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B (aooed Birth "Birth is an event that takes place tens ofthousands oftimes every day all over the world. Yet many whys, DOS and don'ts regarding how and when women should give birth confront the modem mother (and father) to be. Nature vs Medicine We are told to largely ignore natl.iRl "nd put our own and our babies' lives inlhe ca pable hands of doctors and hospitals, making use of all the drugs available to ease the passage of birth. Even in 1988, women desiring to have their babies in the tianquillity of an environment of their own choosing are looked upon as irresponsible. We seem to forget that from the begin. ning of time, women around the world have been having their babies at home, in the snow, in rice fields, in caves, huts and shacks. Advances in medicine and educa· tion have changed many women's out· looks,programm ing themwitha fearofthe birth process and instilling them with a dependence on the hospilal system; ulti mately convincing themlhat hospitals are theonlyplace a respcnslble, caring person would dream of having l~ir baby. After all, they oJ'fer~pidurals, pethad ine, gas and caesarians. There are tubes and needles, httmidkrlbs and monitors all the paraphernalia neassat)' to see you and your baby through this,event. And if you are a Medicare patient, it's likely you won't have met any of the staff you wiII be sharing this magical moment with. A Helping Hand? Ofcourse, there are situations in the birth process where lives do depend on the expertise of hospital staff and their equip ment. But how many ca~s of unnecessary medical intervention occur? The first official report on NSW birth statistics, released in May this year, show.ed that doctors intervened/interfered in almost half of all births in N.S.W. hospi tals. Only 54% of mothers went into labour of their own accord; doctors 'broke the waters' in 21 % of all births. Labourwas speeded by drugs in 17% of births, and 7% o( women didn't go into natural labour at all before doctors intervened. The percent· age of forcep and caesarian deliveries varied acroSs, the State. The percentages for QI£sarians are as high as 33% in one large Sydney hospital (Sutherland) and forceps are used in 28% of births in another (St George). Australia has the second highest rate of caesarian deliveries in the world, ex ceeded only by the United States. The NSW State average is 15%, but there has been a 350% increase in Australian cae sarian deliveries since 1970. "Throughout the State there is a recogni tion that the whole process of birth has become too technical," reported Professor Rodney Shearman, head of obstet(lCS and gynaecology at Sydney University. Homebirth Is Safe In 1987 there was a fotal of 1,162 babies born at home in Australia (Including 5 sets of twins), with, 133 registered and lay midwives (and 22 doctors) in attendance. There were only. 2 foetal deaths prior to birth and 5 neonatal deaths in the first 28 days after birth - a total of less than 1'Yo. Only one of these was during labour On transfer to hospital). There were no mater nal deaths. Furthermore, 71 of these Australian home births (6.1 % of the planned total), including one set of twins, were underwa ter births! The only death in these births was an anencephalic baby and was unre lated to the method of birth. Having your baby at home is natural, loving and as responsible as any other choice. From the time a woman knows she's pregnant she sees her midwife on a regular basis. The midwife comes to your home and becomes your friend, whose visits you look forward to. A special rela tionship develops between the midwife, yourself and your family -she becomes partof the family for the months you spend. together. You, not doctors or administrators, are in control of how you have your baby. You can decide the way you feel most comfort able in delivery -you can have music and candlelight if you wish. Supporting friends are encouraged to be with you, as are any children in the family. The new soul is eased inlo the world with love and care but most of all responsibility. After all, women choosing to have their babies at home must also choose to take full respon sibility from the start of pregnancy. They must be healthy in body and mind, edu cated about how their bodies work and be fully informed on the whole process of pregnancy and birth if they wish to have a homeblrlh responsibly. Nature Does Know Do we really need to interfere so much with something women are designed for? The hospital system doesn't need to alien at~ ml1mets by treating them as bed-space and statistics rather than people facing one of me most amazing experiences in their lives. But today it is heavily over-stressed and has little time for the individual mother. We are now manipulating the whole process of human life from conception. Where is this leading us? Will natural birth at home become a rarity rather than the norm, as it is 'in many cities? Or are more women taking control once more and making a stand to accept responsibility for their children from conception, rather than when the nurse gives them their baby at the car for the journey home? More babies are being born at home in safety each year in Australia, brought into a loving world in a joyful way. Were you born at home? a ND~~at h