Why Home Birth Could Be the Perfect Choice for Women Over 30

Have you ever felt unheard and dismissed during your journey as a woman when it comes to reproductive health?

Maybe now that you're pregnant you feel this has become more intense. Your health care provider has dismissed everything you said, and because of your "geriatric" age they've made it even more difficult.

It's like you can't catch a break, but now you've been debating on if there might be a different approach to your birth journey that you want.

Homebirth might be the option for you, but every time you think about it, other people’s fears stop you. Simply because you're over thirty.

The common thread is that it's too dangerous and something could happen to you or baby, making all the hard work of getting your child to this place for naught…

Well, I'm here to tell you that you might be having the birth you desire, if you open yourself up to that possibility and don’t allow others judgements to stop you.

Now, let's drop the age, pretend it isn't a factor (I'll come back to it soon).

There are a lot of reasons why one might choose a home birth - actually I can think of four.

The feeling of control, remember I asked if you were feeling like everything you said was being dismissed, as if someone else was running the show (although you will be giving birth to your child and not them)?

When you're in control you can create a calming environment which can provide you a less stressful birth... possibly giving you more ease then if you were in a hospital. Besides that you'd be able to choose your birthing positions and include any of those personalized touches that you could possibly be denied in the hospital. Such as aromatherapy and music.

Secondly, there is another form of safety and trust when birthing at home. If you choose unassisted or assisted with midwives you'll find that your voice is being heard more often than if you choose another route of giving birth.

There are also a lot of natural healing values when it comes to home birth. These holistic methods have fewer medical interventions and the ability to follow your body's cue is true. Though, I admit a big con that a lot of women complain about is the lack of pain meds, so before choosing home birth determine what pain coping techniques you'll be learning and attempting.

Lastly, home births are known for being a family-centered care approach. If you currently have other children, or even if you just have a partner, the focus is more on intimately fostering connection and comfort.

If your first thought is I can’t have a home birth because I’m over the age of thirty, then hopefully this article can change your mind. You’re more than safe to have a baby at home (age is really just a number, in this case as well).

Having a birth team that you trust and advocate for your safety, and preparing for the what-if’s can create the birth environment you want and need to deliver your baby safely in your home.

So a word of the wise would simply be, find out what YOU truly need and want from your birth, ensure you are listening to not only the negative birth stories, but the positive ones as well. Lastly, believe in yourself, if you believe you can do this, then trust me you can and you will.

Lisa van der Wilt, Fruitful Womb Doula Services

Certified Birth, Postpartum, and Fertility Doula, Birthkeeper,

Menopause Coach and Advocate, PLC