Community | July 10, 2008 | 7 comments

Having a baby all alone: free birthers on the rise

source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2007/may/09/health.medicineandhealth

Image
LindseyIndigo
As the British health service is criticised for failing women with its maternity services, Viv Groskop at the Guardian reports on women who are going it alone, and giving birth at home without any kind of medical support or intervention: the free birthers.

"Giving birth is as personal as having sex," says Sarah, 24, from Essex. "You don't want someone else sitting there watching you."

"Some people think you must be superwoman. Others think it's reckless. You get every reaction from awe to horror. I just feel like it was the most normal thing. It felt somehow life-changing and extremely ordinary at the same time." says Laura, 31, from Atlanta, Georgia.

I know some amazing doulas who specialise in helping women during homebirths, and they describe amazing scenes, calm deliveries, quick recoveries and magical moments for new parents who can cuddle up on the sofa together with their brand new baby within minutes of all the bloody, gory stuff being over (doulas will even help clear up the goop!).

And I know friends who've recently had babies in hospital and had the most horrendous experiences - being moved and poked and prodded and examined internally without any warning or consideration of their feelings, being left alone when they were anxious and needed help, being cut as a matter of course when they asked for that to be a last resort, being forced to lie in uncomfortable positions because it was easier for the doctor, and babies being taken away immediately after birth to be 'cleaned up', before the new mum even gets to have a hug.

If I had a baby, and my pregnancy was healthy and normal, I'd definitely opt to give birth at home, and make use of my body's incredible self-sufficiency (as well as a nice pool of warm water). It's pretty shocking that hospitals are now considered too risky or too unpleasant to give birth in. What would you do?
  1. groups:
    Community,   News and Politics,   Green,   Earth and Science,   2 more
  2. tags:
    News,  News and Politics,  Green,  Earth and Science,  12 more
  3.     
    |

7 comments // Having a baby all alone: free birthers on the rise

  • powerup
  • JDM
    • 0
      JDM  

    • I have heard many hospital horror stories. Our daughter was born at home by accident, all went well as the midwife rushed over to do many things I could not have even thought of, including containing the pool of blood in the bed, checking the babys status, and pulling out the placenta after the baby squeezed out. (intense!)

      The freebirth idea scares me if anything were to go wrong, say the baby's not in the right position or the cord is wrapped, or the lil squirt just needs some help, everything is on the line during the moment of labour, why take the risk?

      Freedom of choice is a wonderful thing and I don't judge anyone making this decision...all experiences are different for everyone and researching pregnancy will underline that fact. Also, like parenting, one has no idea until it happens to them (It's still sinking in, I have a..kid?!)

      We had a fast birth while our friend was in labour for days, this is totally normal and natural, but it's nice to hear those words over again when you're screaming in pain and not sure what the hell is happening (doctors dont really help here, a calm person or a midwife will)

      It's the most intense thing I've ever witnessed in my young life and I agree with longing for a natural personal experience, though, it is natural for many babies to have complications during labour and I think a pro in the house can be all the difference between life and death, no matter how healthy a pregnancy seems, *shivers* it's very scary and exciting, whatever you choose, make sure you're all as safe as possible ok!

      and yes, power to the midwives and doulas!

    • 3 years ago
  • LindseyIndigo
    • 0
      LindseyIndigo  
    • JDM:

      Really cool to hear your perspective! I only know what friends and colleagues have told me, so its good to hear what you think. Hope you're getting some sleep! :)

    • 3 years ago
  • spoonieday
    • 0
      spoonieday  

    • why should women wear shirts when they are giving birth at home with family and a doula? shirts are not integral to birthing process or really anything else.

    • 3 years ago
  • vitalmaggi
  • petarro
more from Community:
from the community

top videos