Unassisted, Homebirth, Birth Center, or Hospital? And Why? - Page 2 « Back to Group Discussions

[wrenmoon]

My two children were born at home, the first with a midwife and the second was a 45 minute labor from water breaking to baby girl and midwife walking in the door twenty minutes later.
I have nagging feelings about going to a birth center this time, but even if I planned to go I'm not sure I would make it on time. So I guess we are going to make plans for a possible unassisted (husband man would not enjoy that, but I dont think I'd mind one bit) and plan on our midwife again.

[skycheattraffic]

I had DD at the local hospital under the care of my family doctor's team. This time I hope Togo with a midwife since my last delivery was straight forward. I was pretty happy overall last time but I hope to skip the induction (and maybe the epidural) this time. I was very happy to be at the hospital last time though since 41weeker healthy, robust DD stopped breathing twice and I loathe to think what may have happened if we didn't have emergency help available. I admire the many home birth mamas here very very much but it just isn't the right fit for me. I know I will hate being separated from DD but I hope for a fast labour during daylight hours and a quick discharge. I also love the fact that this hospital has a lactation clinic on the maternity floor and we can get nursing help in person before we are even discharged. I hope everyone here has a smooth and easy delivery and a birth experience they are happy with.

[dayiscoming2006]

Skycheattraffic: I understand your choices and respect them. I just wanted to say that with a midwife assisted home birth, they have experience with breathing issues and stuff. So, they could help if a baby stops breathing or needs help starting. Just wanted to mention that. 

[skycheattraffic]

Thank you dayiscoming. I'm not sure about a lot of things about home birth, including how long you get pp care. DD breathed beautifully after birth and her first episode was about 8 hours later. Her second episode was about 30 or so hours after birth. We actually stayed in the hospital for 3 days to ensure the breathing was under control. Those were SCARY times (both episodes were while I was in the bathroom or getting a glass of water) and I was incredibly grateful that DH was able to pull the bell cord and get help in 30 seconds. I understand that HB MW are trained for a variety of emergency situations but I just don't feel safe birthing at home. It's different for everyone and I have nothing but respect And admiration for HB mamas; I'm just very much not one of them

[g&a]

I would love to birth at home but am VBACing and live quite far from a hospital so I think we're going to try for the birth center.  I really want to avoid the hospital but have a history of weird stuff happening at the end of my pregnancies, so we'll just see what happens.  Our midwife can do all three places, but recommends the hospital for VBACs.

[skycheattraffic]

Id consider a birthing center but my province is just initiating the first two and I'm not sure whether they exist yet or where they are located. The hospital I had DD at is very close (5 to 10 min by car) and they do routine pregnancies since the high risk practices all deliver at the research hospital. The midwives practice in the hospitals and it's all taken care of under provincial healthcare insurance. I'm not sure how home births are covered under OHIP and am very happy not to have to deal with the logistics of it all. For me personally this hospital feels safest and most comfortable at this time.

[roseoffred]

My first birth was a fiasco.  Planned home birth, transfer and eventual C-Section.  It has taken me years to feel like I know what happened.  Essentially, I never felt the urge to push but was directed to do so for hours with no progress.  When I got to the hospital they told me I was only 7cm and had a large swelling down near the opening from all of the pushing.  I got an epidural and was completely dilated shortly after but they were afraid that the swelling would burst if I delivered vaginally.  I chalk it up to partially my own inexperience and inability to speak up for myself and partially to questionable midwifery care.

When I got pregnant with DS2 I didn't feel confidant in my ability to birth vaginally and I did not have family support to try another HB so I had a hospital birth with a Midwife.  The birth was fine, I had a successful natural VBAC but I wasn't really happy with it.  My son got very slightly stuck and they freaked out and pushed on the top of my belly before I could suggest a position change or anything.  Subsequently, he was born very quickly and had some liquid in his lungs and I didn't get to have him for several hours. 

SO, now I KNOW I can do it and by golly I am staying home!!

[cynthiamoon]

roseoffred, thanks for sharing your experiences. Both stories showed me a side of the issue I handn't thought about as a FTM. 

I am sorry to hear about your struggles, but also moved by your confidence!  I feel good about a birth center for my first, and hopefully will be confident enough for a HB in the future. 

