Noise In Homebirth | Cops?

[thepoet]

My first homebirth, I lived in an apartment, my labor was short, and I only really remember getting pretty loud for about a half hour when I was in transition and actually birthing. All my neighbors at the time claimed that they could not hear me. I gave birth at 1130 at night.

I now live in a mobile home, the place is somewhat old and the windows do squat to reduce noise levels. I have 5 and 2 year old boys who aren't quiet. My youngest is somewhat of a drama king and I ignore his tantrums, apparently my neighbors couldn't. I've had CPS called on me the summer after we moved in and the claim was that my children were always crying. The woman showed up, I didn't let her in of course and answered all her questions, explaining that the two neighbors that it could have been don't have children. She thanked me for my time and no 'case' was ever opened.

My point is...I'm due in late august with my third, and wondering what legal ramifications if any there are to having the police called on me while I'm in actual labor? I am familiar with the noise ordinance of my city, but I'm wondering if anyone has had to deal with the police and having to justify your home birth to the authorities.

Has anyone ever had the police show up? What did you do? Say? Who handled it while you were laboring?

I'm planning an unassisted birth, and would rather not have to explain myself to anyone while I'm busy...you know, birthing a baby.

Do I write my stupid neighbors letters and let them know my plans? If so, when do I write said letter and how do I nicely say 'leave me the hell alone while I birth. Don't be an a-hat and call the cops.'

Any insight would be great. Thank you.

[littlebb]

That's a tough one. The only concern I'd have about alerting your neighbors is that homebirth - let alone unassisted birth - isn't exactly widely accepted. Would that give them cause to have you investigated since UC is sometimes looked down upon as unsafe or endangering the life of your unborn child? Know what I mean? As far as the police appearing at your door, as far as I know there's nothing illegal in any state about giving birth at home - the legal ramifications come in with the midwives and what not assisting in birth. But the last thing you need is someone thinking that you are acting irresponsibly (those of us educated on the issue know better) and try to get another CFS case opened on you based on your birthing plans. I don't know... personally, I think I'd probably just risk it. I'm not much help, though : (

[mumofboyz]

I met with the police ahead of time and told them of our plan to homebirth. I asked them what they would like me to do: notify them when I went into labor or just wait until the neighbors complained. They preferred the pro-active approach so they could be on the alert, as well as the fire department, in case a transport was necessary. I appreciated their support, even though I didn't need their services when the time came, and they appreciated someone taking the bull by the horns and not waiting until it was a crisis.

[mrsjtc]

Originally Posted by mumofboyz

I met with the police ahead of time and told them of our plan to homebirth. I asked them what they would like me to do: notify them when I went into labor or just wait until the neighbors complained. They preferred the pro-active approach so they could be on the alert, as well as the fire department, in case a transport was necessary. I appreciated their support, even though I didn't need their services when the time came, and they appreciated someone taking the bull by the horns and not waiting until it was a crisis.

I'm not a UC'er but I have to say that I think you are brilliant! What a great, pro-active, thoughtful way to work through what could have been a tough situation with neighbors. Good for you!

[littlebb]

Originally Posted by mumofboyz

I met with the police ahead of time and told them of our plan to homebirth. I asked them what they would like me to do: notify them when I went into labor or just wait until the neighbors complained. They preferred the pro-active approach so they could be on the alert, as well as the fire department, in case a transport was necessary. I appreciated their support, even though I didn't need their services when the time came, and they appreciated someone taking the bull by the horns and not waiting until it was a crisis.

I gotta say, that's a brilliant idea. That just never occurred to me (of course I'm not a UC'er, either). But as a former EMT, I think that would be a great idea. It seems to me they would respect your decision (well, really, I guess they don't have much of a choice) and appreciate the heads up in case the neighbors decided to be A-hats again. It seems just including them in the beginning would make them more open than an annoying call over nothing in the end.

[thepoet]

Originally Posted by mumofboyz

I met with the police ahead of time and told them of our plan to homebirth. I asked them what they would like me to do: notify them when I went into labor or just wait until the neighbors complained. They preferred the pro-active approach so they could be on the alert, as well as the fire department, in case a transport was necessary. I appreciated their support, even though I didn't need their services when the time came, and they appreciated someone taking the bull by the horns and not waiting until it was a crisis.

that is a great idea. That way I don't have to deal with my snotty neighbor across the way. She's very unfriendly and I'd rather not even speak to her. Her energy is just so blah.

I'll talk to one of my girlfriend who's father used to be the fire chief! I bet she'd know which fire house would respond. I bet I could even bake them something to take over and and have a little chat about the call that might come in and see what their procedures are.

Thanks so much for the advice!


I'd still love to hear from other mamas who had to deal with noise complaints or the police while in labor.

[meganbarr]

I have no advice but I am looking at the same problem. I live on the second floor of the 3 story apt and the lady who works in the leasing office lives right above us. I had to go up to her apt once because her and her husbands friends were playing rock band at 3 am! So if her video games wake my 17 mo up, my homebirth is likely to wake them up and send them downstairs for the same complaint. I thought about maybe posting a sign on the door when I go into labor. Im not sure what it would say though. Sorry about the noise, Im having a baby, hopefully it wont last long?

We live in a very non hb friendly area, I never even thought about the police being called, but its definately something to think about!

[cristeen]

I think it also depends on where you live... we're in the city, and if I called the cops to alert them, they'd totally ignore me. Of course, they'd ignore most noise complaints, too.

Personally, I think a note on the door - "Birth in Progress (or Mama in Labor), please do not interrupt" should be sufficient for most purposes.

I'll be HBing, and I have NASTY neighbors... there's no way I would go over there and "warn" them - it would just be ugly.

