Trends tend to skip a generation and it is starting to get real 1940's around here. Although the techno boom of the millennium shook up the way we do things, like eat, work, and play, we could be just repeating what routines we've seen in our grandparents. Like our elders we are staying home more and going out less with concepts like working from home, mom and pop shop entrepreneurs, meal deliveries (remember the cake lady?!), and home birthing.
Home birthing?! Yes, in the 'Roaring Twenties 2.0' more mothers are considering home births. Why? Because of the shift in our way of thinking that separates us from our parents but mirrors our grandparents. Let's not even mention the restrictions hospitals have put on birthing families to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Now that my peers are looking forward to settling down in the next ten years, if they haven't already, they are starting to spread their wings and fly towards the suburbs. Wisely, they get more bang for their buck and space to roam in a healthier, smogless, vegan inspired, neighborhood. Thus, being further away from the city means, fewer obstetrical options, and fewer birthing facilities (especially here in GA). Naturally midwifes fill the gap, which makes our grounded homebody millennial more likely to hire their community midwife.
Did we already talk about the cost efficiency of homebirth? For my numbers folks, "the state with the lowest childbirth costs is Alabama. In Alabama, a vaginal delivery with insurance costs $4,884. A delivery without insurance, however, costs $9,013. C-section deliveries, with or without insurance, for each state enhance your final costs significantly. " (https://smartasset.com/financial-advisor/cost-of-having-a-baby) For our frugal, DIY's of this generation, a one time fee of $3000-$5000 seems more accessible than insurance and/or ten stacks.
Birthing in hospitals in less than 100 years old. This generation is smart, and they are doing their research. The common question, why do I need high risk care for a low risk occurrence? White coat syndrome still captures a few, but alot of family planning now includes questioning a system that has only been in place a very small fraction of humanity. Especially with rising stats in defense of their argument, simply put, why should I trust you. Community midwives and traditional birthworkers are not only experienced, trained, observant, they are also their friends, sisters, and empathetic care givers.