Having a homebirth...My story

As I sit here nursing my little Annabelle (Annie) I look down at her and think how glad I am that she came into this world at home, naturally...
Coming to the decision to have a home birth was not an easy one for me. I am by no means a "Hippie" nor was I ever really against hospital births.
I did not go looking for it. All I knew going into this pregnancy was that I didn't like the doctors I had with my first two children and I wanted to try a Midwife. Well I found a Midwife with a great reputation and high recommendations. So I called her and after talking to her for a while I knew I liked her, And then It happened she told me that she only did homebirths. My first thoughts were oh darn I liked her LOL!
Well after finding that there was not a single midwife that did hospital births where I lived I had a decision to make. So I called her back and made an appointment to meet her and talk a bit. When I arrived at her home the first thing I noticed through the window was a picture of Christ. Which I was really happy to see. We talked for a while and I felt really good about what she had to say. So my husband Luke and I decided we were going to do it.
The first part of my pregnancy was pretty normal everything was going great. I loved having a midwife and meeting her in her home. It was relaxed and very comfortable.
Well a bit later in my pregnancy my blood pressure started to rise. Well this was a real scare point for me. With my first child I was "diagnosed" with pre-eclamsia, was put on bed rest, and even in the hospital over night. So the fear was already put into my head early on.
At that point I started having doubts, wondering if this is really what I wanted to do. So at my next appointment I was ready to tell her I was going to see a doctor. When the time came I told her and she told me that what ever I decided was my choice and fine. She then asked me a question, What is a doctor going to do if this does get out of hand? I stopped and thought a while, and eventually said well I don't know. She said well they will put you on bed rest and probably induce you early. She had just explained my first birth.
So she said she wanted me to go on a special diet that she believed would help my blood pressure, and see me in 2 weeks instead of a month. I left feeling much better about everything.
I did what she asked. I started juicing a LOT and eating a lot of protein filled snacks like she instructed. I started to just feel good, way more energy , and my legs weren't swollen! At my next appointment I was shocked to see that my blood pressure was right back to normal! Well that was all it took to calm my fears. Unlike the doctors she wanted to fix my problem not just wait it out!
My due date was fast approaching and I felt great. I gained less weight than ever before, I had energy and was excited! When my due date came and went I was a little disappointed but still fairly patient.
One of my very best fiends Jenny had driven all night to stay with me for a week to help out with the kiddos. We were both starting to get inpatient after a few days over due but were trying our hardest to wait it out. At five days over due I woke up about 6:00 A.M. with a contraction. Hmm I thought and tried to go back to sleep, well about 8 minutes later I had another a little bit stronger! I had been having them off and on for days so I really didn't think a whole lot about it. Finally I was uncomfortable enough to get up and take a bath. They were getting stronger and even a bit closer! Could this be it, I thought? I was hopeful but still not thinking it was.
By 10:30 A.M. I was feeling them at a pretty steady pace and though I better not try and drive to my 11:00 appointment, so I asked Jenny to take me since Luke was at work.
When we arrived I told her I was having contractions all morning. While she was checking me she said "oh yeah your having one right now"! In a voice not nearly as enthused as hers I mumbled "uh huh". She said, "you're going to have this baby tonight"! "Oh wow" I thought, now I was getting excited! She said if you can, go for a walk and rest, call me when you are ready!
As soon as we got into the car and started off, they started getting really strong and were 5 minutes apart on the dot. I called Luke and said it was time to come home!!!
By the time he got there I was so glad to see him. He asked if we should call now I said "no no not yet it could be hours still". Luke and Jenny both just started laughing at the way I am and always have been, I don't want to be one of those ladies that calls to soon to find that I'm still in early labor LOL. Well by the time I was sitting on my dining room floor crouched over in pain my husband said "we're calling"! So I said, "ok let me though", So I casually got on the phone and said "Hi Liz, How are you? Well um I think it might be about that time now", she said, "ok I'll head over in a bit then".
Well about 5 minutes later the pain was getting unbearable and my husband started to get worried that she wasn't going to make it in time because we lived about a half an hour away. Labor was now in full bloom and it had already been a half an hour since we called, so Luke in a panic said "I am calling her back". She was stuck in traffic but almost there!
By the time she arrived I was in a panic because she hadn't been there. She quickly set up and checked me. While she was checking me she got a bit of a worried look on her face and said "ok your only at a 5 but don't worry it is going fast"! After hearing this I just knew I couldn't do it and started in with the good old fashioned labor whine," I changed my mind, take me to the hospital, I want the drugs"! Obviously that wasn't going to happen.
In just a few minutes I was at an 8 and just about there! Luke was sitting behind me on the floor so by this time I was doing a pretty good job of ripping his arm pits off but I had calmed down a bit.
Maybe 5 minutes later I felt like I wanted to push, so determined to meet my new little one (and yes be done with labor too) I hunkered down and gave it hell! I soon felt her head crowning and pushed with all my might, so I reached down just in time to feel her head pushed out!
At 7:00 P.M. On April 20th, 2007 Annabelle Kathleen was born at 7lbs. 9oz. She was placed right on my chest and the cord left in tacked for a while. It was a wonderful bonding time for my husband and I. My midwife was very gentle and quietly checked the baby. Everything was great! She then left us alone with our new little one to bond and get to know her. After the birth was such a different experience than a hospital birth, it was so relaxed and calm. My children came in and were so excited to see their new baby sister right there at home.
After we had bonded for a while, we signed papers, weighed the baby, and she cleaned up. Then she asked if I would like her to stay. I said no I thought everything was fine. So she went home. And we were able to just go to sleep in our own bed.
What I can tell you about a home birth is that it is a natural process to have a baby. What better place to do something natural than in the comfort of your own home!
Only you can make the best choice for you and your family but I hope that this helps you understand more about how it works.
You know the biggest question I get is, "What about the mess"? Let me tell you, there was no sign of birth any where. You order a birth kit and you have a shower liner layed down that catches everything. Your midwife does all the work in that area, and trust me you won't know that there was a birth in your home. The second question I hear is, "what if something happens"? Home births are very safe, Your midwife unlike a doctor stays with you and watches every thing very close and will know if something is going to happen. Plus if you needed say a c-section your midwife will call and tell the hospital you are coming so by the time you get there they will be ready, about the same time it would take if you were already there, they still have to prep for it. Plus a good midwife will have an EMT on call for you at time of birth. It is safe and NATURAL.
You can always contact me with any questions you have and I would be glad to help you if I can.
The best advise I could give when you are searching is Pray about it.