Homebirth on Military Base?

[MommaKitten21]

All right military Momma's! So DH re-enlisted, and is leaving here shortly for AIT. It's a huge possibility that we will be living on base (that's our goal this time around anyways) when I have this baby. Do any of you know about homebirthing on base? I mean, should I expect a hassle at all?

When he was in the military before, it was pre-kids ... he was 18 and young and could have cared less about these types of things... so I am just a little curious if we could still live on base with a planned homebirth, or if we should just plan on living off base.

[elus0814]

I'm planning on one right now and I live on an Air Force Base. It is your home that you are renting, even though it is on a military installation. As long as you are not doing anything illegal or against their rules (such as excessive Christmas lights or ripping out the carpet) they cannot tell you what you may or may not do in your private residence.

What you should be more concerned about it getting coverage through tricare for your homebirth. I'm still researching it but here's what I was told by a homebirth midwife: Even though in the state I am in (Florida) has a law that compels insurance companies to cover homebirth tricare does not have to (they will pay $1500 of her $4100 fee) because tricare is not insurance, it is a military benefit.

I hope you are able to have the birth you are hoping for!

[cathicog]

I would be discrete in my inquiries about what is and isn't allowed. I have heard of homebirthing couples being threatened with discipline for the military service member if they had the baby at home. However, if it was a planned homebirth,(the hospital didn't know it though) and, whoops, the baby came too fast(even tho the midwife was there) then it was OK...so be cautious... The only military births I have done was for couples who lived off=base...

[~Katie~]

Always beg forgiveness, not permission

My DD was a planned homebirth turned UC on post, the only people who knew about it were the ones I knew to be supportive. Most midwives around military bases are familiar with attending births on post and know the in's and out's of getting on post and everything else. I've heard of commanders giving a hard time about it (whether they have the authority to do so or not) so I think it's best to keep it on a need to know basis.

[MommaKitten21]

Ok, well that just confirms what I had planned on doing. I didn't plan on discussing it with anyone but DH, the midwife, and my family who will be states away.... so the cat wont be out of the bag that's for sure.

I am not really too concerned about Tricare covering the homebirth. I mean, we have paid out of pocket for our other three midwives we have used, so if they don't ... well, no biggie, but if they do, then great! Of course I plan on hassling them and trying to get them to cover it, but ultimately, I don't plan on allowing it stress me out.

I like the "beg forgiveness not permission" statement....ughh so true!


I guess I just didn't want to have an "oops" we had the baby at home if it was punishable by any means. I would just rather live off base then go through that... now, I just need to hope we don't get stationed on a crappy base in a crappy state *crosses fingers*

[mntnmom]

I have never heard of anyone actually getting punished for one, but commanders like to throw their weight around. If it's not actually written in post policies, or given as an order, I don't see how they could. The only sticky point would be getting the midwife on post, but your DH should be able to sign her on as a guest. And just don't mention it to anyone who could order your husband not to. Of, course... it's not really HIM having the homebirth anyway.

[NamastePlatypus]

It is NOT allowed. THe main reason they give is that if they do a random shut down and the MW can't get on or off for an emergency transfer that will not be held reliable for anything that happens.

THAT being said... if you have a midwife that is going to be your 'doula' and you are staying home as LONG as you can before you 'transfer' and things just happen to fast and OOPS lookie there a baby..... can't say anything to you!

I know that most midwives in military communties know about the rule and will hesitate to deliver on base, in fear of there own livihood and I understand that.

[AFWife]

Originally Posted by mntnmom

I have never heard of anyone actually getting punished for one, but commanders like to throw their weight around. If it's not actually written in post policies, or given as an order, I don't see how they could. The only sticky point would be getting the midwife on post, but your DH should be able to sign her on as a guest. And just don't mention it to anyone who could order your husband not to. Of, course... it's not really HIM having the homebirth anyway.

Exactly, they can try to twist the rules to their liking (or just say "You'll be in trouble") But I'm pretty sure they can't actually DO anything unless it says it's against the rules.

Originally Posted by NamastePlatypus

It is NOT allowed. THe main reason they give is that if they do a random shut down and the MW can't get on or off for an emergency transfer that will not be held reliable for anything that happens.

Then friends and family should never be allowed to visit either. That's such a stupid excuse. (not aimed at you of course)

[elus0814]

This is completely false. If someone called 911 and an ambulance pulled up to the gate do you really think they would tell the ambulance 'sorry you won't be able to pick up that heart attack victim because the gate is closed'. They will ALWAYS let people on or off base in the event of an emergency. The only possible problem could be that the gate temporarily closes (this doesn't happen very often and 99% of the time will re-open within 15 minutes or so) this wouldn't matter in an emergency but it could slightly delay getting the midwife on base or you off if you were in early labor and had decided on a hospital birth. If you are really concerned keep a phone list with the numbers for base emergency services, base security forces (military police to the Army), and the guard shack, among other numbers, so you can call ahead when you are on your way to the gate should you need to get off base quickly. Don't let fears of a gate closure stop you, it's a very remote possibility.

