HB in Augusta Ga...HELP

[AllOrganicMomma]

I am a momma of 1 with 1 on the way...19 weeks pregnant with a surprise. Ive had a normal pregnancy, no complications whatsoever. I had a c-section with my daughter due to the fact that she was breech. My husband was deployed and being a young first time mother I was not knowledgeable on my choices. This time around I am wanting a VBAC and have been over the risks with an OB and have a clear conscience about doing so.

I am an all organic, non-vaxing momma who has had quite a tough time dealing with the military health care system. With this baby ID LOVE to have a homebirth with a midwife. I have read some previous threads and Im more confused than ever on how to have a TRICARE covered homebirth. ALSO, I am near Fort Gordon, we dont live on post, but in the Augusta aread. Can anyone help me find a CNM in my area that does homebirthing?

This is something I am very passionate about and I am hoping that Tricare wont stand in my way. Im still fairly new to the Army ways, as my husband has only been in a little over 3 years. If anyone can give good information on how to go about getting myself set up to have a homebirth I would be very much appreciative. Currently I am on tricare prime, having routine prenatal visits, and scheduled for my ultrasound on April 17.

Thanks again ladies!

-------------------
Tearah mama to a fiesty redheaded 2 year old & one one the way [8-24-09] hopeful homebirther :::

[EmmaJean]

hi Tearah! Congrats on the new baby! I'm an Army wife too, just had a baby in Augusta in 07. And there are no CNMs that do homebirths in the area. There used to be CNMs practicing at MCG but they all got pushed out. There was a CNM working at Doctor's Hospital when we were there though, if you're interested in that. If you want a homebirth, you will have to pay for it yourself. But having had 3 (going on 4) and paid for them all ourselves, it is totally worth it. And midwives will work with you on payments and costs and whatnot. The service they provide is worth it though. The midwives you would be working with would not be CNMs but either CPMs or "Direct Entry Midwives" or "Traditional Midwives" meaning they have chosen not to be certified through MANA for whatever reason. If you want to find out more about the state of midwifery in GA, google Georgia Friends of Midwives, I believe. I can give you the name and contact info for the midwife I used if you want to PM me. There are several midwives in SC, one or two in the Columbia area. There's also a publication called BABE, Better Augusta Birth Experience, I think, that they were trying to get up and running last year. And also a Trust Birth group and something else. Those would be things to google and find out what your options there are. There are homebirthers, u/c ers, etc just kind of underground since midwives aren't liscenced in GA.

OK, I think that's all I can write and don't want to blab on forever. PM if you want more info!

Emily

[QueenSadiqa]

Hi, I too am searching for a midwife to help me have a homebirth. We will pcs to Fort Gordon on July 1st. I delivered our first two children at home in Chicago with a practive named HomeFirst. I had our third child at Tripler, Hawaii, as I was already 37 wks pregnant when we arrived and did get matched with a midwife early enough to have a homebirth. Our fourth child was born at home here, in Maryland. I hope never to give birth in a hospital again. My husband would also like another homebirth and he will be the staff anesthesiologist at Eisenhower! He does epidurals and spinal blocks all day and knows that home births are amazing and better (for me…not all women). I hope someone can help. I would appreciate any connections to midwives, as I need to make a match quickly. I am getting nowhere fast and greatly appreciate the help. Thank you.

[QueenSadiqa]

Sorry, I have never posted a thread before. I have a correction: I did NOT get matched with a midwife early enough when we moved to Hawaii. As such, I had a hospital birth 4 wks after we arrived. To clarify, I have had 3 homebirths and 1 hospital birth. I pray to have a homebirth when we move to Augusta, Georgia. Thanks again for any help you can give.

