You're Having Your Baby WHERE???

So when it comes time for you to deliver your baby, there are basically 3 different options for you: a hospital (duh), a birthing center or at home.  Of course there are the non-planned Burger King bathroom babies that tend to befall the women who don't even know they're pregnant (don't even get me started on how you could miss that once 9 months rolls around) or the inside of a car, which almost happened to me since Selah decided she was not keen on prolonging the whole labor thing.  I appreciate the short labor...but not so much almost having the valet guy at the hospital be the first one to see if she had brown or blonde hair.  The hospital I delivered Selah at is great in that they offer midwives in addition to the regular ol' OB/GYN's.  I decided to go with the midwives because I wanted a more natural, motherly approach to delivery.  My hospital is also the only one in the state of Colorado that does water births.  Not that I even got to use that as an option but they do offer it.  They do also offer private suites with king size beds and private chefs that I joked about booking but let's face it...I was sorta serious too.

Birthing centers are sort of a mix between hospital and home that strictly deal with midwives and natural deliveries.  While I was gung-ho about getting a midwife with Selah, I wasn't quite ready to leave the 'comforts' of the hospital for delivering.  And then you have home births which are done with usually 1 or 2 midwives, and just you popping the baby out wherever you darn well choose in your house.  Ask me if I would deliver a baby at home when I was pregnant with Selah and the answer was a resounding heck freaking no!  My reasons: hospitals are safer, I don't want to deal with the mess and my dogs would probably annoy the bejeezus out of me.  I'd say the latter is the only one that still holds up to this day as a viable reason considering they tend to annoy me on a daily basis as it is.  

So with all that being said, I decided long ago that our next kiddo would be delivered at home.  Aaand cue the crickets and raised eyebrows.  Yes, really...I plan on delivering this baby in the comforts of my home and no, I'm not so weirdo dreaded hippie who plans on Kumbaya-ing in the backyard while the neighbors are watching.  That has HOA complaint letter written all over it.   So how exactly did I come to this decision?  Since you asked... :)

First off, no I do not hate western medicine, hospitals and all that it entails.  It has saved my life on a couple of occasions (hello asthma attacks in backwoods Pennsylvania!) and very much has a deserved place.  There are a few reasons why I decided that future kiddos would be born at home if I was deemed a low risk patient, a couple of these being major reasons.

• Reason numero uno: going through transition labor with no break in contractions while in the front seat of a Tahoe and giving my husband directions to the hospital that was a half hour away.  Oh, and oh so glamorously barfing into and all over Target bags (and myself...let's just be honest).  That really should be reason enough right there.  Add in a husband that wouldn't let me ride without a seat belt on so I could get comfortable (what a buzz kill ;) ).  I've said it a thousand times and I'll say it again; I would rather deliver triplets naturally than relive that car ride all over again.  MISERABLE.
• Number two: my insanely high hospital bill for not having much done.  Being self-employed business owners, you don't get as good of insurance if you're employed by a company so that means you really get it handed to you when the bills roll out.  I'm talking a 5 digit bill for delivering a baby in a glorified broom closet without even being admitted yet.  No thank you.  I know I'm going to get a better and much more personal quality of care with a midwife, it will be cheaper and it's going to be all paid for before the baby even gets here!  Bam!  
• Reason number three: going back to those people who have their babies in a car on the side of the road...that was almost me with Selah.  First time labors average about 12 hours long.  Selah was 2 hours.  The kid was popping out to say hello as we flew up to the hospital valet!  And since 2nd labors are usually shorter than 1st deliveries...you do the math.  I'd barely make it out to the garage.  Combining reasons 1 and 2 were really the main reasons why I decided to deliver at home.  While there is a hospital closer to us, I wouldn't recommend that place to anyone and we're now farther away from the hospital I delivered Selah at so unless I want to be part of the 5 o'clock news blip, hospital birth ain't happnin'!    

I know that delivering a baby without meds is certainly not for everyone.  Heck I had moments with Selah that I, a) said I was done and didn't want to do it anymore and b) wanted a general anesthetic and for them to just get her out by whatever means necessary (that was an inside thought thankfully). It's hard work, it hurts and it's hard work.  Did I mention that it's hard work?  Probably why they call it labor and not cocktail hour.  But for me, delivering naturally is best.  I felt great afterwards and from what I've read and been told by midwives, you don't get that awesome rush of oxytocin (the 'love' hormone) if you've had drugs.  I have a high pain tolerance and I know I can handle it, barfing and all.  And can you think of any better place to be than in your home surrounded by your stuff, your comfy pillows and not the sugar-crazed 5 year old from the room next door screaming because dad won't let him raid the patient snack room anymore?  I'll give you a second to ponder that one.

I am more than satisfied with the answers my midwife has in regards to various health issues that could pop up.  We're not being stupid or careless with mine or the baby's health and safety and yes, the husband has long been on board with this decision.  I don't think he wants to relive that car ride again either...yeesh.  Traumatic for all involved.

So hopefully you don't think I'm some complete wacko but if you do, that's okay because I'm more than okay with my decision and I know it will make for some great photos when that time rolls around in a few months! :)