Would you or have you ever given birth at home?

:) Think about the fact that you don't have this option in all the countries. In romania, we don't have this opportunity, if someone accidentaly gives birth at home, they come and take her and the children at hospital, and you receive some extra-medicine because you didn't give birth in sterile environement. Even if you give birth in the hospital's car at the hospital's gate, it is considered the same. We have only the possibility to choose which hospital to birth in, with all babies togheter or room-in (few hospitals). If you're birth is not medical assisted you don't get the medical certificate you need for the birth certificate. And one thing more, when I gave birth I had to stay 7 long days before going home. It did have nothing to do with me or the baby, we were both fine, but it was the Christmas in between and thay didn't have time for things like that:p. I've seen on some site a birth-at-home of the seventh baby, and the first six children helping the mother to get birth.:) For me, it was incredible. I would want to give birth at home because I want the baby come in a very cosy environement, and in the night I (or we-the family) would know what is happening to him. But I have this courage only thinking that is a hospital nearby. Think that where all the children are togheter in the hospital, and their room is next to the mothers room, when a child cries loudly every mom is thinking "it's not mine" :)

I always wanted a home births as I don't like hospitals and lately with all the stories on the MRSA bug, I feel my home is probably a safer environment for my baby to be born into than an environment teeming with "alien" germs. Saying that, I have had 4 children, but with my first I didn't even consider it as I wanted to make sure help was on hand if I needed it. As my first labour was really quick and, compared to most stories I have heard stressfree, I arranged with my midwife to have baby number 2 at home, everything was planned, 2 midwives would be with me, my doctor was in agreement and would be on standby should she have been needed, unfortunately, this baby had to be induced as (typical male) he was so late, and this had to be done at the hospital. After the 2nd child, I decided to go with the option of a home away fom home birth. This is a room at the hospital without any machines, modern medical technology and you have 2 midwives with you. Your partner is with you, you decide what you want to do and when, you can clean the room if you want, walk around, watch TV (as if), listen to music basically you are in charge (with any recommendations from the midwives if necessary). Of all the options, I felt this was the best compromise, My younger children weren't being stressedby seeing me in pain, there wre doctors on hand if needed, my baby never left me and I got to go home within 6 hours of the birth.

I haven't but its still my first pregnancy. But its better to better to be in a hospital so you will be properly taken care of.

I have given birth on a Hospital but then my inlaws gave birth at the comfort of our home in the province. They do it with the help of midwives I think. They just have their monthly check up at an OB Gyne in the city but then they gave birth at our home. Maybe they just do it because the city hospitals are too far away from our home. All their kids are fine until now:)

Yes, I did, in August. Why did you make this decision? Because it was best for me and my baby. Hospitals and doctors take too much control away from birthing women. What has it been like? AMAZING! I'll never do it any other way! Does your family support your decision? How did you tell them? Yes, but honestly it wouldn't have mattered if they didn't. It was my birth and my decision to make. :)

I have given birth at home, twice. Both unassisted (meaning just my husband and I). The first one I was 19 and it was planned. I didn't have any fears. Labor was a quick four hours, no tearing and no problems. My daughter was a healthy 9 1/2 pounds and so beautiful! With my second daughter she took 14 hours to deliver because her hands and arms were on the sides of her head, so she was a little harder to get out, but she finally came! Odly enough, the recovery from the second at home birth was quicker than the first. All I hoped for in each case was that the baby was healthy and we would have no problems, which we didn't. I made this decision for both of them based on a few things. I don't like how most doctors take control. For instance, with my second one, they would have recommended a c section, and it just wasn't something I wanted. I did not want any medication because I wanted to be awake enough to spend the first few hours and minutes with my new baby, and I knew if I was in a hospital I would have taken pain killers had they been offered (yes I'm weak). My family thinks I'm a little odd for the decisions I've made, but they are also hugely curious. I get asked all kinds of questions- of course none that I can think of now!