Why Homebirth?

When I was 14, I witnessed my first birth. Sure, it was my cat giving birth to her kittens, but I still remember the excitement and beauty of it all. The mother knew exactly what to do, and the procedure was very calm and graceful. She purred peacefully while she was laboring and giving birth to her little ones. Since that time, I've witnessed several other animal and human births and have also experienced birth firsthand.

At the tender age of 18, I watched as my younger sister enter the world . After having watched my animal friends peacefully give birth to their little ones, I was amazed how complicated this human birth was! IV, epidural, stirrups, monitor etc. A doctor who looked more like he was directing a truck in the process of backing up than assisting my mother bring her baby into the world. After my sister was born, the nurses suctioned her harshly and wiped her off. We all got to hold her, after which she was sent to the nursery for the standard newborn procedures. My sisters and I watched through the glass as a nurse poked her heel, put antibiotic drops in her eyes, administered the vitamin K shot, etc. She protested against the rough treatment by screaming till she turned blue, but the nurse continued with her "torture". My sisters and I were furious and shocked! I thought inwardly, "this is just so wrong and cruel".

I have since studied and learned that most hospital procedures in childbirth are not in the best interest for the mother and baby. Just being in a hospital itself can be a threat for laboring mothers. By being in a hospital you are most likely guaranteed to have invasive procedures which could adversely affect the outcome of the birth and postpartum.

There are several interventions which could negatively affect the mother and baby which include but are not limited to induction/pitocin, electronic fetal monitoring (internal and external), amniotomy (breaking the bag of waters), episiotomy, epidural, pudential blocks, confining a woman to bed, IV, fasting, vaginal exams, stirrups and the supine position during the pushing stage, pushing on command, forceps/vacuum extraction, traction of the cord to expel the placenta, and many more.(1,2) Many people do not know that the attendants who are suppose to help them and make childbirth safer are in actuality putting them at risk.

So perhaps knowing that the hospital poses these risks, it would be advantageous for the mother to consider a homebirth. Not all women want to give birth at home, but if they took the time to rid themselves of fear and misconceptions about birth, home can be a superior place to birth a baby. Studies over time have shown that when a woman is relaxed and uninhibited, as she is in the privacy of her own home, birth outcomes are safer. And home birthing mothers experience far greater satisfaction with their birth than mothers who give birth in a hospital setting.(1,2,7) A recent large study of over 5000 low risk women in a home- and hospital birth setting showed homebirth to be as safe as hospital birth, but with fewer complications in the homebirth setting (7). In her own house, a woman is free to be herself. She doesn't have to defend herself, sign papers, behave any certain way or ask for permission to do something. She can be comfortable and devote all her energy and thoughts to giving birth without a group of medical professionals watching and monitoring. When she is in tune with herself, she will be able to focus on giving birth, and listen to inner promptings which will lead and guide her to a much safer, more satisfying and spiritual birth.

Preparation for childbirth is of tremendous importance. We are given nine months of pregnancy and it is wise to use this time to prepare for the upcoming birth and parenthood. If you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant in the future read up on childbirth and parenting. Inform yourself about important choices you will be making. Learn about what is taking place and will take place in your body, and with your baby. Rid yourself of useless fear. This goes beyond reading an article or two. There are several books out there which emphasize natural and pleasurable childbirth. And there is a steady growing number of books on unassisted childbirth. I would recommend these as they emphasize the simplicity, safety and pleasure of giving birth.

Of course the question of pain always comes up. Why suffer if you don't have to? Let me get this straight. Most women I know who have had home births did not suffer. Childbirth can be compared to any type of challenging activity. Whether it be dancing, running a marathon or skiing, only more intense. If you've ever exercised intensely before you know that it can be challenging, and you may feel a considerable amount of discomfort, but there are benefits as well. That's why we keep on doing it, and the discomfort isn't necessarily bad. The same is true of giving birth. It is an activity in which you are working towards bringing your child into the world, and it can be a pleasurable, empowering, and spiritual experience. A woman's body is designed to give birth, and it is most natural and rewarding.

