Help me explain large hospital v. birth center to a first-time mom with a doubting DH

[penstamon]

My good friend is pg with her first. She is not particularly crunchy but she has been coming to me for advice about the pg and is really interested in learning about alternative choices to mainstream pregnancy and birthing advice/procedure. Her DH is very pro-pharmaceuticals and western medicine and feels strongly about a big hospital (they are in a large city) but there are some nice birth centers in the area and I mentioned them as an idea and a direction I would take in her situation. She is interested to know more but I would like some actual stats for her DH, along with some good resources for birth stories, etc that aren't so crunchy that it turns them off.


TIA!

[kltroy]

I would absolutely send both her and her husband to www.childbirthconnection.org. This site is convincing because it is objective and evidence-based. Once she's educated herself on what "mother centered childbirth" is, she will see that a birth center is the better choice. And if she still decides on a hospital, she will do so with open eyes and a good basis for her decision.

She will, in particular, be interested in "Choosing a Place of Birth" and "Choosing a Caregiver".

[penstamon]

Thanks! That is a great resource.

[mambera]

How about a hospital-based midwife practice? I loved mine.

[smeep]

Originally Posted by penstamon

My good friend is pg with her first. She is not particularly crunchy but she has been coming to me for advice about the pg and is really interested in learning about alternative choices to mainstream pregnancy and birthing advice/procedure. Her DH is very pro-pharmaceuticals and western medicine and feels strongly about a big hospital (they are in a large city) but there are some nice birth centers in the area and I mentioned them as an idea and a direction I would take in her situation. She is interested to know more but I would like some actual stats for her DH, along with some good resources for birth stories, etc that aren't so crunchy that it turns them off.


TIA!

Freestanding birth centers, I presume? They are really no different than homebirths (the main difference being centers are often close to hospitals, but someone's home may be closer depending on where they live). HOWEVER, a lot of people assume that FSBCs are safer just because they're establishments made specifically FOR birth. Though I prefer to educate people and let them know that they are essentially the same as birth in regards to safety, equipment, etc., I have known many women who simply omitted that fact and let the assumption of it being safer due to it being a birthing establishment stand in order to get their way. KWIM? Pg brain, so sorry if that doesn't make much sense.