Has anyone decided to UC last minute?

[~Amy~]

Last minute, like after labor started? I feel like I might do that this time. Last time, we planned a homebirth with a traditional birth attendant and ended up going to the hospital instead. The decision to go to the hospital was mine based on instinct that we would be safer there. Although not everything went as I would have liked at the hospital, ultimately, I believe my instinct was correct. Despite this, I still dealt with a lot of guilt & regret over my "failed" homebirth. This time, I almost feel like I don't want to plan a homebirth because I don't want to be disappointed again. So far, I've seen an OB at the hospital prenatal clinic and am planning a hospital birth at this point. But when labor starts, if I feel like we'd be safer at home, I might not to go the hospital. So of course, I will have birth supplies on hand, just in case. Has anyone made this decision while in labor?

[MyBoysBlue]

I sorta decided last minute. I was seeing a doc and planning a hospital birth. But I was also researching UC because my first birth was really fast 2.5 hours from when I woke from a sound sleep to birth. I knew that if things progress any faster I wouldn't make it to the hospital and had to be prepared. I ended up wanting to UC and had planned on doing a UC unless I felt the need to go to the hospital when I started labour. Then at 38 weeks I had a falling out over GBS with my doc and he told me to find a new doc. 39 weeks 4 days a day before my appointment with the new doc DS is born at home after just 25 minutes of labour. Hospital was 30 minutes away. He would have been born on the way if we had tried for the hospital. I told DH to ask me once labour started if I wanted to go to the hospital so I could think about it and evaluate my instincts. But what he said was "I guess we aren't going to the hospital then?" LOL he could tell I was well on my way. He was also the one who recognized transition with our first and got me to the hospital.

[dayiscoming2006]

I haven't but I think it makes sense the way you would do it.

[Hope4six]

I think that if you've educated yourself on UC, it's pretty safe to trust your instincts when you're in labor. If we listen to our bodies, we can sense if something is wrong. I've read birth stories of women who planned to have their midwives attend, but when they were in labor, they ended up wanting to be alone. Each woman is different, and each labor is different. It's OK to make decisions on a case by case basis.

[Rejoicing]

You could always find a mw who would be willing to be "on call" That way she'd be there if you needed her...or not! Also you might want to have some supplies on hand in case you do decide to uc at the last min.

[~Amy~]

Originally Posted by Rejoicing

You could always find a mw who would be willing to be "on call" That way she'd be there if you needed her...or not! Also you might want to have some supplies on hand in case you do decide to uc at the last min.

Yes, I actually still have supplies from when we planned our first homebirth (that ended up being a hospital birth, so we didn't use them). There aren't really any midwives here to have "on call", but I do have a good friend who has attended many births & had 2 UC's herself. She'd come if I needed or wanted her to.

[Illiana]

That was my intention to wait until labor to see how i felt. I was seeing an OB and was registered at the hospital I would have given birth at. But I think in all my preparations to have a UC i got it in my head that was what i was going to do. The thought of going when I realized I was in labor never even crossed my mind.

[~Amy~]

Originally Posted by Illiana

That was my intention to wait until labor to see how i felt. I was seeing an OB and was registered at the hospital I would have given birth at. But I think in all my preparations to have a UC i got it in my head that was what i was going to do. The thought of going when I realized I was in labor never even crossed my mind.

This is exactly how I'm approaching it. Trying to be prepared for a UC, but not having too definite plans because I don't want to deal with the disappointment again if I end up at the hospital.

[klemomma]

I haven't decided on a UC at the last minute, but with my last birth, I planned both a UC and a birth center birth, as in, I was prepared for both. I decided to go to the birth center, which was the right decision for that birth. Next time, I'll probably do the same - plan for a few alternatives and decide when I *have* to decide :-) Makes good sense to me to always keep options open - I don't like feeling as if I've backed myself into a corner!