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I am 36 weeks pregnant with twins.  I'm planning a homebirth VBAC with a team of midwives and I am not worried in the least.  

During my first laboring experience, I was transported from a birth center to the hospital for non-progression.  My midwives recognized a need for transport in plenty of time. During my c-section, the doctor performing the surgery cut my bladder and had enough time to stitch that up before finishing the cesarean.  Nobody would ever think of reporting the surgeon to a licensing board for violating professional standards.  People accept that complications occur in surgery.  I don't understand how a midwife paying attention to her client, and getting her to the hospital in time for a positive outcome, can be seen as violating any professional standard.

With my current pregnancy, I have had regular midwife visits intersperced with regular ultrasounds, and have seen the difference in care.  Every ultrasound has had a different group of people pushing me through the appointment, getting things done as quickly and efficiently as possible.  At every appointment, the doctors have the same comment: I have nothing to say, everything looks good. Because of that, I don't see myself as high risk.  When I look at the risk of a repeat cesarean versus the risks of VBAC, breech & twin birth, I choose not to have an unnecessary operation.  

Every midwife appointment has lasted 1-1 1/2 hours. Nothing is rushed and I am allowed ample time to ask questions and talk about any concerns I may be having.  My midwives ask about my personal life to make sure that my stress level is low.  We have a personal relationship that breeds trust, which has to be present to have the most optimal birthing experience. I trust my midwives to know if/when it is time to go to the hospital.

I believe that midwives want to support women looking for a birth that does not include drugs and unnecessary interventions.  They are not going to put women or babies at risk.  They are not forcing anyone to enter into a birth that they are not prepared for. Most women seeking natural homebirth are trying to take back the birth experience.  We are women who have done our research and know the risks of our decisions. The hospital is there for women who DO need medical attention.

posted 2 years, 9 months ago
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