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Home Sweet Home Birth
We understand the need to make the experience of giving birth as comfortable as possible (after all, it’s one of the most uncomfortable events in a woman’s life), so we weren’t surprised to read in The New York Times that home births are on the rise—even in cramped NYC apartments that offer little privacy.
But for these women, a few noisy neighbors are fine if it means skipping the hospital. Pregnant women across the country say that they’re worried about receiving medical intervention, especially with the rising rate of C-sections. Others have been inspired by the documentary “The Business of Being Born,” which features producer Ricki Lake giving birth in the tub of her NYC apartment.
We must admit, the idea of a home birth sounds intriguing. But we’re also a little high-maintenance, and this is a messy process. One midwife explained that couples should get the pads used for house-training puppies. Giving birth while sitting on a Wee Wee pad? That part isn’t as intriguing.
And of course, there are the risks: What if something goes wrong? Is a midwife really equipped to deal with a serious medical emergency? If you're planning a home birth or have had one, share your story!
I agree with LauraLee: This is definitely a personal choice, and it's one that I think I am not going to make when it comes to having children. I know some people who have had wonderful home births and would not have it any other way. But I am not comfortable enough with the risk of an emergency to not be in a hospital where my baby can be properly -- and efficiently -- cared for.
Mes deux filles sont nées à la maisons... Ces naissances avaient été préparées avec des sages-femmes et mon état de santé le permettait. Il s'agit de l'expérience la plus merveilleuse qu'une femme puisse vivre, je n'aurais souhaité pour rien au monde vivre cela dans un environnement impersonnel et médicalisé. Pour le dernier accouchement qui a eu lieu en juillet passé, même ma petite fille de trois ans était là, au côtés de son papa, pour encourager sa petite soeur à venir au monde. Un moment merveilleux, pein de douceur, à la lueur de bougies. Avec l'aide d'une sage-femme expérimentée, discrète et aussi prête et équipée à intervenir au moindre soucis. Nous pouvons en parler plus si vous le souhaitez, faites-moi signe!
It's definitely a personally choice that requires a lot of information gathering. I personally would be too afraid to have my baby at home just on the basis of what if something was to go wrong and there was a medical emergency.
A friend of mine just had a baby who came out not breathing because of a small defect in his lungs. It was a very scary experience, but because they were there at the hospital, the baby received doctor care immediately. (He the mother, and father are healthy and doing great now.)