Ooh. Apparently homebirth is a highly charged concept that for some is fraught with panic, dread, and the sense of needless risk, while for others it's the ideal way to welcome a new baby to the world and to its parents. I obviously don't fall into the former category, but the latter is not quite it either. I am hoping to have a pregnancy and labor in which I feel like a participant, not a medicalized object, and in which there will be no rush to unnecessary c-section. There are lots of places (the Bay Area for sure) where birth centers and on-site midwives provide the best of both worlds. Not Memphis. Here, the medical industrial complex reigns supreme and 40% of all pregnancies result in c-sections. 90% use epidurals. And there's not a single hospital that allows midwives or any form of labor beyond the standard flat-on-your-back thing. No water births, no Bradley method, not even the option to put yourself into the position that seems right for your labor. So for me, it's an easy decision -- if all looks fine when the baby is ready to do it's thing, we'll have the baby right here at home (that's definitely some Memphis bliss!). If anything looks shaky I'll hope the conventional medical establishment will hold no grudge for my harsh judgement.
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4 comments:
As a homebirth mama, I fully support your decision. I can try to dig up info, but, generally speaking, statistics for mama and baby wellness are on the side of homebirthing. Paul says that William should feel free to contact him if he's at all nervous.
Paul also says that the homebirth experience was the most amazing night of his life! I'm sure it would have been amazing in the hospital too; but there's no place like your cozy love-filled home to welcome a new member of the family.
And with a strong person like Teresa behind the wheel you, William, should be confident about the way things will go.
Go Asti Court Sister!!!
My brother and I are both home births so you have a go from me. My dad through acupuncture has also been able to help home births if the baby was bridge and with needles was able to tell the baby to move around. Call when ever and you can talk to my parents if you want.
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