[laurashanley]

I'd suggest contacting Lynn Reed with the Augusta Birth Network. She's very active in the homebirth community there. Her email address and phone number are on the web site - http://www.augustabirthnetwork.org/
Laura

[QueenSadiqa]

Thank you. I will connect with Lynn immediately. I already spoke with Christine (in Augusta) and am excited about options we may have, but hesitant about the politics of it all. I am stunned and extremely disappointed at Georgia's horrible approach towards birthing. I hope and pray that sensible legislation and regs pass soon.

[waiting2bemommy]

sorry to hijack...I am fllowing this thread closely since I also am hoping for a homebirth in Augusta.

can someone explain to me the legalities of this? I keep hearing it floated around that homebirth is "illegal."


On a side note, Allorganicomma, while doing my research I discovered that there is a homebirth meetup or something the first monday night of each month at Earthfare. I am moving to within walking distance of there so I will definitely be in attendance! That might be useful for connecting with other "alternative" providers int he area.

[EmmaJean]

waiting2bemommy--Lynn's group is the Augusta Birth Network that meets at Earth Fare. Or at least she was the contact person on the website when I looked it up a few days ago. I think!

And there isn't a hostile environment towards midwives in GA. Even though they aren't recognized by the state, they aren't "witch-hunting" them like is happening in other states like NC where mw's have to be underground as much as possible. I guess I'm saying that even though there isn't a perfect situation, I really liked it b/c my experience was in MY hands, not being told what I HAD to do by the state. In Arkansas, I felt like I had to jump through hoops and work for my homebirth b/c MWs are regulated by the state and there's lots of things that have to be done in order for a homebirth to be "ok". In GA no one was telling me what to do. If something had come up that was worrisome, I could *choose* to go to a doc and get things checked out.

So anyway, while things aren't perfect, there shouldn't be much fear associated w/ having a homebirth in GA. If there were any legal issues, it would be on the mw's shoulders not yours. So really it's the midwives that are doing a great service and putting themselves out there to serve us. It really is lovely and selfless.

I just remembered my midwife has a website now! http://www.morningglorybirth.com/

[EmmaJean]

oh yeah, and you should check in the Georgia section of Finding Your Tribe to get more info on midwifery in GA.

[mamatolevi]

Since you're VBACing, you might find some help through ICAN. there's a very active Atlanta chapter; I don't know if there is a chapter in August, but there are folks from August on the Atlanta forum.

www.atlanta.ican-online.org

Just in case anyone might need it, there is a very (and I mean VERY) pro-vbac ob in Atlanta. He oversaw a successful vba5c in the last couple of weeks. He's not everyone's cup of tea personality wise, but he's honest (which is about 95% of the battle for a VBAC).

[waiting2bemommy]

Originally Posted by EmmaJean

waiting2bemommy--Lynn's group is the Augusta Birth Network that meets at Earth Fare. Or at least she was the contact person on the website when I looked it up a few days ago. I think!

And there isn't a hostile environment towards midwives in GA. Even though they aren't recognized by the state, they aren't "witch-hunting" them like is happening in other states like NC where mw's have to be underground as much as possible. I guess I'm saying that even though there isn't a perfect situation, I really liked it b/c my experience was in MY hands, not being told what I HAD to do by the state. In Arkansas, I felt like I had to jump through hoops and work for my homebirth b/c MWs are regulated by the state and there's lots of things that have to be done in order for a homebirth to be "ok". In GA no one was telling me what to do. If something had come up that was worrisome, I could *choose* to go to a doc and get things checked out.

So anyway, while things aren't perfect, there shouldn't be much fear associated w/ having a homebirth in GA. If there were any legal issues, it would be on the mw's shoulders not yours. So really it's the midwives that are doing a great service and putting themselves out there to serve us. It really is lovely and selfless.

I just remembered my midwife has a website now! http://www.morningglorybirth.com/

thank you so much! I called her and chatted with her....she sounds so friendly! We have an appt the week after next for an initial consultation. After she explained to me the whole legal thing, I am perfectly comfortable going ahead with a homebirth. Although I think the law is stupid :/

Can't wait to meet her....thanks!!