Should I plan on UC?

[dakotablue]

So this will be a VBAC. Personally I would rather have this baby at home or at a birth center, but my MW requires in hospital. She is also one of the very very few people with in an hour of where we live that even does VBAC's. Plus she is wonderful.

Her VBAC rates are great, but I am wary of going the hospital route again plus the hospital is 45 minutes away in good traffic.

Sooo its kinda like I could wait until I'm so far along before leaving, but then risk having the baby in the car. I could also meet her for a 'check' at the birthing center, but I'm afraid that if I was too far along she would send me to a near by hospital because there was a recent uterine rupture with a 2VBAC (or is it VBAC2 for second vaginal birth) anyway.

Dh would probably be no help other than watching DS. I'm worried about DS while I would be at the hospital, and don't want to be away for more than a day if that.

A big part of me is hoping for another major snow storm like we had last winter and we get snowed in thus no choice.

Should I educate myself and plan for UC, while still keeping hospital birth as an option and just kinda go from there? My MW did say that if I accidentally gave birth at home she would come to me and check on me and the baby but she wouldn't recommend it (at the time I was asking because I had dreamed it, but now...)

Is this just a pipe dream? because if something does go wrong I'd end up at a c/s hospital with tons of interventions and baby separation.

[EllyMayMomma]

Sending you hugs!

I don't think any of us can really answer that question for you. UC is a big deal and you have to be more committed to it than you would just a pipe dream. Which ever way you decide to go, educate yourself. And if there is a chance you and DH will be snowed in at birth time, he needs to have a clue what to do, if you need anything. If you like the midwife and are comfortable with her and your relationship, by all means keep it.

I for sure hear where you are coming from. Where I live, there are no midwives within 3 hrs and there are no vbac docs or hospitals closer than 2.5 hrs away. 45 minutes away is not so bad unless you have a history of really fast labors - that is how far our closest hospital that delivers babies is from us. If I ever get pg again, I will plan a UC at home but will likely have some kind of doctor back up just in case I end up with a transverse baby again.

How would DH feel about planning a UC? How do you feel taking that responsibility and risk on yourself? For sure there is a risk, though there is the same "risk" anywhere you birth. The only difference, IMHO, is that in a UC, you and the world know it is you that is responsible and at a hospital or birth center, it is perceived that others take that responsibility. This is not meant to scare you off but it is a fact that you must confront and then move on, learning and preparing yourself and DH for what is to come.

Let us know what you decide!

[mauinokaoi]

I think your dream is important and your midwife "not reccomending" giving birth alone is probably because she can't legally.

Visualize your birth. where will you be most comfortable? how do you want to give birth.

Best of luck. Happy Birthing.

PS keep it to yourself until you have made your decision. or preferably after the birth.

[phathui5]

This forum offers lots of resources for people thinking about birthing on their own.

For starters, you could check out:

http://www.unassistedchildbirth.com/

You can get homebirth supplies at:

http://www.everythingbirth.com

[dakotablue]

OK so at this point I think we are still going with MW at the hospital. I had a long talk with her and expressed my fears and what I wanted.

It was really nice because she described what most births are like there and its exactly what I wanted. She said the hospital would be up for some kinda award or symbol mother child care if it weren't for the low cost/ free clinic attached to the hospital which messes up the stats.

She said that the default unless asked is no bottles or pacifiers. She doesn't do eye gook or vit K (but you could) I can have room in care for baby, no reason for it them to ever leave my sight and I could (if I do the paperwork leave 12 hours after the birth)

I also get to catch my own baby and keep her/him until I want before the measure/weight and bath can be done with Dh in room.

I think this is a good compromise. The more I thought about this the more I wanted to UC, but am realizing Dh couldn't yet...he's grown so much over the past few years but unless I had a mw or friend to take over I don't think it would be safe just us if something went wrong.

Thanks so much for helping me work through this and the links really helped me solidify what it was I was worried about/ missing.

[dayiscoming2006]

That sounds good. I'd still study up on UC if you think there is a chance you'd be stuck at home for some reason. Then you could just be prepared if something did happen.

[Almi]

I wish there was a place like that around here. It sounds like heaven, especially for moms who are high risk and can't safely birth at home.