Hospitals

I have made it to part to of the "Guide to Childbirth". I am scared. Not scared of giving birth (still not pregnant by the way!) but scared of going to the hospital. After seeing stats from The Farm and reading the natural birth stories from part one I can not figure out why or how hospitals became the norm for births. I realize there are many women out there that do not want to deal with the feelings of labor, or that past complications makes it safer for them to birth in a hospital, but I am just shocked at the loving stories I have read. I am appalled at the statistics of hospitals. I am also shocked that the MD that are suppose to deliver the baby only come in during tough parts and decide a patient needs surgery or assistants. I will most certainly ask my doctor if he/she has ever seen a full birth. When they say "NO" I'll then have to ask about their stance on natural birth. When they probably give me a scary judgemental answer, I hope I can find a midwife practice!

Finally

4 or so months, multiple book stores, 4 plane rides, and a 5 hour trip up north I finally found a book store that was carrying a book I have been looking for! Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. She is also the author of Spiritual Midwifery and just came out with a breast feeding book also. By looking at my book marked spot, I am less then half way through the book.

So far it has just been amazing stores of home births. Now, I'm not leaning towards to home birth as much as the natural birth process. These women speak about having rushes (contractions) and then all of a sudden they are ready to push. They let the rushes sweep over them and leave. They don't fight the energy. Its amazing how positive thinking about labor makes it easier. They speak about the horror stories some mothers tell and how those only hurt the birthing process. If you aren't told that anything is going to hurt and you know natural ways and techniques to guide the process why would you do it any other way?

I have completely gotten on my high horse here and don't know why people go through the drug induced births that seem to be the norm now. The way these women labor at home and give birth with friends and family seems nice. Not that I want my whole family in the room with me, but I also dont' want nurses and doctors whom I've only met a handful of times telling me how to do this.

Just a few thoughts...