What's your favorite thing about having a homebirth?

[brightonwoman]

I had a hospital birth the first time, then a homebirth just a few weeks ago. The births were different in many ways (neither was bad) but I've been thinking about what things stand out to me as being really great about homebirth. I could make a long list, but one thing I'll probably always think of first:

No need to take my (winter-born) baby out into the cold to take him home. I absolutely loved that my little one (and I) stayed inside for a whole week and never had to go out. Definitely a perk of being at home from the first moment.

[GoldmanBaby09]

I loved only being surrounded by people I knew and loved. No strange nurses or random on call dr barging in and out. I loved not having to fight with anyone over what procedures were done to me or my baby. I loved that we didn't have to leave or be separated. I loved spending the night in my own bed, on my own sheets, with my new family!

[~Kristina~]

My midwives , the laughter, short labors because I was at home, being in charge of my body, having my children there (or upstairs asleep), birthing in the pool in any position I want, snuggling my baby seconds after birth without him being taken away, gosh...I could go on and on!

[JennTheMomma]

Being at home in my own space.

[mpickens]

- cuddling in my own bed with my husband and baby
- not worrying about strangers bothering me
- eating french toast in bed after birth and all postpartum meals
- having family at my house and not worrying about being a hostess for once
- just feeling at peace in the comfort of my own home

could go on and on...

[Peony]

Sitting on my own couch eating pizza. Taking a shower in my own bathroom is right up there as well, and going to bed that night in my OWN bed, with my own sheets is too wonderful for words.

[JorgieGirl]

Staying safe at home, instead of entering a disease/infection ridden, hostile to low-risk, assertive birthing mothers kind of hospital. (obviously, I'm not against them if there is a true reason, just as in everyday life )

[sunflowergrrl]

- not going thru transition in the car and walking up to L&D
- not having a pushy nurse tell me how to push (and tear)
- not tearing!


Finding my still packed hospital (just in case of transfer) bag six weeks later in my closet. I was wondering where my flip-flops were!

[randomacts]

I was just talking about this with my husband. It is the lack of anxiety over the whole thing. I see women who are planning their births in hospitals, and their birth plans are rife with stress and what ifs - as was mine when I delivered in the hospital. I had stress dreams about my birth plan not being followed or wishes being listened to. These are things no one should have control over. NO ONE. "I wish my vagina not to be cut into" "I want to be able to move" ???? In any other situation would women just allow themselves to be told not to move or pee if they wanted to??

Anyway, this time around, the best thing so far is the lack of anxiety around the impending birth for me. For my husband it is the ability to sleep in his own bed, wear whatever he wants and eat his own food. Men!