Having a baby....

And no, I'm not having one.

In my mind that first requires a bf, then engagement, and then marriage, in that order. HOWEVER, I am in the midst of a baby boom! ^_^ So many people I know in my immediate circle of friends are having them now. I know one thing, I'm going to love going gaga over them!

I got into a slight discussion with a friend (the friend that I find frustrating at the moment) on "having a baby" and we have "opposing" feelings about it, which is not a bad thing obviously, I always respect people's opinion and never force my own upon them, but I just wish they would do the same.

The issue: In the US, it's become more and more common that births have invasive medical intervention involved, such as c-sections, etc. Ricki Lake, made a film about this, The Business of Being Born. I haven't seen it, so I can't really say anything in terms of what was presented, but I was told what the documentary mentioned. From what I can tell, it was Ricki Lake giving birth in a bath tub at home. I think it was supposed to bring to light home birthing vs. hospital birthing (in some ways analogous to natural vs medical intervention).

Now while I'm not in a relationship, I know that I want kids in the future (2-4) depending on how I feel after the second, and I haven't given thought on how I was going to give birth. My friend on the other hand is married and though she isn't planning on getting preggers anytime soon, saw the documentary and is strongly of the opinion that hospitals should not be intervening as much. I'm not sure if that means she wants to have a home birth, etc.

I mentioned that one of my other friends (who was late) was going to be induced, then didn't because she went into natural labor, but then had a c-section and finally a healthy (BIG, close to 9 lbs) baby entered the world. My friend said "See! Medical intervention". I didn't try to say anything other than "She's healthy, she's beautiful, that's all that really matters." Because really that's all that matters!

I do know one thing, I want to give birth in a hospital and I'd like to try a natural birth obviously, but I'm not going to be against a c-section if that's the best for the baby and me. I would like that feeling of, if things get difficult, there are doctors to intervene, diagnose, and help. Through "personal" experience, someone close to me, due to lack of knowledge on the midwife's/doctor's part and lack of hospital facilities, etc, the baby did not survive.

If the technology and manpower is available, I'm going to take advantage of it, especially since I'm not a doctor myself. It's not like I'm going to elect to get a c-section, which I think is still controversial nowadays, but if something happens I will definitely take the doctor's advice into consideration for the health of the baby.

What's your viewpoint on this, would you avoid medical intervention at all costs, have the baby by midwife or at home? Have any of you seen the documentary?