What kind of birth are you planning??

[Kundalini-Mama]

I know it is early, but I am so darn excited about this pregnancy, and have been planning this birth ever since my son's birth. :LOL And I know that this is being discussed on one of the other threads too.

I'm planning a home birth with a very hands off midwife. I want an unassisted birth basically, but want some 'medical' reassurance. I'm interviewing a couple of midwives (we have a lot of HB midwives in my area--probably b/c the hospital is so darn crappy), and I'm making my choices very clear.

My doula at my last birth (which was a hospital birth but not at the aforementioned crappy hospital), is now a licensed midwife. I'm thinking though that she might be way too hands on for me. I just want my space and have the midwife hanging out in the living room, checking the hb as often (or as little) as she needs to.

What are you all planning?

[cottonwood]

Amy, I am hearing more and more women saying that they want basically an unassisted birth with a midwife, which was virtually unheard of as an approach to giving birth until fairly recently. Whether with midwife or doctor, it has for a long time been generally accepted that birthing women *need* guidance and assistance during a normal birth process. Jan Tritten, editor of Midwifery Today, has said that the midwifery community needs to pay attention to the unassisted birth movement because it brings up issues that are relevant to *all* birthing women (not just those planning UC,) issues that have not previously been recognized or acknowledged within the general consciousness. UC is still (and probably will continue to be) regarded by most as a dangerous extreme, but some of the important concepts are filtering through, which is wonderful!

[Bunches]

I am considering a homebirth with a nurse-midwife. I really need to do some research though since I just moved here a few months ago. She was highly recommended. I also have to see if my insurance will pay for it!!!! I will also look into the local birth center and talk to some of the doctors I work with at the hospital. I would like to have little intervention also.
I am a bit torn about where to deliver since a lot of the doctors and nurses I work with (whom I respect) seem to be so against the local birth center. They have lay midwives. But, I have also heard WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL things about them from people that have delivered there. The opinions I have heard are completely split! Well........ I have some time to look into it!!!

[coleslaw]

I don't know yet. There aren't very many midwives that do homebirths around here. And CT has weird laws about it. Only a CNM can deliver or else it's very difficult to get a birth certificate.

I would love a homebirth, but am also looking into a birth center. The birth center is about 45 mintues away and since it will be winter in NE when the baby comes, I think I would prefer the homebirth if I can get up the full courage and convince dh (and find a midwife - not quite ready for unassisted).

[PatchyMama]

we are planning a homebirth with a midwife Our midwife is very open to doing what I want to do..... so how hands on or off it will be I am really leaving open til i know for sure..... but at this point im not sure im ready for hands off, LOL. I need someone to assure me that everything is OK because im a constant worrier

[sweetpeasmom]

well I'm going for the hospital birth. I had complications last time, so I just feel better being there. Although this time, I want to do a natural birth. I got an epi last time and I regretted it big time.

[sadean]

I haven't decided fully yet, though I am leaning towards unassisted, with maybe a midwife in the background. I had a homebirth (with midwife and doula) last time, and over all it was great. But there were times when she wanted me to do certain things that just didn't feel right (like squatting to push...it just wasn't the right position for me...I ended up on my hands and knees on my own, which worked great)...we just weren't fully in tune with each other.

[lauren]

I had two homebirths with my others while I was in my 30's. These were wonderful births. Now I am wondering what to do. I'll be 41, my stamina is not what it used to be, and I have discovered a nice little hospital with a very cool ob/gyn that has had homebirths herself. And they have a big birthing tub. I'm torn between the nostalgia for the 2 previous homebirths and being a teensy worried about my age, December in New England (=snow) and the midwives are an hour away. Also, my midwives from the last two have split up their professional partnership of 20 years, It would be impossible for me to choose between them!!

[Kerlowyn]

lauren

I could have written your post!! I am also 41 and just found out I am PG with #3. I am hoping these old bones won't complain too much about another baby! I am planning a waterbirth in a Cambridge hospital that is an hour away from my home. I had my last baby there. It is a very 'hands off' hospital!

Also, the CNM practice I had for my last 2 births does not exsist anymore, and they have merged with a larger CNM practice. I so love the MWs I had for my last 2 births, I am hoping the 'new' MWs are just as good.

IKWYM about December/New England. What worries me the most is the traffic! Luckly, DS2 was born on a holiday because we were on our way to the hospital at 5:00PM and got to Rt 128 at 5:30PM! DS was born 45 minutes after getting to the hospital, I would have had him on the side of the road if it was a rush hour!

[coleslaw]

Hey NE ladies!! I'm from CT and the traffic thing is my biggest worry, maybe even more than snow. Any homebirthing midwife has to go on I-95 and/or over the Tappen Zee bridge. OR the birthing center is 45mintues away and if I need to go in the afternoon, it's rush hour on back roads and I-84!! I think I better look into giving birth on my own, just in case I need to!!

[lauren]

Luckily traffic is one thing we don't have to worry about it rural VT--though of course there could always be the herd of cows crossing the road, or an overturned hay wagon. A traffic jam here means 6 cars! I did used to live in PA and don't miss the traffic at all. One less thing to worry about!

