I'm active duty Air Force so I don't have a choice, but seeing's how the military is paying for everything I won't complain too much about being in a hospital. Especially since the military hospital (Army) I'll be at supports limiting unnecessary interventions, doesn't follow artificial timelines, etc. I'm being seen by a military certified nurse midwife for every appt and she said to bring in my birth plan during my week 32 appt for us to review and she'll sign off on it to give more creedance to what I want for when I get to the hospital. I'm shooting for non-drug pain management care and stress relief, and I really want to be able to move around, eat, drink water, shower, bathe, etc. I've got a doula and will more than likely have a chiropractor there as well. I'm also excited about the military hospital I'll be at because they've got one of the lowest c-section rates and look at surgery as a worst case, last resort option as they acknowledge we recover faster birthing vaginally which means they get us back to work faster LOL. I'll be breastfeeding as much as possible, but will have to pump when I go back to work.

It sounds like you have an awesome support system! Most women don't get the birth that they want because they aren't supported by their caregivers, and I know from experience, that you have to be really stubborn to refuse interventions! I had many arguments during my first labor! I am so happy that your "team" is really working on your side! The last hospital I delivered at had a 95% epidural rate when my midwives began delivering there (I was one of the first deliveries that they did there). The nurses all though that I was crazy and when I delivered my own baby in the tub with my midwife standing by to talk me through it, I thought that they would die! They weren't used to the natural birth culture at all! Babies aren't meant to be born while lying on your back!

I considered a water birth as from what I'd read I could only see positives for it, but the Army hospital doesn't have a birthing tubs. They do however offer showers and have no issue with allowing us to get up and move around, try different positions from standing, leaning on SO, squatting, and using items like a birthing stool, birthing ball, etc. all of course providing the baby is doing well and not showing signs of distress.

I had three hospital/epidural births.
Then #4 was a "natural" hospital birth. The only interventions I had we're an amniotomy (at 42 weeks) and a saline lock.
After that I stayed home. This will be my third home birth with a midwife, once again planning on using the birthing pool. That is so much easier for me. And baby! I don't think it's any coincidence that my home-birthed babies have also been my calmest and happiest.
We are pretty crunchy all-around. We do herbal home remedies before seeking medical interventions (which means we rarely see doctors. I do take the kids in for a yearly checkup with the ped, just so she'll "know" us in case we ever need her.)
We use cloth diapers and I use a diva cup instead of paper feminine products. We homeschool.

But I'm not one of these militant crunchy people. I just do what works for us, and I share what we do only to offer suggestions that folks may not have considered before. I have plenty of medicated-birthing, disposable-using, formula-feeding friends, and I love them just the same.

I love it! Super crunchy! My hubby still hates the idea of cloth diapers!

Mine was not at all sold on the idea of cloth diapers, but I just went ahead and started using them. We were in dire financial straits, and I thought it would help. It did. Some of our cloth dipes have lasted through FOUR children!
Now he tells the expecting gals at his work about cloth diapers...I don't think he's gotten any converts.

BTW--I am also a nurse! Hi!

Thanks Nicole!