[2lilsweetfoxes]

On one base I was living (Ft. Hood) back when I had my first 2 kids, there was actually a Commading General Policy against home births. Rumor had it that a baby was born still during a home birth--no one knows if it was at Hood or previously at some other post under that General's command or where he had lived, or whether being in the hospital could have saved the baby (but, by mainstream standards, the assumption is yes)--so he made a policy of no home births.

ETA: Service Members' wives have more rights with regards to birthing at home (if you live off base, on you are subject to base policy and flouting it can (not definitely will, but worst case scenario) result in: your husband getting in trouble, you getting kicked off base and possible barred from entering post) than (female) Service Members do with regards to birthing at home--our commanders can actually order us into the hospital!

[Shelsi]

I had dd on base. I just made sure not to ask My midwives had delivered others on base.

The biggest issue is if you live in an illegal or alegal state. Essentially you are then allowing criminal activity in your home by allowing your midwife to practice medicine without a license in your house.

I was in AZ and didn't have that issue to worry about though.

After the fact dh told his co-workers dd's birth story (she was a surprise UC) and no one even batted an eye at the home birth - they just thought it was cool.

[MommaKitten21]

See this is why I am stressed out over it all ha. I guess I really shouldn't until DH gets told what base we will be living at.... obviously that seems to make a big difference due to state law. I am just freaking out because the move will take place when I am 8-9 months pregnant, so I just wanted to start researching our options now.

I wonder if we wont just push to live off base. More stress probably, but ehh if it helps me feel more at ease about my birth, then whatever. I will have to share all this with DH!

[MommaKitten21]

Originally Posted by 2lilsweetfoxes

ETA: Service Members' wives have more rights with regards to birthing at home (if you live off base, on you are subject to base policy and flouting it can (not definitely will, but worst case scenario) result in: your husband getting in trouble, you getting kicked off base and possible barred from entering post) than (female) Service Members do with regards to birthing at home--our commanders can actually order us into the hospital!

ACCCKKKKK!!!!! That really blows!! I cant believe that (well actually I can) I know a friend of mine (when we lived in DC) who was a Marine Wife, got forced into going into the hospital and having all this extra prenatal stuff she didn't want done. She felt so horrible and ended up moving with her family in a different state and they told the Marines they were seperated. Then after she had the baby, they magically "worked things out" and momma and baby were back on base! ha.

It just sucks that you have to act like that sometimes you know?

[mntnmom]

They said they were separated? I can't imagine why. Wives go home to have their babies all the time. Which is of course an option for the OP instead of moving so late in the pregnancy. And say what they want, they *can't* force her to the hospital. They can just make other choices expensive and inconvenient, which in reality is the next best thing, but as a civilian, they can't *make* you do anything. Military wives should always remember that.

Originally Posted by MommaKitten21

ACCCKKKKK!!!!! That really blows!! I cant believe that (well actually I can) I know a friend of mine (when we lived in DC) who was a Marine Wife, got forced into going into the hospital and having all this extra prenatal stuff she didn't want done. She felt so horrible and ended up moving with her family in a different state and they told the Marines they were seperated. Then after she had the baby, they magically "worked things out" and momma and baby were back on base! ha.

It just sucks that you have to act like that sometimes you know?

[~Katie~]

Midwives getting on post - Midwives enter military bases just like visitors. They are required to show ID and have a quick inspection of their vehicle before coming on post. As far as emergency shut downs, which are rare, emergency vehicles have to allowed on and off post. Some bases do have hospitals (like Womack at Ft. Bragg for example), but in the event that a hospital is located off post emergency vehicles need to be able to respond to emergencies of all kinds and would not be prevented from doing so. Military bases have multiple gates, so if one in particular is closed down there will always be another that is open. I live in a gated community that is a part of Fort Bragg but not located on post, and all that is required of anyone coming here is to show ID. No car inspections.

If this does happen to be a big concern for you, living off post is quite easy to do and you'll be given a housing allowance. Come over to the military mama's tribe if you have more questions

[Shelsi]

At the base we were at you could get a week long visitor pass. My midwife did all prenatals in my house so every week she would get a week long pass. That way once I was in labor she could get on base easily without dh having to meet her there or anything like that.

[MommaKitten21]

Well that is helpful.... I would just say our midwife is a friend, and I will definitely look into a week pass! That seems really, really convenient.

And KatieJD where is this military momma's tribe at?!?! I will jump on over!

[jorona]

We live on an AF base now and are planning a homebirth (though we just decided 3 weeks ago to buy a home off base, not for reasons related to the birth). The city I live in has several bases/posts and my midwife said she'd attended births at all of them (as a midwife and/or doula). She is even a childbirth educator on one of the bases and talks about homebirth in the class.

[miss_nikki]

I had a homebirth on base with no problems. I let the gate know I was expecting certain people so they were able to get on base without a problem. My dh's commander knew about it and didn't make a stink or anything either. They all thought I was a little strange, but that's about it. The CNM I was using at the base hospital knew I was at least considering a homebirth as well, and was ok with it. I've actually had a few other friends who've birthed in base housing without problems as well. I wouldn't stress out about it too much. Especially since, at this time, you don't know where you'll be or anything. Cross that road when you come to it.