Comments on: Unassisted Childbirth Considered More “Normal”

By: Eliza

Eliza — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 20:47:29 +0000

I had all four of my babies in a hospital. I think I would’ve preferred to have them at home, in fact if given the options I would’ve. My first son I hemmoraged, doctors never thought they should tell me or my husband until the next day. Second child I hemmoraged again, but three weeks later because the doctor left some placenta in me. Both cases I wasn’t suppose to live through it. My last two pregnancies went just fine at the hospital.

I think if everything were planned and had someone there at the house to assist if needed, it would be a great birth. Now, I’m not having anymore children but I think I’d opt for a homebirth since it would definitely be my choice.

For those with risky pregnancies I wouldn’t recommend it, but those that have had smooth sailing pregnancies or a couple of children I’d say if that’s what you really want. But never do it just because everyone else is or someone is pushing you.

By: Maria

Maria — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 19:00:18 +0000

My son was born in German at a small Hospital with a midwife. If I were doing it again, I would seriously consider a home birth, but with a midwife. I see nothing wrong with the option…especially with the ridiculous price of birthing a baby in this country.

By: Kym

Kym — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 08:12:31 +0000

I am going to have next bub at home. (15 weeks now)
I don’t think its a dangerous choice.
I still have hospital as back up but I know I am worth a homebirth.

By: Jennifer Reid

Jennifer Reid — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 13:33:16 +0000

ruth, what a load of crap for you to suggest that because I did not make the same birth choice as you, I don’t care as much as you about my children. My children are my entire world, and I chose to have my 2nd and 3rd child at home BECAUSE I care so much about them and wanted them to be born in the best environment possible FOR THEM. Until you have walked in my shoes, or actually done the research beyond speaking from your personal pain, I would suggest you keep your opinions to your own life. I could try to educate you on all of the unnecessary interventions that are used in hospitals, and how they are in many situations used for reasons completely unrelated to the mother or child’s well being, but since it is obvious to me that you would not be able to distance yourself from your own experiences enough to listen, it would be a mute point.

By: ruth

ruth — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 03:44:49 +0000

i would have lost all three of my beautiful girls if they had not been born in a hospital. If a woman wants to have a natural child birth that is her desicion but please have your children in a hospital. it is truley dangerous not to . just stop and think about it for one minute . you never know the out come of birth and what complications might arise. my children are not worth the risk, if yours are then that is your opinion.

By: Resolutions and The Egg Timer

Resolutions and The Egg Timer — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 17:34:52 +0000

[...] It started out innocently enough. I was combing newspapers, linking back to studies about birth, postpartum recovery and reproductive health. I wanted to help women who might be isolated and [...]

By: Jennifer Reid

Jennifer Reid — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 11:57:40 +0000

Women die from unforseen birth complications in the hospital too. Women who are perfectly health and do not need intervention end up getting them anyways in the hospital because “its protocol”. They see so many high risk births that they have, in many cases, forgotten that there is such a thing as a low risk birth. SO they use interventions that lead to complications that would otherwise not arise. But this is too huge of a debate to have in one comment line.

I had an unassisted birth that went flawlessly. I chose to birth this way BECAUSE the hospital and the doctors were refusing to budge on the interventions that I did not need. (I was actually “fired” by my OB for refusing to schedule a cesarean because they did not do VBACs) I am a natural birth activist and think that hospitals NEED to change, but I was not (and am still not) willing to put myself on the chopping block in order to further that change.

IMO if enough women refuse to use the system while it is broken, maybe it will hurt them where it counts (their wallet) and they will start to make changes. The same could be said for homeschool…if it did not suck for special needs children, I would not have had to pull my son out in 5th grade and homeschool him for the rest of his public school years.

By: kbaggott

kbaggott — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 09:06:09 +0000

Summer- I am sorry your birth didn’t go the way you planned it, but I am glad you had support to back you up.

I am not sure that the homeschooling argument supports your comfort, though. There are a lot of people who believe that mainstream homeschooling does “take away” from the public schools, both materially and philosophically, but that is another story.

At the same time, the discussion on the issue doesn’t have the same urgency. No one dies from not learning algebra, I hope, but they can and do die of unforseen birth complications.

By: Summer

Summer — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 19:47:32 +0000

After having my attempted, and failed (but that’s a whole ‘nother story) unassisted birth I honestly wish it were more mainstream. Why? because there are many areas where going unassisted is not a choice, not an optioni, not allowed. I have talked to many women who had to hide pregnancies because they were going unassisted. because all it takes is 1 person calling the authorities and your peaceful labor and birth because a nightmare. Becoming more mainstream might mean that women who would prefer going unassisted but are afraid may have that option opened up to them.

I really don’t worry that it could mean taking away from health options. Homeschooling is becoming more mainstream yet that does not take away from the public schools. as long as there are people able to get rich from childbirth, and there are, then their jobs will not be in jeopardy.

By: Holly Schwendiman

Holly Schwendiman — Wed, 30 May 2007 16:20:30 +0000

I’m with you – especially on the point of using our own experiences to influence the decisions of others. It’s all so individual. I like the way you always point these things and choices out!

Hugs,
Holly
Here via the Carnival of Family Life.