My son was born in a hospital in Chile. My daughter was born at home in Idaho. The two experiences have almost nothing in common whatsoever and I am thankful for the drastically different perspectives!
Both births were natural and unmedicated, but my home birth was so much easier than my hospital birth. It was faster and more intense, definitely, but overall, it was so much better for me physically and mentally.
After 63 hours of labor at home trying to have a home birth with my son, we went to the hospital that was very close to our house. They told me to be quiet (I wasn't even that loud, and no woman wants to be hushed when she's having contractions!), they wouldn't let me sit up, they gave me an episiotomy when I asked to try without, and then they accused my son of having a breathing problem (which he absolutely didn't have), and kept him from me and gave him an iv without consent.
Not nursing him for the first 24-36 hours made it really difficult to nurse him the first week and I believe added to the latch problem that I had, which led to bloody nipples and a ridiculously awful yeast infection in my milk ducts that lasted four months. I have to tell you, breastfeeding with mutilated nipples and a yeast infection hurt way more than having him. It was basically the worst pain I have ever experienced and it was at least six times a day that I felt the pain. My son looked like a hungry piranha whenever he was ready to be fed.
Healing from an episiotomy was awful. I was in pain for weeks.
My labor at home with my little girl was short, but very intense. She came quickly and I didn't tear. Healing naturally without stitches for an unnecessary, inflicted cut is WAY easier. I expected there to be more pain and discomfort based on my hospital experience, but after the first 24 hours, I was just sore.
My daughter was with me immediately after birth at home. She wasn't whisked away where I didn't know where she was or what was happening to her. She latched on to eat perfectly and she slept peacefully with us that night. It was so beautiful!
I would highly recommend having a birth in the comfort of your own home. I had competent, experienced midwives that took care of me and were prepared for emergency hospital transfer if that became necessary. They were really hands off, not doing anything invasive. It was intimate and relaxed. We went to bed at a good time, we weren't exhausted, and we didn't have to worry about where our baby was; she was right with us.
I don't regret my hospital experience because I know everything happened the way it was meant to, and I am so thankful for my beautiful home birth experience!
very nice post upvoted thanks for your order
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I would imagine the hospital environment to be traumatic for the baby: all those bright lights must not be very comforting for the baby opening it's eyes for the fist time.
A home setting seems much more appropriate.
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Wow!
Thank you for sharing this. There are few if ANY parts of life more important that child birth!
I am such a huge advocate of natural and ideally home birth. I am blessed to have witnessed MANY and also had ALL of my children at home without any midwifes or outside influence of ANY kind.
I am well aware of the many stresses, dangers, costs and limitations of hospital birth and am grateful that I have not had to be there.
Blessings and gratitude∞§∞
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I agree with you! Birth is so important and beautiful! I am so thankful for the freedom I had having a baby in my home. 😊
How wonderful for your family to have had all your children at home! Beautiful! 😊
I am saddened when friends choose a hospital birth; they are totally missing out!
Blessings to you as well!
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Yes. I educate everyone that is open to it on these important matters. Thanks for speaking about it here.
Congratulations and Blessings~*~
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Natural is the only way to go! I am so glad that the experience with your daughter was so much better. Hospitals are for sick people. Having a baby is not an illness.
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I completely agree!
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I had three c section, not my choice. I envy you..
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So sorry. But that doesn't make you any less of a mother. Perhaps more so because you had to have surgery. That puts a whole new spin on things. My sister had two c sections and I was with her both times.
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First time, my wather broke and contractions started a few hours later. They lasted for 12 hours, and after all that, when doctor said that he must do the c section I started to cry. I never thought ig could hapen to me. Always wanted to be natural birth. But, I have three beautiful and healty little girls. That is all that matters!
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Having three wonderful and healthy daughters is truly a blessing no matter how they arrived.
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Natural way is better as they say.
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True!
