For us natural childbirth is a defining moment in our lives. It is said that during birth we truly meet ourselves and for the first time we are given the chance to allow our greatest potential to be fulfilled.

But this is not a journey we travel alone, and as grand as it is for us, just think about what an enormous and defining experience birth is for your Baby!

With all of the nervousness, excitement and anticipation it’s easy for us to get caught up in our own heads with our own agendas about our birth and we sometimes forget that we are merely here for the ride, and that this whole show is being put on for our Baby.

This is our child’s birth and it matters more than we can ever imagine! It is his first step in his new land. This experience teaches and imprints the child deeply.

We should put careful thought into what we want our children to learn from this experience, and what imprint we wish to leave with them. This is not something to be taken lightly, this event will set the foundation for the rest of their lives.

In this article we will explore childbirth from your baby’s perception and discover what natural childbirth means to your baby.

Challenging Society’s Beliefs About Awareness in the Newborn

There seems to be a harmful misconception in our society that newborn babies just aren’t quite full human beings yet, that because they are small, and they don’t talk, they don’t see, hear or move like we do that they must not be capable of experiencing the full range of emotions yet either.

Many may argue that this is not true, that of course we recognize babies as being human!

But if this is so then why would we possibly allow our babies to be treated with such carelessness, disregard and even violence upon their first entrance into the world?

Birth Trauma

This is a video that I don’t like watching, but it is important to be realized. To the medical professionals delivering these babies it’s just another day at the office. But for these poor babies it is a traumatic beginning that will be forever imprinted as their first experience and impression of this world.

Not all hospital births are this extreme, however they are definitely not ideal.

“Why must a child emerge from the quiet darkness of the womb into a blaze of blinding light and loud voices? Why must an infant take its first breath in terror, hanging upside down as its vulnerable spine is jerked straight? Why must the infant be separated from its mother after spending nine months inside her nourishing body?”

~Frederick Leboyer

In an attempt to understand birth from a babies perspective I am going to tell the story of birth and I want you for a moment to imagine that you are the baby, and that this is your birth.

The Average ”Un” Natural Childbirth - The Baby’s Story

Imagine, you are safe, warm and cozy in the womb, surrounded by the familiar comfort of your Mother. Then suddenly your world is pressing in on you from all directions, you hear your Mom screaming and yelling, you feel her fear and it causes you to clinch with fright.

 You are then drugged, you can’t think straight, you are scared and you don’t know what’s going on, you think this must be the end, that you must be dying. You are then forced down into a dark tunnel, and you hear strange voices shouting PUSH PUSH!!!

Then suddenly, you come out into a strange room, with these bright blinding lights and weird machines beeping. It’s filled with strange people. Your cold and scared, and the light makes it hard for you to open your eyes. Your groggy and disoriented from the drugs. People are shouting all around you, “It’s a BOY, it’s a GIRL! There loud voices pound through your fragile eardrums. And you are being carelessly clutched in the gloved hands of a strange man wearing a mask.

You look around for something familiar,  something to explain what is happening to you!

You hear your Moms voice and want to go to her. But instead you are surrounded by strangers who roughly dry you off, then proceed to shove things in your mouth, poke you with needles and run tests on you.

You are crying and screaming profusely but no one seems to take notice or care, they are too busy congratulating themselves for a job well done.

If your lucky you get to meet your Mom for a moment before being whisked away down the hall and into a  room with a bunch of other babies like you, who are scared and crying for the love of their Mothers, but she is no where to be found.

“Oh my God, is this what the world is like?”

 What Kind of Message is That Sending to Your Baby? 

I can’t imagine it sending the message that it is welcomed and accepted, that it will always be loved and kept safe. Rather I imagine it being a terrifying experience, that would make me just want to crawl back inside of myself and hide.

How can we raise confident children when with their first experience we strip them of their dignity?  

