Okay, So now a few days after our beautiful son, Casey, was born, I can take the time to think and reflect on the home birth experience and felt as a result I should throw my weight behind the ideas of home birthing and the benefits towards all family member involved.
I am not a big fan of hospitals, I don't enjoy the smell and most of the time when I go to see loved ones they never actually return home. Hospitals for me never offer much hope, however I do applaud both men and women who are skilled with medical expertise.
It was always Hilary's idea to experience a wonderful and emotional birth which was so lacking when we had our first daughter Lois. The freedom to express during a home birth is wonderful. Hilary was able to move freely without any drip or heart monitoring apparatus which hindered her ability to move and relax, while the baby's safety is at the top of every parents agenda, if this is indeed assured the needs for a woman during birth to move the way she wants is imperative, after all its our baby, and a woman and mother have the right to express her need to help relinquish pain hows she sees fit. To see Hilary express herself with freedom and confidence reassured me during her deep groans of pain. I remained relaxed, spoke little and just waited for her promptings to hold or to encourage.
As a man and husband the home birth experience made me feel we were in partnership, that I wasn't some distant stranger watching his wife suffer. We had a common goal which was to bring our son into this world with him knowing we were willing him on with every contraction. At times Hilary would pummel my body as each contraction was increasing in strength. This helped me appreciate and evaluate that the Labour pains were strong and purposeful but the sense of my support was tangible and comforting.
The birth of our son was done the way we wanted it. To give Hilary her deepest wish and desire moved me to tears has he entered this world without the effects of drugs, and to overcome my fear of blood by cutting his cord was emotional to say the least.
God willing any future children we are blessed to have will again be born through the freedom and expression of home birthing, which doesn't just benefit the woman but also the man. I had a great opportunity to assist in a life being born. For it to be such a natural and beautiful experience without the interventions of man was liberating.
I did have my doubts and concerns but my love for my wife and her deep desire to have a happy birthing experience at home allowed me to accept the challenge of bringing my son into this world. Overcoming, vomit, blood, needles and watching your wife suffer is all nothing compared to having a son, an heir to the throne. To carry on the Sephton name only helps me feel like a pioneer for husbands to allow and support home births!
P.s I have shaved now! haha
