Choosing a hospital birth after a homebirth?

[moxygirl]

I'm not even sure if I'm allowed to post this question here knowing MDC is pro-homebirth, so please delete if necessary.

I actually am very pro-homebirth. I had a homebirth for DS. But due to complications during/after delivery (some rather serious), I'm strongly considering having a hospital birth with an obgyn for my next delivery in case these complications occur again (possible, since it seems they may be familial in nature). Has anyone else gone this route? If so, why?

[mamabadger]

Two clients of mine had a homebirth for their first, a hospital birth for their second child. In both cases, it was because getting a homebirth midwife was, at the time, extremely inconvenient and also expensive. They both felt that, having gone through unmedicated labour at home the first time, they were equipped to deal with labour in a hospital environment for the second. I would say a first birth at home would make the second hospital labour much easier in many ways.

[sanguine_speed]

I haven't made this choice, but I wanted to let you know there is absolutely nothing wrong or suspect about choosing whatever birthplace at which you are most comfortable birthing!

[at_the_hip]

I have had severe PPH on two occasions (once in hospital, then once at home) and if I didn't have a trusted mw who has handled it very very well and able to do IV's etc to prevent its recurrence at home, I would birth in the hospital. You need to make the best choice for you, and where you will feel the safest to birth.

[Mandynee22]

I just wanted to say that while MDC might be pro-HB, there are LOTS of us who have and LOVE our HOSPITAL births too LOL
You've got to do what's right for you and what makes you comfortable.

[Right of Passage]

Wanting to repeat what some have said! MDC is pro-HB but I also think they are pro-birth choice. That has a variety of meanings, if you'd feel better/safer/calmer/happier to birth in a hospital than I think it would be foolish to birth at home and I think it would ultimately lead to a harder labor and transfer(thus causing more heartache). If my body was sending me signals to birth in a hospital I would not hesitate. Sending you lots of love on your birthing journey!

[moxygirl]

Thanks so much to you all for your encouragement! I spoke to my midwife and she agrees that it would be best in my case to have a hospital birth. If that birth goes smoothly and we have a 3rd, then I'll consider another homebirth.

Thanks again! You gals are great!

[sioleabha]

I just want to throw in my support, too. I had a planned UBAC with my middle daughter, and things "went wrong." I honestly believe that the circumstances of her birth were such that we were really in the perfect place at the perfect time. I believe that if we had been planning a hospital birth, or relying on a midwife, then we would have been stuck delivering her alone and unprepared. As it was, we actually knew how to handle the situation due to our UC preparation, called 911 for further assistance and transferred to a local hospital, and in the end my daughter is happy and healthy.

However, as much as I feel (and my husband feels) that the circumstances were perfectly aligned for her birth, it was still rather traumatic. I'd gladly have another homebirth (UC or with a midwife), but my husband doesn't feel he can handle it, and I respect and understand his feelings on the matter. So our last two children were born in a hospital. It was probably for the best, as my youngest son ended up genuinely needing to be born via c-section after 12 hours of labor. Since my first baby was born by unnecessarean, that makes me a VBA2C now, and there's really no question that this baby will be born in the hospital, too. At least I found a hospital that I really like, a supportive OB, and a wonderful doula!

[mclisa]

Lore, go with your mama instinct. If it is telling you to be in the hospital, then go for it. You can still have a wonderful hospital birth. I've had 5 kids in the hospital and have loved all of my experiences.