Why Hire a Midwife for Home Birth

It was not as serene and glimmering as I once thought. My first experience of motherhood was raw and overwhelming. It was also traumatic in many ways. My first daughter’s hospital birth was a whirlwind of interventions, confusion, and fear, an experience that left me feeling helpless. It was supposed to be my most empowering moment in life, but it turned out to be the least empowering. This led me on a painful and long road to postnatal depression and even posttraumatic stress disorder.

This experience has changed me. This experience changed me forever. When I finally began to think about having another child, I knew that I could not go through the same thing again. I needed to take a different route. I needed a woman-centred, kind and connected care. I needed someone to walk beside me and not tower over me.

So, I started to look at other options. I read. I read. I participated in online forums. I talked to other mothers. Slowly, I began to realise that there were other options for birth care outside of the hospital that could help me heal and restore my belief in birth.

Here’s how I discovered independent Midwifery, and how it transformed not only how I felt as a woman but also my feelings about myself.

Why I chose to be born outside the system

After my first child was born, I knew that I needed more than just standard maternity care. After my first birth, I knew that I needed continuity, compassion and control. Then I hired an independent Midwife, and planned to give birth to my three next pregnancies at home.

The decision was not one I took lightly, and certainly not one everyone understood at the moment. It was the perfect choice for me.

Here’s why.

1. Genuine Connection and Continuity in Care

You are at your most vulnerable emotionally and physically when you’re expecting. In the standard maternity system, women are often faced with a rotating staff of caregivers. They never know who they will meet next, or who will be present on their big day.

This uncertainty was too much for me. After my first experience with birth, I wanted the consistency that came from seeing the same person each time. I didn’t like to repeat my story. I wanted someone to know me, someone who could truly see me.

I got exactly what I wanted by hiring an independent midwife.

Over the months, we developed a strong, trusting bond. She knew my “normal”, both physically and emotionally. This familiarity allowed her to quickly identify any problems, to respond to my concerns and to tailor her care for me as an individual, not just another patient.

This relationship was not just comforting, it was transformational. I felt respected and deeply understood. This laid the foundations for my healing and empowered me to embrace birth once again.

2. Evidence-Based Care with Fewer Interventions

Home birth is often perceived as “riskier” compared to hospital birth. This is simply not supported by any evidence, especially in low-risk pregnancy cases where midwives are involved.

The research consistently shows that women receiving midwife-led care have:

• Fewer episiotomies
• Low rates of instrument delivery (forceps, vacuum)
• Induction and augmentation are not required as much
• Increased chances of spontaneous vaginal delivery
• Improved maternal satisfaction
• Certain models of care may even lower the risk of stillbirth and neonatal deaths.

After a medicalised birth for my first child, I wanted to take back control of birth. I wanted minimal medical intervention and a natural physiological birth. I also wanted to feel like I was in control.

My midwife was adamant about this goal. She trusted me, and I also learned to trust my body. Each time I gave birth, I felt more confident, intuitive and capable. I wasn’t giving birth, I was healing.

3. The Comfort of Home

Being at home is one of the most important and underrated benefits of planning a homebirth.

No fluorescent lights. No hospital gowns. No loud machines or unfamiliar faces. No loud machines or unfamiliar faces. Just me, my bed and the people that I love.

All of my antenatal visits took place in my living room, sometimes as my toddler played or while I made a cup of tea. It was not necessary to pack a suitcase, arrange childcare or spend hours in waiting rooms. This alone made my pregnancy feel calmer and more enjoyable.

When the time came for labour, I did not have to hurry anywhere. I could move around freely, light candles or play music. Or even take a bath. My midwife was always by my side, encouraging and guiding me, but never taking control.

The familiarity and comfort made a huge difference. What could have been a frightening experience was transformed into something primal and powerful.

4. Women-Centred Care and Informed Decision

The fact that I was able to say so little about my birth shocked me the most. I was prodded and monitored without understanding what was going on. I was often told what to do when, without explanation or consent.

My life changed dramatically when I found an independent midwife.

Each decision was made for me and not with me. I was always informed, consulted and asked for my consent. We discussed openly birth plans, possible complications, and preferences on everything from pain relief to delivery of the placenta.

This sense of agency gave me confidence that I did not know I had. I was no longer a passive participant – I was the decider of my birth.

The importance of communication and sharing decisions in maternity care is well-supported by research. Women who feel respected, involved and supported are more likely to have positive experiences during birth — no matter how it unfolds.

Respect and collaboration have made a huge difference to me.

5. Outstanding Postnatal Support

After the baby was born, the care continued. Some of the most crucial support came after the child was born.

My midwife visited me at home several weeks after my birth, unlike standard hospital care, where new mothers often get discharged and are left to their own devices.

She supported me through the ups and downs of motherhood, including breastfeeding.

She was a great support and encouraged me to successfully breastfeed all three of my girls, something that I had struggled with when I first became a mother. She guided me patiently through latching issues, feeding positions and cluster feeding phases.

Her presence was a source of comfort in a situation that could be overwhelming. She treated me like a complete person and not just as a mother to a newborn baby.

What I learned about midwives

Through my experiences, I have come to appreciate the importance of midwives and independent midwives. They are much more than just birth attendants. They are professionals with a high level of training and passion who dedicate their life to helping women go through one of the most important transformations in life.

They are our advocates. They empower us. They are not in front of or behind us. They carry wisdom, power, and a special magic that lasts long after birth.

Each midwife has had a profound impact on my life. I will never forget them. Their compassion, their knowledge and their unwavering faith in me have shaped my identity as a woman and a mother.

Why should you hire an independent midwife?

If you are pregnant and unsure about your options for care or if you want something different after your first experience, I encourage you to investigate hiring an independent midwife. This is not about “opting out” of the current system. Choose what you feel is right for you.

Consider these key benefits:

• Care for someone consistently
• More time for you and more attention
• Shared responsibility and informed decision-making
• A familiar, comfortable setting for those who choose to give birth at home
• The importance of uninterrupted care after birth during the early days

Home births and independent midwifery may not be right for everyone. Each pregnancy is unique, so it’s crucial to make choices that are in line with your personal preferences, medical needs and lifestyle.

It’s important to ask questions and to do research. Birth should be as unique as you — and you deserve to receive care that reflects that.

Final Thoughts

My journey to motherhood did not begin the way I had hoped. With the help of three amazing home births and skilled, compassionate midwives, I found strength, healing, and joy.

Trust your gut if you are considering this route. Ask questions. Explore your options. Don’t hesitate to select as a care model that will support and lift you.

Birth isn’t only about the delivery of a child. It’s what you feel throughout the process. It’s all about being heard, seen and respected. When you have the right support, it can be a great experience.

It will be the most memorable experience of your lifetime.