Imagine The Alternative - A Sacred, Respected and Natural Childbirth   

Your Mom feels her birthing sensations begin, she takes a deep breath and fills herself with the most peaceful and calm feeling imaginable. She lights some candles, turns on soothing music, or takes a warm bath. She talks to you and lets you know that everything is ok, not to fear, you’re birth will be a sacred event that you will journey through together in trust, faith and love, and that you will be born into a peaceful and loving home. 

The birthing space is being held by the select few who your Mother has chosen to be with her, they are there bringing her comfort, making her feel safe and loved. They are there to honor her and to honor you.

As the natural child birth progresses your Mother does not allow herself to be swept away by fear, rather she soars into greatness and awakens to an inner strength that introduces her to her full exquisite and powerful self.

She embraces the power of her body, and for a moment in time feels connected with the ancestral wisdom of every woman that has gone before her.  She is releasing, opening and allowing her body to lead her.

The walls of your world are tightening all around you, you are nervous and not quite sure what is going on, but then you feel the soothing and calm vibrations that she’s sending your way. You feel her love emanating through you and all around you. You take the leap into the unknown, release and let go!

You ease gently out into a dimly lit room, it is filled with peaceful and loving vibrations. No one is running around, or shouting. It is as if you are entering a holy temple, the space is respected, voices are hushed and peace fills the room.

You are surrounded by the gentle warmth of water or of a cozy room.

You are guided into life and welcomed for the first time into the loving hands of your Father. What an amazing introduction! But still you yearn for your Mother, your only true source of familiarity and comfort.

You hears your Mommas voice, look around and there she is, gazing at you with the warmest smile. You are placed in her arms, you feel welcomed, safe and loved.

Your Mother instinctively offers you her bosom, you yearn for that connection and happily latch on. You are wrapped snugly in her arms surrounded by her love. Your belly is filled with the sweetness of your Mommas milk. 

You feel loved and safe, and so curious as to where you are. You are very alert and spend the next few hours looking around bright eyed and curious before drifting comfortably off to sleep.  You have entered your new kingdom in peace, you are home.

For many of us the thought of bringing our baby into the world in a hospital is simply not an option in our minds, and for us the only way we can imagine is to have a natural childbirth, and preferably at home. But how in the world do we get our partners on board with us, and how do we even go about it without just sounding like a crazy hippy??

Oh yes, I had this same dilemma, it took me the majority of the pregnancy to convince Andy that I wasn’t just trying to be a rebel, but that it was the most educated thing to do. In the end he gave me his full support, he was absolutely wonderful during the birth, we had an amazing experience and now he is Mr. Home Birth!

My partner wrote this wonderful article on how you convince someone who is accustomed to thinking of birth as a medical emergency that it’s really not such a big deal.

Why Men Think Having a Natural Childbirth at Home is a Crazy Idea

By Andrew Briggs

 The key is in understanding how they are accustomed to viewing birth. Imagine in general how uninformed women are about the birthing process and then imagine someone whose only experience in the matter comes from dramatizations they see on television.

Especially imagine the births you see in movies set in the Middle Ages, when I thought about birth before hospitals that’s where my mind went. So that’s how I thought a homebirth would be; dark and dank room with wet rags as our only tool against all the bleeding and screaming along with infections and dirt everywhere.

 So that made me think it was going to be a dangerous, dirty and scary way to give birth!

When in reality that is not the case at all. And none of this view actually holds up if given a rational examination of the situation.

What you are going to need to show them is that home birth is just as safe as hospital birth because safety is going to be their only real concern.

How to Talk to Your Partner about Having a Natural Childbirth at Home         

When you approach them you need to do so directly and let them know how important it is to you that they keep an open mind.

I was very stuck in the hospital mindset to begin with because I had used them often in the past so it was natural for me to think that everything they do there is for the best. So my initial reaction was to scoff and mock the idea but when April let me know how serious she was about the idea I became more open to evaluating it honestly.

Have Them Specify and List Their Fears

What you need to do is get them to analyze their preconceptions and actually specify and list the actual fears. Once the fears are listed they seem less overwhelming and can be refuted one by one. This will take some research, but from what I was told all the risks of home birth for healthy women can all be minimized by educating and preparing yourself.