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Such a wonderful experience. I just wrote about it too. I had all four of mine at home in the water. Honestly not having to drive anywhere is a big part of the awesome for me. I was able to get in my tub and my bed. All around wonderfulness. I almost had my last one on my own. My husband barely made it. The midwife just missed it.
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How awesome! Good job, Mama! 😊
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great post .. whoever took that photo of the woman holding her baby did a fantastic job. Great that you were able to home birth.
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Thank you! It was a blessing!
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My friend did the home birth and called me right after .. glad it all worked out .. those that birth underwater is interesting too.
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That's great for your friend!
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Thats amazing. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I had always the idea that home birth is more complicated than the hospital birth. But here we go, you proved me wrong. I enjoyed reading you blog, thank you
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Home birth is not complicated at all! Glad you liked it!
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So sorry you had problems with your first birth. It's hard to beat the natural way if you have adequate back up if problems present.
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Exactly! 😊
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I can't comment on this but I do want to sayI have GREAT respect for women because they bring life on this planet.
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Your respect is appreciated. 😊
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Thank you :)
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I had all five of my kids at home, so I don't have the comparison myself, but I did attend my oldest daughter's birth of her first son and it was intense. The differences were so huge. I was so thankful for my homebirth experiences.
The photo in your post caught my eye. What a stunning, beautiful photo that captures the feelings that I still remember all these years later (my youngest just turned 17 this past week).
Lovely post, great writing and so much genuine... you shines through. Love it!
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Thank you so much! Way to go, Mama!
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As a woman in her 30's with no children im always impressed and amazed at those that give birth naturally. Here in Mexico amongst the more affluent Mexicans everyone opts for a C-section. Its considered the posh way to give birth. I have no idea how anyone does this naturally the way it was intended. It's actually one of my biggest fears. I really dont think I ever could.
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Oh, but naturally is amazing. C-sections are more dangerous and scare me. If you ever have to make the decision, don't be afraid! Your body was made for it. 😊
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nice post
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My best friend wants to have a home birth and I am so nervous about it.
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That's awesome that she wants that! I understand being nervous, absolutely. But I actually feel like I was in more danger of complications at the hospital with unnecessary interventions than I was in my own home.
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In your case, I couldn't agree more. I think back to when my brother was born and my mother had a similar experience. Then I think to my birthday, I was a c-section baby and they knew that from the beginning, but my sister after me was a natural birth. She had a much better experience with my sister than with my brother. So, i don't know if it gets better with each pregnancy.
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I think it really depends on the pregnancy since they are all different, but I have a lot of friends that had an easier time with their second pregnancies. It also depends on the circumstances.
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@uglysweater Great post. I really found this very interesting and informative. I haven't had any babies but have thought of which route I would want to take. I've always had leaned towards home birth with the help of a midwife. Because just like you stated, hospitals might make decisions that don't necessarily are necessary or wanted. For example it seems that c-sesions are the common thing and pushed on. I strongly opposed to that idea, unless is a life threatening circumstance.
Thank you again for sharing this :) Best wishes.
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I agree with you! It's incredible that c-sections can be managed safely, but they should only be done when it is an absolute emergency, not when it is convenient!
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Home Birth
A home birth means just that—delivering your baby outside of a hospital, and in your own home. Choosing this route still requires the assistance of a qualified professional, whether it be a CPM, certified professional midwife, a CNP, certified nurse midwife, a registered or legally licensed midwife, or an obstetrician. Many expecting mothers choose to birth at home for a more intimate experience and to have more control over their bodies and their birth plan. Not all women are able to or recommended to have a home birth, especially if it is determined a high-risk pregnancy due to a number of factors, so make sure to check with your healthcare provider to see if it’s an option for you.
Hospital Birth
Some people feel more comfortable in a hospital setting, knowing they are surrounded by medical professionals in the event of an emergency. Others can’t bare the thought of delivering a baby without pain medication to help them through it. At the same time, hospitals, especially larger ones, can seem impersonal, intimidating, and uncomfortable. Find a hospital has an updated, relaxing maternity wing with warm, soothing lights and rooms, and all the medical necessities at hand. Take a tour ahead of time, so that you’re familiar and comfortable with your decision.