[BlueMonday]

third-time homebirther here. i'm so lucky, my incredible midwife has been available all of my pregnancies. the homebirth midwifery community here in brooklyn is so highly sought after, several of them (mine included) are CNMs with hospital admitting privileges and have long histories as L&D professionals. i wouldn't be comfortable birthing anywhere else unless i knew i required a c-section.

i am trying not to focus on it but my midwife will be out of the country for most of july. my EDD is 7/27, i always go late and she promised to push her trip on the early side but hopefully she's back for the catching. i have a secret diy fantasy but i would definitely want a pro to assess babe and me on arrival.

[lisaloumama]

I had a traumatic epidural hospital birth with my first and a natural but frustrating hospital birth with my daughter, so we're excited about a homebirth for this one!  So glad hubby is on board and I found a highly-recommended midwife in the area.  Looking forward to having the birth experience I actually dream about!  

[emilyfaith]

I'm looking forward to my second homebirth. The first time was so beautiful and smooth. Everything went wonderful and yes it was very intense too. I didn't use a tub but I am considering it this time. I needed to walk and sway and dance so I'm not sure if I could stay in the tub. Good luck ladies. you can do it!

[StartingAllOver]

We are planning for a water birth with a midwife in the hospital. There isn't really a birthing center here, but the group of midwives are great and fought to get a birthing tub for the L&D floor for their clients. I had two of my previous births at that same hospital, but long before there was a tub. I am really excited to learn more about water birth, and assuming that jibes with what I already think I know about it, I can't wait to try it. 

[Ruheling]

Homebirth isn't really legal here and I'm not keen on the idea of using a midwife who is so militant as to risk arrest just to facilitate letting someone have a home birth. The local hospital where my obgyn practice delivers seems pretty good--and I'm ok with being assertive regarding my medical care and preferences. So...hospital + CNM with a ob on backup.

[rainbownurse]

I would like a home birth. My husband was not quite on board when I brought up the subject a few years back, but after talking to him about it and my friend had two successful home births and her husband extolled their virtues, he was more on board. Funnily enough, my office mate at work is also pregnant and planing a home birth, so we're very excited to have each other to talk to. 

I find it amazing the reactions you get when you tell people. My mother in law, who I thought was going to freak out, was totally supportive. 

[BekahJ]

This will be our 3rd home birth we've had 1 at the hospital and 2 at home so far. Love home births with a midwife! It's so nice to be in your own environment and know that your kids are okay while giving birth. My husband has gotten more into it each time and he is a great help and comfort to me and even caught the baby last time. We wouldn't have it any other way.

[skycheattraffic]

Update to my status: I'm still planning on giving birth in the nearby baby friendly hospital BUT I just got a call from one of the local midwife practices that had me on a waiting list. I'm in!!! I have my first appointment with them on Dec 27th!! I'm very excited to be giving birth with a midwife this time around and hope to go into labour spontaneously and go natural. Yay!!

[cynthiamoon]

An update from me as well!!
I took a tour of the birth center I was looking into, and I am really excited about their blended model of nurturing home-like environment and access to medical care via their in house nurses for simple things. It's even right by a hospital in the event of an emergency. Best of both worlds in my mind.
My first appointment is in early January!!

[howeberry]

I'd love a midwife assisted homebirth VBAC, but it's not legal in my state, so off to the hospital for me. This will be a midwife attended birth.

I'm not clear yet exactly what went wrong with my first pregnancy. I think it was a combination ds getting too big (9 1/2 pounder), never engaging, and a failed induction (Castro oil made my water leak, which lead to a night on Cervidil, followed an awful day of Pit). I never effaced and never dilated. Needless to say, I was out of options and sent in for a C-Section. I switched to my midwives at 36 weeks and completely believe it was the care of my previous OB that spelled disaster for my wanting a completely natural birth.

This time will be different! I'm determined to have a small baby, take as many prenatal exercise classes as I can, hire a doula, and get my VBAC - even if that does mean birthing in the hospital.

[cinderella08]

In hospital VBAC - provider TBD.  I am 'semi-high risk' because I am a VBAC and also because I tend to have complicated pregnancies especially towards the end.  My 1st was an induction turned section due to HELLP syndrome - I almost died.  My 2nd was an induced VBAC for preeclampsia.  Would LOVE to have zero issues this time, but it seems I'm pretty much destined to have BP issues and tend to need inductions because of it.  I was happy with my hospital VBAC though - all wishes were granted without the blink of an eye and despite it being a pit induction it was only 9hours start to finish and zero pain meds or anything else.