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    Default home birth

    There is no shortage of evidence to support the fact
    that home birth is safe, satisfying and empowering for
    women and their families. It is also a much-neglected
    option for childbearing women in Western society today,
    often because women and their partners are unaware of
    the issues or choices which are available to them.
    This article seeks to discuss modern-day attitudes to
    birth and present the arguments for midwifery care and
    home birth in an accessible format.

    It must be stressed that different caregivers have
    different philosophies in relation to birth. Their
    philosophies are generally referred to as the 'midwifery'
    and 'medical' models, although it is not accurate to say
    that all doctors believe in the medical model and all
    midwives in the midwifery model. The medical model
    sees childbirth as inherently dangerous and suggests
    that all women should undergo routine interventions to
    ensure safety and give birth in hospital, and the
    midwifery model uses a more holistic approach and
    assesses women on an individual basis - a process which
    often enables women to give birth in their own homes.

    Although the medical model has been the dominant model
    of birth in our society for a number of years, researchers
    in all fields are now showing the midwifery model to be
    more accurate in the way it sees birth. Moreover, more
    women are seeking to reclaim the spiritual and developmental
    aspects of birth which have historically led this to be
    viewed as a 'rite of passage' rather than a potentially
    dangerous medical event.

    Many women approach a 'medical model' practitioner for
    care during their pregnancy, although this is not necessarily
    the best option. While family doctors, obstetricians and
    hospitals have a part to play in the care of women with
    serious medical conditions, or who develop a problem
    during pregnancy or labour, research shows that the
    vast majority of women might be better served by choosing
    a midwife for their care. Equally, this majority of women
    would also be well-advised to consider home birth as an
    option, due to its many advantages over hospital care.
    Some of the advantages of home birth with a midwife are
    cited below:


    WOMEN EXPERIENCE LESS PAIN AT HOME


    It is well understood that sensations of pain in labour
    are regulated by hormones released by the woman's body.
    During the labour, oxytocin - the hormone which causes
    contractions and helps the baby to be born - works in
    harmony with endorphins - the body's own pain relieving
    hormone. During a home birth, the woman's body will release
    these hormones according to her needs and she will usually
    cope well with the sensations of labour.

    However, when a woman attempts to give birth in another
    environment, such as a hospital, this process may not work
    as well. Even if a woman feels rationally that hospitals
    are 'safer' places in which to give birth, her subconscious
    mind knows that this is not the case, and she feels insecure.
    This causes her body to secrete the hormone adrenalin,
    which causes the levels of both oxytocin and endorphins
    to drop. She experiences far more pain than she would in
    her own home and this has several other effects on her labour
    which are described below.


    WOMEN EXPERIENCE LOWER LEVELS
    OF INTERVENTION AT HOME


    There are two main reasons for this. The first concerns
    the hormones described above. In a hospital environment,
    women often produce the hormone adrenalin in response to
    subconscious or conscious fear. This inhibits the release
    of the hormone oxytocin and labour may well slow down.

    Although this slowing of labour is a natural safety
    mechanism, designed to let the women know she needs to find
    another environment, it is interpreted by many medical
    professionals as 'failure (of the woman's body) to progress'.
    Rather than suggesting that the woman talk about and work
    through her fears, or finds a different environment, they
    will turn instead to drugs to 'speed up' the labour.
    This drug (usually syntocinon or pitocin) can cause distress
    in the baby, among other effects, and often itself leads to
    a 'cascade of intervention' which may result in an instrumental
    delivery or a cesarean section.

    The second reason is that hospitals are systems which need
    to run efficiently. They need to have procedures in place
    for workers to follow so that chaos does not ensue!
    Unfortunately, this often means that hospitals have policies
    where a certain number of interventions are carried out on
    all women who choose to give birth there. Often there is no
    evidence to support these interventions, and many of them
    (eg electronic fetal monitoring) are known to be harmful
    when used on a routine basis.

    Every intervention is useful to a small number of women
    when used appropriately - but when applied to all women,
    they often cause far more harm than good. Women's choices
    are not sought and it is often difficult for staff to offer
    individualized care, because they feel restricted by the
    'hospital policy'. They may not be 'allowed' to walk around
    and adopt alternative positions which are known to facilitate
    effective progress in labour.


    WOMEN HAVE MORE AUTONOMY AT HOME
    There is another major difference between giving birth
    in your own environment or in someone else's - that in your
    own home you are 'in charge'. You would not feel you needed
    to ask permission to make a drink in your own home, or visit
    the bathroom, yet that is exactly how many women feel in
    hospital. And the effects of feeling as if they need to ask
    permission to do everyday things can lead to women feeling
    that they are not in control. This may then have an impact
    on a woman's labour, because labour is a time when women
    need to feel very strong and powerful within their own bodies,
    not as if they were small children who needed to ask if
    they could pee!