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I live on Chile! :) Why did you decide to come here BTW?
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We were there for a while helping some friends and experiencing a different country. :)
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That's lovely, I love reading about when they go right. I know so many go wrong but I had a home birth too and I am so glad I did. I'm with you on that one!
I had mine in a little blow up birth pool in our living room. We also had a Doula who was amazing. It wasn't all plain sailing though. Right at the end when I was a bit busy I noticed my husband moving around the outside of the pool. I thought he was just being restless. Turns out the pool was collapsing and he was keeping it together with duct tape!
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That is too funny about the duct tape! I bet you guys had a good laugh about it later!
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They do say duct tape is a man's best friend! I never saw the appeal before but after that experience...
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Haha, so funny! Duct tape is so handy. 😊
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Glad to hear the second time round went well, bless you all. You chose a beautiful name too, I was very excited to hear your good news from your family.
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Thank you so much! I was bummed my dad and sis weren't there, but it all worked out the way it was meant to. It was an amazing experience! Blessings to you!
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My son was born in a hospital and seven years later, my daughter was born at home. Both experiences were beautiful, but I'd have to vote for home-birth and midwives any time complications don't dictate otherwise. It was fun -- like a get-together with friends. It was a birthday party! :-)
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I love that! That's exactly how it was with my home birth and that's what birth should be!
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They really are such different experiences. I did the same as you, a hospital birth for my first, and a home birth for my second. And I couldn't say enough positive things about my home birth experience!
I was fortunate enough to have the same midwives through both pregnancies, and they were supportive of my choices both times. I was nervous the first time around, and felt like I should give birth in hospital "just in case"... but after laboring at home overnight, and heading to the hospital when the midwife said it sounded like a good time, I progressed really quickly, and was in transition while en route! Not a fun time. Basically, we all got there at the same time, and I needed a room ASAP as I was totally ready to go! Thankfully, the first time, it takes a bit of learning to figure out how to push, otherwise, I'm convinced he would've been born in the car. HAHA! I am thankful to have done the hospital birth, though, as we were able to donate his cord blood for stem cells. We hate hospitals, though, so only stayed the night, and got out of there as soon as she came back in the morning to check on us.
With how fast things went with my first, I figured I probably wouldn't even make it to the hospital, and didn't really feel it necessary, so opted to stay home. It was so much more relaxing, and my body for sure remembered what to do, and did everything very quickly and efficiently! I didn't even have to push, my body just did it for me! I had really good timing, though, because when my water broke there was no controlling those pushes, but the second midwife (for home birth here, they have one to catch/attend to the baby, and one to attend to mama) had just walked in the door. 2 pushes and she was out!!! I was able to relax in my own bed, spend the time connecting in the comfort of my own room. AH-mazing!
Thank you for sharing your experiences!
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Thank you for sharing your experiences! How amazing! I am glad you can relate! Birth is miraculous. :)
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When I first heard the term doula, I knew how limited my vocabulary must be. It's the modern-day term for midwife.
That said, I'm wondering how long before government regulations interfere and make the 'licensure' the cost of a nursing degree.
Many women are opting for home births; and, wisely so, for protection from staph, etc.
Thanks for sharing your perspective.
Peace.
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I hope that doulas can remain as they are, without government intervention!
Yes, you are so much more protected from additional germs and possible infection in the comfort of your own home!
Thanks for your comment!
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✌
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63 hours in labour is really long time. So episiotomy to fasten the delivery was justifiable. Are you sure your child wasn't in distress? That much longer time! There might be meconium stained Amniotic fluid and he might be in respiratory distress.
Home delivery is definitely appreciated if condition allow. Your daughter was a second birth. First delivery usually takes longer time. That's why may be second delivery was much faster than first one.
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My son was fine, even though it was a long labor. In my situation an episiotomy was not proven to be necessary, only convenient for hospital staff.
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