I'm all for home births, really I am, but I have to say that I'm taken aback at how my experience could be used as a way to somehow justify their awesomeness.
Last time I checked, most home births do not involve a firemen and an EMT telling the laboring mom that they can't see the baby SO IT MUST NOT BE TIME TO PUSH YET.
I admit that as someone who has chosen to go the meds-free birth route (and has been afforded the good fortune to have success in that endeavor), I've made the joke about how I wouldn't mind if I didn't make it to the hospital just to avoid the rigamarole that one often times needs to endure when it comes to attempting a meds-free hospital birth.
And given the bitch that is back labor, the baby sliding out in the car sounded magical.
Irony? Foreshadowing? Coincidence?
Maybe.
I can assure you, however, that the prospect of it actually happening in the car and then it really happening in my guest room was not as "tee-hee, giggle giggle" as it sounded when I'd joked about it.
Though it was about 50,000 times easier than a back labor.
If you want to know the nitty gritty, my ideal situation would have been to deliver at a freestanding birth center, however, those don't exist here in Georgia. Also, home births are only facilitated by CPMs (Certified Professional Midwife) not CNMs (Certified Nurse Midwife), and it's our personal preference to have a CNM.
And, finally, the big kicker - we didn't want a home birth.
Keep in mind that most people who have home births actually plan them, with their midwife and doula in attendance, and not the local fireman and his posse of not-so-birth-savvy EMTs. And I think it's a bit far fetched to say that Bridget's home birth was or would have been far better than one I'd have in a hospital.
I've had three amazing meds-free hospital births so there would be no reason for me to expect otherwise. And it doesn't change my mind about not wanting a home birth.
Given what could have happened, I'm just thankful for birth choices, that my kids didn't wake up, and that we're all okay - mom, baby, husband, and yes, carpets too.
My first (and only so far) birth experience was fairly quick (3.5hours between water breaking & birth of daughter) and I was able to go med-free, which I hadn't PLANNED, but had HOPED to be able to do... and I'd like to do it again... however - the thought of doing it at home, without the help of modern gadgets in the event of an emergency - terrifies me.
So glad you're both doing well - she's absolutely gorgeous - and CONGRATULATIONS!
Posted by: Rusti | October 28, 2010 at 10:43 AM
Congratulations Kristen! My baby did actually slide out in the car, as you put it. I didn't have the presence to tell my husband to turn around and instead yelled DRIVE DRIVE! at the top of my lungs. He sped down the road while I squatted on all fours in the back and caught my own son during the quick 1.5 mile drive to the hospital. Baby and I were fine, husband needed some nitrous oxide. I too wanted to labor at home for as long as possible and misjudged the end! I was lucky there were no complications and I enjoyed an amazing, empowering tribal euphoria afterwards...hope you did too!!
Posted by: Deena | October 28, 2010 at 12:50 AM
Hey! Babies aren't supposed to be that beautiful right in the beginning! What about the goofy, wrinkly little old man look? Did Bridget have an awkward phase of, like, 30 seconds?
Congrats again to you all.
Posted by: Asha Dornfest | October 28, 2010 at 12:28 AM
OMG, Bridget is just beautiful. Beautiful! So glad you all are doing okay (and not losing too much sleep).
I tried for a med-free birth. Wow. Hats off to you and others who have done it. In my case, I asked for an epidural and then was glad about it when I had to have an emergency C to get my 10-plus pounder boy born! It was the opposite of the birth I envisioned..... and still the most wondrous, beautiful day of my life.
Posted by: Marie | October 27, 2010 at 04:46 PM
Your other kids slept through it? There is irony in that.
She's beautiful K. Absolutely beautiful.
Posted by: Issa | October 27, 2010 at 02:05 PM
So happy you and Bridget are doing well. What a birth story you have to tell her.
Amory, what's up with the weird comment about responding to babies' cries?
Posted by: Olivia | October 27, 2010 at 08:46 AM
I loved this entire series of posts. You are awesome mama. And I'm glad your carpets survived (I actually DID plan my home births, and the carpets--and beds--were my biggest worry!)
Bridget is a beautiful name!
Posted by: Meagan @ The Happiest Mom | October 26, 2010 at 08:10 PM
My 2nd was an unplanned home birth. The husband had woken the elder child, thinking we were dropping her off at my mom's.
The first EMT got through the door and leaned back out to tell the others "it's out". They cut the cord and transported us to the hospital.
The worst part of the whole ordeal (for me, since I didn't have to clean the couch or floor in the living room) was the drama of getting her birth certificate. It's very cool though- place of birth matches mother's residence and attending matches father.
Actually, no. The worst was elder child wouldn't go to sleep alone for 2 weeks because of the 'I scream then she screams, repeat' we did before her sister popped out.
Posted by: ptooie | October 26, 2010 at 05:45 PM
Congratulations! I had a surprise home birth too, with my second - and I had always been completely against home births. Yeah, love that irony.
Posted by: Emma | October 26, 2010 at 03:20 PM
What a great story! Congratulations! She is beautiful :)
Posted by: Jennie | October 26, 2010 at 09:42 AM
Beautiful baby! I'm glad she's here safely.
Posted by: Lady M | October 26, 2010 at 05:23 AM
She is so beautiful. Stop making me want baby #4!!!!!
Posted by: Jenny | October 26, 2010 at 02:58 AM
Wait a second...next thing you'll be telling us you're not the poster child for women happily married to anal-compulsive bathroom grout cleaners.