When given enough information they will discover that there really is very little to fear, you just need to introduce them to that fact, and if they are anything like I was they really have only a vague idea of the potential risks.

Get the Facts on Natural Childbirth

Use as many hard facts as possible. If you can, get the actual percentages of complications they fear, show them how unlikely that situation happens in a homebirth scenario and what the midwife is able to do to help if it does happen.

 Persistence is the Way to Get Them to Except Natural Childbirth

It can be very difficult to change an ingrained misconception. This is the key to getting them to adjust their opinion. It was for me, and without the persistent extermination of the causes of my fear it would have been difficult to imagine such a dramatic change in my paradigm.   

               The Big Whammy- Our Natural Childbirth

The birth itself I found to be a very exciting and fascinating experience!

Most of the birth I just tried to read what April needed and do anything I could to make her comfortable.

 It was near the end when I went into the tub and got ready to deliver our daughter that I was most thankful to have the midwives there to reassure me that I was doing everything right. With them there I wasn’t really nervous or afraid of anything.

After Lileahs birth it seemed infinitely easier than I ever thought it would be! Everyone’s birth is different and I think I got off easy but in general I think guys are more afraid of not knowing what to expect than when they are in the middle of it.

It was great doing it at home because of how personal and peaceful it all felt. No body was running around screaming, and it was just me and April through the whole thing until the very end.  I was in the tub and when she came out I brought her up out of the water. It was the most amazing experience of my life to be the first one to welcome Lileah into the world!

Seeing Natural Childbirth Made Me a Believer!

After experiencing the birth of my daughter and seeing the benefits of natural childbirth versus hospital births I was convinced that this is the only way to bring our children into the world. The difference in her and other kids I saw that were born on drugs in the hospital is amazing! Lileah could hold her head up immediately and had her eyes wide open and alert for hours after she was born.  She was able to push herself up on her belly, she was unbelievably strong and healthy.

I was impressed and completely blown away by the experience so I have since been very much an advocate for natural childbirth! This is a huge change from how I thought just 6 months before Lileahs birth and it’s very much a result of Aprils research and our daughters beautiful entry into this world.

“ And remember be Persistant!” -Andy

Aww I love him!  What a Great man! If you haven’t seen our birth video yet you should definately watch it, he completely surrounded me with LOVE and support, he was so Amazing!! Makes me cry every time! When you work together the possibilities for a great natural childbirth are infinite!

Pregnant women in growing numbers around the world are discovering the benefits of home water birth.

Most women report shorter, easier and sometimes even painless or orgasmic birthing experiences thanks to home water birth.

In this article we will explore the benefits of home water birth, answer common questions, and share real life water birth stories.

The UK-based National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) states that birthing pools are second only to epidurals in alleviating pain.

Dr Julia Sanders, a consultant midwife, and a member of the group who drew up the guidance says:

“There is a perception that water is just nice. But it is the most effective form of pain relief barring an epidural in labour. “I would like to see more women using water and fewer women using the types of pain relief that are less effective.”

Click here to read the entire article

In addition to the significant pain relief benefits of water birth it also reduces C- section rates, reduces the need for drugs and other interventions, and lowers blood pressure.

The water works to provide a private and protected space for you, and it promotes relaxation which decreases the stress hormones in your body and increases your pain killing beta endorphins making the contraction easier to handle, and allowing you to conserve your energy.

In the water you have more freedom of movement which allows you to float into positions that feel comfortable to you.

Water birth encourages the opening of the pelvis, has been known to speed labor, softens the perennial tissues, reduces perenial tears and eliminates episiotomies.

Skilled practioners report that it is much easier to deliver a breech or shoulder dystocia baby in the water and many Mommas who have had a home water birth say that they couldn’t imagine birthing without it.

Water birth also creates a gentler entrance for your baby. Coming from the warm water of your womb into the warm water of the world allows for a gentler and easier transition.

Home Water Birth Information And F.A.Q.

How much does a home water birth cost?

