Promoting Homebirth

Our film project is on hold for now, but I want to keep Project Homebirth alive and kicking. I want to share homebirth with others. What do you do to promote homebirth as a viable option to pregnant women?

I admit I had a friend touting the joys of homebirth when I was pregnant with my first and I didn't believe a word of it. I had no frame of reference for what birth would be like... I had only heard of the pain. I wasn't sure what I would do about the pain. I read a lot, and decided to go for a natural birth. I signed up for birth classes not affiliated with the hospital. But we still went to the hospital. I was ready to try homebirth by the time I was pregnant with baby number three... but it took until baby number five to convince my husband that it was a safe option.

When he took hold of his third daughter as she was being born and felt her take her first breath... he was converted for life.

How do we make this transition in people's minds before they are subjected to hospital protocols and possible cesareans? I think the great films that are out now like "Business of Being Born" and "Orgasmic Birth" really do help let people know there are other options. The recent studies promoting the safety of homebirth also help... if people have access to them.

C'mon... join the cause. Promote homebirth. Homebirth is an excellent way for moms and babies to start their lives together.

Speak Up!

Did you know that maternity care is one of the most costly areas of medical care? It's true. All the ultrasounds, amniocentesis tests, electronic fetal monitoring, inductions and cesareans cost a LOT. It has become the norm to just recommend all tests for every pregnant woman.

They don't even tell you the pros and cons of each test. Did you know that amniocentesis increases your chance of miscarriage? Granted, it isn't by a huge percentage, but if you're the woman who loses her baby, the risk is 100%.

Every woman deserves to get both sides for every test and intervention. What are the benefits? What are the problems? What if you choose to do nothing? We could all make better choices if we got true informed consent.

If more women opted for midwifery care and homebirth, maternity care costs would drop to a more reasonable level. This is just one, practical reason to think about homebirth. If you opted for a homebirth due to financial reasons or because you didn't get informed consent for a previous birth, let us know. Share your story. Project Homebirth.

One Voice Becomes Many

You may not think that your story matters. You're just one person. Your opinion is only one opinion. But that is not true.

Think of a choir. Each part, whether it is soprano, alto, tenor or bass is a blending of voices. Yet, without those individual voices, there is no blending.

Your voice counts. We want to help you to be heard. Why did you choose homebirth? What was it like? Did you have trouble with family and friends when you told them you wanted to have your baby at home? Did it make a difference in your babymoon? How did your older children react to the new baby? Were they present for the birth?

There are so many things you can share! Please don't be shy... send us a video clip, an audio clip or a written account of anything you want to share. It only has to be a few sentences... let your voice be heard.

Project Homebirth Update

Just posting a little update on the project...

We are working on the outline for the film. If you want to be a part of it, please contact us! We will send you submission guidelines.

If you want to share a written account about how homebirth has affected you and your family, please check out the submission form on the bottom of the page located at http://organic-birth.com/project_homebirth.html. Some written material will be used in the film and the rest will be published in the companion book for Project Homebirth. We believe everyone's voice should be heard.

With only 1-2% of American births occurring at home, every voice is important. This is an option that should be accessible to anyone, not just a few. Join the movement.

What This Project Means

Project Homebirth is near and dear to our hearts. Our first homebirth took place in 1999 with our fifth child. Our home burned down in the middle of the pregnancy. Luckily, we all got out safe and sound. Our home, however, was a loss. We moved into an apartment while our house was rebuilt.

Looking forward to our homebirth kept us focused on the future. The other children were involved at all the prenatals, and our youngest at the time (almost 2) loved to try out the midwife's fetoscope.

When our fifth child was born (a girl!) into her daddy's waiting arms, it seemed like we had managed to overcome the adversity the fire had sent our way. It was a magical event that brought us all closer together.

We want to share this feeling with the world. We know that other families have felt the same way about homebirth. To counteract the atmosphere of fear that the media and the medical community insist on spreading about homebirth, we want to make Project Homebirth a true labor of love.

Please consider participating and sharing your story.

Looking for Participants!

Ever want to be in a movie? Now is your chance! Send us a short video or audio clip of you talking about your homebirth, why you chose to birth at home, or how it made an impact on your family. :) We want YOUR voice to be heard!

We will have a short release for you to sign, and your recording may be used for promotional needs as well as in the film. We want to create a montage of voices speaking out for homebirth.

The AMA issued a statement last year against homebirth as a safe option for women and babies. ACOG has long been against homebirth. They would love for the only choice for birthing women to be the hospitals and affiliated birth centers, with their climbing cesarean rates. At this point in the United States, a woman walking into a hospital to give birth as a one in three chance of having her baby surgically. At some hospitals it is a one in two chance.

The latest homebirth study shows how safe homebirth is in most cases. Please join us in showing the world (especially the United States and Australia... the rest of the world seems to get it for the most part) how safe and beautiful homebirth can be.

Join Project Homebirth!