A Colorado Twin Homebirth
In 2023, I attended a twin birth at home. In many states across our country - this is a more common occurrence, but in Colorado…twin homebirths are rare.
The majority of twin births take place within the hospital, and most often, within the operating room. Even vaginal twin births are moved from a labor room to the OR when it becomes time to birth. In the minds of many medical professionals, even a full-term vaginal, twin birth is high risk and necessitates extra precautions.
But in many cases and places, twin births can be normal, uncomplicated, and safe. There are states that currently do allow homebirth midwives to attend and support twin births at home.
When I shared images from this birth, the question I often received was “wait, I thought this wasn’t legal in Colorado?”
The reality is that there are no federal laws that prohibit anyone from choosing to birth at home. There are state laws that do limit or restrict who can attend certain births (midwives, doctors, etc…) but the person giving birth is always free to choose where and how they give birth. And midwives (throughout time) have decided to serve families (with or without legal approval).
In over ten years of birth work, my viewpoint on a variety of situations has changed and evolved. I don’t believe that there is one right way to have a baby or babies. Instead, I always support my clients in choosing births that align with their values.
My client Brooke entered this pregnancy having had one homebirth already…and she knew that this choice about where to birth her twins was entirely hers to make. She decided to give birth at home after careful consideration and consultation. She entered into this experience with a full heart and deep peace about her choice.
And I will say that her twin birth was one of the least complicated births I witnessed in 2023. Labor started in the early morning hours. She swayed and moved in the darkness of their home, a log cabin.. As the sun rose, her contractions increased. She smiled, laughed, snuggled, and worked with such grace and confidence. Her babies came right out, one after each other, both born en caul! They didn’t need any breathing assistance. Her bleeding was minimal. Brooke’s older child played on the floor as his little brothers entered into the world. She walked into the bedroom, snuggled in bed, and began breastfeeding them right away. I was so moved by this experience because it reminded me that the person who knows best is the mother. And the person who will be impacted the most…is the mother.
I feel lucky that I’m able to witness all kinds of births in all kinds of settings - from the operating room to log cabins in the mountains. One is not better than the other. The most important thing is that my clients are seen, heard, and respected.
