Home birth is your choice

I wanted to bring to light an issue tha is happening right now in a woman's right to choose.  The choice being Home birth vs Hospital Birth. Recently the AMA passed a resolution that encourages states to make laws discouraging home birth. 

Here are some links about the debate, and home birth. Even if home birth isn't something you chose every woman and family has the right to chose what is best for them without some Medical group or government body stating other wise. 

http://www.thebigpushformidwives.org/

http://www.tampabay.com/news/article697471.ec e

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-blo ck9-2008jul09,0,7619412.story

http://www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com/

BTW, I became a home birth advocate after I had a very bad experience in a hospital. There was nothing gentle or caring about my labor and delivery.  I also nearly died and later found out my complications were very common in women who had been augmented during labor. 

Denise

I agree it's a woman's right to choose where she has her baby, but she needs to be informed as much as possible about all of her options in terms of both benefits and risks.

I know I wouldn't have felt comfortable with a home birth with either of my boys.  In fact, both births would have wound up badly if I hadn't been in a hospital (first one required an episiotomy, second had the cord wrapped around his neck and required emergency delivery).  I was fortunate though - I had access to a brand new, state of the art, delivery and maternity ward.  Even with the minor complications, the experiences were very positive, and the staff was wonderful.

I love reading about home birth and I do believe that with a highly trained midwife a home birth can be as safe or safer than a hospital delivery.  I especially loved reading Ina May's Guide to Childbirth while I was pregnant.

I would never choose a home birth for me, but I'm glad it is an option for some women.

I think choosing Unassisted Childbirth is ridiculous, but that's another topic entirely.

Technically Ina May and the ladies on The Farm were doing UC's back in the 1960's. They were minimally trained, only doing what they had to.  It wasn't until later that she was trained in South America and revolutionized birthing in the US. 

I have had friends do UC's.  Though not the first time around.  Most of them were on their third baby by the time they felt that was an option.  One of my friends had one by accident.  Her midwife didn't arrive until after the baby was born.

I'm not sure I see the problem with 'discouraging' or 'stating otherwise'. Outlawing would be something different. Do you see it as a slippery slope?

You had a bad experience in a hospital so you see it one way. My son had a birth defect that there was no way to know about ahead of time and would be dead had I attempted a home birth with him. I would say that I would be too (a c-section was necessary) except that I'm sure any midwife would have sent me to the hospital before that happened. Back in the good ole days, however; I'd be pushin up daises. I thank God every day for medical professionals.

I personally am a strong supporter for home births.  My mom had myself and my three siblings all at home with the assistance of both a skilled midwife and a doctor.  Hospitals are not in line with my religious beliefs.  My husband and I are currently talking about planning for our first. Because he is not of my faith a home birth is extremely foreign to him and scares him.  Our middle ground is an independent birthing center that is run by midwives.  I want and desire a natural birth.  The comforting side is that when you do work with trained midwives they do tend to identify if there are problems that may be beyond their skill. The center we found is 1/2 block from a level 3 trama hospital and transfers are a normal protical should any issues arise.  This gives my husband some comfort. 

I agree that everyone woman should have their choice depending on their comfort level.  In Colorado, home births were outlawed for about 12 yrs (my baby sister was actually born at home illegally).  My mom has been a huge home birth advocate and helped to overturn the law prohibiting home births.  From the various stories I have heard, midwives often have a better sense of the natural rhythm of the pregnancy and birthing process than doctors and hospitals as long as there are not any other outstanding medical issues.

I definitely think home birth is the best option, for a low risk pregnancy. Doctors treat pregnancy like a disease and that makes me angry. I haven't had a baby yet, but I know that every time I've been in the hospital nobody listened to what I was trying to say. No doctor or nurse would tell me what they were doing with me or listen to my symptoms before jumping to outlandish conclusions. One of my organs was nearly removed for no reason! If a doctor wont listen to a sick persons symptoms I will not trust them to listen to a pregnant woman's wishes.

First birth will be an at home for me!