kevin and jenna [dot] com

Taking the plunge

September 9th, 2008

We’re doing it.  We’re going against the norm (at least in America) and we’re defying the odds. We’re up for the challenge.

We’re having a home birth.  (What’s this “we” stuff, anyway?)  After watching The Business of Being Born (twice for me) and hearing our Super friends sing the wonderful praises of their midwife, Kevin and I have consulted a (different) midwife and we’re going to deliver this baby in our own house.  I am so excited, and I just can’t hide it.

We decided to do this only about 6 weeks ago, which means I had to break up with my doctor (OB) recently.  I haven’t seen him face to face, but I’ve had several calls from his office asking, “What happened?” and “What could we have done to prevent this?”  The truth was, even though I had some issues with my doctor’s nurse not returning phone calls, I truly wanted to beat The System rather than get even with it.  And here’s how:

1.  I have fast labors.  I felt like I was rushing to the hospital, only for them to make me stay a few days.  I’ve heard too many stories of people who come to the hospital with nothing wrong and then die from staph.

2.  Even if this labor isn’t fast, I’ll know what to expect from a natural birth.  I won’t have to pack for the hospital or (hopefully) endure those painful contractions in the car.  (Murder!)

3.  I had episiotomies with both kids and I wasn’t even asked beforehand.

4.  I had IVs I didn’t need placed into my arms and fetal monitors that didn’t work strapped around my body.  (When I was discharged with Kennedy, the nurse looked at my arms and said, “Man, someone really wanted you to hold still.. you have some bruising here.”)

5.  I’m not sick.  I’m pregnant.  I don’t need a doctor; nothing is “wrong” with me.  (See Matthew 9:12, Mark 2:17, and Luke 5:31 on this one…)

6.  It’s ridiculous that doctors won’t let you eat or drink while in labor “in case you have to go to surgery”.  I plan on eating as much food as I like and drinking even more liquids.

7.  Hospital bills are insane.  I was charged for an epidural with Kennedy, even though I didn’t get one.  But my HMO only charged me $100 per day… And, surprise, surprise, the premiums went up and now we’re with a different insurance company.

8.  American insurance companies… no words to describe…  In a nutshell, our insurance doesn’t cover a midwife, but since we have such a high deductible, it will be cheaper to have a home birth than a hospital birth.  And, anyone without insurance would be wise to take a look at home birth.

I read several books about this subject as well -

Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin, specifically deals with the issue of “how” a home birth can take place in a normal, healthy woman.  I loved her stories of twins and breech births she delivered in a home.

The Way of American Birth by Jessica Mitford, gives an incredible account of the evolution of birth in America.  Wow.

Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way by Susan McCutcheon, does not advocate home birth primarily, but it gave me great stretches and things to do while in labor.  And, you can bet I won’t be lying flat on my back, trying to push.

I’m also going to read Husband-Coached Childbirth by (the man himself) Robert Bradley, whenever I can get my hands on a copy.

So, when my doctor’s office called to ask about why we switched, I didn’t give her the list of reasons, although I gave her a few of them.  She surmised, “Since this is the way of doctors and hospitals around the country, you don’t want to have anything to do with it?”

Correct.

Entry Filed under: Carlee, Faith, Life