since I can't HB...

[handzfull]

I really wanted to have a homebirth this time, but have been turned down by 2 midwives because I have to take bloodthinners when pregnant, I was wondering, what type of birthplan should I do for the hospital. In the past, I always been very basic and pretty agreeable to whatever, like no bottle feeding, my husband will cut the cord, etc. Not much to disagree with from the hospital's perspective. But now I'm aware of much more, like the eye ointment they give at birth, not cutting the cord til after the placenta is delivered, etc. I guess what I'm asking is what can I request and refuse? I don't really know what battles to choose, so to speak. I want to do it as much like a homebirth as I can. Any suggestions? TIA!

[alegna]

You can request and refuse anything you wish.

-Angela

[hikingmommy]

I would suggest hiring a doula. We had no problems with the hospital honoring things in our birth plan like no eye ointment, no Hep-B shot, keeping the placenta, etc., but I wish we'd had a doula to help advocate for me when I was deep in labor and couldn't do it myself.

[katmann]

Your birth plan can be as specific as you'd like it to be (freedom to move around, eat and drink, soft music, etc.) but there's no guarantee your hospital will honor it. Try to bring up your concerns with your ob practice early so you know where they stand on some of these issues. Some won't budge when it comes to an IV, for example. And the doula is a great idea for an advocate. Your partner should be focused on you during the birth, not your ob or birth plan.

[Jilian]

Maybe you can hire a HB MW as a doula and stay at home as long as possible. I like to keep birth plans fairly simple and say something like "Please ask for consent for every procedure/intervention" then list the major things like "no episiotomy" "no circumcision" etc. It is always nice to start with thanking them for attending the birth of your child and mentioning that you'd like as natural a birth as possible with minimal intervention.

[JesiLynne]

Originally Posted by hikingmommy

I would suggest hiring a doula. We had no problems with the hospital honoring things in our birth plan like no eye ointment, no Hep-B shot, keeping the placenta, etc., but I wish we'd had a doula to help advocate for me when I was deep in labor and couldn't do it myself.

Couldn't have said it better! Sometimes hospital staff approach on issues when the mom is in that stage where she can't even think. I remember when I had ds1 they really started to push on issues when they could tell I was in no position to argue, and you can't always count on partner to hold up what you have said, just b/c his heart is breaking watching you labor.

[Jilian]

But do keep in mind that a doula cannot fight on your behalf. As doulas we can get in trouble with our certifying organization for getting in the way. We can certainly discuss your options with you to help give you informed consent but we are not allowed to talk to the medical staff on your behalf, ever. That is the mom and dad's job. But we can rehearse a certain code word or look with mom and dad beforehand to signal them to speak up. I just don't want people to think doulas will fight the hospital staff for them, I get asked that a lot in prenatal interviews.

[hennaLisa]

Ways to Achieve a Home Birth at a Hospital...

One hospital nurse suggested that if you want to be left alone more, you can always spend a lot of time in the bathroom at the hospital. I actually really enjoyed laboring on the toilet and in the shower at my home birth. The Nurse also said that if worse comes to worse, have your husband/partner get naked with you. She said that would make the nurses leave you alone!

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by hennaLisa

She said that would make the nurses leave you alone!

That's awesome. I was going to suggest that to the mom (but forgot) who wanted her MIL to leave before the birth; just tell the mom their plans for them both to be naked in the tub.

And the potty is great for labor.

[handzfull]

Thank you everyone! I am encouraged about my situation. I had already planned to labor at home as long as possible. One of mine was born 30 min. after we got to the hospital. I'd do that again in a heartbeat! Anyway, if I can't try a homebirth, I appreciate all your advice and suggestions.

[lnitti]

Originally Posted by handzfull

I really wanted to have a homebirth this time, but have been turned down by 2 midwives because I have to take bloodthinners when pregnant, I was wondering, what type of birthplan should I do for the hospital. In the past, I always been very basic and pretty agreeable to whatever, like no bottle feeding, my husband will cut the cord, etc. Not much to disagree with from the hospital's perspective. But now I'm aware of much more, like the eye ointment they give at birth, not cutting the cord til after the placenta is delivered, etc. I guess what I'm asking is what can I request and refuse? I don't really know what battles to choose, so to speak. I want to do it as much like a homebirth as I can. Any suggestions? TIA!

Are there any other midwives you could check with? Do you see a hematologist or high risk OBGYN that the midwife could consult with?

I take blood thinners while pregnant as well and have a hematologist I see. He and my midwife consulted back and forth to iron out all particulars about what needed to be done during pregnancy and at and after birth. Stuff like blood draws to check protime, and dosing and timing of blood thinners after delivery, etc. Blood thinners alone should not have to risk you out of a home birth.

[wholisticmidwife]

Are those the only two midwives in your area? I dont know your situation but some midwives will take a mom who is weaned off the thinners at the very end of pregnancy(heprin)
Sam Evans CPM

[handzfull]

I have found one more who is supposed to call me this week and let me know if she would take me as a client. She's only 15 min. from my house, so I am very hopeful it will work out. But, yes, as far as I know (after lots and lots of searching) that's pretty much it in this area. I'll let you all know how it works out!