Why I am Planning a Home Birth

Once we found out we were pregnant in April 2022, I was immediately drawn to the idea of a homebirth but I was nervous about committing to it. At this time I was 100% certain I didn't want to give birth in a hospital so I thought a birth center would be a good middle option. I found a local midwife group that had affiliation with a birth center and also assisted home births so I could make the choice later. I knew deep down I wanted a homebirth but I was fearful of it being “too out there and crazy”, I wasn't ready to trust my intuition or commit to a completely unmedicated birth. I had this gloomy idea that it would be a careless decision to give birth at home because there’s a reason every woman I knew gave birth in a hospital.. with doctors.. right??

But I couldn’t shake this picture of being in my own-comfortable space, to be able to sleep in my bed right after labor, and eat my own food as I wanted. All these things that I couldn’t get at a birth center. I realized that I could trust my intuition: that this was a safe decision for myself and my baby and it was going to be the best decision for us.

At around 16 weeks and after a not so great experience with my first midwife group, I started looking for a new care provider. I found a dual midwife group that allowed me space to make this decision without whispers in my ear. The trusted me and gave me the confidence to move forward with a home birth. Now I trust them to keep us safe during labor and after.

I am not fearful of this decision. I actually am anticipating this experience and am beyond excited!

Comfort and Privacy:

Being in a safe, calm, familiar space helps labor progress more naturally. Labor tends to slow or even stop when interrupted. In a hospital or birth center, the mother has very limited control over her environment: who is walking in, the sounds, lights, interventions. When you have control over your environment, the people around you, and your feelings, you are more empowered and more likely to have better outcomes.

I am a good candidate: Homebirth is safe for many women with the right support in place. It's important to be in good physical and mental health, eat nutritiously, and have a knowledgable birth team. I am healthy and low-risk. I focus on nutrition and balancing my meals, staying hydrated, and exercising to avoid pregnancy complications and chronic disease. I also have a great support system to help me physically and mentally during labor. My birth team consists of my husband, two amazing midwives, and a supportive doula!

Better outcomes for myself and baby: Interventions just happen less naturally at home! Leaving the house during labor is considered an intervention because it can impact the progression of labor. At home I will be more comfortable. I will be able to move freely, labor in any position I want, eat and drink as I please, control who comes in and out of my space, and sleep in my own bed with my baby after! I do not have to abide by anyone else’s wishes or protocols. I will be 100% in control of my space and birth.

To establish an easier breastfeeding bond: With fewer interventions in the home setting and having an unmedicated birth, breastfeeding relationships are likely to be established more easily and effectively. Medicated births can impact baby and mom for many hours after labor. Interventions can also cause stress and trauma for mom and baby. These combinations can make it more difficult for mom and baby to feel at ease, to establish a milk supply, and for baby to latch. In many hospitals, staff are very poorly trained in proper breast feeding techniques, moms are often given mixed advice with very little assistance.

Birth isn't a disease that needs to be treated: Many professionals in the techno-medical world are taught to assume and prepare for the worst, that’s what they are needed for. But is a natural, uncomplicated birth supposed to be treated the same way as a high risk birth? No, birth should be individualized and intervention should be a last resort. Home birth focuses on the natural progression of birth without unnecessary interventions. What happens at a hospital that actually stalls labor and leads to more (most likely originally unnecessary) intervention? ALOT! Doctors are often trained to intervene instead of when not to intervene.

It’s honestly hard to put into words how comfortable and excited I am to have made this decision. I have gotten to a point where I trust my intuition more now than ever before. I am thankful to have my support group, the space to make this personal decision, and the resources to make this happen and trust that I am making the right decision.