Comments on: More on planning a homebirth

By: Summer

Summer — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 22:12:17 +0000

I think, like doctors, there can be some really crappy midwives. And it sucks when you’re trying to get away from the overly medical birth culture only to find a midwife just as bad.

Midwifery does have a lot to go, but over all it can still be head and shoulders above the typical medical care during pregnancy and birth.

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By: Trish

Trish — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:40:17 +0000

That sounds like an ideal situation, Nava!

I’m actually more tempted lately to move towards the unassisted side of the continuum, but frankly, I’m unwilling to take responsibility for dealing with neonatal resuscitation, shoulder dystocia, or any bleeding issues. For me, that’s what having a midwife around is for. But I’ve come to believe that many supposedly small actions on the part of a midwife can end up really affecting the way a woman gives birth. I now know that I want a lot less midwife presence this time.

By: Nava

Nava — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:16:19 +0000

I actually had a planned unassisted with my son, which ended in a hospital transfer (my choice!) without time for any medical interventions but I got the aftercare I needed. long story. Anyhow, the point is I decided to go with a midwife this time because my son is so young and basically my husband really wasn’t prepared to be my only source of support. The midwife I am going with known about my planned UC, asks me questions to make sure I know what I am doing, and basically is just hands-off and understands she is there to help if needed and is perfectly happy with that role. If she had been in any way disrespectful of my previous choice I wouldn’t have hired her, but I also realise I was very lucky to find someone that we could afford and who respected my decisions.

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