I don't even know yet where I'm having this baby.
I have wanted, so badly from the beginning of this pregnancy, a homebirth, but our finances are such that we are still going be living with roommates when dd is born in late March/early April. Right now we rent two bedrooms in a house, and the other two occupants are two single (divorced) guys. I'm pretty sure a homebirth there would not be the greatest idea in the world. I mean, if I go fast or something, then fine, but I wouldn't want to be there laboring for hours and hours if it drags out. I mean, the guys are nice enough, and they are very respectful of us and are the "family" type (i.e. their kids come over all the time, there are toys out in every room, the one guy stocks up on kid foods like mac n cheese, they don't freak out over ds' tantrums etc) but I still can't imagine doing something so personal and intimate as birthing my daughter with anyone other than her father being around. Plus, there is only one bathroom with a tub, and it's clean enough for daily life, but not (by my standards) clean enough to birth in. I mean, I'm the only female in the house....they just don't care if the shower curtain gets a little grimy or whatever.
The other possible option is birthing at someone else's house. My midwife had emailed saying she thought she had a home for me to birth in if I needed it. However, half the reason I wanted to birth at home was so that ds could be in his own environment throughout the process, and it would just be a lot easier to keep him happy (which would make ME feel less stressed) if we were all at home together. I just don't know how well it would work out if I was birthing somewhere else. BUT I'm totally open to the idea, so if anyone has "home" birthed not at YOUR home, I would love to hear how it went.
Of course, the last option is the hospital. My midwife has said a lot of good things about one particular hospital, and she & her assistants would accompany us and be doulas and stay for the labor and birth but the fact is that we would still be subject to hospital policies, like about eating during labor and so forth. Last time I wanted to eat and drink but couldn't and I am STILL pissed about that. ds would not get to even see his sister until we were discharged because due to the H1N1 flu no one under 18 is allowed to visit. And of course my bf is pretty mainstream and all that pressure for vaccines, etc would lead to a lot of fighting those first few days. Plus, I just don't WANT to be trapped in a hospital bed for three days! I hated the hospital with ds and couldn't wait to leave.
Medicaid will cover the homebirth with my midwife, which in and of itself is so amazing to me that I feel like it's a sign we should really try to make it work.
No matter what happens, I'm setting aside the $500 for out-of-pocket expenses (the assistants who will do any setup and cleanup and doula during the labor) that Medicaid doesn't cover.
What would you do? Birthing in a hotel (which I would LOVE....unlimited hot water, cable TV and a king sized bed
) is not an option for us....we can't afford it.
So....your input would be appreciated. Is there another option I haven;t thought of? There are no birth centers around here.
I have wanted, so badly from the beginning of this pregnancy, a homebirth, but our finances are such that we are still going be living with roommates when dd is born in late March/early April. Right now we rent two bedrooms in a house, and the other two occupants are two single (divorced) guys. I'm pretty sure a homebirth there would not be the greatest idea in the world. I mean, if I go fast or something, then fine, but I wouldn't want to be there laboring for hours and hours if it drags out. I mean, the guys are nice enough, and they are very respectful of us and are the "family" type (i.e. their kids come over all the time, there are toys out in every room, the one guy stocks up on kid foods like mac n cheese, they don't freak out over ds' tantrums etc) but I still can't imagine doing something so personal and intimate as birthing my daughter with anyone other than her father being around. Plus, there is only one bathroom with a tub, and it's clean enough for daily life, but not (by my standards) clean enough to birth in. I mean, I'm the only female in the house....they just don't care if the shower curtain gets a little grimy or whatever.
The other possible option is birthing at someone else's house. My midwife had emailed saying she thought she had a home for me to birth in if I needed it. However, half the reason I wanted to birth at home was so that ds could be in his own environment throughout the process, and it would just be a lot easier to keep him happy (which would make ME feel less stressed) if we were all at home together. I just don't know how well it would work out if I was birthing somewhere else. BUT I'm totally open to the idea, so if anyone has "home" birthed not at YOUR home, I would love to hear how it went.
Of course, the last option is the hospital. My midwife has said a lot of good things about one particular hospital, and she & her assistants would accompany us and be doulas and stay for the labor and birth but the fact is that we would still be subject to hospital policies, like about eating during labor and so forth. Last time I wanted to eat and drink but couldn't and I am STILL pissed about that. ds would not get to even see his sister until we were discharged because due to the H1N1 flu no one under 18 is allowed to visit. And of course my bf is pretty mainstream and all that pressure for vaccines, etc would lead to a lot of fighting those first few days. Plus, I just don't WANT to be trapped in a hospital bed for three days! I hated the hospital with ds and couldn't wait to leave.
Medicaid will cover the homebirth with my midwife, which in and of itself is so amazing to me that I feel like it's a sign we should really try to make it work.
No matter what happens, I'm setting aside the $500 for out-of-pocket expenses (the assistants who will do any setup and cleanup and doula during the labor) that Medicaid doesn't cover.
What would you do? Birthing in a hotel (which I would LOVE....unlimited hot water, cable TV and a king sized bed
) is not an option for us....we can't afford it.So....your input would be appreciated. Is there another option I haven;t thought of? There are no birth centers around here.
I hate that you have to think about this so close to your birth! I am due in March, too. Is it a possibility to speak with your roommates about this? They sound really like great people. I agree that having your son in a familiar environment would be ideal. It would help you during labor b/c you wouldn't be worried about him (and that is a big thing).
). I wouldn't be comfortable in someone else's house, and no WAY would I be comfortable in a hotel.
I sort of see myself being cranky and aggravated and wanting a LOT of homemade yogurt smoothies (I crave these a LOT and really wanted them last time too, it's so refreshing and a real comfort item for me) and unlimited hot water on my back, and good music, because I get in a rhythm of rocking/swaying through contractions and I remember thinking last time that music would have been awesome. That's what I envision at my perfect birthing experience. 
So it's worth exploring that.
