The Homebirth Fad

I just watched a documentary that was very pro-homebirths.  Of course, I need to weigh in on this.   

The argument for homebirth is growing in popularity.  Many women feel that the process of birth in a hospital does not allow for the process to happen naturally.  Since the beginning of time women have been having babies and there weren't always hosptials.  So it can't be that dangerous, right?  The argument for birth in a hospital is that it is too inviasive.  That they push pitocin (a synthetic form of oxytocin, a natural hormone that induces labor) to speed up labor.  Then they push epidurals because the pitocin makes labor too painful.  Then the pitocin makes the contractions so strong that they stress the baby.  Then the doctors and nurses tell you that they HAVE to do things because it is what is best for the baby and therefore you feel required to do so or you will be a bad mother. 

Seriously?  Come on! 

Okay, if you want a minnimally invasive labor, that is your choice.  All these people pushing for homebirths are missing one key factor here.  You have a choice.  Apparently these pro-homebirthers know they have a choice to some degree, because they're choosing to have their babies at home.  So why can't they just make choices at the hospital?  What they're really saying is that they don't know how to stand up for what they believe unless they are surrounded only by people who agree with them. 

If you want a natural birth, have a natural birth.  That is your choice.  If you want to have a midwife, have a midwife.  Nobody is going to stop you.  Just please, do it at the hospital!  There are so many things that can go wrong during labor.  A post-birth vaginal hemorrhage can cause a woman to bleed to death in less than 5 minutes.  I doubt anyone could get to a hospital and have the bleeding stopped in less than 5 minutes.  A placental rupture can kill the baby and mother in the same amount of time.  Why would you birth at home?  Why take the risk?  Just grow a backbone and stick to your plan.  Then if something does go wrong, you won't have to live with the fact that your baby could have lived had you just gone to the hosptial and said, "No, thanks I don't want pitocin." 

No hospital can force treatment on you.  Do your research.  Know your body.  Understand the birthing process.  It's not like they're going to tie you down and force you to get pitocin or pain medication against your will.  If you're confident enough that you can handle your birthing process alone at home,  you should be confident enough to say "no" to interventions you don't want.  Just my opinion because I want all babies and mommies to be healthy and safe!  Midwives are great, but sometimes you truly need a doctor.  Don't risk not getting to one in time.