Home birth or hospital birth

[tranana]

I have a dilemma. I had an attempted homebirth with my first child. I labored for 2 days and pushed for 3 hours. I was so exhausted and the baby was not budging anymore. I could actually feel his hair, that's how close he was. I decided that I needed help and went to the hospital. I pushed more and he just wasn't coming and I was so exhausted. I had to get him vacuum extracted out. I had a nice episiotomy and large tear. My baby was born 9 Lbs. 8.5 oz. 22 inches long. He was a big baby and his head came out cock-eyed that's why I think he just didn't want to come out. So, I'm pregnant again I'm not sure if I want to do a homebirth again or hospital. I think it will be easier the 2nd time since things are a little more loose, and I would like to have the freedom of a homebirth, but since the last experience I don't know what to do. I need help to make a decision. Please help!

[emnic77]

If it were me, I would plan a homebirth. First babies can be a doozy. I would also see a chiropractor to make sure the baby can get in optimal positioning this time around.

[almadianna]

My first baby I was in labor for 3 days and it was awful, the second was still long (2 days) but it was much less so. I planned a homebirth with my second regardless of the outcome of my first because I know that with my labor I would have been a csection in any hospital.

[~Kristina~]

Originally Posted by emnic77

If it were me, I would plan a homebirth. First babies can be a doozy. I would also see a chiropractor to make sure the baby can get in optimal positioning this time around.

Diddo!

[tranana]

Originally Posted by almadianna

My first baby I was in labor for 3 days and it was awful, the second was still long (2 days) but it was much less so. I planned a homebirth with my second regardless of the outcome of my first because I know that with my labor I would have been a csection in any hospital.

That is what I'm thinking too. Since I'm pretty sure I'll have another big baby I will be in labor longer and I'm pretty sure a hospital, no matter if you have a midwife, they will administer pitosin (sp?) and end up having a c-section. That's what I don't want. My first delivery was perfectly normal. I just needed a little help. This is swaying me towards a homebirth. Thanks for the response.

[tranana]

Originally Posted by emnic77

If it were me, I would plan a homebirth. First babies can be a doozy. I would also see a chiropractor to make sure the baby can get in optimal positioning this time around.

I see a chiropractor regularly. Can any chiropractor do this? I appreciate your advise!

[tinyshoes]

tranana, you are very wise to suspect that baby's position during birth is the reason things were taking a long time.

http://spinningbabies.com/

[almadianna]

Originally Posted by tranana

I see a chiropractor regularly. Can any chiropractor do this? I appreciate your advise!

I would get a chiro that is specialized in seeing pregnant women and children. I think the website is http://icpa4kids.com/index.php where you can get referred to those that do.

[emnic77]

Originally Posted by tranana

I see a chiropractor regularly. Can any chiropractor do this? I appreciate your advise!

ditto the previous poster, I would make sure you see one that specializes in Webster technique.

[mambera]

I'm just lurking around but after reading two stories on MDC in the last month about placental abruptions and dead babies during planned homebirths, I don't think I'd ever do it.

I had a completely intervention-free hospital birth (not even an IV) and I think the only way I'd do a homebirth is if I knew for sure the alternative would be a section.

Can you find a birth center instead of a hospital? More help available if you need it but less pushy if you don't?

[tranana]

Originally Posted by mambera

I'm just lurking around but after reading two stories on MDC in the last month about placental abruptions and dead babies during planned homebirths, I don't think I'd ever do it.

I had a completely intervention-free hospital birth (not even an IV) and I think the only way I'd do a homebirth is if I knew for sure the alternative would be a section.

Can you find a birth center instead of a hospital? More help available if you need it but less pushy if you don't?

I looked into it. The only birthing center is 2 hours away. I don't think I want to spend money or time traveling (over two passes) for each prenatal visit. Especially toward the end. What is the MDC?

[lotus.blossom]

Thats a tough one.... I attempted a homebirth for my second and even though I had chiropractic, and optimal fetal positioning at the onset of labor. He turned posterior when he was coming down. Pushed for 5 hours. I wouldn't change anything about my pregnancy or labor. I loved the homebirth experience even though I ended up with a transfer and another c/s. You'd probably be setting yourself up for a good chance with a homebirth, but be prepared (physically and mentally) for another transfer because that could be how your babies position themselves on the way out.

[DoulaVallere]

I wouldn't count on the position of the first baby to say anything about the position of the second. My first son was a 39 hour labor with him ROT with 2 nucal hands, meaning he came out facing my leg with both fists up by his cheeks, pushed for 3 hours, ended up with an episiotomy. My second was 5 hours, start to finish, 20 minutes of pushing, perfectly positioned. Both were birth center births, but after how fabulous the second went we're going for a homebirth this time for sure.

I'd plan a homebirth again if I were you, and just do everything you could during your pregnancy to help promote a good position for your baby...chiropractic care, not sitting in seats that promote poor posture, doing a lot of squatting, etc.