[jenmn]

I'm wondering if this situation is unique to homebirthers actually. I know there are some women who drop everything and run to the hospital at the first sign of a contraction, but there are others who stay home for a good part of their labor. So even a laboring women who plans to go to the hospital could be making a lot of noise at home and I'm wondering if this fact would make it easier to deal with your neighbors. They (most likely) are aware that you are pregnant and going to have a baby soon, but I could see talking to them about it casually and saying something about the fact that you know you have been quite loud when in labor before. You'll try to do your best to not disturb them, but how exciting to know that there will be a baby arriving soon. I'd probably just leave the homebirth/UCing out of the conversation.

Hope this helps!

[thepoet]

You'll try to do your best to not disturb them....

yah....really not going to try on that one. :P

I live in the 'city' I suppose, its a smaller city, and the police force here isn't as busy as larger cities? But we *do* have a really heavy noise ordinance because we have a college here. No loud noise after 10pm on weekdays, and 12 on weekends. The police, since they are so bored, enforce it heavily.

I talked to a local midwife friend of mine and she reassured me that putting a note on the door works wonders.

'Homebirth in progress-do not disturb, thank you for your concern, if we need you we know your number!'

Or something cute like that.

[dogmom327]

I think my only concern about notifying the police in advance is that police are mandatory reporters to CPS and depending on where you live, if it's not a HB/UC friendly area, I would be concerned about triggering a CPS report. I've heard stories about parts of the country where CPS finds out about a potential UC plan and intervenes (thankfully not around here though).

[DahliaRW]

I'd just put a note on the door that you are in labor, please do not disturb. I wouldn't even say homebirth just in case. It's not uncommon for women to labor at home before going to the hospital.

[thepoet]

Originally Posted by dogmom327

I think my only concern about notifying the police in advance is that police are mandatory reporters to CPS and depending on where you live, if it's not a HB/UC friendly area, I would be concerned about triggering a CPS report. I've heard stories about parts of the country where CPS finds out about a potential UC plan and intervenes (thankfully not around here though).

Yikes. do you have any links to stories like this? I'd love to read up on what other women did.

[Mamatoabunch]

I'd put a note on the door, midwife arrived and homebirth in progress, please do not disturb.

[RachaelsMommy]

Originally Posted by DahliaRW

I'd just put a note on the door that you are in labor, please do not disturb. I wouldn't even say homebirth just in case. It's not uncommon for women to labor at home before going to the hospital.

This is what I was going to say.

[yalad]

This idea of calling the EMT's and the police first is the way to go in my humble opinion. You can tell them you are having a planned homebirth. If you have an assistant, you can say that it is assisted.--you don't have to tell them everything.

Even if they ignore you, they would have been told. Be sure you keep a note--even make a letter if you feel the need and note the time, who you talked to, and date. Tell them you have a back up plan, and emergency personel activated (again, even if you have the hospital ER for a "back-up" plan--this looks like you are dotting your "i's" and crossing your "t's" Then, do what they want (within reason)--whether it is write a letter stating that which you told them, or call when you are in labor. It's no big deal really.

Adding the note to the door will further provide you some privacy.

I know many times, I really thought about the neighbors calling the police. It has crossed my mind many times. Thinnking that the neighbors might think we are doing the S n M thing in the middle of the PM!!! hahahah It is too mcuh. In 30ys of practice, it has not happened, but I totally think it would be the bomb!

yalad

[dogmom327]

Originally Posted by thepoet

Yikes. do you have any links to stories like this? I'd love to read up on what other women did.

No, sorry. I've just seen posts over the last few years here on MDC of how people who UC were treated by the authorities. It's scary.

[mumofboyz]

Originally Posted by dogmom327

I think my only concern about notifying the police in advance is that police are mandatory reporters to CPS and depending on where you live, if it's not a HB/UC friendly area, I would be concerned about triggering a CPS report. I've heard stories about parts of the country where CPS finds out about a potential UC plan and intervenes (thankfully not around here though).

Really? I find that stunning. What violation could be happening to justify a call to CPS? I was a little tentative before I asked, wondering what they would do with the information, but the policeman was very cool about it. I certainly didn't feel like I was violating any laws that would require a governmental agency to step in. By posing the question in a planful way, it demonstrates a willingness to work with the system, forethought towards implications on others, and a genuine concern and care of myself, my unborn child, my neighbors, and emergency services that might be called upon. What more could they possibly want?

I dunno. Maybe I am just fortunate to live where I do. There have been a number of HB here in the last two years ~ maybe they are just used to it.

[claddaghmom]

Originally Posted by mumofboyz

Really? I find that stunning. What violation could be happening to justify a call to CPS? I was a little tentative before I asked, wondering what they would do with the information, but the policeman was very cool about it. I certainly didn't feel like I was violating any laws that would require a governmental agency to step in. By posing the question in a planful way, it demonstrates a willingness to work with the system, forethought towards implications on others, and a genuine concern and care of myself, my unborn child, my neighbors, and emergency services that might be called upon. What more could they possibly want?

I dunno. Maybe I am just fortunate to live where I do. There have been a number of HB here in the last two years ~ maybe they are just used to it.

Yeah lol I can't imagine going to my police dept. and telling them "hey BTW I'm doing an U/C so just in case you get a call...don't worry."

LMAO we'd probably be arrested on the spot for practicing w/o a license.

[Belle]

Originally Posted by claddaghmom

Yeah lol I can't imagine going to my police dept. and telling them "hey BTW I'm doing an U/C so just in case you get a call...don't worry."

LMAO we'd probably be arrested on the spot for practicing w/o a license.

I wouldn't think that they'd need to know all the details of the Hb. They wouldn't need to know that it was UC. I wouldn't lie to them, but just say that it was planned homebirth and leave it at that.