    Eating and drinking is another important aspect of this.
    In your own home, you are free to eat and drink whatever you
    feel like. Although women often do not feel like eating in
    strong labour, the choice is there. Many hospitals still
    refuse women food and drink in labour, even though all of
    the research evidence shows that this restriction is harmful
    rather than beneficial. Consequently, women become
    dehydrated and have low energy levels - at a time when they
    need lots of energy. Hospital staff may site an iv drip to
    replace fluids but this is not ideal - it limits the women's
    movement and adds to the feeling that she is 'sick',
    rather than experiencing a perfectly normal event.


    OTHER RISKS OF HOSPITAL BIRTH

    A recent article in the journal of the Association for
    Improvements in Maternity Services, cites a number of
    other risks of hospital births.
    These are summarized in the following list:

    · Midwives may be looking after more than one woman in
    labour and individual women are not able to receive the
    support they need. This can also mean they are more likely
    to be 'tied' to fetal monitors rather than having the
    midwife listen to the baby's heartbeat intermittently.

    · Hospital birth deprives the woman of contact from her
    family and friends. Being with other support people,
    particularly female relatives or friends, has been shown
    to have a very positive effect on labour and birth.

    · Continuity of care is rare in hospitals - although you
    would have the same midwives throughout a home birth,
    especially if you chose to employ an independent midwife,
    shift changes in hospitals mean you may see a large number
    of carers during your birth. Some women report that,
    as soon as they have built up a rapport or relationship
    with one carer, she goes off duty and they have to
    'start all over'. 'Knowing your midwife' has been shown
    to have very beneficial effects on labour.

    · Levels of medical staff may also be low. It is a
    common fallacy that being in hospital is safer 'if things
    go wrong'. In fact, as long as you are not a huge distance
    from a hospital, you may well be treated more quickly if
    you are transported from a home birth than if you were in
    hospital in the first place! The sort of emergencies
    which need truly immediate action are extremely rare and
    are almost always preceded by signs which your midwives
    will pick up and act upon.

    · In hospital, decisions about your labour will sometimes
    be made by very junior medical staff. (You rarely have a
    choice about which staff care for you in hospital.)
    These people may have little experience in birth and
    certainly far less than midwives who specialize in this area.
    They are also unlikely to trust that your body knows what it is doing!

    · Hospital and medical care, as discussed above,
    takes place in a philosophy where staff are 'looking for
    problems', rather than ensuring that things are progressing
    normally. This seemingly small difference actually makes
    a big difference in the approach that different carers
    take to the women and her labour and birth. Would you
    rather have a carer who trusts that your body knows what
    it is doing and either reassures you that all is going well
    or helps you if there are any problems, or a carer who
    is always checking to make sure that your body is 'working',
    while at the same time doubting your ability to actually
    give birth? As before, not all hospital midwives or nurses
    take the latter attitude, but the environment of the
    hospital itself tends to perpetuate this philosophy.


    WOMEN ENJOY INCREASED SATISFACTION
    WITH HOME BIRTH

    The proof of this pudding is in the eating, or the asking!
    Over 99% of women who have experienced both home and
    hospital birth will tell you that they would choose to
    have a home birth in the future.

    But don't take my word for it - ask some!


    ARRANGING A HOME BIRTH

    If you are thinking of having your baby at home,
    talk to a midwife! She will be able to tell you what
    is on offer in your area, and the kind of care she can
    offer you. She will also be able to help you to make a
    realistic assessment of whether home birth is right for you.
    In general, the only women who are truly better off
    in hospital are those with chronic medical problems,
    such as insulin-dependent diabetes, or those with a
    very small baby. But women need to be considered
    individually, and their unique circumstances taken
    into account.

    Remember that, in our society, there are many people
    who do not 'trust birth', and some midwives are among
    these people. If you encounter opposition to your plans,
    then seek a second opinion. You may have to interview
    several midwives before you find the one that is right
    for you. You may also want to seek support from other
    women who have made this choice.

    The final thing that I would like to remind you of is to
    remember that women have been having babies for millions
    of years - without the aid of hospitals or medical intervention.
    And if birth didn't work, then we wouldn't be here now!
    Women's bodies are designed to have babies.
    Trust your body. Trust your baby. Trust birth.


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    Default Re: home birth

    frankly, your (cut and paste) posts would be so much easier to read if they weren't longer than a Steven King novel.

