The Absolutely Amazing Home Birth of Babe E

I'm sharing this video for several reasons.

One:  Because it's awesome.

Two: I want to educate people on natural birth. Women were created to do this! (Not just this, but you know what I mean). I want people to know that even though it's hard, and even though it can hurt, women CAN do this!

Three: My first birth was a Cesarean. That means I've had four VBACs, three out of hospital. VBACs are safe and should be encouraged.

Four: After Elivette was born, I had uterine clotting and bleeding. I lost a lot of blood and fainted. My midwife gently removed the clots, and administered oral Cytotec to clamp down my uterus. My midwife called 911 and I went to the hospital in the ambulance about two hours after the birth. My blood pressure was almost non-existent upon arrival. The ER doctor on call flipped out on me. At one point, he panickedly yelled at me "Do you just want me to take you back and do a hysterectomy right now?!" What kind of question is that for a medical professional to ask; especially to a woman in my weakened state? I knew my midwife had given me medicine at home, but I was unclear at the time exactly what it was. All I wanted was for him to wait until she arrived so I didn't end up with some sort of drug reaction.

After my midwife arrived at the ER, we got the OB on call to come down. She removed (NOT GENTLY) still more clots from my uterus. I remember screaming and writhing. It was much worse than anything I'd ever been through. I had been loud during the birth, but now I was really screaming! Then, after she got down off of me, they gave me morphine for the pain. A little late, I'd say. I was also hooked up to Pitocin.

I was thankful at least I got to nurse my baby in the ER.

They wouldn't let me eat. Once I got admitted, they made me stay awake and answer all these ridiculous questions for their intake forms. They wouldn't let me eat! I just had a baby and they wouldn't let me eat! I had to be on the surgical floor (I think) because since my baby was born at home, apparently she's contaminated and can't be in the Mother/Baby unit. The nurses were as kind as could be and very curious about home birth. I didn't really want to talk though; I just wanted to sleep! And eat!

The next morning, the OB came back to check on me. She told me that my midwife did everything right. My home birth midwife saved my life. She told me that while it was good we transferred, in case I needed a blood transfusion, the her actions and the actions of the ER doctor and the hospital staff are not what saved my life. My home birth midwife saved my life.

I reiterate this because I want it known that home birth is safe. Home birth, even when there's an emergency, is safe.

I want people to know that moving birth out of homes and into the hospital in the 21st century is much less about safety as they are led to believe, and more about money. Absolutely, there are instances where you need to be in the hospital--my first birth was one of those. But in the vast majority of cases, for the vast majority of women, it's unnecessary.

Welcome Home banner the girls made for me.

Meeting biggest brother

Meeting big brother

Five: I want to encourage other expectant moms out there with this video. I loved watching youtube videos of birth while expecting because I felt it helped me be more prepared. It could happen this way, or that way, or some way I'd never anticipated. I loved watching the miracle of mamas bringing their little ones into the world. My baby was malpositioned, and it was difficult, but the euphoria of being able to bring her earthside is unparalleled.

Six: Our birth stories matter. Birth matters. Helping women have a "good story" or even, the story they want is important to me. I hope that this video encourages someone to have a natural birth and to be able to say "I did it!"

Because you can!