Ditching the Hospital

I’ve decided to ditch the hospital.
 
I know this decision may hurt the number clients I serve. I also know this decision may not sit well with some of the doula community. I’m OK with that. I have decided to no longer attend hospital births unless there are risk factors present that make a hospital birth necessary.
 
I hold a firm belief that women need to have information, space, and freedom to make their own decisions about their maternity care, birth attendants, and birth place. I want every woman to be surrounded by people she trusts and in an environment that makes her feel safe and comfortable. If that environment is a hospital, I’m just not the right doula for you. I know several that may be, though so please ask me for referrals if this is you.
 
I also hold a deep belief that our bodies were designed for giving birth. The creator of the universe built into us this amazing ability to bring forth new life. And Every part of the process has a purpose. I believe that the more we intervene with and disrupt this process, the more likely we are to cause harm. This is sacred, holy, and incredibly important work, this work of growing and birthing babies. I feel that staying out of the hospital allows new families the best start possible. And that’s where I want to be; supporting new families with the best start possible, honoring The Lord’s creation and the sacredness of it all by not intervening with and disrupting His design. 

So, I am ditching the hospital.