July 16, 2019
One of my largest biases when it comes to birth is location.I am very biased on where a woman delivers her child - so much so, I refuse to attend births in a facility setting. I have no problem admitting this and speaking on why.I'm sure many of the main stream birth providers will be angry about this as many are trained to accept and assist all walks of life, and that's okay!I personally choose to acknowledge and respect my biases in respect for the women I serve and for myself. Bias is something I previously spoke on if you are interested in learning more about it.I (Desirae) am personally really not about hospital birth. I've had 2 myself and I am aware of what they have to offer. I know that once you get there, you put your birth into someone else's hands, and with this, I do not agree.This is not empowering.This is not biological.This is a disservice.
You could have a perfect hospital birth that goes just the way you want! Sure, I've seen it! The issue with that is you won't know for sure until delivery day. Your provider might respect you but then again, they might not. They might feel like an episiotomy is needed (when it is not), and that will be happening no matter what you say because they write it off as "medically necessary." Say "NO" all you want, it doesn't always stop them. I've seen this happen as well.You can press charges, but good luck with that...I'm not about secondary trauma either, I'll pass. You literally couldn't pay me to watch a woman endure the abuse that occurs during many hospital births. I will not stand next to a woman while a doctor reaches in to check her cervix when she is begging them to please not. I do not care to experience a woman being told "You must get the epidural or we will simply take you back for a cesarean".
What a disruption to her birth energy! No thank you. That is NOT what I'm about to wake up for at 2 AM to go witness. I'd rather sleep. "Why is she there in the first place?", is all that comes to mind.When a law suit is drawn up over the abusive malpractice, I'd be dragged into it. Again, no thank you. I already know how those outcomes go.I am not about trying to negotiate with a medically minded provider over their poor choices. It's a waste of time trying to speak to someone with a "God complex" that feels they are most knowledgeable, I've done it. Their main goal (for most) is "keep my license" not, "follow mama's birth plan". Birth plans are nothing shy of a request during a hospital birth. Keeping licensure will always trump a mothers desires.I do not attend births as a means of living. I do this on the side to assist women who feel empowered and trust in their body and baby. I only assist those who see birth for the spiritual and natural process that it is. I'm not about defending a birthing mother who does not trust her body enough to stay home. If she has fear, that means she has more research to do. Research is the answer. Not a hospital birth.I always mention how insane it is that low risk women flock to hospitals to birth their young. Going to a place of emergency for a natural bodily function? Where's the sense in that? Should I be showing up at a hospital so I can take a poop? I mean, I might get a hemorrhoid or get a tear in my anus. I should go there just to "be safe", right?I have no desire to support someone who doesn't trust in their body's ability. If you have fear, you need more knowledge, not more unnecessary assistance.There are birth attendants and doulas that will attend those medically minded hospital births. There are many women who will attend hospital births and don't mind watching the activity that occurs there.I am not one.
There is definitely a provider for everyone and I feel that is glorious! As for me, I support the small crowd of women who are empowered and see home birth as the only logical option.Sometimes there are complications in the birth process, I get that, but let's get back to the numbers... less than 5%. I feel hospital births happen out of fear. Fear from the birthing woman or her partner. It could also be because that is what the birthing mama was conditioned to believe was necessary!Fear has no place in a soon-to-be mama's heart. If she has fear, that is ok and normal by all means! She just needs more research. Not a hospital birth.Hospitals have zero place in low risk births. If mama can't trust herself at home, I can not assist her. & that's ok! Ask someone else.
*I will also note that in the case of emergency, I would transfer with my clients. I will never put my desires above her emergency needs. I do know when to pull the plug and have zero problem doing so. I would go into that facility and defend her like a guard dog, as if my life depended on it. I'd literally push a medical doctor out of the way and run into the hall demanding a new one if mama and I did not agree with their practice. My passion runs deep. My past experiences would be set aside for her. In a true emergency, a hospital birth is the best bet. It can save lives, I will not deny. I'm simply saying that if a low risk mama doesn't trust her body and baby enough, or realizing the safest place for a healthy birth is at home, I can not assist her; I am not the best fit. -Desirae