I would add that i believe most women do choose homebirth for the birth experience, and not because they think it's safer. Midwives may choose homebirth because they/we think it's safer, but I'm sure that that knowledge isn't 'out there' in the community.
Hi Jo and all,
I have taken a break to get my head out of the texts book for a minute ( tired already of reading the 'use of drugs by the midwife' ) and thought I'd catch up on the heaps of emails from ozmid....
Jo, do I understand you correctly when you say that women only choose homebirth "for the experience and not because they think its safer" as meaning that women would only choose homebirth as a 'romantic' notion and 'lifestyle' choice rather than being a safe and responsible birthing option ??????
Having made the decision myself to have my babies at home...and having been involved in the homebirth movement and speaking with many many women who too have taken the same decision....I can assure you that for the overwhelming majority of us....its because WE DO KNOW that as healthy women, having healthy babies....that home is the SAFEST place to give birth with the guidance and support of an experienced midwife.
The often stereotypical associations with homebirth as a 'lifestyle' choice for 'tree living hippies who have nothing better to do than eat vege burgers and protest against nuclear waste'....gets pretty tiresome....rather than being the well-informed, responsible and safe birth option for women that it is !! I can assure you that this 'knowledge is out there in the community' for those women who do ultimately choose to give birth at home...however...the decision is never taken lightly and without much sole searching, information, support and RESOLVE.
Yours in birth,
Tina Pettigrew
Birthworks
Bachelor of Midwifery Student and Independent CBE
Convenor, Aust B. Mid Student Collective.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BMidStudentCollective
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
" As we trust the flowers to open to new life
- So we can trust birth"
Harriette Hartigan.
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