It really depends. I rented my waterbirth tub from my midwife for $5,  but if you don’t have that option you can rent a portable pool online for about $350-$375 shipping is included in that cost. They are all sanitized and come with new unused liners that cover the entire inside of the tub. You will also have to pay a midwife to attend your birth, which costs around $2,000 (where I live). It is actually much less expensive to give birth at home than in a hospital. The average cost of an uncomplicated hospital birth in the Unites States is more than $8,000.

How do I fill the water birth tub?

You’ll want to get a lead free hose, and a simple connector piece from any hardware store that will hook up to your sink. One side hooks to the sink and one to the tub. Try it out in advance, before your birthing day arrives to make sure it all fits and works. They usually use the same hose for siphoning the tub after the birth which the midwives take care of.

What is the temperature of the water?

It should be warm and comfortable for your, usually between 95-100 degrees is perfect, but never over 100 degrees. If it’s too hot it could cause your body temperature to rise to a point where your baby’s heart rate increases. Make sure to stay hydrated. Drink lots of water and keep a spray bottle on hand for cool misting. Most tubs have heaters but sometimes they don’t work too well. You can heat water on the stove to add to the tub in large, lead-free, stainless steel pots.

What can I put in the water?

Tap water right from the sink is typically used in the birthing tub. You can put essential oils & herbs in the tub for added comfort, lavender is excellent, but stay away from anything minty that may make your baby’s eyes or skin burn.

When should I get into the water?

Whenever you feel ready. It feels great to take a bath during your early birthing time as kind of a trail run before getting into the tub. Sometimes getting into the birth tub too early can slow down the contractions and sometimes it can speed them up. You will need to see what works best for you.

The tub takes a pretty long time to fill up, so chances are by the time it’s ready, you will be ready to get in.

When I was giving birth I got into the birthing tub as soon as I could and it was a bliss and I didn’t want to leave.

How do they measure the baby’s heart rate underwater?

They use a water Doppler a small hand held device that can go under the water.

What prevents my baby from breathing under water?

How it was explained to me is that there are systems within the babies body that prevent the baby from breathing under the water. Your baby breathes through the placenta until his face comes in contact with the air, and coming in contact with the air your baby to take her first breath.

Fore more specifics go to www.WaterBirth.org

How long is the baby under the water after the birth?

Typically no longer than 10 seconds, but babies can be left in for longer without danger. As long as the umbilical cord is still pulsing your baby is still breathing through the placenta, but there is no way of knowing when the change over will take place, so to be safe it’s best to allow a few seconds for the baby to get used to the water and then slowly and calmly lift him out and give him to his Momma.

Home Water Birth Safety And Possible Risks

Barbara Harper- the founder of Waterbirth International talks about the guidelines and risk factors of a home water birth in this article:

Guidelines for a Safe Water Birth

The Canadian Medical Association published a new study in September 2009. Their findings were that outcomes of homebirth with a registered midwife were the same as the outcomes of a hospital birth attended by a doctor or midwife.

Read the Canadian Medical Association Study

Some Water Birth Stories From The Web

Here are some natural water birth stories from www.WaterBirth.org

All I could think of was, ‘Aah. Relief!!’ A soothing, relaxing, warmth engulfed me. I love warm baths and it just seemed so natural and relaxing.”

-Bethany, mother of Patrick

“My first waterbirth and I am HOOKED! It was so awesome. It’s just too hard to put into words. My body was so relaxed by the water that I didn’t even realize I was delivering my baby’s head!!!”

- Brandi, mother of Caleb Neal

“Luna, my youngest son’s birth, was so wonderful and gentle being in the water. Laboring in water helped to absorb the contractions and make me more comfortable. Luna was born in February, which is an Aquarius, a water sign, which is fitting. *laugh* To this day he is the most water-loving child at such a young age that I’ve ever known. Waterbirth is amazing!…

-Summer, mother of Luna Raye

The minute I got into the tub, my entire demeanor changed. I became focused, alert and not afraid anymore. I would honestly say the first hour of labor out of the tub was ten times worse than anything else.

