent much more time with me answering all my questions without making me feel stupid, and was also available on call in instances where I was unsure (i.e. I started bleeding or had less fetal movement). I would recommend a midwife to ANYONE giving bith.
Great post. I have been doing a lot of research on all things baby, as my husband and I plan to start a family in the next few years. I am researching nutrition before, during and after pregnancy, as well as alternatives to having a hospital birth. I am hoping and praying that I will be able to conceive easily, have a blessed pregnancy and be able to birth at home when the time comes. I saw the Business of Being Born a long time ago and it’s what got me really motivated and interested in being prepared long before the baby actually happens! The more education we receive and the more confident we are as women, the better decisions we will be able to make for ourselves, our babies and our families. It saddens me greatly to see how many women lack true education and confidence about their bodies, pregnancy and birth. It’s like they surrender all power and control to their doctor once they conceive. I hope that more women will become aware of this and start standing up to mainstream medicine and demanding the care that’s rightfully theirs!
Thanks for sharing your story! I agree with all the reasons you mentioned, though I have to say that homebirth is often more expensive for families than a hospital birth, if they have to pay a midwife out of pocket while insurance would have covered a hospital birth. There are plenty of women who opt to give birth at a hospital simply because it costs them less money than a birth center or homebirth.
How did all you lucky ladies get men who support homebirths?! I’m struggling to get my husband on board with going the midwife/birthcenter route! I would love to do a homebirth with assistance, but my husband has said plainly, more than once, that he thinks home births are gross and he doesn’t want me to have one.
Thanks for the beautiful post and inspiration!
Love this post. My daughter was born by Japanese midwives in our home in Okinawa (despite all the hostility from the mainstream medical community and the work of finding the ONLY midwives on island that would deliver American babies). It was all worth it. Now living in D.C. and headed back to Okinawa pregnant I can’t wait to hug my midwives and tell them we’re game for another homebirth in September!
The joy and complete cozy-homey-ness of home birthing is unmatchable in even the warmest birth center. I feel honored to have had the opportunity to birth my baby at home like millions of women throughout history have done, with full confidence in their design, trusting in the process!
Sarah – Absolutely! Love your story, thanks for sharing :).
my daughter was born at home; she brought the sun with her. her papa caught her in a pool in our lounge, as my midwives cheered softly from the side.
we live in new zealand where we have the good fortune to be able to choose our own midwives who care for us during the entire pregnancy (regardless of outcome) until 6 weeks post-partum. we also have the choice where we birth. in my case, most people assumed i would birth at home (although many still called me ‘brave’)
this is free.
all maternity care is free; it is our midwife’s responsibility to inform us of our options so we can choose, freely.
there’s not a day that passes that i don’t think how lucky i am