Birthing saga- what to do?

I am so fed up with the way the birthing process takes place here in Pittsburgh, and in many areas around the country. Eventhough, the trend seems to have shifted towards focusing on natural methods to get thru labor, med students are not given the opportunity to view what actually goes on during a natural childbirth- to see that it IS normal, and that it CAN be done without an i.v., without an epidural and certainly without a c-section- even if the baby seems "stuck" or "not in the right position."

I feel like each of my births have been a battle- not so much with the actual  process of birthing a baby out, but with the staff- the o.b. who despite defining herself as "natura;" is as conservative as the state of PA is, the myraid of nurses and residents.

Each time I have to fight for my right to have MY kind of birth, and fight I do. I say no to all interventions unless medically needed.

Last time was the straw that broke the camels back. My o.b. insisted I have at least the heplock (the part of the i.v. where the needle is inserted, but not attached to anything in the .00000000007 % that something 'bad' happens) needless to say, after a few attempts to get it in my vein, I had just about had it!

I was so annoyed that I was statistically lumped into a category of "what if's" when there was no evidence of anything bad going on. I am not high risk, im not 48, I don't have any history thank g-d of anything going wrong during birth, the monitor (which I agreed to wear every 30 minutes for 5 minutes) showed only good things, so why the "in case something happens." Not only that, but I was made to have pitocin after the birth for 2 hours because "maybe your uterus will have a hard time shrinking- it happens after multiple babies" really? so if evidence suggests that its having problems, THEN by all means start me on pitocin. It is so backward!!! Meanwhile, this chemical is being pumped thru my body and making its way to babies milk after 9 months of watching everything I come into contact with, when nothing was amiss! It really bothers me to no end!

I read a study recently that explains that on a subconscious level, when a laboring mother is wearing a hospital gown, and in bed attached to an i.v., in the nurses mind as well as the doctors and the woman  herself, she is a "sick patient" like the rest of the people in the hospital- in line for transplants and risky procedures. I truly believe this.

Let me come in, and have my baby! 

My best birth was with my second, where I stayed home as long as I can laboring all Friday night and into early shabbos morning. I refused to leave until I couldn't get a handle on the breathing anymore. I got to the  hospital at 7 cent. dilated and they literally had no time to even ask for i.v. That is what I aim for again. It is sad that I can't just walk in and do my thing, especially when my births (according to my insurance file online) average $12,000. 

UPMC  (and doc)is getting paid $12,000 for the privilege of catching my baby, after fighting me teeth and nail for epidurals, i.v.'s, hearing tests, std cream, and a non stop barrage of "routine" "helpful" procedures. I leave the hospital usually around 5 hours later- I don't sleep the night there, I don't use the nursery services or need night nurses. They are making the most money out of me, its actually sick if you think about it.

Everyone who hears these things from me cries "home birth, home birth" but the sad fact is that here in PA, there is something murky going on with home births. "certified" nurse midwives seems to fly under the radar, are not officially approved by the state it seems, do not carry malpractice insurance or take any insurance of any kind (except a few that work directly with o.b's in clinics =which are hard to find), and I just don't feel completely safe with this route. It sounds amazing, and plenty have done it here, it's just not for me. 

So, when the time comes- I am having a few friends join me in the house to keep me company and make me me laugh during labor until I can't take it anymore. Wish me luck!