When you find out you’re pregnant the first thing we do is call our OBGYN and they make a first prenatal appointment with you and then, you deliver out of the hospital they are associated with. Did you know that home births can be an option? I photographed my first in home birth in 2020 during the highest point of the pandemic, and honestly, the experience was so surreal and life changing for me, I needed to write about it, again.
Having a baby in a hospital is so common now, we just assume it’s the only way. Your OBGYN never even asks you if you want to have a home birth and even if there is a midwife in the office, chances are she isn’t going to ask you if you want a home birth. But they totally are an option for you. Hospitals are stiff and in turn, can actually prolong your labor and how you birth. Did you know that the most common way and most natural way to birth a baby is on all 4s, hands and knees? and that laying on your back actually is the worst position for you to birth in, yet almost every single person that births in a hospital births on their back? Its true. But that’s not even the best part about what I witnessed during this home birth. This mama was STRONG. This mama listened to her body. This mama was prepared. This mama made choices for her birth. This mama has a great birth story to tell her daughter. Oh! and her midwives and doula were AMAZING and so so supportive. I want you to have a great birth story too.
Melissa, a midwife, from Melissa Michelle Birth Services explains midwifery so simply. She says, “midwives are essential in the care needed for family focused birth. From hearing the heartbeat to the first time to “graduating” your last postpartum appointment, a midwife is there. Care can begin as early as 10 weeks, goes through 6 weeks postpartum and takes place in your home, which allows us to build a strong relationship and really get to know you. A strong relationship and team is important to birth, it allows the mother to feel safe and secure and home is her safe place.” — I witnessed how important a midwife is during labor. Melissa was so supportive, knew when to step in a help to relieve some pressure and also helped the husband learn some techniques to be included in the laboring process. She stepped back when needed so dad was involved but also stepped in when she knew mom was having a hard time/contraction.
Lauren, a doula, from Root to Rise Birth LLC says, “through birth doula services, prenatal yoga, and childbirth education, my mission is to impact birth experiences and increase confidence through pregnancy, birth and postpartum. I will guide you to uncovering and discovering those instinctual capabilities rooted so deep within, for you to have a peaceful birth while providing non-bias support, love and compassion.” And seriously, the amount of love and compassion Lauren has during a birth is absolutely amazing to watch unfold. She even helps guide the entire family through the birthing process so even dad knows what is happening and what s going to happen next.
I cannot sing their praises enough and if I could go back, I would totally hire both of them and take some hypnobirthing classes, which this mama actually teaches/owns at Metro Detroit Hypnobirthing. She offers classes all around the Metro Detroit Area. For those of you who do not know, hypnobirthing is a childbirth education course designed to teach you how to work WITH your body rather than RESIST it and bring your baby into the world in the calm and gentle way that nature intended. These classes aren’t just learning how to breathe, they help you learn your body and what your body goes through in order to help aid yourself in the birthing and laboring processes.
All of this information to say this, contact these women or other women in these fields in your area and inquire about a home birth. Most births do not need medical intervention and with the help of midwives, doulas and hypnobirthing classes, you can have the birth and birth story you dream of, not one your doctor wants you to have.
xoxo
Nina - Your Metro Detroit Birth Photographer