“It is often said that women who give birth at home are selfish, and do not care for the well-being of their little ones. This is so far from the truth. Hospitals are in many instances dangerous for healthy babies. Hospitals are a place for the sick, and germs and bacteria are often transfered to the newborn.
Drugs given to the mother cross the placenta, and cause distress in the baby, and the health risk increases with each hospital procedure that is performed, not to mention psychological trauma from painful medical procedures. Babies born at home are usually more alert and ready to interact and bond.
Their minds are still open as they have been handled gently and lovingly. Often babies who have experienced a great deal of trauma will literally withdraw into themselves.(6) Mothers who have given birth at home are in an optimal state to greet their babies because of the natural “high” from endorphins and the hormone oxytocin.
These hormones are an important part of producing nurturing feelings. I believe this is an important part of forming the loving mother child relationship, and it helps a women get off to the right start in nursing and caring for her little one.(7) Sadly, this is overlooked by the medical profession. Doctors and nurses whisk babies away from their mothers when they need their mothers the most, and at a time when they are most alert and ready to interact.”
This article is an excellent introduction to Unassisted Childbirth, contains many links, and even has a quote from an online article by Shel Franco that mentions my fourth birth story!
I highly recomend pregnant women taking the time to read this article and surf around to the various sites, books, and videos mentioned.
Birth Testimony by Amanda Terfansky Counter speaking at the 2nd International Husband/Wife Home Birth Conference
Jenny Hatch
