Momofsix, I have to apologize for misleading you. I have never had a homebirth. I would love to, but my hubby isn't too fond of the idea and after three cesareans, there aren't many mdiwives who will take us. I think the research is clear that homebirths can be incredibly safe in most situations. Here's a link to a great documentary called "The Business of Being Born". It gives a history of birth and a lot of great experiences and statistics that show how wonderful homebirth can be. Ricki Lake produced it.

http://quicksilverscreen.com/watch?video=45525

My birthing experiences have all been very diffferent. I'll summarize below, you can read more about them in the archives.

• #1 - I was 20 years old, single and stupid. I was induced due to high blood pressure and had the complete and typical hospital experience. I was fortunate to have a ******l birth, but I still felt empty and like something was wrong.
• #2 - I was 26 and I knew that I wanted a more natural birth. I did a lot of reading and my husband and I attended childbirth classes. My water broke at 36 weeks, plus I was GBS +. I was induced when I got to the hospital, even though I didn't want to be. The nurse informed me that it wasn't optional. I still didn't know enough to realize I could refuse. I labored for 8 hours with pitocin-contractions (which hurt worse than natural) and then had an epideral. After another 4 hours, I hadn't progressed at all. My doc called for a c-section, and I didn't know enough to say no. The c-section left me angry and bitter.
• #3 - I was 28 and determined to have a VBAC (******l birth after cesarean) in a hospital. I started seeing a certified-nurse-midwife and I learned everything I thought I would need. I even made my husband read the Bradley childbirth book. I went into labor two days before my due date. I labored at home for almost 24 hours. It was wonderful. I really have great memories of my labor up to that point. I got to the hospital at 7 cms and everything went wrong. I didn't progress, I couldn't relax, I got dehydrated, they couldn't find a vein for an iv and had to use my jugular. I ended up with another c-section after I wasn't progressing. The baby ended up being 10lbs10oz and in the anterior position (which is why I slowed down.)
• #4 - I was 28 (they are 10 1/2 months apart) and still incredibly bitter and upset over my failed vbac. I was mad at my husband, at the midwife, at the nurses...everyone. I didn't have the strength to try for another vbac, even though the research on having a ******l birth after 2 cesareans is pretty good. My blood pressure shot up in the last trimester, and I didn't want to fight, so we scheduled a c-section.

A homebirth is not in my future. Unless God intervenes in a miraculous way, I will have to have any remaining children by c-section.  I know where I failed with each birth, but I can't change any of it. I am stuck with a uterus that has been cut three times and living in a community that doesn't think highly of VBACS. But, I know the truth about birth. I know more than so many women who are being fooled by the doctors and pushed into ridiculous interventions that aren't necessary.

My favorite birth resources:

www.birthingnaturally.net - Christian natural birth site

www.plus-size-pregnancy.org - good info even for people of normal size

The Lord of Birth by Jennifer Vanderlaan

40 Weeks by Jennifer Vanderlaan

Christ Centered Childbrith by Kelly Townsend