This archive report was first published on 26 June 2021.
Published on June 26, 2021, Terrynia Mahiga-Homes recounts her journey to having a water birth at home in 2019. Despite initial reservations from her mother, Mahiga-Homes was determined to have a home birth, which she researched extensively through various sources.
She settled on a water birth with two midwives attending, at a cost of Sh150,000, and prepared her home for delivery. Mahiga-Homes chose water birth for its natural pain-relieving properties and gentler introduction to the world for her baby.
On the day of the birth, Mahiga-Homes was 4 cm dilated when the midwife instructed her to take a walk and her partner to fill the inflatable tub with hot water. As she felt the urge to push, Mahiga-Homes' partner was still scrambling to get things ready, but the lead midwife's stern instructions calmed her down.
After a second-degree tear during delivery, Mahiga-Homes required stitches, which were administered under anesthesia. Despite the complications, she credits her midwives for being well-prepared and for making the experience an 'amazing one.'
While Mahiga-Homes highly recommends home births, she emphasizes that they are not suitable for every pregnancy and require careful qualification and approval.