Posted by: Mom101 | October 25, 2010 at 09:12 PM
You have the most beautiful baby.
Congratualtions!!
Posted by: Melisssa | October 25, 2010 at 06:20 PM
I haven't been a reader for very long but I thought I'd chime in. Your birth story reminds me of my own, because it was nothing I ever expected. I just gave birth to my third son two months ago. I planned home births for the first two and birthing center for the third. I ended up with a transfer to the hospital with my first, and 24 hours of back labor with my second. The third!? I went eleven days overdue, then had a 90 minute labor and barely made it into the hospital before he was born. I was in the wheelchair being whizzed around corners and scaring the little children in the ER. It was like a sitcom labor. What a ride! When it started I was convinced I was going to have an unplanned home birth, and if my husband and sister hadn't dragged me down my apartment stairs I definitely would have.
Congrats and many blessings!
Posted by: Emilyk | October 25, 2010 at 06:17 PM
I laughed at how your kids slept through the whole thing. Because, yeah! My kids slept through the Northridge earthquake, several hurricanes, and (not as funny) smoke alarms on several occasions. Mom having a baby in the next room? Pfft. Routine! :D
Posted by: norm | October 25, 2010 at 05:08 PM
what an amazingly beautiful baby! congrats!!! i am planning a homebirth with my first baby, due in May...wish me luck!
Posted by: Kris | October 25, 2010 at 04:39 PM
Bridget is just beautiful! Congratulations, Kristen!
xoxo,
Cecilia
Posted by: Cecilia | October 25, 2010 at 04:36 PM
I planned a home birth--Hypnobirthing, a CPM, a doula, the works.
After days of back labor with painfully slow progress, I could have cared less where I gave birth. I remember wishing out loud for a c-section many times--up until that point, the thought of surgery terrified me. By day 3, even my midwife and doula were visibly relieved when I told them I wanted to go to the hospital.
That experience knocked me off my high horse. There's no "right" or "wrong" way to birth. It is what it is, and you make the best of it. Sounds like B's birth story will give your family plenty to laugh about down the road. Congratulations!!
Posted by: Caroline | October 25, 2010 at 01:38 PM
It's all about the difference between planned and unplanned home birth. So glad everything worked out for you. She is adorable.
Posted by: Wendy | October 25, 2010 at 01:36 PM
Your kids slept through that? WOW! That just means you are a great mommy and didn't wake and respond to their every cry when they were babies.
What a sweet, sweet baby you have there. :)
Congratulations! And cheers to a healthy momma and a healthy baby!!!!
Posted by: Amory | October 25, 2010 at 01:20 PM
There is certainly a big difference between a planned home birth and an emergency/accidental home birth.
Both of my home births were planned, and for the record, only involved one extra load of laundry:) The mess factor is a bit of a myth.
Posted by: jenni | October 25, 2010 at 12:46 PM
Oh, the picture of that snugga-bugga baby!
I was laughing yesterday, thinking about my sister's (planned) home birth with the bed be-chucked and me asking you if they had time to drape your bed at least and you scoffing and telling me that you gave birth with your Gap skirt hiked up over your belly.
No warm towel? Fresh from the dryer? lmfao.
You guys did great and I'm glad you're all okay.
xo
Posted by: The New Girl | October 25, 2010 at 10:31 AM
Anyone who wants to see the counterpoint to your amazing story ought to read Her Bad Mother's post about Jasper's birth.
I have to admit, I did giggle through CJ's birth. My anesthesiologist was quite the jokester.
In the end? Healthy moms, healthy kids. Win!
Posted by: Julie @ The Mom Slant | October 25, 2010 at 10:26 AM
The only pain-free birth I had was with the aid of an epidural. Heh. I would have preferred no meds but I'm a real Wimp when it comes to pain. On the really plus side, I didn't tear and I didn't need an episiotomy, so no stitches. Yay! And I ended up with a great (now five years old) baby to boot. Double yay!
You're very courageous to admit that the reality didn't exactly match up to your plan.
Posted by: Julie | October 25, 2010 at 10:16 AM
I am so fascinated by home birth but I'm not scared to admit that I am WAY too terrified to attempt it myself.
Posted by: Michelle @ Mommy Loves Stilettos | October 25, 2010 at 09:44 AM
May raising her be as exciting and pain free as her birth was!! She's gorgeous!
Posted by: Pia | October 25, 2010 at 08:37 AM
It's amazing your kids slept through it. And good for your wallet too - the kind of therapy they'd need after accidentally walking in right as the baby was crowning would be EXPENSIVE yo.
She's incredibly beautiful. So many congrats, again.
Posted by: Suzanne | October 25, 2010 at 08:32 AM
She is beautiful! And even though you didn't plan it, it's still a great birth story.
Posted by: MaryKate | October 25, 2010 at 08:23 AM
My neighbor had an 11# baby at home with just a midwife. At one point, however, there was so much blood that her husband called an ambulance. Everyone was okay, and she didn't have to go to the hospital.
Posted by: The Muskrat | October 25, 2010 at 08:14 AM
On laundry-basis only, I'm going to hospital. That, and with multiple kids at home, it's the only break you're gonna get. Go for the hospital not for the meds, but for the "call button." Juice with a straw on command. You always know where the remote is! When is that ever gonna happen at home?
Posted by: KMayer | October 25, 2010 at 08:06 AM
I'm really glad (and kind of surprised) that your kids slept through everything. I love a crazy birth story, but only when it's the kind where everything turns out OK in the end.
Posted by: Brenda | October 25, 2010 at 07:23 AM