Before we got pregnant we began the process of comparing the option of using a doctor and a hospital to the option of using a mid wife and a birthing center.

I had always been one of those people who thought that birthing centers were unsafe and that midwives were hippies.  Then one day while sitting in Bible school I felt like the Holy Spirit spoke to me about it.  I heard something to the effect of, "Why do you think birthing centers are unsafe?  You believe and have faith that God still heals, so why can't you have faith that having a baby can be easy, natural, and safe?  Why are you believing for complications?  Whatever you chose is fine, but don't make the decision based on fear."  

It was like a light bulb went off.  After class I asked a friend what she thought of birthing centers and she said she wanted to use one when she had children.  She said that there was one near where I lived and gave me the name of The Baby Place.  The next day I got online to see what I could find out.  I found the website for The Baby Place and the more I read, the more peace I had.

I have always had an aversion to hospitals so why I would want to give birth in one I'm not sure.  I was with a friend when she gave birth in a hospital here in Boise, and it was a horrible experience. 

I started asking around about The Baby Place and found out that it was where our good friends had  delivered their baby last year.  Then I found out that our pastor and his wife had delivered their youngest child there and our children's pastors had delivered two children there.  All of them spoke of how wonderful their experience was.

As I researched I learned that one of the main differences between hospitals and birthing centers is your rights and how much control you have over the experience.  In a hospital you have very little say in most things.  You labor and give birth how and in what position they want you to and on their time table.  If it isn't fast enough they speed it up or do a C-section.  You have whatever nurse (or doctor for that matter) that happens to be available. 

At The Baby Place my birthing experience will be based on what is best for me and my baby.  I can labor and deliver in whatever way is most comfortable for me.  (You're even encouraged to eat during labor.  Sounds better than the ice chips my friend got at the hospital during her 24 hour labor.)  I will be allowed to deliver when my body is ready to deliver, not when the doctors need the room for the next person.  They have two midwives so I will know and be comfortable with the person who will be helping bring my child into the world.  On our first visit to The Baby Place we had an hour long consultation with Colleen (the primary midwife).  She is a dear, sweet Christian woman and we are so excited to be working with her.  

We have a total peace about using The Baby Place and are so grateful that God opened our eyes to this option.