Geez, it's been a while since I wrote anything. We've been somewhat busy. But I've had a few things on my mind lately that I want to jot down.
I haven't felt the need to defend my choice to have a homebirth or go to The Farm. But I have most definitely had to explain myself. I have been told that my choices are surprising since I am not a self-proclaimed "hippie". I have never felt the need to define myself as such, or as any one particular thing. But the truth is: homebirth is not just for hippies. It is a growing trend among women from all walks of life. My reasons, like many other womens', are rather simple.
Since I lived in Kentucky when I had Maxine, my choices were to have her in a hospital or to have her at home unassisted (which was never really an option). However, had homebirth been an available choice, I most likely would have went that route. My desire was to have as natural of a birth as possible. My mother had her first three children (myself included) 100% natural. I so admired that about her and wanted to follow in her footsteps. But alas, that did not happen. My hospital experience, while I don't regret the decisions we made, was pretty awful. I hate everything about hospitals from the smells to the sounds to the food. I hated the way that I was treated--not badly, just unimportant. I was just a job. Pat hated the hospital probably more than I did. It just never felt right. I will never have a baby in a hospital again if I can help it. The thought of giving birth in a cabin in the Tennessee woods gives my butterflies. It makes me excited. On the contrary, the thought of giving birth in a hospital again gives me nothing but anxiety.
Choosing The Farm was simple. They are considered the best midwives in the world. Why wouldn't I go there?? So many women would kill to have this opportunity. I would be silly not to. Not to mention their stats--a c-section rate of 1.7%! The national average is 33%...1 in every 3 births! Their work is inspiring and their experience is incomparable. My midwife wrote and helped pass the midwifery laws in Tennessee. I trust her completely. I expressed to her that my only fear about this birth is that something will happen (high blood pressure, fetal distress, etc.) and she will tell me that I can't have the baby there. She calmly reassured me that nothing will happen and that I will in fact have this baby on The Farm just like we have planned. And I knew she meant it. My fears almost instantly subsided. Her words were such a refreshing change from doctors who only plan for the worst and aren't afraid to remind you.
Bottom line is this: this is right for me, my baby, and my family. Family members have been really supportive, although I can sense their concerns. I reassure them that a hospital is nearby and my midwife will not hesitate to take me there if needed. In the end, when this little girl arrives perfectly healthy and I manage to escape unscathed, perhaps people will realize that homebirth is not the dangerous thing they thought it was. Or maybe they will think I just got lucky and I'm still as crazy as ever. Either way, it doesn't really matter. This is my journey and my baby's story.
I haven't felt the need to defend my choice to have a homebirth or go to The Farm. But I have most definitely had to explain myself. I have been told that my choices are surprising since I am not a self-proclaimed "hippie". I have never felt the need to define myself as such, or as any one particular thing. But the truth is: homebirth is not just for hippies. It is a growing trend among women from all walks of life. My reasons, like many other womens', are rather simple.
Since I lived in Kentucky when I had Maxine, my choices were to have her in a hospital or to have her at home unassisted (which was never really an option). However, had homebirth been an available choice, I most likely would have went that route. My desire was to have as natural of a birth as possible. My mother had her first three children (myself included) 100% natural. I so admired that about her and wanted to follow in her footsteps. But alas, that did not happen. My hospital experience, while I don't regret the decisions we made, was pretty awful. I hate everything about hospitals from the smells to the sounds to the food. I hated the way that I was treated--not badly, just unimportant. I was just a job. Pat hated the hospital probably more than I did. It just never felt right. I will never have a baby in a hospital again if I can help it. The thought of giving birth in a cabin in the Tennessee woods gives my butterflies. It makes me excited. On the contrary, the thought of giving birth in a hospital again gives me nothing but anxiety.
Choosing The Farm was simple. They are considered the best midwives in the world. Why wouldn't I go there?? So many women would kill to have this opportunity. I would be silly not to. Not to mention their stats--a c-section rate of 1.7%! The national average is 33%...1 in every 3 births! Their work is inspiring and their experience is incomparable. My midwife wrote and helped pass the midwifery laws in Tennessee. I trust her completely. I expressed to her that my only fear about this birth is that something will happen (high blood pressure, fetal distress, etc.) and she will tell me that I can't have the baby there. She calmly reassured me that nothing will happen and that I will in fact have this baby on The Farm just like we have planned. And I knew she meant it. My fears almost instantly subsided. Her words were such a refreshing change from doctors who only plan for the worst and aren't afraid to remind you.
Bottom line is this: this is right for me, my baby, and my family. Family members have been really supportive, although I can sense their concerns. I reassure them that a hospital is nearby and my midwife will not hesitate to take me there if needed. In the end, when this little girl arrives perfectly healthy and I manage to escape unscathed, perhaps people will realize that homebirth is not the dangerous thing they thought it was. Or maybe they will think I just got lucky and I'm still as crazy as ever. Either way, it doesn't really matter. This is my journey and my baby's story.