    And FYI, natural childbirth does not = home birth. A woman who has a child vaginally (with or without demerol) is considered to have had a NATURAL CHILDBIRTH. Yes, home births are gaining in popularity. However, it is not an appropriate choice for a woman diagnosed with a high risk pregnancy.

    And imo, women choosing home birth typically have a better understanding of what exactly their body is going through and why. THAT is why they experience less pain. A Lamaze or childbirthing class will help a woman experience less pain whether she's at home or at the hospital.

    I'm a very pro-choice girl. I've nothing against home births. And absolutely nothing against birthing in the hospital. See, the point is RYAN, it's OUR choice. WE AS WOMEN choose where we want to have our baby.

    Oh, and thanks for citing your source for the article you pasted. or maybe you really did write it. Maybe you're a superman typist thanks to your raw diet and banged our a super long post in mere minutes.


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    God/dess velvet's Avatar
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    Default Re: home birth

    As quoted by Luckyone:
    I asked directions from a genie in a bottle of jim beam and she lied to me.

    Methodus saved my life!

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    Default Re: home birth


    [glow=red,2,300]
    I OUR choice. WE AS WOMEN choose [/glow]


    I agree and whatever a women chooses ............she should not be condemded that includes if she wants to lay up there and enjoy her birth with a nice epidural watching TV

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    Default Re: home birth

    yeah, or a shot of demerol in her IV.


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    Default Re: home birth

    that's peachy too had one of those myself thank you very much

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    God/dess montythegeek's Avatar
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    Default Re: home birth

    I think the recent developments are in the direction of birthing centers located near hospitals.
    These provide many of the advantages Ryan notes in terms of continuity of care + rapid transport to a hospital in case things go wrong. The window on brain damage is very short-7 minutes or less. Unless you are a mile from the paramedic station and 2 miles from a hospital, that leaves little time. I realize it is anecdotal evidence, but even 15 minutes from the hospital can be too long as a college friend can attest from direct experience when something DID go wrong.

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    Featured Member Miss_Luscious's Avatar
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    Default Re: home birth

    I am choosing to have my baby at a birth center and I am going to do it natural. I've had one baby in the hospital with an epidural and now I want to try something else. I do not want to have my child at home because if something goes wrong, I would be SOL. But at the birth center,they have many of the emergency equipment plus they can transport me to the hospital quickly. IMO, homebirth is kinda risky and I don't want to take any undue risks with my little one of my self.
    "A stupid man's report of what a clever man says is never accurate because he unconsciously translates what he hears into something he can understand." - Bertrand Russell

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    Ya'll bitches need to calm down. Cerously.
    In other words: Boo-motherfucking-hoo

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    Default Re: home birth

    i'm sure some hospitals can be rather impersonal (I was lucky mine really coddled me) birthing centers can provide that hominess and loving care to you, family and baby. And like you said you are close to emergency medical care if needed.

    I remember reading about 7 years ago there was a new birthing trend it was having the baby underwater. Did anybody ever hear of this one? It was supposed to be the least traumatic way for baby to be born since he's going from one environment to a similar one. Sounded way too risky for me.

    Anyhow, I had an edidural the 2nd time never again it slowed contractions so they had to give me the pitocin drip ugh! talk about slammin contractions! ANyhow, if you opt for the demerol I recommend the IV method. I got that the first time, the second time they gave me a shot of it in my ass it was nowhere near as effective.


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    Featured Member Destiny's Avatar
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    Default Re: home birth

    One thing Ryan fails to mention is the tremendous benefits brought to women with the "medical" model of childbirth. At one time in this country, childbirth was the number one cause of death for women. Modern medicine has changed childbirth from a life and death struggle to a "routine" procedure. Although I know from experience that when they are your contractions they seem anything but "routine".

    I'm all in favor of a more natural approach to childbirth. However, let's not go so far that we turn our back on the benefits of medical science that can save lives.
    Dancing is wonderful training for girls, it's the first way you learn to guess what a man is going to do before he does it. ~Christopher Morley, Kitty Foyle

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    Default Re: home birth

    Ryan, that's fine if you can discount any chance of a complication. What happens if the umbilical cord if wrapped around the babies neck when it's being delivered. What happens if it's in the wrong position? What happens if the baby's head cannot pass through the mothers pelvis? Can any of your midwives deal with those conditions in time?
    One of the prominent proceedures that enhanced child survivability was the C-section. Were any of the widwives able to carry on that proceedure?

