More women want to give birth at home during the pandemic.
One who has recently done so is Asabea Britton, who herself is a midwife and has over 50,000 followers on Instagram where she educates people about pregnancy, breastfeeding and childbirth.
For her, the decision was that she wanted to control how the birth would be.
- I felt that I had better conditions for it at home.
I wanted to know who I would meet, where I would be, and not worry about getting a place, says Asabea Britton.
"Many in the small bathroom"
The plan was for the son to be born in a plastic pool filled with water in the living room, but it never had time to inflate.
Instead, he was born in the bathtub, surrounded by Asabea Britton's two sisters, cohabitant, friend - and two midwives.
- There were quite a few in the small bathroom, but I did not think it was messy.
I had my eyes closed almost all the time.
When the son was born, Asabea Britton lay on the couch, drank coffee and ate croissants.
Got reactions on Instagram
On Instagram, Asabea Britton has shared a video from her birth.
The reactions have mostly been positive, she says, but some question how she can expose herself to the risk.
- It is still seen as a bit odd to give birth at home.
What do you answer?
- I did not expose myself to more risk, rather the opposite.
On the one hand, I have the research on my side, it can be highlighted.
On the one hand, I had with me two experienced midwives who are there just for me.
Asabea Britton has now, together with the associations Födelsehuset, Föda Lugnt and the midwife Märta Cullhed who runs the Instagram account @fodamedstod, started a name collection with a list of demands for reforms in maternity care.
One of the requirements is to expand the possibility of giving birth at home or in a midwife-led unit.
Asabea Britton gave birth to her son in the bathtub.
Afterwards, she was served food by her mother on the sofa.
Photo: Cassandra Klatzkow