Homebirthing and THEN transferring.

[NaturalMindedMomma]

For reasons out of my control right now, I could really use the support of the hospital staff after giving birth to my daughter this summer.

My doula is my HB midwife as well. I want to attempt a homebirth, but I want to have the support of the hospital afterwards. Anyone else do this for any reason? Anyone care to weigh in?

I mean if in the moment I want to transfer or stay, I can do whatever feels right, but my MW suggested this last night and I thought it was a good plan.

[ShwarmaQueen]

Not me personally, but my very dear friend has all-natural births and insists on doing so in the hospital because she loves getting a 2 day "vacation" from cleaning/cooking and also for the one-on-one bonding time w/ her new baby. So I don't think you're alone in your need mamma!

[NaturalMindedMomma]

Thanks for the hugs. See, I have bi-polar disorder and I have no primary support person at home to help me. I also had extreme post partum depression. So the hospital will make sure I have psych consults and the help will be much needed.

I figured if I "oops" at home, I can have the HB, keep my placenta without any issues, then go in and get the help I need. Does that make sense?

[devon]

I completely understand. My second child was an unplanned HB. We called 911 and ended up going via ambulance to the hospital after he was born (and the placenta had come, etc). I stayed the normal 2 days. I totally needed it, because it was what I had been expecting, and we have a very friendly hospital for mom and baby. They were very sweet about it being an unplanned HB (don't know if the unplanned part mattered to them) and it was lovely.

A lot of people asked why we even went into the hospital afterwards, and not just stay home, but I needed to at that point. We were both healthy but it was a good experience for us anyway.

This time around, we're planning a HB and not planning on going.

The only suggestion I would have is to treat it like a transfer or an unplanned HB, because otherwise they might put you in a non-maternity ward, and you want to be in the normal recovery maternity room I would guess.

[ShwarmaQueen]

Originally Posted by NaturalMindedMomma

Thanks for the hugs. See, I have bi-polar disorder and I have no primary support person at home to help me. I also had extreme post partum depression. So the hospital will make sure I have psych consults and the help will be much needed.

I figured if I "oops" at home, I can have the HB, keep my placenta without any issues, then go in and get the help I need. Does that make sense?

Yah it was really rough for me in the first few days and I would seriously considering doing the same if my mom wasn't nearby. DH is not much help- he kinda just adds to the list of "needs to be met". Bipolar disorder runs in our family and I can't say I've ever had an episode, but I did have PPD and it was scary. Please get all the help you need mamma.

[cileag]

How about a postpartum doula? Don't they do a lot of those things for you?

[super mamabug]

I don't think it's weird. I considered it last time, I also considered getting a hotel room with DH so we didn't have to cook/clean/look after kids for a day or so. I assume you've talked to your mw about this, won't she be looking after you. Can you also plan an appt with a psychologist ahead of time, explaining your concerns? You might be able to do some of this yourself. I believe some psychiatrists will write you a SSR script ahead of time to use if you need in these situations.
What I mean is whatever you decide will be in your best interests so go for it.

[Carlyle]

I don't know if you've read some of the threads about eating your placenta (in the ppd board), but that might be a way to help you recover after the birth without ppd.

[NaturalMindedMomma]

I plan on encapsulating the Placenta. I would not be willing to consume it any other way. I think it's great to use it, hence why it's so important that I am able to keep it and not worry about fighting the hospital on that.

Anyway.... Thanks for all the imput. I will most likely have no clue of what I am doing until the moment. That way I can just do what feels right to me instinctually.

The thing with my midwife is that she only visits on day 1 and 3. I would be alone otherwise. But we'll see.

[jessjgh1]

Check into your insurance costs for hospital stays, etc. I don't have the greatest insurance, so our costs might be higher than most, so for a hospital stay we ended up paying about $400for a 24 hour (one overnight) stay. This was just for the 'room'. My ds's birth was 3 nights and it was $600, because we reached the max for what they could charge us. Those costs did not include the birth, drs fees, etc. etc., simply the cost for using the rooms at the hospital post-partum.

