Why Do You Do That? (Homebirth)

I realized when writing the introduction post that while we do follow what works for us without regimentally sticking to something that sounded good in theory, our primary focus when it comes to how we raise our daughter happens to be based in what is known as Attachment Parenting, popularized by a pediatrician and nurse couple, William and Martha Sears.  Technically, they didn't invent this approach, just put a convenient label on it and divided it into manageable parts.  So I thought I'd give a run down of what is usually considered "AP", which will hopefully provide some answers to the question, "why do you do that?"

1. Birth bonding.  In a word, natural childbirth is seen as the best way to welcome a baby into one's arms, without the groggy effects of epidurals or - worse - the sometimes downright violent interventions used to monitor or even force baby out before s/he is ready.  Since everything I had read about natural childbirth made it sound like the best way to establish a successful breastfeeding relationship, I was sold. Unfortunately, a planned homebirth did not yield the dreamed-of breastfeeding start I had hoped for. Still, a lot of the aspects of birth bonding can and should be incorporated into any and all births whenever possible, regardless if one goes a la naturale or not, births at home or in hospital. This includes:

a. Close and full support of baby's father, starting with active participation in a childbirth-preparation class, so that he knows how he can be of most help to mother during labor.  Oscar's presence helped me focus, calmed and reassured me, and just felt like the right place for him to be at the birth of his daughter! And I felt we connected and became more of a team as we went through our chilbirth preparation classes and homework together the last few months of pregnancy.

b. A calm and gentle birthing environment. For me, this includes minimal intrusions by countless medical personnel, soft lights, ability to wear what makes me comfortable, ability to eat and drink as needed [it's called "labor" for a reason - it's hard work and as such, requires energy which comes from calories - duh! ;)], ability to move around and assume whatever position feels comfortable both during labor and pushing [think about it - pushing a baby against the force of gravity is not the best way to achieve less pain and a quicker delivery], and being able to have whoever is a source of comfort nearby.

c. Immediate skin-to-skin contact of mother and baby. Skin-to-skin contact has been proven to be much more effective at regulating a baby's temperature, breathing, and heart rate than sticking them into an incubator!

d. Delay of the various standard procedures until mother and baby (and dad) have had a chance to bond (barring medical necessity, of course - weighing, measuring, vaccines, bathing, dressing - all of this can wait!)

e. Attempt to latch onto the breast within the first hour of birth. We have first hand experience of this - a newborn baby CAN wiggle herself towards the nipple if placed skin-to-skin on mother's chest!

So, why did I have a homebirth? 

I didn't want the needless interventions that often come with a hospital birth and I wanted to feel in control of how we bring our daughter into the world.  Going into this pregnancy, I did not feel confident enough to insist on the above-mentioned aspects of a gentler birth in a hospital environment, plus - believe it or not - I was more afraid of an epidural than of childbirth itself. 

What's "hodgepodge" about that?

Now with first hand experience, I can say that I'd rather take the epidural next time (if there is a next time), and I feel confident enough to know what my rights are and what I can insist on in a hospital, so that I can get the best of both worlds - the pain relief of an epidural but the respect and empowerment of a homebirth.