Home Birth vs. Hospital

I realize that my decision to have a home birth is not for everyone.  And as a first time mom-to-be, I am certainly not an expert.  I can only make decisions based on what feels right for me, my partner, and my family...including my golden retriever, Mazzy Star.  But I've done the research.  And I've been told that walking into the local hospital means that I have a one in four shot of having a C-section.  And that's before stepping inside.  Yikes.  I've also been told that a home birth is as safe, if not safer than a hospital birth.  After watching "The Business of Being Born", and "Orgasmic Birth" as well as partaking in a seminar by Dr. Carly Wendler, (a licensed Naturopathic Doctor with a special interest and passion for perinatal health) called "Your Best Birth" I am convinced that home birth is the way for my family.

 I choose a home birth for many reasons.  We can light candles and listen to the spa channel (admittedly my favourite) and relax in our home.  Mazzy Star can be a part of the process.  Apparently dogs are quite sensitive around child birth and they, like children, make a better transition when they are part of the process.  Also, home birth is said to be less painful.  Here there's no chance of sensory overload and confusion with hospital policies and procedures.  High levels of stress can cause the vaginal sphincter to close.  And if it's closed, there's no way a baby is coming out!  

Some women have already challenged my decision, saying that I am crazy for going natural.  Here's the thing.  Women have been giving birth naturally for centuries.  Our bodies are amazing and when we take the drugs, we override our body's natural response.  We have to have trust in them.  And I trust mine.  I also trust my midwives, with whom I have built a connection.  One or both will be here, not some doctor I have never met before.  

I have also chosen to have a water birth.  Having a birthing tub encourages an easier birth for myself and will be a gentler welcome for my baby girl.  HypnoBirthing® Hamilton will be dropping the tub off before the holidays and will pick it up after the birth of my baby. In addition to birth tub rentals, they offer classes and counselling to families living in Hamilton and surrounding areas.  Their philosophy is to facilitate a peaceful, instinctive birth experience.  When I called to rent the birthing tub, I spoke with Lara, who was absolutely wonderful.  Her passion for birth and family was very apparent.

At just 27 weeks, I still have about 3 months to go.  I am loving every minute and every day is a miracle as my baby girl continues to dance around inside of me.  When her daddy has belly time, she reacts with wiggles and kicks at the sound of his voice.  The experience has been magical so far and I look forward to the rest of my positive pregnancy experience.

*For more information regarding Zaida Baby - My First Keepsake, or to book your Zaida Baby photoshoot, please email me at sandy@zaidababy.com.  Comments on this blog are also welcome.

The Importance of Prenatal Bonding.

By far, parents' voices are the top choice. This is how your baby learns about language. They can hear you talking to them. Medical research proves that an unborn baby is capable of responding to your voice. They are also capable of responding to love, and they are aware of how you feel about them. Creating a bond with your unborn baby is very important. It gives your baby a greater opportunity to be healthy and happy months before they are even born. Developing a prenatal bond will occur through conversations with your baby that contribute to feelings of love...and this translates into over-all well-being. When parents express love to their unborn baby, they are providing their baby with a warm, safe and nurturing place. This warm and safe place tells your unborn baby that they can trust you, and the world that awaits them.

Talking to your unborn baby will have a direct impact on the personality of your child. This is considered to be the time when your baby is at its peak...during construction in the womb. Thomas Verny, M.D., understands this importance:

If more pregnant women were to start communicating with their children it would represent a monumental beginning. Just imagine how you would feel alone in a room for six, seven or eight months without any emotional or intellectual stimulation. That is, more or less, the net effect of ignoring an unborn child. Obviously his emotional and intellectual needs are far more primitive than ours. The important point is that he has them. He has to feel loved and wanted just as urgently - perhaps even more urgently - than we do. He has to be talked to and thought of: otherwise his spirit and often his body, too, begin wilting. (Verny, M.D., Kelly, 1981).

Not everything a pregnant woman thinks, feels, or does will affect her child. Of course we are all only human and so there will almost definitely be times when a negative thought will cross our minds. As long as this is short term, your unborn baby will continue to thrive and grow. When it does get dangerous is when you become absorbed in your thoughts and separate from your baby. Your unborn baby needs love and attention and when he or she is able to get this from you, bonding will naturally occur. Through prenatal bonding you can impact the course of your baby's life, and that's an invaluable gift. 

*This article was written for Toronto4Kids - June 2008.