At Home Birth Experience
What made you decide to go with an at home birth with a midwife/Doula?
A friend of mine had a home birth, but I thought it was too "out there" until another friend suggested
" The Business of Being Born" movie. I watched it twice, the second time with my husband and he stood up at the end and said " Zen if you want to do this, I'm with you all the way."

How did you go about finding your midwife?
I searched on the internet  and called everyone I knew until I found one with 2 years of herbology training, which was unique.
I did not stop when my insurance company said they would not cover the midwife unless she was in a hospital or a center. What they really meant was that they would not cover any "room" fee for our living room. They are obligated to cover her services, they just didn't say that at first. You can choose to go with a doula for free, ask around. Don't let money stop you from having the birth you want

What are some of the benefits & minuses in at home birth compared to a hospital birth?
So many benefits!
Walk about freely- no tubes in the arms for Potocin or hooked up to any machines
Eat freely- Snack as you wish, drink what you wish- in a hospital neither is allowed.
Position yourself freely, water in  kiddy pool, couch, bed, outside.... I walked under the jacarinda trees and night stars in my Hawaiian tube top dress, holding hands with my husband.
Labor freely- My midwife Never "checked" my cervix to see how far I was along. She trusted me and thereforee I trusted my body. The labor was three hours, with only the last half hour being challenging.
Birth freely- Where you want, in whatever position suits you in that moment. I ended up bent over in the water, another friend of mine wanted to give birth in the water but ended up being more comfortable in bed on all fours, another friend ended up sitting in the water only at the last minute -so much more comfortable than stirrups on your back in a hospital bed. For everyone what feels comfortable at that moment is unpredictable- in a hospital they want everyone to give birth in the position that is most convenient for the doctor. I don't see a down side for at home. We could go to a hospital if we needed.

The biggest hurdle to get through when choosing between at home or in the hospital is fear.
Instead, Trust your body, TRUST your midwife, TRUST your doula and husband.
I had my Midwife there for my Body, my Doula there for my Mind, my Husband there for my Soul.

What advice would you give to mothers to be who are thinking about possibly having an at home birth with a midwife?
YOU CAN DO IT!!! Millions of women have done this for millions of years. You are built just like them. Watch the movie  'The Business of Being Born" and read " Gentle Birth Choices with DVD."
EMPOWER YOURSELF  and give birth at home.