I wanted a birthing center and a water birth. Joe said he needed that machines that went ping. I also wanted the option of an epidural so hospital was the way to go and thank goodness since things went Not Good. I might try a VBAC, I might schedule another C-section. We'll see how I feel at the time.

---

Plus, in a hospital, the massive amounts of bodily fluids involved happen to someone else's bed.

Funny thing, when I hear "home birth" I automatically think "water birth", as it seems the few movies I've seen where this is a choice (vs movies set in times of old), the mother did the water birth thing, which seems to minimize the mess, I guess. Either way, I'm with Mammy on this one, I don't know nothing about birthing babies!

---

I do think that women who choose a home birth have a certain kind of bravery - it wasn't for me. But I have stepped off a mountain with a hang glider, which would scare some people silly who would have a home birth, so it's one's own comfort level.

On a different topic, I just spotted my DH on C-Span. His organization is holding a press conference - he's not speaking, but he's there.

---

All three of my siblings were born at home in my parents bed. I imagine rubber sheets were involved.

(I was born in a hospital because my parents' apartment at the time was on Staten Island and approximately the size of a minivan.)

I might try a VBAC, I might schedule another C-section. We'll see how I feel at the time.

This is where I am. My OB asked if I wanted a VBAC and I said "I think so?" I really have no idea at this point - ask me again in a year.

I think a birthing center/water birth next door to a hospital would be just about perfect. That way I get the hot tub and the machine that goes ping.

---

(Plus, in a hospital, the massive amounts of bodily fluids involved happen to someone else's bed. I don't think this factor can possibly be overstated. Giving birth is messy.)

Argh - where a person chooses to give birth is NOT a decision that should carry moral weight. Don't pregnant women and mothers have to deal with enough judginess and unwanted advice without heaping guilt upon ourselves too?

I totally agree with both of these statements. The midwife asked daily "You have all the rubber sheets and such, right? RIGHT?"

We have a great action-shot photo, whitefonted for the squeamy: of the amniotic fluid in a stream shooting roughly 4 feet across the room.

I have to say though, while there was blood, I was prepared for much more. Since it was part of my job to keep things peaceful (and clean) I was a bit overzealous with the non-chemical scrubbing supplies as a result.

Also, I am as mystified by the rejection of ANY choice where birth is concerned...except of course for the doctors of old who put the mother out, took the baby away and never then understood why they didn't have a connection.

It is as personal a choice as the act of conception.

---

Easy birth~ma for SiL of Vortex!

---

omnis, that was Prissy (played by Butterfly McQueen). Mammy knew lots about birthing babies.

I think Stephanie had a good home birth experience with Frisco. I'm happy for everyone who can get what they want out of the experience. I got two healthy babies and so am happy with both my hospital births.

---

The wheres whens and hows of giving birth is as personal decision as the wheres whens and hows of making the baby in the first place.

One of my employees had a water birth and her mother said it was awesome. That sounded appealing to me too, particularly the part of being weightless in water when big as a house. I loved swimming when preggers. Then just a few weeks later the baby had Salmonella likely from her dad handling both the pet snake and the baby. Poor noodle.

---

Oh, and easy-delivery~ma for your SiL, Vortex!

---

where we lived in ct the birthing center was across the street from the er. It worked well for a lot of people.

---