[Bunches]

I must admit I don't miss the traffic in New England. My MIL lives in Maine and my parents live in NJ so when we lived in CT, we sure had to make sure we traveled during off peak hours. Otherwise, a 3 hour trip became a 5 hour trip.!!! I miss New England though. But..... Alaska is also cool.
I just spoke with a CNM,NP who is willing to do a homebirth. She always attend the births with another CNM. I am strongly considering this!!! I only live 1.7 miles from the hospital. She used to be an OB nurse at our local hospital. Its kind of nice for me too because a homebirth will give me more annonymity since I work in the ER of a small hospital and everyone knows everything that goes on!!!!
I still don't have many symptoms though. A little fatigue and breast heaviness.
Those with homebirth experiences, how was it for you??? This is my first little one.

[sadean]

Those with homebirth experiences, how was it for you??? This is my first little one.

I cannot praise the over all experience of having a homebirth vs. a hospital birth more than to say IT ROCKS!!!

I have had one of each, and by "horror story" standards my hospital birth was a breeze and relatively intervention free. But it wasn't home, it wasn't comfortable even though it was in a "home-style" birthing room, and they wouldn't let me stay in the whirlpool tub to birth (my question was why the he!! did they have it then??? No resonse : ). I found the hospital experience to be inhibiting. At home I was able to wander around, get in and out of the tub 6 times :LOL, made as much noise as I wanted/needed too, be naked if I wanted too and I birthed on my bed on my hands and knees by moonlight. The difference was profound, and given the choice, I would birth at home.

[mamamoo]

We are planning to have another home/waterbirth. I had my first two kiddos in the hospital, and my third at home...huge difference!! I love my midwives too, so this is so exciting!!

[Kundalini-Mama]

Originally posted by lauren
Luckily traffic is one thing we don't have to worry about it rural VT--though of course there could always be the herd of cows crossing the road, or an overturned hay wagon. A traffic jam here means 6 cars! I did used to live in PA and don't miss the traffic at all. One less thing to worry about!

I'm so jealous. I live in urban area (for Vermont). My hubby and I are transports from Jersey, so it is obviously nothing like that used to be.

Hopefully we will move out into the country in 5 yrs or so. I want to get some land and get a yurt.

What is your midwife situation like by you Lauren? I have my pick and am having a hard time narrowing down my choices. Its rough, I tell you

Amy

[KoalaMommy]

I have decided to have a CNM delivery in a hospital. It was a very complicated decision. My mother had me at home, and nearly cries whenever she realizes again that I'm not going that route. But I have a history of hemorraging and I feel very strongly about having an IV line open and a couple of units of red cells on hand just in case. I have pointed out to dear mom that I would seriously question the ethics of anyone willing to deliver me at home with my history, it would be far too risky for me or them. The local (rural) hospital won't even deliver me, I have to drive a minimum of 45 mintues to a larger facility (though I've chosen to go further driving an hour and a half to find the combination of services I want).

My MIL (given my history) wants me to have as medical a birth as possible, lots of doctors, lots of drugs, maybe even c-section if that would be lower risk somehow . When I decided on the CNM route (incidentally only 2 days before ) I finally felt at ease with one of the options before me. With a midwife I can have a more natural experience (none of that inducing so I can go on vacation experience my friend recently had with her OB), but I can still be in a hospital in case of emergency. I intend to write a very thorough birth plan, and honestly, in this case I think I will be more comfortable in the hospital.

I'm really glad we have so many options these days, and I'm trying to convince my mother that there is nothing morally wrong with delivering a baby in the hospital!

[lauren]

Amy, for the last 2 births I used the midwives in Bristol. They are the ones that split their partnership. The only one close now is a midwife that just lost her license--it's been in the papers. So if i do homebirth it would be a choice of the midwife in Bristol, or the one in Lincoln.

[Kundalini-Mama]

Originally posted by lauren
Amy, for the last 2 births I used the midwives in Bristol. They are the ones that split their partnership. The only one close now is a midwife that just lost her license--it's been in the papers. So if i do homebirth it would be a choice of the midwife in Bristol, or the one in Lincoln.

You must live right by me

There is a midwife in Middletown Springs, and 2 in Middlebury (I think), and one in Arlington (which might be a little too far for you, but I'm not sure).

I'm pretty sure I'm going w/Helena Wu in Arlington.

Amy

[Graceoc]

We are planning a homebirth this time around and I am very exicted!

WIth my first I had a hospital birth with a CNM - it was pretty medical with an epi and IV - but it was what I wanted at the time, and I was very pleased with my care. It was a very smooth birth with no complications.


My second was a waterbirth at a birth center with a CNM - the most AMAZING experience of my life! I would do that again, but we have moved and there are NO birthcenters in the area.

I hope to waterbirth at home - and have already spoken via phone to a midwife that was recommended to me. I hope to have a face-to-face with her soon now that I am actually pg! DH was a tad reluctant - but has given his blessing. I think that the fact that the hospital is only 2.4 miles away AND the mw is a trained and certified EMT helps with his 'fear'.

[lauren]

Congratulations Graceoc! Sounds like your births are progressing toward more and more natural and independent! I am curious about waterbirth. Last two times I couldn't even use the tub because of water breaking!

AmyD, I have heard good things about Helena Wu. Since we're getting so specific here (and this may not be of interest to everyone else ) do you want to pm me the name of the midwife in Middletown Springs? I have never heard of anyone down there. Mdtwn Spgs to me is not much better than Bristol to me, but it's good to know your options!