Homebirthing

Amy - posted on 09/10/2010

I want to have my baby via freebirthing but I'm a big sissy and hate pain!

Emily - posted on 02/11/2009

Quoting Terry:

I personally just try to talk about it as if it weren't unusual. The more normal it sounds coming from my mouth, the more likely she is to think of it as a safe alternative, not as something that only crazy hippies do. It's not a huge advertising campaign, but normalizing homebirth is important to me.

This is very much my approach too... make it normal! Interestingly, there was a woman in a class I was taking who had had her 2nd baby at home but for some reason she thought I was "so brave" to have my 1st at home.  Several others have brought up this bravery business, as well.  I confess that I don't understand... I don't consider it particularly brave. In fact, for me, it would have required far more bravery to go to the hospital where I'd have to deal with all sorts of invasive procedures and a higher risk of infection!

Vanessa - posted on 02/09/2009

Quoting Terry:

I personally just try to talk about it as if it weren't unusual. The more normal it sounds coming from my mouth, the more likely she is to think of it as a safe alternative, not as something that only crazy hippies do. It's not a huge advertising campaign, but normalizing homebirth is important to me.

This is exactly what i do. The more we talk about homebirth as a natural, the more normal it will be. If i'm asked questions I answer them, but i don't make it a pushy advertising campaign.

Danialle - posted on 02/08/2009

I personally just try to share my experience with others. I have had a few people they would consider homebirth after hearing my story and I definately highly reccommend my midwife!

Christina - posted on 01/14/2009

I have had two home births - but have had to go into hospital. First time because my son needed some help at the last stage (vontouse), but as it was a long labour I still consider it a home birth - I was only in hospital a short time and he arrived.
My daughter was born at home but I had a retained placenta so had to go in again! I am expecting any day now and hoping for a home birth again - but no hospital visits this time!
I had a horrible time in the hospital the first time, and was called the 'homebirth girl', the nurse said to me - "well you need us now don't you!"
I tell people all the time how much better it is at home and how much more empowering it is.
I live in Wales in Great Britain. Home births are still quite a rare thing but it is improving. I am lucky that the emergency services are very good and have taken me to hospital quickly, so I don't see why most mums shouldn't try for a home birth.
As long as there are no complications during pregnancy I cant see why a hospital visit should be necessary.
I have the option here to have the drugs available at home - which I did have with my 1st - but just had some gas and air with my second. I had pethidine there in case I wanted it though. So it is the same to me as if I were in hospital. I am not having any pethidine or morphine this time. I am hoping I will manage fine with just gas and air.
I talk highly of the experience at home and in contrast to the hospital it has made me whole heartedly convinced it is by far the better, happier, more empowering and convenient option.
I hope others start to realize the benefits.
If there were a campaign I would get involved. But the more of us who do it and the more the midwives experience home births the more likely, I think , others will consider it too. xx

Zissi - posted on 01/11/2009

I had both my Children at Home.It was clear for me from the start that i would not go in to a Hospital to have them.I could do what i wanted and had my Midwife there.No one who keept comming in and out as they pleased.No one who i had to share a room with.I was Free to do as i wanted.The best to do is to do as your Body tells you to whilest in Laibour.It is and Stays something Natural and can be done withought Drugs and all the other stuff.people say to me,Oh my God how can you and why but its the best way to give Birth and it helps to bond even more.I will have a nother Home Birth this year and am looking forward to it.All i can say to others is,hey why not try it your self its wonderfull.

Mayana - posted on 12/23/2008

here in auckland (new zealand) we have a homebirth support group. we meet every month and welcome pregnant ladies along to talk to women who have had homebirths. i also am passionate about homebirth and spreading the "normalcy" of homebirths and encouraging women to believe in themselves and the natural beauty and ease of the process. forming a group in your community is a good way to make information about homebirth accessible. also, in new zealand there is a national homebirth association which receives government funding and provides a further resource for women nation-wide. i don't know where you live but its been amazing to see this organization exist here in new zealand and it would be great to see other countries follow suit. the best thing you can do is encourage any and all pregnant friends and acquaintances to believe in themselves and the processs and the beauty and virtue of doing it at home! good luck!

Terry - posted on 12/02/2008

I personally just try to talk about it as if it weren't unusual. The more normal it sounds coming from my mouth, the more likely she is to think of it as a safe alternative, not as something that only crazy hippies do. It's not a huge advertising campaign, but normalizing homebirth is important to me.