We might be planning a homebirth after all... - Page 2 « Back to Group Discussions

[cristeen]

Originally Posted by KM84 

There's a hospital nearby that's just about perfect for me. They have a "birthing suite," which is essentially two rooms that are designated for women who want minimal interventions and used only by CNMs. I can have whomever I want in the room for the birth, there's a bathtub in the room, and I'm welcome to eat / drink / walk around as much as I want. If I do need more traditional medical care (epidural, pitocin, etc) they'll transfer me into one of the standard delivery rooms.

Just a warning, since I know we ran across this on our hospital tour.  If they only have one birthing suite, be sure to ask what happens if they have more than one mama in labor at once.  Around here it's first come, first served, and the next mama is out of luck. 

[KM84]

lightheartedmom - I'm in Philly now

Sigh, it may be a moot point about the birthing rooms at the 'fancy' hospital... my midwife is having trouble getting in touch with any of the midwives there, and of course their receptionist is less than helpful. Hopefully one of them will get back to us Monday.

If we can't sneak in there, it's either a super midwife friendly hospital that's over an hour away (Reading, PA), or Delaware County Hospital - an unknown quantity that's closer by. Both have midwives who have said they'd take me. I don't really want to travel an hour while in labor, but I also am nervous about the closer hospital. I can't find much information about it online, just that it's in a rough part of town so it tends to be overcrowded. Not exactly what I want to hear.

I suppose the prudent thing to do would be to tour the nearby hospital and see what it's like in person, and decide whether I'd feel more comfortable there or at home. 

This whole situation is so infuriating, I have half a mind to call up the old hospital (who kicked out all the midwives) just to scream at them. It wouldn't change their minds, but at least I could yell at someone.