I had my first at the Hospital and Disliked it very much, felt pressured into things and was extremely uncomfortable ended up with an epidural (which I didn't want to get but constant pressure from nurses and an extended early labor forced me). So I knew I didn't want to end up with the side effects of an Epidural again so I went with midwifery and never went back and was scared to have to go to the hospital.
I know I labor a millions times better at home and birthed within 3 hours with my next 2 babies. Even though Labor is hard it's so worth it to do naturally.
I knew there was no way my midwife would have kept me at home if there were ANY indications of trouble.
Having a midwife is truly the best thing I ever did for my self. I felt so supported, I felt 100% in control of my pregnancy and birthing options. normally when your doctor would give you blood tests and other tests and checking of your cervix and all that stuff, the midwife will say "at this time we usually would check your sugars or such and such, would you like to have this done?" then you would proceed to ask why you would want to get it done and go over any concerns, or any side effects and then you would decide if you want it done or not. You have complete control over your body and what tests you want done.
you don't have to get your cervix poked if you don't want and that's perfectly fine, you don't get any strange looks for denying something they do automatically in a doctors office.
The time she took with me was the best part, you get to sit with a pro at delivering babies and chat about any concerns or worries.
You have to be low risk for them to see you. if there are any issues that come up that make you moderate to high risk they will transfer care to an OBGYN.
Also whats great about home birth is you don't have to pack up and travel during painful contractions. You can be comfy in bed eat and drink your own food, shower, wear your own clothes. about an hour after birth my midwife helped me take a shower (she walked me to it and ran it for me, lol she didn't have to wash me) she stood by just to keep me feeling safe because you do feel pretty shaky after giving birth.
They stay for a while after birth to make sure everyone is feeling good then they come back the next day for a check up, and again 3 days later then 3 weeks and then we go to see her at 6 weeks. now if there are any concerns she's available by cell 24hrs.
I would not have done it if I didn't feel safe, this is most important. if you don't feel safe doing it at home you don't want to bring that anxious energy into labor it will make it harder. That being said everyone has worries and that's normal, you just don't want fear, so make sure you get all your questions answered.
