Sarahfeena:
Yeah, in Philosphr’s case, I’m especially curious about this. They’ve got a great hospital, WITH a birthing center that they think is terrific. Isn’t that the best of both worlds? Why not take advantage?
It’s the chemicals, man. Plus the music.
One thing I must mention, something I put a lot of stock in: is that the chemicals that are floating your the mothers brain at the time of birth are very important to bonding - not that bonding does not happen during a c-section or with an epidural - but one of the main reasons for natural birth is to experience it…some people say it is a spiritual experience: I’ll say for me and my wife, it is a rite of passage that we want to be fully present for.
I’m not too worried. I am looking forward to walking with my wife during labor, looking at the mountains, playing a little Ben Folds, and other music, getting in the tub, and just being in a climate and location that is very familiar. The reduction of stress is incredibly helpful during birth and our midwife is all about the low stress!
The midwife talked them out of the birthing center, the one who has thinks stillborn babies are a success story and who has never had to transport ever in 26 years.
In our research we find the scary statistics our medical doctor has given us are accurate, but slanted to make them seem more prevalent then they really are. Our midwife informed us that there are very, very few reasons why we would need to transport very fast, and in 26 years of midwifery she has never had to do it.
I can understand the appeal of someone guaranteeing you that everything will be just fine and dandy, but dismissing the “scary statistics” from the doctor is putting your head in the sand. Not a very good position for giving birth I’d say.