Today's New York Times features a huge article about home birth, featuring beautiful photographs by my dear friend Liz Rubincam (who also photographed the Kiddo's birth!).I am elated to see so much space devoted to this topic, and I have to say that the overall angle of the article puts the home birth movement in a favorable light and provides a relatively in-depth look at what is a growing trend in Manhattan. I urge you to read the article and the accompanying online features including the slideshow (which features additional great quotes and home birth stories) and reader forum, which has already logged 234 comments since yesterday!
Chime in here, too of course :) Let me know what you think about the article and/or home birth by leaving a comment on this post.
Photos by Liz Rubincam for the New York Times.
Photos by Liz Rubincam for the New York Times.
I was so excited to see this article in the Times online today! I immediately rushed through the slide show, hoping I might find you among Liz Rubincam's beautiful photos! It is essential that women understand their choices. (I was dismayed to see the AMA's statement of condemnation ... what a giant step backward into the dark ages!) Birthing a baby at home is one of the most sensual, authentic & empowering experiences a woman (and her family) can have. The sense a woman derives from being allowed & encouraged to follow her own unique laboring process in her own time & space is indescribably powerful and truly life-altering. I am proud & grateful I was able to experience this process myself when I gave birth to the Marvelous Kiddo's dad at home 36 1/2 years ago. And I am oh so grateful that you, my beautiful, strong daughter-in-law, have chosen this path to bring your babies into the world.
ReplyDeleteyay for liz!!!
ReplyDeleteAn aspect of home birth that really speaks to me is how it fosters a sense of community right from the beginning---a home birth puts such a focus on the 'team' effort of bringing a child into the world, and everyone has an equally important part to play. A great article- really a terrific read. Thanks Leigh!
ReplyDeleteyay, love. xo
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to see home birth getting some positive recognition! I seriously considered a home birth at the beginning of my pregnancy, but have decided to opt for a local birth center instead due to the fact that the nearest hospital is 45 minutes away from our home. That said, all of my friends who have had home births have been extremely satisfied. I think home birthing is a wonderful and peaceful way to bring a baby into the world for "low-risk" moms.
ReplyDeleteFrom where I sit, having an opinion on home birth is a bit like asking someone if they like a particular dress. Home births suit certain people. For others, like me? Definitely not!
ReplyDeleteI had a hospital birth, induced, with an epidural ... the works. The whole thing took six hours (including naps) with fifteen minutes of pushing and it was fantastic. No tears, no drama, easy and pain-free. The next day, I was ready to go home.
I would never have a home birth, nor a birth without an epidural, but what I don't understand is intolerance. I can understand why people are intolerant of alcoholics, but of home birthers? Why has this become such a political thing? Surely women should be able to choose what suits them?