A Matter of Choice

As we continue our Face2Face series, in this issue we’ve spoken with two parents, one who recently became a mother again and delivered in the hospital, and the other, a father who experienced not one, but two home births. The first decided to take the path more familiar to most internationals and the second took part in the more ‘traditionally Dutch’ home birth.

Amira Auwal Abdullahi, ACCESS volunteer and mother of two: a girl born in Malaysia and a boy born in Amsterdam. Both children were born in hospital.

Why did you choose a hospital birth rather than home birth?

It’s simple really as I am far more comfortable with the hospital and I was thinking in my head maybe if there is a complication, they can help me straightaway. In fact, I did have a problem with the placenta, so I was very glad that I was there! I understand that you can be helped at home and when needed taken to the hospital, but in the hospital, I was just wheeled into the operating theatre.

Talk about your experience with the prenatal system in the Netherlands, where you have a midwife instead of a gynaecologist?

Going to the midwife wasn’t weird at all. In Malaysia it was the same process and it’s similar to the one here; it was nice, very -comfortable, and they are women. In Malaysia we didn’t do a lot of scans but here we did three and the other tests conducted during pregnancy were done here as well. They were very careful. The prenatal screening for congenital disorders is not standard, though you can choose this option.

What kind of support did you have in the hospital during delivery?

While in the hospital, I had a team of two midwives and my kraamzorg (postnatal caregiver) who also came to the hospital, and my husband who was there all the time. After delivery, when there was a complication, my midwife immediately passed the baton on to the nurse, and the care team changed. I was sent home at noon the next day after delivery the previous night.

Postnatal care?

The postnatal care in hospital was for the baby, so the midwife came to check up on me. In fact, the kraamzorg also came to the hospital.

How have your friends chosen their birth experiences?

All my friends, who are all also internationals, have all had their babies in hospital.

If you had to do it again, would you still choose a hospital birth?

Absolutely. Especially after the way it went last time.

Your final take on hospital vs home?

Hospital.

Richard Morris, Editor of ACCESS Magazine and father of five children born in Spain, England and the Netherlands (two by caesarean delivery, one hospital and two home births).

What was the reason behind your children’s home birth?

We thought the experience would be more relaxed and intimate as we both agreed that hospital settings were more stressful.

Were you and your wife aligned on the choice all along?

Definitely. Our first attempt at a home birth was in Liverpool. We had the birthing room all set up with dimmed lights, candles and soft music, but during labour, inhaled gas was used which caused my wife to get a stomach upset, and under those circumstances protocol dictated that the mother be transported to -hospital. What was planned to be a short memorable night at home turned into a very long 28-hour labour and birth, though we were allowed to go home the next day.

We all hear about requirements for home birth like the ‘SUPER high bed’ – 80 cms. apparently – was it hard to organise? And what else?

While our bed wasn’t super high, it was high enough to make -everyone’s job comfortable. And we were given a checklist and a box of supplies for the birth early on, so everything is very well organised.

What kind of support did you get, before, during and after -home birth in The Netherlands?

The Dutch health system provides excellent care from beginning to end during the homebirth process. After the initial visit with the obstetrician gynaecologist, we chose a midwifery practice in our neighbourhood where we had regular visits, check-ups and consultations. The birthing team consisted of our midwife and an assistant. Our second home birth was delivered by a student trainee who was nearing the end of her training. We were very fortunate that both home births took less than one hour from the onset of labour to delivery.

If you had to do it again, would you still consider a home birth?

Absolutely! Both of our home births took place in the evening, so once the baby’s arrived and the midwifery team finished their work, we all just went to sleep in our own beds. That was the best part of all.

What have your international friends done in terms of their -birthing choices?

Most expats we know in the Netherlands have opted for hospital births.

You didn’t change your mind last minute, but what if you did?

When we had to make the last-minute change of venue in England, we were transported to the hospital by ambulance, which was merely protocol and not due to any impending emergency or endangerment to mother and child. In the Netherlands, we live at equal distances between two state-of-the-art hospitals with paediatric ICUs, so there’s never any worries or doubts when it comes to needing a last-minute change.

Advice for people choosing a home birth?

If your doctor gives you the option for a home birth, do it! In my opinion, hospitals are for sick people and there is nothing more natural, satisfying and safe than a home birth and welcoming your new baby into the world in their own home.

Your take on hospital vs home? The pros and cons as simply as possible?

Pros: You never have to take your slippers off and the coffee is -better at home than in the hospital cafeteria! Cons: Waiting for the midwife to leave so you can go to sleep! 

About the author

Tasneem Hatimbhai is originally from Bombay, India and now lives in Amsterdam with her Dutch husband and their two children. She has been a writer and editor for the past 20 plus years. To whet her creative spirit further, in 2012, she founded Amsterdam-based Mumbai Mills.com, a company that creates home accessories, lifestyle books and other products. Currently, she is editor-in-chief of Amsterdam Mamas, freelance editor and content creator for social media, websites and academic journals. Tasneem is also an ACCESS volunteer.

For information about ACCESS’ Childbirth Courses, please click here.