Birthing at Home

“The MIdwife” by Loren Entz

I just want to start out by saying, home birthing isn’t for everyone.  Dadzoo and I carefully considered, researched and prayed about our decision to home birth, and it was the correct decision for us, this won’t be the same for everyone, and I respect that.  Every woman should be shown respect for her birthing decisions.

I have seven children, the first five were born in a hospital after being induced with pitocin and given an epidural, the sixth baby was born at a hospital completely unmedicated (no pitocin or epidural) and my seventh was born at home.  I wish I would have done them all at home, I loved it that much!

I just wanted to share some thoughts about that home birth, things that didn’t fit into the story or I forgot to include.

First of all. Midwives. Are. Awesome.

-It was family centered.  My kids were there, my husband was there, and not just the guy sitting in the corner, he was part of the action.  He helped with my crazy pushing stage, he lay next to me and held me as I delivered, he had his arms around both me and baby as we all got acquainted.

-It was mother centered.  There was no “letting”.  I will explain.  At the hospital they “let” me drink some juice while laboring, they “let” me get off the monitors if I sat still for 20 mins, they would “let” me use the tub if I wanted, they would “let” me refuse some procedures…. etc….  At home I made choices.  I ate when I wanted to, I was monitored off and on, but only when asked and I consented, I got in and out of the shower as I pleased and walked or paced or lay down as I wanted, for any procedures on me or baby I was consulted and I made a choice.  No one made me do anything, or “let” me do anything.  Nothing was ever done for the convenience of the midwives, the adapted for me.  At one point I had IV antibiotics, it was during transition and the contraction were very intense.  I have been given IV’s many times during my previous 6 births, and usually at some point not only would I be working through contractions, I would be doing it while being stuck with needles.  This time was different.  The midwife was finding a vein as a contraction started up, as soon as she saw I was contraction, the tourniquet was whipped off the the needle put away until the contraction was over.  The midwives were also very quiet (with one exception, but she was a student and my doula got her to shush up), during contractions they were nearly silent and during transition they whispered instead of talking among themselves.  They followed my cues, if I wanted to talk or chat in between contractions, they would do that, if I wanted to close my eyes and be quiet, they were quiet too.  I didn’t have to say a word, they just read me really well.

-My body was respected.  I wasn’t just another cervix, birth canal or bulging belly.  For every touch, every examine I was asked first.  From the very first prenatal, no one ever laid a hand on me where I wasn’t asked first and had given consent.  “Can I palpitate your uterus?”  “Can I feel the position of the baby?”  “Let me know if you would like an examine.”  “You are so close, can I help support your perineum?”  “Let me know if this hurts.”….etc….  I have never felt so in control, or so respected.  There were times that my main midwife wanted a student midwife involved in an examine or prenatal visit, I was always consulted first.  When my midwife was determining the position of my baby at one of my last prenatals she asked if a student could try and practice on me, I said that would be fine, and before the student touched me she asked, “is it ok if I feel baby’s position”.  Wonderfully refreshing!

-I was in complete control of my care.  My midwife was just a guide, all decisions were up to me.  I decided if I wanted an ultrasound, blood work, diabetes test, GBS testing, vitamin K shots, eye drops and PKU testing.  I was given information, I was given opinions if I asked for them, but ultimately the decision was up to me and Dadzoo, and we took responsibility for each and every one.

-My postpartum care was the best I have ever had.  I had a phone call at 24 hours.  I had a home visit, that lasted an hour, at 48 hours.  I had my midwife’s cell phone number and was told to call at anytime, for anything.  I had an appointment at two weeks that lasted an hour.  I had access to lactation consultants and postpartum doulas and I could have as many appointments with my midwife as I needed.  When I told her I didn’t feel the need for a 6 week check, she said that was fine, if I felt good that there was really no need, but if I change my mind to please call.  I feel like I could still call her for any of my woman care needs.  I don’t feel like I have been cut lose.

My home birth/midwife experience was extremely positive.  I don’t have any complaints.  I loved the care I received, I didn’t feel like one out of a hundred clients.  I felt like I was being cared for by a trusted friend who knew me as a person, a woman and a mother.