Why Jesse Won't Be Born In A Hospital...

...At least that's the plan...

Joe and I decided very early on that we would have our baby in a birth center as opposed to the local hospital. Many a family member has raised an eyebrow or two at our decision and others just don't get it.

Honestly, I never even realized that a birth center was an option before we moved to Alaska!! I am blessed enough to attend a wonderful church that has a lot of young moms (several of whom have had deliveries in a birth center or with a midwife or doula). It is here that I learned about my various options. These moms were kind enough to share their experiences!

So, why will Jesse be born in a birth center??

• I hate hospitals!! They make me nervous, uncomfortable, and stressed (when I'm the patient, if I'm visiting it's not such a big deal)
• Surgery is more likely to occur in a hospital setting...if I can avoid being cut open I will!!
• I want to have more options available to me. If I am able to manage the pain by sitting in a jacuzzi tub, in a shower, or by sitting on a birthing ball, I want to be able to do that and not be discouraged!!
• I want to know who is delivering my baby. At a birth center I get to know each midwife and I know that at least one of those great ladies will be there to help deliver Jesse. At a hospital I may not get the doctor that I've been seeing throughout the pregnancy!
• The birth center allows us to be more involved in the process and helps us be our own advocates.
• Joe and I personally know several ladies who have delivered at this particular birth center and they all had amazing experiences.

We've also gotten the "So, yeah, yeah, yeah, that's all nice, but aren't you concerned about emergencies?"

I pray that we have no complications but I'm not too concerned about it. The midwives work under a doctor at a hospital that is only minutes away. If an emergency were to occur, Jesse or myself would be transported to the hospital where I would be immediately admitted and the situation would be addressed. Also, these women are Certified Nurse Midwives and not just some lady off the street. They've gone to school to do this and this is their specialty!

On a side note, we also know several women who have had unforeseen emergency situation occur while at the birth center (or even at a home birth) and they were transfered to the hospital without issues and were taken care of. And those women were still happy with their experience at the birth center (or with their midwife).

This is a personal choice and I understand that it's not for everyone, but we are happy with the decision that we've made and would not choose to make any changes so far!!