Dilemma about VBAC at home

[NursingMaman]

My first baby was C-section for slow progress... Pregnant with the second, found awesome midwifes group but will need a hospital birth if i want to keep them. Found out the hospital wants $12,000 for a vbac and 3-5000 for baby bed. SHould be happy about new arrival but worried about the big bill we will be left to pay ($5000).OPtion to have baby at home but fearful of possible complications. Done tons of research and now the risks to both but still so unsure about what to do...anybody been there?
Thanks a lot
Sylvia x

[GoestoShow]

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Edited by GoestoShow - 1/4/11 at 8:54am

[smeisnotapirate]

I am having a CPM attend my HBAC. She's charging us $3700, which is pretty standard from what I hear.

I think the most important thing to remember is that complications are usually SLOW. What we hear about is the big dramatic ones - catastrophic uterine rupture, anaphylaxis, etc. Those complications are VERY rare, and even if you're in a hospital, it takes time to get people there (you will.not. have a professional in your room your entire labor). I tried to have DS at a FBC, and we came up to complications. We were able to choose our hospital, drive ourselves, and get there easily. That is how most out-of-hospital complications go.

Hospitals are really no safer than at home - you have MRSA, interventionist staff, shift changes (which really do affect labor outcomes), and many many other things working against you.

So realize that you're not choosing risk (home) vs. no-risk (hospital). You're choosing which set of risks you'd prefer. I would suggest interviewing HBMWs who will be willing to do a HBAC for you. If you find one you love, there's your choice made easy. If you don't, then maybe a hospital is best.

[NursingMaman]

Thank you that was a very helpful answer.

[roadfamily6now]

Originally Posted by smeisnotapirate

So realize that you're not choosing risk (home) vs. no-risk (hospital). You're choosing which set of risks you'd prefer. I would suggest interviewing HBMWs who will be willing to do a HBAC for you. If you find one you love, there's your choice made easy. If you don't, then maybe a hospital is best.

this is a most intelligent answer!