I've had a few interesting conversations with young mothers in my ward recently regarding our feelings on home birth. Then yesterday a classmate of mine from Georgetown, who is also a practicing midwife now, sent me a link to an upcoming Dr. Phil episode about home birth which looks like it will be pretty one-sided.
This is a topic that can actually get me fired up, and if you know me, you know that I am not one to be involved in heated discussions. There are a few subjects (mostly in the realm of women's health) that I am passionate about, and can defend my stance confidently because of my educational background. Politics is not one of these. :) I think I know what the majority of Americans feel on the subject of home birth, but I'd like to hear what your stance is. And, if you have time, a few comments on why you feel the way you do...
I'll tell you mine afterward, and that's fair because I'm the boss of my blog.
6 comments:
Interesting... I am always curious what Women's Health professionals this of this topic. Personally, it scares me! I am 11 weeks along and I would just prefer to be in a nice sanitary hospital with all assistance ready in case something goes wrong. We have technology and I am a fan of using it!
I suppose woman have been doing it (safely) for most of time so I don't see why they can't continue doing it (if they have the balls to do it, that is).
At the same time, for sanitation reasons and in cases of emergency it just seems like a better idea (safety wise) to have a baby at a hospital. I wouldn't want to jeopordize my or my babies safety just because I wanted a more personal experience.
In the case of my first baby, neither of us would have survived had it not been for an emergency c-section.
i have lots of friends who have either chosen to have their babies at home or at a birth center (not hospital equipped). i haven't heard of any disasters. in fact, they swear by it. i like the proximity of an O.R. at the hospital (other friends' babies have had cord/neck issues and even complications that required immediate surgery, so i do appreciate that option) but i had a midwife deliver ally at the hospital and it was awesome.
I was more comfortable being in the hospital just in case something happened, which it did, so I am glad we were there so the c-section could take place so quickly and smoothly. My friend's mom delivered most of her babies at home and they were delivered by a chiropractor, and they all turned out fine, so it can happen and be a good experience, I just think it is safer at a hospital. Plus, hi, they totally cater to you and bring you meals and fill your water whenever you need and give you drugs:)
haha. safer at a hospital? safer for who? more sanitary at a hospital? haha. anyway, i am also very passionate about this discussion so i will just keep my mouth shut. I do like to hear what people have to say though
more sanitary? think of how many sick people are in that hospital, think of how many women have bled and gushed fluid all over the bed and floor in your hospital ropm. . .
they do a great job cleaning up, but as long as your home is clean and you make a few special preparations for the birth, your home is a very sanitary place to give birth.
anyway, i think home vs hospital is a personal choice. there are benefits and drawbacks to each choice, i for one chose to have both of mine at home. but, i lived less than 10 minutes from the hospital, and had a great midwife, assistant, and a back up OB if i did need a hospital transfer.
it hurt like a sonofabitch, though!!
i would do it again in a heartbeat.
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