Anyone else planning a home birth? - Page 3 « Back to Group Discussions

[lilbsmama]

Poo....dh and I have been working on budgeting for this baby....and it's not coming out on our side. Our insurance is not going to pay for a CPM, because they don't have legal status in NC. It will, however pay for a CNM hospital birth. I have been so upset all afternoon, because this means I will be losing my homebirth.  The hospital where I will be IS baby frinedly, at least, and the have birth pools, birth balls, and stools as standard in every birthing suite, as well as 3 CNM's on staff, but it won't be the same. Ugh. Happy homebirthing to the rest of you!

[revolting]

Too bad. Our insurance doesn't cover midwives at all, in a hospital or home situation.
 

[flatlander]

I'm planning on a home birth this time around with a CPM. Our insurance only covers CNMs, but the rate for our CPM is still cheaper than our insurance deductible. And she says she will take trades instead of money.  I'm looking forward to seeing what kinds of trades she will accept.

Do those of you who have had a home birth before remember about how much you spent on all the other related costs? (home birth kit, ultrasound, etc)

[lilbsmama]

my birth kit was about $100. That was herbs, chuz pads, witch hazel, maternity pads, gloves, gauze pads, fingerprinting kit, and hose adapter for the sink. I think there were some other things in there, too. Doc paid for the fishy pool, which was about $30.

[zebrachick83]

Originally Posted by lilbsmama 
The hospital where I will be IS baby frinedly, at least, and the have birth pools, birth balls, and stools as standard in every birthing suite, as well as 3 CNM's on staff.

This sounds great. Our hospital doesn't have any of that and they want you hooked up to monitors the entire time, which makes laboring extremely uncomfortable. 

[kawa kamuri]

Originally Posted by flatlander 

Do those of you who have had a home birth before remember about how much you spent on all the other related costs? (home birth kit, ultrasound, etc)

My first HB was with an OB. I can't recall what I spent on supplies. He provided a fishy pool. I paid him $500 over what insurance covered. My most recent HB was with a MW. I spent what felt like a small fortune on supplies, paid her $1000 over insurance and bought a La Bassine. Whatever it cost was worth it. 

[kawa kamuri]

Originally Posted by lilbsmama 

Poo....dh and I have been working on budgeting for this baby....and it's not coming out on our side. Our insurance is not going to pay for a CPM, because they don't have legal status in NC. It will, however pay for a CNM hospital birth. I have been so upset all afternoon, because this means I will be losing my homebirth.  The hospital where I will be IS baby frinedly, at least, and the have birth pools, birth balls, and stools as standard in every birthing suite, as well as 3 CNM's on staff, but it won't be the same. Ugh. Happy homebirthing to the rest of you!

There are very few HB CNMs in NC. I live in an area where there's a group. I've also had a natural birth attended by one on those CNMs at a hospital that was kind of sort of baby friendly but not to the degree you describe, and my MW was a great advocate for me. It's not the same, but it can be a wonderful experience none the less.  

[lilbsmama]

Did we have the same OB? 

[kawa kamuri]

You and I? He attended the birth of my 2 1/2 yo and last I saw him was at the beginning of my pregnancy with my 10mo. At that time he said he would no longer practice after June '11 but I don't know what ever happened. This was Dr. Hayes in Asheville. 

 

Originally Posted by lilbsmama 

Did we have the same OB? 

[Anyitara]

There are only two 'legal' midwives who do homebirths in my area.  One is an hour away, the other an hour and a half.  Am I crazy for considering going with the hour and a half one? :P :)
 

[kawa kamuri]

No, but if it were me with precipitous labors she would miss the birth and I'd have no less than six weekly visits before that even happened.

[Anyitara]

I'm worried about that, too. My first (and only) labor was nine hours long, but there can be quite the difference from first to second. Still, I like these ladies much more than the one closer to me. Ugh, decisions are not my strong suit!

[tropicana74]

Originally Posted by Anyitara 

There are only two 'legal' midwives who do homebirths in my area.  One is an hour away, the other an hour and a half.  Am I crazy for considering going with the hour and a half one? :P :)
 

I would say it depends on how your labors usually go. If this is your first I would say no problem. If you have quick births then I would say just plan on her not getting there in time. 

[lilbsmama]

YES!!!! That was him! He is living in Nigeria right now, doing what he does best, helping mamas give birth. He is working for doctors without borders. How cool!!!

[flatlander]

Anyitara - My midwife is about an hour and a half away from where I live too, but it's the best option I have. I'm going to have a local doula too. I know doulas don't deliver babies, but I figure at least she's attended more births than I have if things go more quickly than I expect.

[kawa kamuri]

Very cool! I do remember him mentioning Doctors Without Borders. 

 

Originally Posted by lilbsmama 

YES!!!! That was him! He is living in Nigeria right now, doing what he does best, helping mamas give birth. He is working for doctors without borders. How cool!!!

[travelmumma]

And Subbing!

:) We just hired our midwife! She is glorious! We interviewed three and at the end of each interview DH and I just shook our heads and said "Nope, not as good as the first one!"  She offers so much! And so much more than the others we interviewed!

Visits every 3 weeks until 20 or 24 weeks (can't remember), then every two weeks til 30. Then once a week :) And a bit more often if I go "over". Each session is about 2 hours and she does foot reflexology (dribble, can't wait!). She is just the most naturally one we could ever imagine to find!

In fact the night that we asked her to be our midwife I had a dream that I was hugely pregnant and sitting on a gorgeous green grassy hill and about to go into labour, when she came across the field with some daisies she had picked along the way. Hahah sounds soo hippy etc, but it was so wonderful! I was in my favourite orange skirt and just breathing along with it all!

I am so excited now! (Except for the morning sickness.... urghhh)

How is everyone else going with the midwife hunt?

[purposefuldoula]

I'm excited for you, Travelmumma! That's so great! 

I met with my midwives a few days ago and they are just wonderful. One of them I've been friends with for the last year or so, so I *really know her. There is a wonderful birth community here. 

[smhs]

We are also hoping to do a homebirth, but our situation is complicated by the fact that I am pregnant with di-di twins.  We've been rejected by almost all the hospital-based midwife groups in Chicago out of hand and are not happy with the requirements of the ones who will take us (e.g., constant fetal monitoring on baby b and, consequently, back labor).

Any suggestions for where to look would be much appreciated. 

[travelmumma]

Originally Posted by smhs 

We are also hoping to do a homebirth, but our situation is complicated by the fact that I am pregnant with di-di twins.  We've been rejected by almost all the hospital-based midwife groups in Chicago out of hand and are not happy with the requirements of the ones who will take us (e.g., constant fetal monitoring on baby b and, consequently, back labor).

Any suggestions for where to look would be much appreciated. 

smhs- What are di-di twins?

Sorry its thats a silly question