My Home Birth Team

It’s a beautiful time in my life. I’m six months pregnant and feeling blissful beyond belief about my plan to have a home birth attended by my husband, midwife and doula. It’s going to be the ultimate birth team! I have no fear of childbirth and actually view it as an exciting rite of passage. I have confidence in my body and baby to do what we women have been doing since the beginning of time. A home birth is natural, healthy and empowering.

Midwives have been helping with home births for a long time. In fact, a majority of births in many parts of the world are home births assisted by midwives. Hospitals may be necessary in some cases, but not all. Most healthy women can birth successfully in the comfort of their own homes and in some cases have better outcomes than if they went to the hospital.

When I tell people I’m planning a home birth, I get looks ranging from shock to disbelief. Then I find myself rattling off statistics to support my choice–one of which is that the United States has some of the highest infant and maternal mortality rates in the developed world. Furthermore, US Cesarean section rates continue to climb at an alarming rate accounting for almost a third of all deliveries. That’s double what the World Health Organization says is safe for moms and babies.

The bottom line is that I feel a home birth is the best thing for me to do. I am so excited to bring our baby into this world gently and softly. It’s going to be a wonderful harmonious experience. On the contrary, the pain we often see portrayed on TV, or from women birthing in hospitals, isn’t an accurate picture of what the human body is capable of in a more relaxed, comfortable and secure setting. There might be pain, but there might not be much pain. I don’t mind either way. I’m confident that if there is pain, it won’t be the kind seen on TV or heard about from women with hospital horror stories. One of the reasons for this is simply that stress – of any kind – prolongs or even suspends labor.

As a home-birthing mom I can avoid stressors found in a hospital such as, an unfamiliar uncomfortable environment, harsh lights, cold hands, poking and prodding from total strangers when personnel change shifts, or the pressure to undergo surgery. The home-birthing mother can change positions when she’s in labor, walk around, take a bath (whether to lounge or even to give birth in water), dance, sing, eat, drink, wear her own clothes (or no clothes at all), be romantic with her husband, listen to music playing softly with candles lit and dim the lights (or heck, she can even have Nine Inch Nails playing in the background if she wants). She can have her doula or birth partner use acupressure or massage to help relieve pain. Mom and Baby can do things on their schedule, not the doctor’s, not the hospital’s. Baby can come when Baby is ready, and Mom is empowered.

Having a doula attend my birth is important. I would hire a doula whether I planned a home birth or hospital birth. A doula’s calming effect on birth is impressive. According to DONA International, “The word doula comes from ancient Greek, meaning ‘a woman who serves’ and now refers to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period. Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier, and they breastfeed more easily.” I hired our doula months before we even tried to conceive! I’m glad I did. Over time, we’ve built an amazing relationship with a bond that is hard to describe. I’m so grateful she’s been a part of our journey and will be there when our baby is born.

I mentioned previously that my birth team consists of my midwife, doula and husband. A lot of people think they won’t need a doula because the husband is present, but this idea underestimates the doula’s role.. The doula not only supports the mother during birth, she is there to support the father as well. My husband will be my main birth companion, and I will lean on him a lot. As a result, I suspect he is going to get tired and need a break (or two!). Our doula can step in during these times. But that’s not all. Our doula has many tricks up her sleeve and plenty of experience in childbirth, which my husband doesn’t have. This makes her a special part of our team with an important role.

Although my plan is to birth at home, there might be circumstances that require going to a hospital. In that event, I have created a birth plan to be followed. My doula and midwife will serve as advocates on my behalf. If the hospital is resistant to any of my requests, no big deal; let ‘em talk to my team while I focus on other things.

I want my childbirth to be a beautiful and amazing experience. I’m stacking the deck in my favor by taking control of the situation, my environment and my team by having my home birth attended by a midwife, doula and my husband. And I’m doing many other things that are not widely known, or are considered “alternative,” such as eating an extremely healthy, high raw, vegan diet, having my birth plan written in advance, taking hypnobirthing classes and more. For pregnant women reading this, or women who may become pregnant in the future, realize there are many options to consider and that you have much more control over your birthing experience and outcome than you may have been taught.