My Home Birth Story

Since some of you wanted to know about it, here you go.

It all starts with the terrible hospital birth that I had with Violet. I had an HMO. I hadn't ever had a delivery with the doctor that I actually had my appointments with. I would show up to give birth and it was whoever was on call. I didn't like that much. Also, the doctors didn't want to show up until the baby was about to come out. Anyways, I digress. I told the nurse (who was brand spanking new with really hairy arms) that my last two labors had progressed very fast, and that she should call the doctor when I was about 4 cm to come so they would make it in time. She told me over and over that the doctors do not want to be called until 8 cm. I wasn't planning on getting an epidural partly because I was curious what excruciating pain felt like, and i had had a bad one with Thomas that made my back hurt for like two months, and didn't even fully work. Anyway, The nurse checked me and I was 6 cm. I told her again to call. She finally decided she would call since I had gotten to that point so fast. About 5 minutes later I felt a lot of pressure and called the nurse to check me again. I was 10 cm and needing to push really bad. Remember, no epidural. I couldn't wait anymore. So this hairy armed nurse left the door wide open without the curtain pulled, so she could hurry and catch the baby that was coming out. She didn't have time to break down the bed or anything. The doctor showed up about 45 minutes later. I still hadn't delivered my placenta so she gave it a tug. It didn't come out in one piece so she (thinking I had had an epidural) sticks her hand in and starts digging for the missing piece. Worse than the birth, and she kept giving me these looks like I was being a baby. I think she felt bad after she found out I hadn't had an epidural. The whole thing was embarrassing, and I hated that no one listened to me. I decided that I wanted to play a more active role in my next birth and started looking at other option.

I found a midwife that I loved. Every appointment lasted an hour. So nice. I for the first time felt like a person and not just a paycheck. She was very understanding and sympathetic. I had a lot of people tell me that I was being reckless with my life and the life of my unborn Atticus, but in my research I found that the death rates are the same at home and in the hospital. Most of the home birth deaths were due to uncontrolled bleeding (which hospitals and equip to handle), but the same percentage of babies died in the hospital due to infection. I was born at home too, and my mom had told me that I was her best delivery. The preparation was mostly cleaning and sterilizing my room and bathroom (Where I planned to give birth) and buy a birthing kit. My midwife also had an additional list of supplies that she found came in handy. The whole birth was a breeze. She broke my water at about 10:00, which put me into labor, and he was born at about 11:45. I loved that I could hold him as long as I wanted. I got to give him his first bath. She took care of the shots that they usually do in the hospital and did his PKU. I would do it again, but I don't think it is for everyone. I wouldn't recommend it for anyone that had any complications with a previous delivery. There is a point when you think you are going to be torn apart from the inside, and it can be kind of scary, but just when you think you can't do it anymore, it is over. I healed super fast, too. The most amazing part was that Tom loved it too. This was a huge feet. It took me a few months to talk him into it, and he was nervous throughout the whole pregnancy, but I don't think he would change a thing now.

The one thing that I didn't really like about it was the down time you get at the hospital. That day or so that you just get to lay there and let people get things for you. I didn't really get that, but still worth it.

I forgot to mention that I made a video for Atticus last year. If you want to check it out.