-Maria, mother of Grayson Avery Daniel

For more natural water birth stories visit www.WaterBirth.org

My Home Water Birth Story

I will never forget that magical moment when my daughter floated gracefully out into the water with amazing wisdom in her wide open eyes, looking as calm as the breeze on a summers day…

Click Here For My Home Water Birth Story (Video)

Giving birth to my daughter Lileah in a home water birth tub

My Home Birth Story – Episode 2

Click here to read my article about Giving Birth At Home and the benefits of Home Childbirth

Pregnancy is the time to start asking yourself “the big questions”. A time to look deep within yourself and get in touch with your motherly intuition, so you can make the right decisions for you and your baby.

Your choice of birthing location is an important decision which will affect you, your baby and the quality of your birthing experience overall.

I encourage you to investigate all the options available to you including hospital birth, birthing centers and giving birth at home.

In this article I will talk about the benefits and considerations of home childbirth, because that is what I am passionate about.

I’m a big advocate of home childbirth because that is how my mother gave birth to me, and how I gave birth to my daughter.

Birth Is Your Baby’s First Taste of Life

It is important to remember when choosing a birthing location that, as mothers we are not the only person involved in the birth.

Your baby will experience the drama of childbirth even more strongly than you do, which is why it is so important to create a peaceful environment for her to make her journey into this world.

When your baby is born she forms her first impressions of a brand new world. The sights and sounds and feelings are all magnified because she is so small and she experiences everything very vividly.

Before choosing where to give birth to your child, please consider this question…

What If YOU Could Choose Where You Would Be Born?

Close your eyes for a moment and imagine that instead of being a Momma and worrying about all the things that Mommas worry about, that you are your baby getting ready to be born…

When the time comes for you to enter the new world, which would you prefer…

Would you want to be squeezed out into a cold, sterile room, filled with bright lights, loud voices, frenzied movement, beeping machines and masked strangers who poke and prod you before taking you away from your Momma and placing you, all alone, in a distant room beside a dozen other crying infants?

Or, would you rather be born gently, at your own pace, into a serene and peaceful loving environment with dim lights, warm air, soft music, gentle whispers and a Momma who holds you close and tells you everything is going to be OK,  then holds you in her arms and rocks  you to sleep?

Remember, your birthing space is yours to create. You can chose to surround your baby with love and greet your little traveler with patience, humility and silence.

Your baby will hold that memory in her subconscious for the rest of her life!

Giving Birth At Home And The Effects Of The Birthing Environment On Momma And Baby

When you enter your birthing time you enter an altered state where your senses are heightened and you become extremely in tune with smells, sounds, sights and emotions.

You also tune in to the energy around you. In this sensitive state you absorb the feelings created by the ambience of the space and the other people in the room.

If you sense negative energy this could disrupt your birth because it will take your attention away from doing your job, which is to remain calm and peaceful and allow your body to expand and open.

In a calm and peaceful room surrounded by good people positive feelings will flow around you and carry you through the birth!

Choosing The Place Where You Feel Most Comfortable

The most important thing when having a natural childbirth is the ability to stay calm and relax enough to allow your body to open up and birth your baby.

You should give birth in a place where you feel safe and comfortable baring your soul. A place where you can completely relax and let go of all worries and inhibitions and just “release and open yourself to the birthing energy”

You should feel safe, secure, loved, respected, important, powerful, peaceful and free from any distractions.

Giving birth is a very intimate and personal act. If you wouldn’t feel comfortable making love in a place, then you probably won’t feel comfortable giving birth there either.

Frequently Asked Questions About Giving Birth At Home

Q. Is it safe giving birth at home?

A. If you are a healthy woman who is not considered “high risk” you are a good candidate for a natural home childbirth.

The best way to keep yourself “low risk” is to take excellent care of yourself and your baby throughout your pregnancy and properly prepare yourself for birth.

Thousands of women each year give birth at home with the assistance of midwives, doulas and other natural childbirth professionals.

Consult your doctor or midwife to determine what risk factors you should consider when choosing your birthing location.

