What I'm Reading

I never gave much thought to the idea of childbirth before I got pregnant.  I just always imagined it would be in a hospital, with my regular OB/GYN.  Little did I know there is a whole world of information out there to be read and learned and childbirth in America is not as perfect as it seems on TV.  The most important thing i've learned is that I have a choice in how I birth my baby.  I am not required to see an OB/GYN, I am not even required to have my baby in a hospital.  It is shocking to learn that the majority of families in the US spend more time and energy making decisions about what TV or car to buy then how and where they will give birth to their children.

Once I started getting into the facts and statistics of unnecessary medical interventions that occur in hospital birth with a medical doctor, I started exploring my options.  At my first prenatal appointment with my OB I mentioned to her that I was interested in having a natural childbirth.  Her expression was priceless....and she basically patted me on the back and said "you know that over 90% of women who think they want a drug free birth end up having an epidural....but we'd really love to see a natural childbirth around here if you want to try".  Her tone was slightly sarcastic and not at all supportive of this huge decision I was making for myself and my child.  I later discovered the hospital where I would give birth had a 40% c-section rate and there were actual signs in the employee area that said "When in Doubt, Cut it Out".  This is what the medical system and insurance companies have done to childbirth.  

I discovered a midwife practice that is 3 miles away from my house that has privileges at the hospital across the street.  I immediately made an appointment and was thrilled to learn that it was possible to have a natural childbirth, in a hospital, with a supportive midwife who would help me accomplish my goal of a drug free birth.  I am not quite brave enough to go the "home birth" route (although when reading about it it sounds amazing) and there are not many birth centers to choose from where I live.  This seems like the perfect option for my family and I am so happy with my care so far.  I feel confident that I will not have to fight off an epidural or pitocin and that a c-section will be a last resort in a true emergency.  I will be allowed to labor at home for as long as possible, and then once at the hospital be able to move around freely and not be chained to the bed with a fetal monitor.  I believe that having a baby is not a medical problem or a sickness.  A woman's body is made to have babies and when left alone it almost always does what it needs to do to produce a healthy, alert, and happy child.  I know it will hurt like crazy but I am willing to experience the pain to achieve the outcome.  I also understand that things go wrong and I have to be flexible in my expectations, which I am.  Obviously the most important thing is a healthy baby and healthy mom.  This is why i've chosen to stay in the hospital, just in case we need some extra help.  I also want to note that I am not trying to judge anybody that has made a different childbirth choice, this is simply the personal goal for myself and my family.

So, that's the plan.  I've read some amazingly informative books along the way and wanted to share some of my favorites.  

Currently, i'm reading "Homebirth in the Hospital" by Stacey Marie Kerr, MD.  Written by a doctor who believes in natural childbirth and spent 10 years living with midwives on "The Farm" (with Ina May Gaskin) in Tennessee.  She gives her advise on how to have the best possible "homebirth" in a hospital environment.

I just finished reading "Your Best Birth" by Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein.  This book is a must read for any woman expecting a child.  I lets you in on a lot of the dirty little secrets of the birthing industry and explores all of your options for childbirth.  Loved it.

Also in this category falls the movie "The Business of Being Born".  This is a HUGE eye opener and you absolutely must see this movie if you are expecting a child or even if you ever plan to have children. Also, make your husband and your mom watch it with you, but not at the same time.

Next up is "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth" by Ina May Gaskin.  She's one of the most famous midwives in the country and has birthed over 1200 babies.  She has a remarkably low c-section rate of 1.8%.  I'm excited to hear what she has to say.

Oh how my reading choices have changed over the last 6 months!!!

Love,

Chels