I'm glad I'm done having children because I always hated the pressure women go through during their pregnancies in terms of having to decide the best way to deliver their children. Hospital birth? C-section? Water birth? No drugs? Home birth? The first time I was pregnant, I actually caved in to all this pressure and opted to go with midwives instead of an OB/GYN.
Luckily, I didn't go as far a wanting a home birth and after reading about the real dangers behind this practice--which continues to grow in popularity--I am forever grateful I opted to have my children at the hospital--not that my midwives ever even gave me that option.
Read more in ¿Qué más?: Back to basics: Is home birthing right for you?
You see, the group of midwives who took care of me and my unborn child during my last trimester were what is called CNMs, or certified nurse midwives. This means they were all certified nurses who were also midwives. In other words, they had the medical training every single certified nurse must have. And, very rarely, will you be able to find these kind of midwives doing home births because of liability insurance issues.
So the ones that end up doing the home births are CPMs, or certified professional midwives. You know what you need to become one? A high school diploma, midwifery school or an apprenticeship with a midwife and a passing grade on a 350-question multiple-choice test.
While my midwives provided the more personal care and more natural approach to childbirth that I was looking for, they were also fully trained to deal with any type of emergency, except a C-section--which is actually what ended up happening. Luckily, I was in the hospital, so there was no need to panic at all.
Want to connect with other moms? Like us on Facebook!
I know giving birth at home is women all over the world have been doing for centuries, but there's a reason why things changed. After reading about the devastating deaths that could've been prevented if a home birth had been a hospital birth, I'm truly glad I was too chicken to even consider this a real option for both my deliveries.
Would you consider a home birth? How much do you know about the risks involved? Share your thoughts with us by leaving us a comment.
Image via eyeliam/flickr
LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ?
Keep Reading
FROM OUR AMIGOS
Partner Headlines
- Shakira Talks Body Image, Motherhood In New Interview - Fox News Latino
- Military's Latest Sex Scandal: Recruiters - Defense Dept. has promised to address - Newser
- Green Card Lottery Faces Axe - Diversity program expected to be cut in overhaul - Newser
- Selena Gomez Tour Demands: Ramen, Pickles - Plus: She and Justin Bieber are definitely done-zo - Newser
- Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber Eyed by ‘American Idol’ Producers to be Judges Next Season - Fox News Latino
Giving borth not a major medical procedure..if you know how your baby is and you know the baby isnt big, there should not be a problem..babies are bigger now because moms dont eat healthy and eat to much during pregnancy and actually causes the babies to be big..breeched babies, things changed, but breeched babies can be delivered safely if the person knows what they are doing...
I opt to have natural child birth in the hospital setting...with a doctor...i know i could give birth safely at home on my own..but in case something goes wrong with the baby..then ya, i only live 4 blocks to the hospital...so wouldny be a problem..
anyway, i guess it depends on the mom..but i wouldnt blame the midwives..it was not there ultimate decision.
I will never have my babies at home. Labor is a really difficult thing for me. I am not risking my life at home. I think that mothers who have regular pregnancy with no complications could give birth at home but be really close to a hospital.