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    Featured Member scorpio's Avatar
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    Default Re: home birth

    sorry, but drugs of any kind do not equal a natural child birth. My SO and I trained for 9 months in The Bradley Method, and she had a 10 Hour labor that was hard, but rewarding and we have a beautiful, advanced baby girl. dont think for one minute that those drugs dont go straight to your child. Dont you notice how most babies seem "out of it" for months? Its because they are litterally in shock! My Makayla was born smiling and wither her eyes wide open. yes, the birth wasnt easy, but it was shorter (epidurals slow contactions) and it wasnt anything Venus couldnt handle (with training and support) did you know that newborns have a reflex that if you push on their feet, they push back? yup, when the uterus contracts, the top pushes down on her feet and the baby instinctivelt kickes, she litterally helps push her way out! when the baby is stoned, she cant help herself be born, and the labor slows. Aint nature great?

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    Veteran Member Topaz's Avatar
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    Default Re: home birth

    fellas...go out and have a baby first...then come back and share your input....
    Why do some people still have to fight...to get the same opportunities...that are given to others??...

    Look out for self...because noone else will...AND
    The greatest revenge in the world...is success...

    Reclusivness...is a good thing.

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    Default Re: home birth

    Gee I hope you don't have any male surgeons at your delivery.

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    Default Re: home birth

    fellas...go out and have a baby first...then come back and share your input....
    [rotflmao]
    the guys would be screaming bloody murder for pain relief.


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    Veteran Member Topaz's Avatar
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    Default Re: home birth

    the pain some of us endure during 'that time of the month' would have them crying...

    i've already decided to get whatever pain relief available when i have kids...and i'm one that will reach for an herbal remedy in a new york minute any other time...
    Why do some people still have to fight...to get the same opportunities...that are given to others??...

    Look out for self...because noone else will...AND
    The greatest revenge in the world...is success...

    Reclusivness...is a good thing.

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    Default Re: home birth

    Topaz, what does screaming out in pain have to do with ones qualification to speak on a subject. Men do scream out in pain, especially when they have their guts torn out on a battlefield. Yes they will request pain killers. Does that mean they do not have any incite as to when pain killers should be administered or not?
    Two questions for you. Do you smoke? Did you ever have cancer?

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    God/dess VenusGoddess's Avatar
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    Default Re: home birth

    I didn't have a home birth...but, I really wish I did. All I know is that the next baby I have, he/she will be born at home. I didn't like the hospital at all. The nurses and docs were great, but I just wasn't comfy. It would have been nice to have Makayla and then go to sleep in my own bed.

    And, no, natural childbirth means no drugs of any kind (to ease pain or feeling). One of my friends had a epi during her first labor...took FOREVER to push the baby out (they almost gave her a C-section). Her second baby she didn't get an epi and he was born within 5 concentrated pushes. I had Makayla after only 10 minutes of concentrated pushing (about 5-6 pushes).

    I think what Scorpio is saying (about epi babies being "shocked") is that when you get an epi, it numbs out everything from the waist down. If you cannot feel the muscles that you are supposed to be using to push...how do you push effectively? The answer is that you don't...and I truly believe that babies born with epi's are a "little slower" to respond. I think it just comes from spending way too much time in the birth canal. I also think that getting an epi increases the mom's change of getting a c-section.

    I also think that it is extremely important to LEARN about every option out there in regards to labor and delivery. Keep working out for as long as you can...eat healthy...and take extra good care of yourself. A lot of people pack on TONS of weight during pregnancy (eating for 2). That's not necessary...I didn't gain more than 19 pounds (but I ate fish, fruits, and veggies only...no junk food and I worked out everday until I was about 7 1/2 months pregnant at which point walking 2 blocks was enough exercise...LOL). Educate yourself about the whole process so that you are not "blind" as to what to expect. The best books we had were: Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way and Husband Coached Childbirth. They have a ton of information...highly recommended.

    In the end...to each his/her own...all I know is that I had to get induced (after 3 weeks past due date and water broke with no immediate labor) with Pitocin...and I had my whole labor/delivery with no drugs what-so-ever. I just learned how to breathe, relax, and let my body do what it was made to do (practiced for almost 9 months). It was a wonderful experience for me, since I could feel everything going on in my body...I could work with my body more effectively (pushing more effectively) and what a sensation feeling the baby move farther down the birth canal!! It helped me keep things in perspective.

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    Veteran Member Topaz's Avatar
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    Default Re: home birth

    hey dreamy!!! i just knew you would show up!!!



    how can a man speak on something he will never have any experience in...

    i can understand and relate to a woman giving her thoughts on the subject of home birth...but a man?...an outsiders opinion maybe...

    Why do some people still have to fight...to get the same opportunities...that are given to others??...

    Look out for self...because noone else will...AND
    The greatest revenge in the world...is success...

