Homebirth over hospital - a father's perspective
For a multitude of reasons, the majority of men feel excluded from most of the decisions around childbirth. Having a baby for many can at best be a baffling experience, and at worst, terrifying. As a result, I felt it would be really useful to contribute a page to Meg's website, and give men and women access to more information on home birth, and hopefully show why it is the best option for all concerned.
My own experience with Meg as our midwife has made me a great advocate of home birth, as opposed to hospital delivery. In the early months of the pregnancy I just assumed a hospital delivery, after all that is the conventional wisdom. As the idea of home birth began to be raised, people would always seem scared. However, as the research here shows,
in a normal pregnancy, the risks associated with a home birth are no greater than those in hospital.
However, statistics only explain one part of why home birth works.
Why home birth
works
Not an illness : Childbirth is not a disease. In fact it is as
natural an act as breathing or walking. However, hospitals are designed
to treat everything as a disease or trauma. Medical training is geared
towards the care of the sick and injured. The vast majority of babies
don't need any help to come into the world. Unfortunately, in hospital
they are bound by protocols, so many babies are assisted into the world
by medical intervention. This steals the euphoria that is natural childbirth
from the mother, a sense of loss that stays with many women throughout
their life.
Emotional comfort : Having a baby is an intensely personal and
emotional experience. Few of us really like sharing such experiences with
people we don't know. The emotional comfort difference between home and
hospital is enormous. At home you have chosen who will be there, whilst
in hospital it is doctors that control this.
Pain : Drugs are not the best solution to deal with pain. Developing
a birth plan (eg/ having water birth) where you will be in the comfort
of your own home, where you feel in control, where you are supported by
the people you trust, and where you have little or no fear, is the greatest
reducer of pain.
The experience : Once the baby arrives, a home birth allows you
to bond with your baby instantly. You are all where you live, and your
baby instantly starts to feel at home. You can do what you want, whenever
you like, it is your house not a ward in a hospital. Meg will be around
to re-assure and monitor, so have no fear.
If you would like more information please feel free to contact me at
davesey@hotmail.com
David Seymour