Making the decision
Finally,
it is important that you consider all aspects of your choice
thoroughly and come to an informed decision on where to give
birth.
Sheila
Kitzinger talks about "accepting deep personal
responsibility for you and your baby". We are not the
sum of our misfunctioning parts eg. "untried pelvis", "incompetent cervix", "inefficient
uterus" which result in "failure to progress".
It is also important to have confidence in your body's ability
to give birth, to work properly in accomplishing that for which
it is designed.
The
following are some comments from mothers, fathers and older
children on their experience of home birth. They are taken from
birth accounts published in our newsletter. Midwife names have
been omitted for professional reasons.
Robbie, aged
7 on birth of his brother Adam. His Mom's 2nd baby, 1st home
birth
"I remember
feeling sad that my mammy was in pain. But then I remember (midwife)
telling me that it was worth it. Then I remember the head coming.
I was amazed that it was a person coming out of my mammy. I
couldn't believe that it was real and I couldn't believe how
lucky that we had such a cute baby."
Jo Donoghue
on the birth of Fionnuala Marie,
1st baby
"Labour
was quite different to what I expected, which just goes to prove
- if proof were needed - that it is different for everyone.
Firstly I found it very painful, though bearable, and I would
never just call it hard work or exhilarating or exhausting,
although it was all those things as well. Secondly it was very
intense. They (midwife & husband) held me, one on either
side during the contractions. I couldn't have done it without
them but I didn't want anyone else.
Was it easy? NO!
Was it worthwhile? YES!
Would I do it again? YES!"
Mary Horan
on birth of Larla, 2nd baby
"I was on air. My wonderful baby in my arms, in my own
home, surrounded by my family. I had had a hard labour eased
by the loving support of my husband and midwife. My body had
delivered my baby. I was great, Tom was great, baby was great,
(midwife) was great - a victorious feeling!"
Barbara Boland
on birth of Cian, 2nd baby,
1st home birth
"That night when (midwife) had gone we snuggled down
for a good night's sleep, all four of us, in our family bed.
My labour had been thirty hours from start to finish. I was
totally exhausted but delighted that it had all gone well, and
that I did it all my way and in my own time."
Michael Morrissey
on birth of Louanne,
1st baby, waterbirth
"From my own point of view, there were times when I
couldn't bear to see the one I love in such pain and distress.
Just as I was beginning to think we should settle in for a long
night, Andrea suddenly stood up out of the water and (midwife)
caught this little, curled up blinking baby in her hands! I
completely broke down with the sheer emotion of it. I can't
believe how quickly Andrea changed from the pain and overwhelming
emotion of the birth to being this calm and in control mother."
