Freebirth Reflections: How Unassisted Childbirth Impacted My Life

It has been almost six months since my second son was born at home in our bed, caught by his father's loving hands before being passed into my own arms. I feel obligated as a proponent of unassisted childbirth to write about the impact freebirth has had on our lives. The birth of our son has been met mostly with positive reactions, and it has had a positive influence on our relationship as a family. My perspective has been forever changed by my son's simple, natural birth.

I healed very quickly from childbirth. I bled about half as much postpartum as with my first son, who was born in a hospital. With my oldest, I had second degree tearing and needed stitches. Being completely in charge of the birth the second time around, I sustained only tiny first degree lacerations. Besides the lingering baby weight, I was back to my old self in no time.

People have responded with fear and delight to our birth story, but always with surprise and questions. Upon telling a nurse that my husband "delivered" the baby, she asked snottily "WELL, what are his qualifications?" The ob/gyn who saw me just after my son's birth was rude enough believing I had a midwife that I opted not to even mention that it was a freebirth. The pediatricians at our clinic, although initially surprised and somewhat confused, were very accepting of our choice. They didn't give me any beef about it at all. The ER personnel we encountered the first and only time my son has been sick seemed confused, but indifferent, a reaction shared by the workers at the vital records office.