    Reclusivness...is a good thing.

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    Featured Member scorpio's Avatar
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    Default Re: home birth

    I was there every step of the way, actively assisting, not just standing around like a moron with a camcorder. Although I did not share in the pain physically, energetically I was exhauted from keeping Venus's energy up, and physically too, because I was with her through every contraction for 10 hours, helping her keep focus, doing my part in keeping her centered and breathing in time. I guess you could say I was the time keeper, keeping track of contaction time and strength, the transition between stages of labor, and knowing what to do as each stage was entered. I also kept the nurses and doctors from bothering her. I know they mean well, but you dont need someone asking you every 5 minutes if you are ok. that makes it hard to concentrate. I also kept an eye on the doctor, because if he would have reached for those nasty scissors, I would have smacked him.

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    Default Re: home birth

    well, all I have to say and then I'm done on the whole subject is:
    I had demerol both times
    I had an epi once
    I hated the epidural and will likely never repeat it.
    Both of my babies were extremely alert, eyes open, high APGARs, rooting, very vocal.
    No cone heads here! I also pushed very little. The kids literally popped out. (sounds gross but true)
    My dr. is the one who said natural=vaginal. Sounds good to me so I stand by it.
    I had no episiotomy either time also no tearing.
    I'd think carefully when considering a home birth. At least be sure there are emergency facilities nearby. You really never know when something could go wrong. My 2nd pregnancy the cord was wrapped around her neck which of course isn't discovered until baby is in the canal. Surely a skilled midwife is able to handle such problems but you just never know what's gonna happen.

    My favorite book was What to Expect When You're Expecting.


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    Default Re: home birth

    Quote Originally Posted by Topaz link=board=5;threadid=2906;start=msg34197#msg34197 date=1071076167
    hey dreamy!!! i just knew you would show up!!!
    Just as I knew you would return after your short retreat.

    how can a man speak on something he will never have any experience in...
    You don't think I can speak about standing in front of a speeding train without going through the experience first?
    Do you think we cannot help, cure, heal, or even modify a duck without being one first?

    i can understand and relate to a woman giving her thoughts on the subject of home birth...but a man?...an outsiders opinion maybe...
    It all depends upon who studies the person closer. Did you take anatomy classes? Did you study medicine? If you think the person who experiences the pain ( ie. the end recipient of the phenomena, say I slammed the car door on my hand) is the one who possesses superior knowledge, then why isn't it they that cure themselves without anyone elses assistance?
    By the way , you didn't answer my two question. Hear from you again.

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    Veteran Member Topaz's Avatar
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    Default Re:home birth

    ...interesting...

    Why do some people still have to fight...to get the same opportunities...that are given to others??...

    Look out for self...because noone else will...AND
    The greatest revenge in the world...is success...

    Reclusivness...is a good thing.

  24. #24
    aussiepunkshocker
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    Default Re: home birth

    Quite honestly, if EVER I had another child, (which is HIGHLY unlikely.) I would stay home and deliver it myself. My hospital birth wasn't bad, but it would have been much, much better without their interferance!

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    Default Re: home birth

    My mom was a lay midwife [read: completely unlicensed to practice] for 12 years, went to school and is now licensed midwife in two states. Yeah, she'd dealt with babies with cords around their necks and breechs and no running water and all sorts of fun stuff at home. She's also dealt with getting mothers to the ER - mostly for failure to progress, I don't think she had one complication that was really bad while working as a lay midwife [some 1000 births], possibly a few while working at the birthing center, as you're training to deal with more stuff, more might come up.
    Birthing centers are nice, and I like the one she works at, and dolled up OB units, but they aren't your home. They may have cotton curtains and carpetting, but any strange place I feel uncomfortable - 'course I'd probably feel uncomfortable with strange people in my house.

    However, I've never had kids, I really think childbirth is a personal experience, some mothers deal with it well and their kids pop right out and everyone is happy, some don't and have 36 hour labors for no apparent reason and are miserable. Being prepared helps a lot in being comfortable, but I still think hospitals aren't a comfortable place.

    And to come down on this particular debate, natural childbirth usually refers to no drugs, whether painkillers or to speed up or slow down contractions.

    Water births are safe, though there is NO scientific evidence that it makes the transition from womb to outside world any smoother [it was a psychological theory, that the shock of birth was so traumatic as to scar a person later in life, but on average water birth babies don't turn out anymore scarred than the regularly born], so don't think you're being a horrible parent for not having it.
    "I still have my name
    I still have my face
    I have not run away from home
    Doesn't seem so long
    If I now embrace
    Every single thing I've never known"

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