“My gynecologist told me openly that he is against home birth.”
Our last blog post was about the different birth locations. In keeping with this, we interviewed Julia Berg (Instagram: @geburtsgefluester), a clinical psychologist and mother of two children, about "home birth". She talks about her own experiences and views on home birth. Julia herself offers help in dealing with birth for women who have experienced a difficult or traumatic birth. She helps women come to terms with the birth of their child peacefully and supports them in preparing for a beautiful birth.
Here are Julia’s personal experiences:
HOW DOES A HOME BIRTH USUALLY TAKE PLACE?
“As individual as any other birth! There are no rules. Some births last for many hours, sometimes even several days. Other births are so quick that the midwife can barely get there in time! As a woman giving birth, you decide what you want to do, where and in which position you feel most comfortable, and when you want to call your midwife.
During a home birth, babies are often born on a mat on the floor while the mother squats, stands on all fours, or sits on a birthing stool. Of course, water births in a birthing pool are also very common and often beautiful!”
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER BIRTH?
"Once the baby is born, there is usually enough time for the placenta to be delivered and for the umbilical cord to finish pulsating. With a home birth, it is also possible to experience a lotus birth, where the baby is not cut at all, but waits until the umbilical cord detaches itself after a few days.
In my opinion, the best thing about home births is that mom and baby are in their comfortable and familiar, calm and relaxed environment and can immediately fall into bed and cuddle! That is probably one of the biggest wishes that moms have immediately after the birth. The midwife will then check whether the baby is OK (she is authorized to carry out the U1) and will tidy everything up and document a lot. During this time, mom and baby can cuddle and rest while dad makes everyone something to eat.”
DOES THE MOTHER HAVE TO GO TO THE DOCTOR AFTER THE BIRTH, FOR EXAMPLE TO HAVE BIRTH INJURIES STITCHED UP?
“The midwife will ensure that no or only minimal injuries occur during the birth. Many home birth midwives have great tricks for this, such as coffee compresses, oil, or even water births.
After the birth, the midwife will check for injuries. Minor injuries often do not require any treatment (and this applies to most women), as the tissue can heal well on its own.
If the injury is more serious, the midwife can easily treat it herself. She also has options for numbing the area so that you are well looked after and don't have to go to the hospital!
You only have to go to the hospital if the injury is deep, which is an exceptional case. Of course, this can also happen if there are problems with the detachment of the placenta. This can never be ruled out, but it is relatively rare.”
YOU HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED A HOME BIRTH YOURSELF. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS FOR THE BIRTH OF YOUR SON?
“The main reason was that I knew my home was THE place where I felt comfortable, safe, and secure. A place where I could really let go. This point is essential for birth, the importance of it is often greatly underestimated!
There are two things you can compare birth to: Firstly, bowel movement. Ask yourself: Where do I have to go? Where can I let myself fall so that I have to go to the toilet? Ultimately, birth is also an excretory process.
The other comparison is sex: It is said that birth is a continuation of the sexual act. And of course that is only logical: very intimate, very vulnerable and the same parts of the body are heavily involved. Accordingly, birth also needs a similarly protected environment as the sexual act. So ask yourself: "Where would I have sex?" when you choose the place where you give birth!"
DID YOU HAVE DOCTORS BY YOUR SIDE WHO SUPPORTED YOU?
“My gynecologist told me openly that he was against a home birth. Fortunately, I was confident and self-assured enough not to let that unsettle me. At least he didn't blackmail me, he just told me his opinion, so it didn't strain our trusting relationship.
I often hear from other women that they are blackmailed and hear horror stories from their doctors when they say they do not want to give birth in the clinic.”
DOCTORS USUALLY ONLY WANT THE BEST FOR THEIR PATIENTS AND DON'T WANT TO SCARE THEM. WHY DO YOU THINK MANY DOCTORS HAVE AN AFRAID OF HOME BIRTH?
"One of the reasons is probably that doctors mainly see problematic cases during their training. They are usually called in when there are problems. And so, of course, a relatively risk-heavy view of birth is formed.
However, if a pregnant woman is threatened with endangering her child just because she would like to give birth at home, then that is not objective advice. That is blackmail. No mother would carelessly risk the well-being of her child. According to the new guidelines, women should be explicitly informed by specialists about different birth locations without subjective opinions.
If your doctor is against home birth, ask whether that is his or her general stance or whether it is a recommendation for your individual situation. There are certainly reasons why a home birth is not possible, but these must be considered on an individual basis.”
HOW DID YOU PERCEIVE THE HOME BIRTH?
“Beautiful! It was a powerful birth, and at times it was very intense. At other times it was very relaxed, so from the outside it probably didn't look like I was in the middle of giving birth.
I found it great to stay in my bed at first, then walk around, wear or change my clothes as I wanted! Without having to go anywhere!
In the end, it was a difficult birth, which is completely normal. However, I had such great support and encouragement from my husband and midwife that I always felt in good spirits.
It was fabulous that my son only left our house on his 10th day of life and could settle into his quiet and protected environment for so long!
Ultimately, my birth was 90% as I had it imagined. And so, almost two years later, the birth is still a very empowering and strengthening memory for me!”
Do you want to find out more about home birth? In Home Birth Part 2, Julia tells us everything about the formalities and how to mentally prepare for it.
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Would you like to get to know Julia? Here you can find her offers:
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