A Perfect Birth is Often a Fantasy
Pregnancy is about crossing the finish line — but for some women, that goal can seem out of reach
Years ago, I met a family with a young child whose epilepsy was attributed to birth complications. The child seemed fine in general, but the family struggled with her medication regimen and ongoing seizure risk. I learned that her mom had a home birth. There were complications and not enough time to get the medical care she may have needed.
I always wondered how they moved past the disbelief and despair associated with a well-planned home birth that went awry. Home births can be a respite from the medicalization of a hospital birth and often create a safe and comforting place to labor. But this couple questioned their choice and were left to wonder if the home birth played a role in their daughter’s medical problems.
As a parent who faced a high-risk pregnancy (see below for more), I know that the best-laid plans in pregnancy and childbirth do not always prevail.
According to the March of Dimes, 30% of pregnancies end in miscarriage or stillbirth, and approximately 8% of pregnancies that result in a live birth include complications. A high-risk pregnancy (where the health of the mother or infant are at risk) and worries about possible genetic…
