PREGNANCY // HOME VS. HOSPITAL BIRTHING: PRENATAL CARE

There are a few things I miss about the experience I had with my midwife in Nevada. Okay, there are many things I miss, but the thing I notice is the most different between then and now is the sense of warmth and comfort I felt.

I had taken a photo of the room where my midwife held her appointments, but have since lost it. I found an image that looks and feels similar here.

Replace the wing back chair with an older, more modest office chair, stack papers and tea all around, hang personalized birthing art on the walls and insert an old school ultrasound machine (that doesn't get used) at the foot of the bed and this is pretty much it:

I always felt like I was hanging out at a friend's house, relaxing and talking natural birth. There wasn't a need for much medical intervention throughout this pregnancy (ultrasounds wouldn't have been necessary at all if I wasn't carrying twins).

Fast-forward to pregnancy #2, the now. Without the funds to cover the cost of having a home birth with a midwife again, we were left with one option: Medicaid.

I am so thankful that something is available but this would not be my choice.

Here I am at 8-weeks-pregnant with baby #2, all ready to have ultrasound #1. (In Nevada) 

Über fancy prenatal technology (Nevada)

More fancy ultrasound equipment (12 weeks pregnant- Michigan)

As you can see there is a sense of connectedness and comfort in the first photo that cannot be obtained in any of the subsequent shots.

I realize that the choice of where and how to birth is personal for every woman. My only hope is that you might remain open to the calm, tender, enjoyable experience of midwifery and home birth.

I'm more than happy to discuss my experiences further with anyone interested.

Happy Tuesday, friends!