Last month I posted about the home birth that Laila Ali is planning. Well, I'm back with an update, as last week Laila opened up about her thoughts on the matter on her personal blog. It seems that she found the Ricki Lake documentary The Business of Being Born to be quite eye-opening and inspirational. In her own words:"A little while back, I wrote that I had some exciting news to share. Well, guess what? I have decided that I am going to have a natural home-birth! That's right, I am going to have my son in my own home with no medications. Curtis Jr. will be delivered by a midwife.
I did a lot of research before I made the decision. Like most women, I didn't know that there were so many different birthing options. I thought I had to get an OBGYN and give birth at the hospital. Once I got a hold of Ricki Lake's documentary called THE BUSINESS OF BEING BORN (thebusinessofbeingborn.com) and as soon as I watched the DVD, I knew home-birth was for me. I was so thankful that I learned that it was an option before it was too late. I want to be in full control of my body and give birth to my son the same way women have been doing for thousands of years. Our bodies were made to birth and I trust the process. I encourage all women to educate themselves on all of the options available when it comes to having a child whether it is in a hospital or at home.
I am 33 weeks pregnant now, time has gone by so fast! Only about 7 more weeks until my boy is here."
I love that Laila emphasizes the importance of mothers-to-be educating themselves on their birthing options and learning that there are wonderful, healthy alternatives to the type of institutionalized, intervention-oriented birth that is the status quo in the US right now. Like Laila, while I was pregnant I was totally impacted in a positive way by the film The Business of Being Born and I encourage you to see it. Here's the trailer:
Laila said, "I did a lot of research before I made the decision. Like most women, I didn't know that there were so many different birthing options. I thought I had to get an OBGYN and give birth at the hospital".
ReplyDeleteEvery new-mom-to-be must do the research and it wouldn't hurt to do the research before conception. Thanks daughter dear for letting other young women know there are options to the standard American birthing procedures.
Thank you for this post, Leigh. It's all about education & finding the right fit for each woman/couple. I agree with your mom ... am very happy & proud you are out there educating young women about their options.
ReplyDeleteI know not every woman feels comfortable with the idea of birthing at home; each needs to find her own safe place. But so much of what women feel is based on fear perpetuated by the medicalization of pregnancy & birth.
Pregnancy is NOT a disease!
I had seen Business of Being Born when it first came around the area and really loved it, along with Tina Cassidy's Birth book. Then we just decided to switch to homebirth (I'm 31 weeks!) and I bought it to show hubby. He LOVED it and he feels so much better about our choice!
ReplyDeleteSteph
Steph, I read on your blog about your recent decision to have a home birth and the subsequent break up with your OBGYN. I am so impressed that you have the clarity and self-awareness to go with your instinct (and research) and have a home birth, even though you're so far along with your pregnancy! I'll be staying tuned to Adventures in Babywearing to get all the updates. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteYour blog is great! To cute!
ReplyDeleteBeijos