Choosing Between Unassisted and Midwife Assisted Homebirth - Page 2

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Apr 3, 2002

In a home setting, I would be able to walk to my own private bathroom without permission or fuss. I would do whatever comes naturally for my body.

Almost halfway toward my planned unassisted childbirth, I suffered a miscarriage (see previous article). When we conceived another baby a few months later, I was feeling much more vulnerable this time. I felt like I couldn't bear the responsibility for my baby's well-being alone. I still respected unassisted birth and admired its advantages. But whether driven by fear or by divine leading, I wanted someone to help me make decisions, to provide quick and relevant medical help if needed, and simply to check the baby's heartbeat with a doppler if I was feeling worried. I read many positive and inspiring stories of midwife-assisted births at http://pub11.ezboard.com/bgentlechristia... and some encouraging articles at http://www.quolkids.com/birthing/. I also read Birthing in Paradise, an e-book by Helen Laing (see http://www.quolkids.com/birthing/bip3.ht... for more info.).

I called the only midwife within 100 miles of where I live. I was still unsure how involved I wanted her to be and whether I would continue seeing her. I was apprehensive about how much control I would be expected to hand over to her.

But when we visited for the first time, I was very relieved. The midwife just chatted with me, my husband, and kids for quite awhile. She told us how proud she was that I stayed home and that we homeschool (which she did herself for many years). She and I were on the same page on issues of unnecessary prenatal testing and birthing positions. But what really won my favor was when she asked Mike if he would like to catch the baby. I never dreamed I could have both, an experience birth attendant in case a problem arose AND the opportunity to for my husband and I to do things ourselves.

My goal is that the midwife will do very little unless there is some rare, unforeseen problem. But she will be available with her 20+ years of experience and her neonatal resussitation training should we need her. That is..unless things feel so right and natural when I go into labor that we decide not to call her afterall....We'll be making that final decision in a few more weeks.

Here are some points to consider for anyone else who is choosing which kind of homebirth to have:

Unassisted homebirth may be right for you if--

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