Home Birth

I don't think that I ever thought I'd be writing those words in regards to me.

A friend of ours came back from a trip and was shocked that we were considering a home birth, seeing as when we had talked about it two weeks before I was adamant that was not an option we were comfortable with.

I think that must have been before we decided the hospitals were not an option we were comfortable with. I mean, the private hospitals have a decided emphasis on cesarean sections/interventions/and no parental say in what happens to your baby, unless you have found/hired a doctor and pediatrician who actually agrees with you about what you want (see my post here).  The public hospital had a good option, with a low-risk/low-intervention/baby-with-you rooms, but there were only 5 rooms, with everyone from the region coming there and a high potential to be turned away, or if anything went "wrong" you would be moved to the "high-risk" area and apparently have a totally different experience with many interventions and no say in what happens to your baby either.

So in week 37 1/2 of pregnancy we decided we would meet with some "parteiras" (midwives) here in Recife, at least to hear what they had to offer and see if it was an option we could stomach.

There were two: a traditional midwife and an obstetrical nurse who had done her masters in obstetrics with a focus on home births.  They both were friendly and knowledgeable.  They had lots of experience.  I think in the end both of them would do a good job and as birth is a normal, natural thing and we have had three babies without concerns, everything would probably work out just fine.  However we decided to go with the midwife who had studied obstetrical nursing.  The biggest reason being that she brings along medical equipment and medications "just in case."  She has another trained nurse with her.  She also helps you make a plan B and C in case of emergencies and "semi-emergencies."  This included talking about doctors in Recife who promote natural birth, and who work out of private hospitals which are maybe further away from us.  We also talked about what we would do for an extreme emergency, as to which hospital is the closest.  Included in the cost is three weekly visits from weeks 37-40, and after week 40 visits every 3 days.  An English-speaking doula met with us at the same time.  That was very informative, and she was able to explain that it was not actually the private hospitals which were the problems, it was all up to the professionals who you hired.  So if you are ever looking for a doctor who is actually pro-normal birth in Recife, I now have two names.  In all of Recife.  She also told us that it is important to actually hire a specific pediatrician to look after your baby, as it is also very dependant on the pediatrician as to whether you can keep the baby with you, or have it at all while you are in hospital.  One other side note is that until the last half-year, these two were the only midwives in all Recife.  The mother of the traditional midwife also is a traditional midwife, but it sounds like she is busy advocating for home births and natural births and flying all over the world learning how they deliver babies in different parts of the world.  The obstetrical nurse to our understanding has now trained four other nurses as well this past year, so there are a total of five midwives in a metropolitan of approximately four million.

So that being said, we have decided to have a home birth with a midwife.  We had met with both of them on separate afternoons last week, but the one we chose wanted to check out our home.  She came by yesterday and although I've never classified myself as a "worrier" when pregnant, it was a relief to have a checkup after over a month.  My feet started swelling on Sunday, which I have never had before (you may have thought I was swollen when I was pregnant with Seth, but that was strictly weight gain ;)).  Having heard a few stories regarding pre-eclampsia and high blood pressure lately I admit it was on my mind with my swollen feet.  

However, all appears well, and it was a relief to have her come to our home and have something decided on for the off-chance I possibly have a baby in the next month...  It seems I could have this baby any day, but my initial ultrasound said October 23rd, so I'm trying to remind myself it may not be until November!

Please pray for us that all will go well and that our baby is born healthy and strong!  We are blessed to know that in all things God will provide us with strength, and thankful we have peace knowing that in all things His will is done.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!