$400-600 might get you the help you need at home- call around and find what services post-partum doulas can offer to see if that might feel like an option.

Good luck momma-- wishing you a beautiful peaceful birth and babymoon!

Jessica

[RachaelsMommy]

If you feel you need to, there's nothing wrong with it, but I was also going to suggest hiring a post-partum doula. That way you don't have to worry about fighting them over procedures or getting icky hospital germs. Plus, as a PP mentioned, it may be cheaper, especially since you and the baby will both be considered patients.

[railyuh]

Originally Posted by NaturalMindedMomma

The thing with my midwife is that she only visits on day 1 and 3. I would be alone otherwise. But we'll see.

I wouldn't want to be alone even without dealing bipolar or other issues

Definitely do what you feel is in your best interest. Even if you decide to go to the hospital for a few days, it might be beneficial to also hire a postpartum doula for when you come home.

[Limabean1975]

I'm assuming the hospital care would be covered by insurance? BEcause if not, comparing the costs with hiring a pp doula who would stay with you for the first 48-72 hours might be useful.

[NaturalMindedMomma]

Totally covered. I'm on medicaid. My HB MW is awesome and totally understanding with my situation. I'm sure she will call me often, but I am just so scared to be alone with the new baby for longer than a week or 2. I tried to kill myself and my newborn about 2.5 weeks after birth. I didn't actually attempt it, but I wanted to and called my mom who helped. So I just need to be really aware of myself this time. I think co-sleeping and breastfeeding might totally change my parenting experience as I did not do either of these for long with DD1. I'm also hoping consuming my placenta will help.

Thanks all you mamas for weighing in!

[Limabean1975]

((((NMM)))) You are so wise to plan ahead and be so careful.

[NaturalMindedMomma]

thanks. I feel horrible writing that. It was a very dark time in my life. I look at pics of my baby and I don't even remember a lot of it and I feel like I missed out on it all. She was so precious and I wasn't always so good with her. I'm going to change a lot this time.

[jessjgh1]

Originally Posted by Limabean1975

I'm assuming the hospital care would be covered by insurance? BEcause if not, comparing the costs with hiring a pp doula who would stay with you for the first 48-72 hours might be useful.

Limabean,
In the states, each insurance company has their own policies. Some pay all the costs of what they cover, some have a low copay, some have high copays. In my state (MA) insurance is required, in most states you can decide to go uncovered,

Naturalminded Momma ((Hugs)) sounds like you are doing an amazing job preparing this time around I hope to catch your birth story later if you decide to share(-:

Jessica

[NaturalMindedMomma]

Jessica- gotta love MA.. LOL I have Masshealth so I am pretty lucky that everything is 100% covered. I also get a free convertible carseat and a breast pump at 32 weeks.

I will definitly post my birth story. I am hoping for a HB and I know I can do it, this time. My MW actually sent me a birth plan via email and it was perfect for what I want, if I am to have a hospital birth. It states that if I decide to HB I will be transferring to the maternity care ward afterward. I want my midwives (CNM's) to be aware of my plans to possibly HB. They were really open to it last time (with the exception of one, who was pretty nasty to me afterwards eventhough she USED to be a HB MW and had ALL her babies at home). So I know I will be treated well either way. If not, I have no problem dismissing any nurse or HCP who I dislike.

Anyway... Thanks again ladies.

[Belle]

Originally Posted by NaturalMindedMomma

...but I am just so scared to be alone with the new baby for longer than a week or 2. I tried to kill myself and my newborn about 2.5 weeks after birth. I didn't actually attempt it, but I wanted to and called my mom who helped. ...I'm also hoping consuming my placenta will help.

You may want to have a post partum doula anyway. The two days at the hospital probably won't help that much if have such a severe case of BPD.

[TzippityDoulah]

I think it is wise for you to plan ahead like this! I also second the idea that alongside the hospital, perhaps you could get a PP doula for a few days or even weeks? it sounds like you could use the extra hand and support for a little longer than 2 days.