The maternal instinct to protect my children has controlled my life for the past three years (and I wouldn't want it any other way). When it came to birthing our second child, we opted for a homebirth. Primarily, our focus was on being as far from the medical community and government structure as possible. Not that we aren't grateful for such communities and our ability to utilize them when necessary... we are... but at the same time we see the constant over-stepping of boundaries and limitations of freedoms/ lack of respect for choices (that can happen) in these environments as well. And this time around, we wanted control over our family and our decisions. Call me paranoid.
We entered the process with this as our motivation; however, through the process we became so grateful for so many other things. It was such an incredible, amazing experience and although it was begun out of fear for the alternative, so much love and beauty was discovered in the midst of this journey. I would like to write down some things I am especially thankful for at the end of it all.
Our Home Birth: My Favorite Things
-Being given the confidence and control to take charge of my body and my family throughout the entire process.
-Having one-on-one support in a comfortable environment. Appointments were personal and simple. I never felt like a number in line, never had to sit in a waiting room, didn't need to show identification before I saw my doctor or verify my information was correct a million times. Appointments were determined based on MY pregnancy, MY body, and how I was feeling.
-Approaches were simple and natural throughout the pregnancy and for the delivery. I drank real juice for the glucose screening, answered/asked questions about my body (as opposed to being checked, screened and monitored constantly), I took herbs for pain relief and opted for oral vitamin K for the baby.
-Attachment was fostered for the family unit as a whole. I held the baby as soon she was out and kept her skin-to-skin for days (no nurses taking her, no incubators, nobody directing how I should sleep with her and feed her and when). I was able to hold my toddler as soon as he woke up and even bathe/play with him the same day I gave birth to his sister. My husband, kids and I were all able to stick to our normal routine with minimal disruption--leaving the focus on spending time together and bonding as a family. I didn't have to hire a babysitter or worry about visiting hours. It was amazing.
-Baby girl got checked and weighed gently and lovingly by my birth team. She was weighed in a little blanket instead of on a cold, hard scale. It was beautiful.
-The bond that was created with my birth team. I felt like they were truly part of our family and they will always hold a special place in my heart. Their love and concern was evident throughout the process and during the birth. I enjoyed seeing them after for follow up visits (also in the comfort of my own bed ;) )
-I can't leave out that my labor AND delivery time totaled about one hour. Maybe it was coincidence, maybe it had nothing to do with having a home birth whatsoever, but one hour to have a baby is freakin' outstanding and has to be included on the list. (It happened so quickly, in fact, that my husband and doula were about three pushes from delivering the baby--no joke. Another great memory ;) No tearing, little pain, quick recovery. Heck yeah baby.
I would have to pretty much say it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Do I want to run out and do it again... not really... but if the day ever comes when we welcome our third I know just who I will be picking up the phone to call. And in the meantime, I would highly recommend the process or my incredible birth team (except my husband.. he's all mine!) to anyone :)
*Feeling so much love <3 *
