The morning after Jax's birth Nov 2011 Originally published here August 4, 2016. I'm reposting today as with the Duchess of Sussex - aka Meghan Markle - choosing to homebirth, it's shone a global spotlight on this birthing choice. If there was one thing I would love every pregnant woman to know it is this: fear affects labour and birth. The stalling of labour that leads to inductions. The pain that leads to epidurals. The cascade of interventions that lead to emergency c-sect

The Duchess of Sussex - aka Meghan Markle's - decision to birth at home has shone an international spotlight on this birthing choice. Is it safe? Why do women do it? For the homebirth curious I've reposted an article I wrote a few years ago inspired by my own very supported homebirth of our son Jax. ** Latest Australian data* shows that Homebirth rates increased by 56% from 2009-10. U.S statistics** tell a similar story with Homebirth rates there increasing by 41% from 2004-