Is 24 weeks along, is it too late to consider home birth or to switch midwives?

[MsFitz]

I birthed my first son with a rotating group of midwives in a hospital setting and had a pretty good experience. I did want to use the water tub, but was not able to because my baby's heart rate had dropped and they induced me. My widwife, who is no longer there, was so supportive and really was great during the delivery. I did feel a bit pressured into getting induced (by another midwife), and I don't think that they are all as natural as I am regarding medications and food choices. I also wish that I had had one midwife throughout rather than all of them. When it comes time to deliver, you get whoever is on call.

I am now 24 weeks pregnant with the second baby and still going to the same group. I am getting worried about the delivery as it gets closer for a few reasons:
1. We've moved considerable farther away from Prentice (about 8.5 miles away, but with city traffic at the wrong time of day could mean 40 to 45 minutes away), and I worry about rushing to the hospital and possibly not getting there on time.
2. I have yet to really "click" with any of the midwives there now.
3. I did kind of feel that the hospital staff during the last time encouraged the use of formula and felt like I had a medical experience. (The new hospital is quite a bit nicer in terms of amenities though.)

Am I too far along to find a home-birth midwife or to switch over to a new midwives group, which is only 5 miles away, but still could be a long drive in rush hour??

Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[greenmamapagan]

Not too late. I booked my mw at 26 weeks although I was always set on homebirth, just vascilating between UC and mw attended.

[kitkatkaddoodle]

I switched from a hospital birth with an OB to my homebirth midwife at 32 weeks with my last pregnancy. It was a good decision, and I still grit my teeth thinking about my previous OB's attitude.

[Aka mommy]

Nope, not at all. I switched at 29 weeks!

[Adallae]

I had my first midwife appointment at 36 weeks. I'm so glad I switched.

[dogmom327]

My sister switched at 37 weeks and gave birth just the other day at 38 weeks.

[GreenMamma]

Definitely not too late. I personally switched at 22 weeks and it was perfect. And I have known women who have changed care providers as late as 38 weeks and it's still not a problem.

[Paige, CPM]

Its never too late until the baby is out!

I have had people switch at 36, 37, and 39 weeks. Go for it!

[cathicog]

We have had clients come in at 39 weeks. not too late, until baby is born! I like what Paige said!

[Luv2bemommy]

Never too late! I didn't find my midwife until around 36-37 weeks this time!

[To-Fu]

You are absolutely not too far along to switch! I switched at 30 weeks with my first pregnancy when I realized a home birth was a better fit for me. And here I am considering switching home birth MWs at 33 weeks! Do what feels right.

[Gena 22]

Originally Posted by kitkatkaddoodle

I switched from a hospital birth with an OB to my homebirth midwife at 32 weeks with my last pregnancy. It was a good decision, and I still grit my teeth thinking about my previous OB's attitude.

I was 30 weeks with twins, but otherwise yeah to all of the above! It's not at all too late. Switch, you'll love HB!

[mion]

Never too late . . . You will feel peace of mind when you find the right attendant. I had a similar experience, with a medical midwives group. The mw who broke my daughter's clavicle as she yanked her out of me is no longer there, and there is a new one who insisted that she would still "need to be in control" when I asked her about my choices/options. I'm glad she was honest because that solidified my decision to birth at home. It was amazing how I found clarity and awareness after finding my mw, how all those seemingly minor issues that "weren't so bad" before are ludicrous to me now . . . not being allowed in the tub, not being allowed to change positions, not being allowed to choose who would attend, filling out paperwork while I was laboring, etc. Best of luck!

[isras1]

Yep, I was with a rotating midwives group as well. Insurance covered them, then learned at 22 weeks that a homebirth would be covered, Yeah! So I switched. So happy with that decision and it feels more intimate and personal. Do what feels right for you mommma.

[MsFitz]

No coverage for home birth...

I just found out that my insurance won't cover a home birth, and we can't afford the out of pocket expenses it would cost for a home birth right now. It is crazy to me that the far-more expensive hospital delivery might be my only option. I'll either have to stick with the current midwife group or try out this one other one, which does do births in birthing center rooms. I don't think I have any other options...

[*MamaJen*]

Even if your insurance doesn't officially cover homebirth, talk to some midwives. I've heard lots of stories of homebirth midwives successfully billing insurance companies for things like prenatal care, which can wind up covering nearly the total midwifery fee.

[stephbrownthinks]

I switched at 29 weeks from a CNM praqctice to a homebirth midwife. I am soooo gad I did!

[mistletoe2382]

It is most definitely not too late, if your gut is telling you to go for it, then switch!!

[phathui5]

You may want to talk to some home birth midwives anyway. We paid for the birth of our fourth baby out of pocket and he wasn't all "paid off" until he was about six months old.

[Coco_Hikes]

I switched at 33 weeks (two weeks ago) to a homebirth midwife. Our new mw said many of her clients switch around this time.

We are pursuing the insurance angle, but not sure how that will pan out. I hope it works out for you.