Q. Who should be present at my home childbirth?

A. The fewer people at the birth, the better…

Giving birth at home is not really a spectator sport. It is a very intimate and personal act. To give birth peacefully you must be able to connect with your inner self, sink deeply into peace and relaxation, release all inhibitions and flow harmoniously with the energy of the birth.

Only positive people allowed

You don’t want anyone present at your birth who causes you to feel uncomfortable and afraid to be yourself, or who feels uncomfortable themselves with what is happening.

Only allow people to attend your birth whose energy matches your own. People who lift you up just by being around them. People you know you can count on.

They must be able to practice patience, trust, respect and have confidence in you and your body’s ability to give birth, and be able to remain calm and silent.

Some women chose to have only the Dad and a midwife present at their birth. If you feel comfortable doing so, you may also wish to also invite your Mom, best friend or doula for emotional support.

Finding The Perfect Midwife or Doula

When choosing a midwife or doula to attend your birth it is best to find someone whom you share a connection with. Her birthing philosophies should align with yours and there should be an equal amount of trust and respect between you.

Discuss your birthing plan with your midwife and what role you would like them to fill. They are there to support you… to “Mother the Mother”… and to hold the birthing space sacred.

When choosing a midwife make sure she has all of the proper certifications, has a record of attending many successful births and can provide glowing references from her past clients.

Q. What if a complication occurs during home childbirth?

A. The primary focus of natural home childbirth is preventing complications from happening through education and preparation during pregnancy.

In the case that it becomes necessary to intervene your midwife should be well equipped to help you. Make sure beforehand that she carries all the medication and tools needed in case of an emergency.

You should also have on-hand the address, phone number and quickest route to the nearest hospital, so that you are always prepared in case a transfer becomes necessary.

It is important not to dwell on negative possibilities because it makes it hard to relax and give birth. If you have taken all the necessary precautions you can put those thoughts out of your mind, knowing that everything will be taken care of in case it becomes necessary.

Home Childbirth Tips – Creating Your Place of Comfort

When designing your birthing space you want to create an environment that you would feel comfortable making love in. Imagine the intimacy in detail.

The low lights, soft music, privacy…

Surround yourself in comfort.

What brings you peace and calm? Candles? Lavender? Aromatherapy? Do you have a favorite flower? Color? What music calms you? What’s your favorite scent?

If you are having a water birth what would you like to add to the water? Oils, herbs? Etc….

Make sure there is nothing that could potentially distract you. Cover all of the clocks and surround yourself in peace.

Your only focus should be on beautifully and peacefully flowing with your body and the energy of the birth to bring your baby into life.

Why Andy And I Chose To Have A Natural Home Childbirth

After touring hospitals and birthing centers I felt that the place I would best be able to relax and feel comfortable was my own home. At home I knew that my baby would be delivered into a loving environment because I could create that sort of environment.

When the time came I surrounded myself with all the things that made me peaceful and reminded me of how capable and powerful I was…

The room smelled of lavender and firelight danced off the walls. I immersed myself into a pool of warm water and rose petals kissed my skin. The gentle flicker of candles soothed me and the tapestry on the wall showed a proud woman which made me feel strong and powerful too.

The few people in attendance practiced silent patience and trusted me and my body. Their energy was calm and peaceful and I felt loved, supported and respected.

There were no distractions to prevent me from giving my baby a gentle and loving birth.

“My body knew exactly what to do, and I followed it’s lead”

The first thing I did was shed my clothes. I felt it easier to connect with my body without the barrier of clothes, and I felt no judgment because of that.

I birthed in any position that felt right. I walked around, squatted, sat on my birthing ball, took a bath and even meditated. I ate and drank when I felt like it which really helped to keep my energy up.

And when I felt like it was time to push that’s what I did. My baby came into life very naturally and gracefully. Andy gently and lovingly placed her in my arms and there she stayed…

“She was home.”

If you are seeking a truly natural childbirth experience for you and your baby, I encourage you to consider giving birth at home in a natural home childbirth.

April, Andy and Lileah's natural home childbirth