I've had 3 hospital births. The first I was so scared, lots and lots of interventions but still a vaginal birth. The 2nd went about as well as I could imagine. I did give in at about 5cm dilated and took took the epidural -- more because I labored from 9pm until 6 a.m. and thought it would be all day long, once I got the epidural I felt pressure and my water broke and then I started pushing him out -- took less than 5 min (and he was almost 10 pounds). With DD I chose an induction which I would NEVER choose again if I could help it. I had no idea how much pain I would be in. I was determined to not get an epidural -- the pain was about 10x worse than with DS2. Again, I waited until I was 5ish cm ... as soon as I got it I said there was pressure -- dr. didn't believe me and they said I was fully dilated. Within 20 minutes of getting the epidural I pushed her out.
Now ... we are due again this Fall. I've been thinking of a birthing center but just found out that my insurance will cover a homebirth at 90% which is the same as the hospital birth. They will cover the birthing center at 60% because it is out of network. They said the homebirth midwife is covered the same as the OB. So...I'm considering this. I would like to avoid a hospital this time because I don't feel that it is the cleanest place to be, this year there were rules in place about not bringing other kids in there b/c of the flu, if I labor at night (which my natural births were both in the middle of the night) we would have to wake our young children up, I have a lot of food allergies that will make eating in the hospital not the best choice. Unlike a lot of people, I've read about, I always did feel "safe" in the hospital, if that made sense. I thought if anything bad happened I had this safety net of doctors and medical supplies -- so in a weird way, I'm not scared of a hospital birth in itself. Last time I was very upfront about not wanting the epidural and although the nurses and one dr. made a comment of more surprise than anything -- my dr. was very supportive and even helped me with breating. Dh was very helpful and was trying to be like a doula for me (because we couldn't afford one) and he encouraged me not to take the epidural -- the pain from the pitocin just got me down to the point of near tears and I thought I can't handle this and just imagined escaping from the pain (my water was broken at 7:30am and I got the epidural at around 2 ... she was born at 2:22). The irony with both birth 2 & 3 -- the epidural never fully took and I could feel to push and felt the pressure and the contractions were only mildly better -- just took the edge off.
I'm scared that I won't be able to handle the homebirth, I guess, but part of me wants to do it. Anyone out there gone through the same thing?
Now ... we are due again this Fall. I've been thinking of a birthing center but just found out that my insurance will cover a homebirth at 90% which is the same as the hospital birth. They will cover the birthing center at 60% because it is out of network. They said the homebirth midwife is covered the same as the OB. So...I'm considering this. I would like to avoid a hospital this time because I don't feel that it is the cleanest place to be, this year there were rules in place about not bringing other kids in there b/c of the flu, if I labor at night (which my natural births were both in the middle of the night) we would have to wake our young children up, I have a lot of food allergies that will make eating in the hospital not the best choice. Unlike a lot of people, I've read about, I always did feel "safe" in the hospital, if that made sense. I thought if anything bad happened I had this safety net of doctors and medical supplies -- so in a weird way, I'm not scared of a hospital birth in itself. Last time I was very upfront about not wanting the epidural and although the nurses and one dr. made a comment of more surprise than anything -- my dr. was very supportive and even helped me with breating. Dh was very helpful and was trying to be like a doula for me (because we couldn't afford one) and he encouraged me not to take the epidural -- the pain from the pitocin just got me down to the point of near tears and I thought I can't handle this and just imagined escaping from the pain (my water was broken at 7:30am and I got the epidural at around 2 ... she was born at 2:22). The irony with both birth 2 & 3 -- the epidural never fully took and I could feel to push and felt the pressure and the contractions were only mildly better -- just took the edge off.
I'm scared that I won't be able to handle the homebirth, I guess, but part of me wants to do it. Anyone out there gone through the same thing?
). All were actually lovely, empowering experiences. I chose HB for my 4th as I had moved abroad and the standard hospital procedures were terrifying to me. I was very concerned about how I would cope, but I can honestly say it was the best experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I chose a water birth. Definitely read some empowering books. Anything by Ina May Gaskin, Dianne Gregg and lots of MDC birth stories for inspiration. All the best on your birthing journey.