Childbirth in itself is not inherently painful. Extreme pain indicates that something needs attention. Something as easy as changing positions, using the restroom, or eating or drinking may be of tremendous help. When a woman is relaxed and positive, she allows her body to work the way nature intended. The mind is powerful. Fear alone can cause labor to stall, or deplete the uterus of oxygen. The uterus in turn must work harder to get the same results, and this may in turn cause labor to be more painful. If the woman is confident and positive, the body actually produce endorphins (natural painkillers) to aid her. (3,4,5)

There are several ways to cope with the intensity of the contractions naturally resulting in a more pleasurable labor and birth. These include changing positions, using water for birth, massage and counter pressure, labor balls, hot packs, aromatherapy and more. When a woman is comfortable and can relax and trust that her body is capable of giving birth, the uterus is able to work more efficiently.(3,4,5)

If you allow yourself to be a victim, you will be one. Knowledge, education, and taking responsibility are all a part of birthing at home. The woman who takes this responsibility does not suffer. The woman in pain is the one who puts all her trust in a medical system and ends up with unnecessary interventions, disregard for physical, emotional and spiritual needs, and humiliating and painful procedures performed on her while she is most vulnerable. A number of women who have experienced medicalized births feel cheated and abused. Husbands who see this happening to their wives feel guilty and helpless. So often the husband is pushed aside and rendered useless in aiding his wife, when he actually is the most qualified to giving love and support. An opportunity for growth and strengthening in the marriage is gone when medical professionals invade unnecessarily.

It is often said that women who give birth at home are selfish, and do not care for the well-being of their little ones. This is so far from the truth. Hospitals are in many instances dangerous for healthy babies, and homebirth mothers know this. Hospitals are a place for the sick, and germs and bacteria can be transfered to the newborn. Drugs given to the mother cross the placenta, and cause distress in the baby, and the health risk increases with each hospital procedure that is performed, not to mention psychological trauma from painful medical procedures. Babies born at home are alert and ready to interact and bond. Their minds are still open as they have been handled gently and lovingly. Often babies who have experienced a great deal of trauma will literally withdraw into themselves.(6) Mothers who have given birth at home are in an optimal state to greet their babies because of the natural "high" from endorphins and the hormone oxytocin. These hormones are an important part of producing nurturing feelings. I believe this is an important part of forming the loving mother child relationship, and it helps a women get off to the right start in nursing and caring for her little one.(7) Sadly, this is overlooked by the medical profession. Many doctors and nurses whisk babies away from their mothers when they need their mothers the most, and at a time when they are most alert and ready to interact.

After attending the hospital birth of my nephew a few years ago, I was standing outside of the nursery looking at all the babies. Next to us stood a couple who were the parents to one of those infants. The mother looked longingly at her baby through the glass while she said "I haven't even held him yet, and it has been two hours since he was born." It broke my heart! There was no apparent reason for this separation. Yet, her baby was laying there alone and the mother's arms were empty when she should have been embracing and cuddling her little one. There is something so utterly wrong with this picture. Mothers and babies are so much better off when they are together.

For too long we have been told that birth is dangerous and too painful to manage, and we need doctors to deliver our babies. This is simply not true. Women have the inherent wisdom necessary to give birth. Babies assist in their own births if they are not drugged. We need to trust our instincts and intuition and be in tune with what is happening during birth, and be open to receive divine guidance. We have the right to birth our babies in a place where there is love, safety, and peace. Only then can the fullness and beauty of birth be experienced.

References

1. Davis-Floyd, Robbie E., Birth As An American Rite Of Passage. University of California Press, Berkeley and Los Angeles, California, 1992.
2. Goer, Henci, The Thinking Woman's Guide To A Better Birth, The Berkley Publishing Group, 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, 1999.
3. Dick-Read, Grantley, MD. Childbirth Without Fear, fifth edition. New York: Harper R Row, 1981.
4. Lieberman, Adrienne B., Easing Labor Pain. The Harvard Common Press, 1992
5. Andrea Robertson; The Pain of Labor - A Feminist Issue
Leboyer, Frederick, Birth Without Violence, Alfred A Knopf, Inc., 1974.
6. Odent, Michel, MD. Birth Reborn. New York: Pantheon Books, 1984
7.Outcomes of planned home births with certified professional midwives: large prospective study in North America

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