My Birthing Choices

Throughout my pregnancy I have avoided questions from especially strangers such as "Where are you giving birth?" or "Who's your doctor?" Why you may ask? Well, in the beginning of my pregnancy when I was open about the choices I was making I was inundated with negative energy from people who would make different choices. This negative energy was not healthy for me or for my baby, so I just started to answer these questions vaguely, and changing the subject. But now that I am "overdue" as many people call it and once again am being asked all kinds of what I think are quite personal questions about my feminine areas, as well as when I will be induced? I feel it is time to stand up for my choices and views and share with you why I am making my choices. Some people may not like this entry, but it is my blog so all well.

I have chosen to give birth naturally with a Licensed Midwife at a stand alone birthing suite called Bella Natal (if you would like a tour go to http://www.bellanatal.com/). My plan is to have a water birth, or at least spend most of my labor in the large whirl pool tub which is known to be a natural epidural. I will not be taking any "pain medications" and am very excited to experience childbirth. My midwife has delivered hundreds of babies and believes that it is a natural thing that women's bodies know how to do, if we will just let them. My husband will be my birth coach and even hopes to catch the baby. Though I am now 4 days "late" at my appointment yesterday my midwife was not at all worried. She stated :

"Due dates are ambiguous and babies grow at different rates. Your babies heart beat is strong, you are measuring well, and you won't even be post due for another 11 days. Go home relax, eat, sleep, and drink and let your baby come when she is ready."

Now I will tell you that I am uncomfortable and would love for this baby to be born NOW! But at the same time it gave me confidance to know that my body is doing what it needs to. I am having contractions every few nights, I can feel my body preparing. God made me as he made almost every other woman with the ability to give birth, I just need to have faith.

Those of you who have given birth in a hospital with a regular OB-GYN or even a nurse midwife will be surprised to find out that through all of my visits I have yet to have a vaginal exam by my midwife. I look at this as a PLUS++++ since most of the information extracted from such an exam is unnecessary not to mention completely invasive. It is my own personal belief (which many would probably disagree with)that regular doctors do these exams to get their patients used to being in the stirrups, baring all to the world before they actually give birth, so that the day of childbirth this is not as embarrassing and they are used to being in such an awkward position (giving birth uphill, I will never understand how that became standard). It is well known (at least in every child birth book I read and I have read quite a few)that how effaced or dialated you are in an exam gives very little proof of how soon or how long you will wait for your baby to arrive.

I have many friends and family members with children who have given birth in various settings. Hospital, home, with a doctor, midwife, or even unassisted. Some have had cesareans, others ephiderals, and some have done as I have chosen and given birth naturally. I believe that all of these woman had the right to give birth where they were comfortable, and I hope that their experience left them feeling empowered and amazing at the miracle they achieved by bringing a new life into the world. I have never walked into a hospital and scolded a woman for having an epideral or told a woman she was wrong to have a cesarean.. so my question is why do others feel it is okay to tell me that I am wrong? I really don't want a response to that. I am just putting it out there. I am grateful for the freedom to choose and I am very comfortable with the choices I am making for myself for my baby and my family.