Originally Posted by katharina

I can't see that home birthing would become the norm... too many things can go wrong.

But home birth IS the norm in many countries, and the statistics don't show an increased risk.

It is the norm? I had never heard that it is the norm. I had heard that it was becoming more popular. I just thought at one time it was the norm but not anymore.

I agree that the US lags shockingly in the area of giving more choice to pregnant women and their families.
I would also say that perhaps the first baby should be delivered in hospital. Unbeknowst to me, I was not going to be capable of a normal vaginal birth for my oldest; we had to go for a Caesarian section. Had I tried to have it at home there could have been more damage and danger to the baby, so I was glad for a hospital setting.
For those who can have "uneventful" deliveries, more power to you and have a great home birth experience. A friend of mine had her baby at home and it was a tremendous experience for her and her family.

Originally Posted by mollyL

I would also say that perhaps the first baby should be delivered in hospital. Unbeknowst to me, I was not going to be capable of a normal vaginal birth for my oldest; we had to go for a Caesarian section. Had I tried to have it at home there could have been more damage and danger to the baby, so I was glad for a hospital setting.

That's a very good idea for the first birth to be in a hospital. My daughter was 5 weeks early and very tiny and I'm glad it wasn't a home birth. I was very thankful for everything that was needed was readily available at the hospital.

I have always preferred home birth, to be honest. I have had given birth twice in my life, and all of which occurred at home.

Somehow I feel comfort in knowing that I will not be around strangers at such a very scary point in my life, but with people who love me and matter to me.
Perhaps it is my age (the first time I gave birth I was 17 years old), and perhaps I was not ready to experience something as physically and emotionally challenging as childbirth at that time yet, which is why I probably dreaded the hospital, but after that experience, I wouldn't allow anything else but a home birth for my second child either (I had him at 22 years old).

And now, on my 8th month of pregnancy for my 3rd child, a home birth is still what I want.
I have never tried giving birth in a hospital, it is ridiculous because I am close to having 3 kids now, and I have no idea what is wrong with me but I just feel so lucky every time I give birth at home; that I don't have to adjust to other people's location, but that they have to adjust to mine.

I assure you, it helps a lot during labor, call me weird, but it does calm me down greatly.