Is
Homebirth Right for You?
When I first
started assisting a homebirth midwife
all I knew was homebirth. Having your
baby at home was the only way in my
mind. As time went on and I was exposed
to different types of births, in
hospitals and birth centers, I evolved.
My general feelings haven’t changed but
they are different. Women can have a
positive birth experience anywhere as
long as she is listened to, treated with
compassion, feels in control of her
birth and has competent care.
You have to ask yourself, do you really believe that homebirth is right for you? Is it without a doubt the best thing you can do for your body and baby? Is it worth paying out of pocket for if your insurance doesn’t cover birth at home? How does your partner feel about everything? What about the family? Do you believe in homebirth enough that you can go against the mainstream?
When you have asked yourself these questions and your answers are yes, yes, yes then homebirth is right for you.
Suggestions for finding a midwife
Just because you are visiting my website
doesn’t mean I am the right midwife for
you. I want to be the right midwife, but
that isn’t always the case. Only you
know what is right for you. You need to
be selective, question, and interview as
many midwives as you need to, to find
the right midwife for you. I recommend
having your partner with you since your
partner should feel comfortable with the
midwife selected as well.
Be a good consumer, shop around! Think about how much effort we put into our weddings, buying our first house or car. Invest in your baby’s future for the best possible beginning. Remember, you may have more babies but you can only birth this baby once.
Here is a link to a really good article on Choosing a Care Provider.
If you are low-risk and healthy homebirth is safe! This just isn’t my opinion, this is evidenced-based practice. Research the safety of birthing at home by visiting the following links:
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The British Medical Journal, in their June 18, 2005 issue, published “Outcomes of planned home births with Certified Professional Midwives: large prospective study in North America.”
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Reading Scientific Birth Studies Critically: Washington State Home Birth Study.
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The Medical Literature on the Safety of Homebirth.
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Spontaneous Creation: 101 Reasons Not to Have Your Baby in a Hospital.
Midwives
have been part of the human
experience for as long as we
know. The ancient Jews
called her the wise woman,
just as she is known in
France as the sage-femme,
and in Germany, the weise
frau and also Hebamme or
mother’s adviser, helper, or
friend.
The English ‘midwife’ is derived from midwife, or with-woman”(J.H. Aveling). The Latin term cum-mater and the Spanish and Portuguese term comadre, have the same meaning: with woman.
Learn more about the history of midwifery by visiting the following web sites.
There are two types of midwives in Arizona.
A Certified Nurse Midwife is a registered nurse with additional schooling in midwifery. A Licensed Midwife is licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services
If you are interested in becoming a midwife please tour the following links and read about the requirements for certification or licensing. When you have read the details you can contact Mary the Midwife to answer your questions. If there is enough interest study sessions can develop. Mary the Midwife is open to interviewing student midwives for an apprenticeship.