[Amatullah0]

I had what you would call a great CNM for being in a hospital. I wouldn't need an IV, no time limit, and everything(sorta....) was up to me. they were really polite(there were 4 in this MW group). they were much more informed about birth than my previous OB was. that said, i'd never give birth in a hospital again. i was GBS+ so abx were pushed on me. i didn't have an IV but i had a saline lock. i had AROM, because i felt bullied into it after she asked 2x. she refused to remove the saline lock until after i had used the bathroom after the birth. my DS was taken from me(medical reason), taken to the ICU(medical reason), not permitted to nurse(non-medical reason) for a day or so(i pumped, and still have supply problems) and i was bullied into letting the ped give him a bottle(again, non-medical reason). we chose to get him circed, but when THEY decided it was time they nearly took him without worrying if we were coming along, and the UAV OB who preformed the circ decided he was too shy cough*liable*cough if there was someone watching him do it. so we left the room. DH and I (a woman who just gave birth about a day ago) STOOD outside of the room during the entire surgery.

never again would i put myself through that.

[almadianna]

Originally Posted by mambera

I'm just lurking around but after reading two stories on MDC in the last month about placental abruptions and dead babies during planned homebirths, I don't think I'd ever do it.

I had a completely intervention-free hospital birth (not even an IV) and I think the only way I'd do a homebirth is if I knew for sure the alternative would be a section.

Can you find a birth center instead of a hospital? More help available if you need it but less pushy if you don't?

There is nothing that a midwife can do at a birth center that could not be done at home.

[tranana]

Originally Posted by Amatullah0

I had what you would call a great CNM for being in a hospital. I wouldn't need an IV, no time limit, and everything(sorta....) was up to me. they were really polite(there were 4 in this MW group). they were much more informed about birth than my previous OB was. that said, i'd never give birth in a hospital again. i was GBS+ so abx were pushed on me. i didn't have an IV but i had a saline lock. i had AROM, because i felt bullied into it after she asked 2x. she refused to remove the saline lock until after i had used the bathroom after the birth. my DS was taken from me(medical reason), taken to the ICU(medical reason), not permitted to nurse(non-medical reason) for a day or so(i pumped, and still have supply problems) and i was bullied into letting the ped give him a bottle(again, non-medical reason). we chose to get him circed, but when THEY decided it was time they nearly took him without worrying if we were coming along, and the UAV OB who preformed the circ decided he was too shy cough*liable*cough if there was someone watching him do it. so we left the room. DH and I (a woman who just gave birth about a day ago) STOOD outside of the room during the entire surgery.

never again would i put myself through that.

This is exactly why I would go with a homebirth! That's terrible! I'm sorry for your experience!

[emnic77]

Originally Posted by almadianna

There is nothing that a midwife can do at a birth center that could not be done at home.

[TulsiLeaf]

Originally Posted by mambera

I'm just lurking around but after reading two stories on MDC in the last month about placental abruptions and dead babies during planned homebirths, I don't think I'd ever do it.

I had a completely intervention-free hospital birth (not even an IV) and I think the only way I'd do a homebirth is if I knew for sure the alternative would be a section.

Can you find a birth center instead of a hospital? More help available if you need it but less pushy if you don't?

As a woman who has a placenta abruption I will be choosing a home birth for my next pregnancy. I ended up with a c section under general. I never want to repeat that experience ever again unless it is absolutely necessary. The thing is that you should be close enough to the hospital so that if something tragic happened the time from decision to incision is not that long.

Honestly, I would rather have a midwife watching over me because they WATCH you and take care of you rather than an OB have a nurse take care of you (who's only claim to fame is that they can slice you open and a midwife can't).

Dead babies and placenta abruptions happen in hospitals. Having a still birth in a hospital doesn't make it any different than at home.


It's a culture of fear. The fear of something happening. Why is it that a 1% fear has people jumping all over the place when the 30% rate of something going wrong is looked over?

[StrawberryFields]

Well, I can say that my first baby was an attempted homebirth, 2 days of labor. His head was cocked, I was dilating unevenly, had cervical swelling, his hand was by his face, his heartrate was going down during contractions and they had to massage his head after every push to get him to perk back up. I transferred to the hospital and had pit, an epidural, internal fetal monitor, etc. etc. etc.

My second baby was another planned homebirth and she was born in 2 hours (3 centimeters to birth) and practically came flying out. Less than 1 minute of pushing, no tearing.

One of the biggest lessons I learned during my second birth was to LET GO of my first birth. I spent so much time obsessing over my first experience and trying to relate it to my second labor that my midwife and doula really had to slap me around and tell me to SHUT IT ALREADY. (Although, they were a little softer in their delivery of the message!)

Best of luck with whatever you decide.

[sharp1]

My last baby was an attempted HBAC that ended in transfer and another section. It was a horrible experience after arriving at the hospital. I am due, well was due 3 days ago, I am planning an HBAC. If I end up having to transfer, I will. I have looked at everything that happened at the hospital, and have a game plan to hopefully avoid some of it should the need arise. My goal is to bring my baby girl into the world the best way possible. I think you should plan your homebirth, and just be prepared for a "possible, but unlikely" transfer. Birth is like everything else in life, unpredictable and not without risk.