Laila Ali's reasons for choosing home birth

I am so excited to see Laila Ali speaking out about her choice of having a Home birth. People can see that this is a plan of care that is thought out and has merit as opposed to being a selfish choice made by an uninformed person, as home birth moms are often accused of.

In discussing her decision to plan a home birth with her little boy, Laila again credits The Business of Being Born with opening her mind, saying, "I think all women kind of like to be in control, but I want to really experience [the birth]."

"Society tells you, 'You get pregnant, you go to the hospital,' and that was just naturally what I was going to do, but once I saw that there was another option, it just fit me," she explains. "I want to be fully present. I don't want any medications. I just want to be in control of the situation -- as much as I can be anyway."

Laila admits, "It's not for everybody. So you have to do your research and at least be informed. Even if you don't decide to do a home birth or work with a midwife, you can at least be aware of the fact that you have a voice at the hospital. And pick a good doctor."

Thank you Laila for sharing yourself in this way, for educating women that they can be empowered to make choices for themselves, that making such choices are actually responsible and not selfish. You are truly giving your baby boy a beautiful gift.