Talk to me about homebirth...

[calebsmama03]

My first birth was in a hospital and attended by a CNM - drug free and relatively "peaceful" for a hosp birth, but still lots of extra people there, etc. I just found out I'm pg again and am seriously considering HB. I think my *ideal* would be a free-standing birth center, but CO has NONE of these, so I'm looking at my options.

My biggest questions are regarding who is automatically "risked out" of hb? I had PTL with DS from 22 wks on and already know I will have to see an OB for prenatal care, but assuming I go to at least 37 weeks (as with DS) would I be risked out?

Second, what newborn emergencies can a MW handle in a hb? DS had some heart rate decels (due to precipitous birth) that the nursing staff paniced about and called the NICU team. He was slow to cry and a little "grunty" and ended up under an oxygen tent for 5 hours. I personally tend to think that if he'd been left skin to skin with perhaps a mask of O2 he'd have been fine, but I'll never know for sure. Can a situation like this be handled?

Thanks for any info or insight you can offer!

[mija]

Sounds like you'd be ok to me. If you go into labor before 37 weeks though you would need to deliver in a hospital in my state, I don't know about CO. Midwives carry oxygen tanks and masks, and that really doesn't sound like anything they couldn't handle. I would be comfortable in your shoes, but make sure the midwife you talk to matches your feelings of caution and safety.

[Fiddlemom]

Hi! I'm no expert on your questions but I do have a couple things to add here....

I would grill any midwife you interview and ask all the questions you want. See how she deals with your fear and whether you feel comfortable with the way she answers your questions. I switched to a homebirth midwife at 16 weeks with my first pregnancy and had about 25 questions ranging from the inquisitive to the medical to the completely paranoid. She handled them all with grace and was not offended when I asked for recommendations for other midwives to talk to. Needless to say I decided to go with her & her partner.

On the PTL thing--I don't know anything about this--but I do remember a woman in Seattle who had PTL at 6 months with her first pg (not a good outcome). but after this, she had both her babies at home, and for prenatals was under the care of BOTH an very high-tech OB due to her risk factors and a midwife. I'd never heard of anyone doing that, but I thought what a great way to handle it. Who says you can't go to TWO care providers of your choosing???

Lots of luck in your decision and I hope the homebirth option works out for you!!

[rubysmomjess]

calebsmama03, HI! Where in CO?
I live in Boulder. I agree with the pp. Ask tons of questions. My undertanding is they have to have infant recusitation (sp?) skills and they all have oxygen and pitocin, etc. I don't know the rules for being too high risk.

here's the mana website for CO http://www.mana.org/laws/laws_co.htm#BM5

My dh must have asked a amillion questions and both the midwives we interviewed LOVED it. They answered all his questions and he's totally on board now, even reassuring me when I get nervous. Some midwives are little more opposed to joint care with an ob, but my current one is very laid back and would even provide referals for ultrasounds to find out sex, etc.

[calebsmama03]

Thanks ladies! I'm actually planning to have 2 providers if I chose the hb route, but DH is not completely on board right now, not to mention that our families would FLIP. Luckily they're all out of state and would never know...

Jess - I'm in Highlands Rnach (south Denver). Thanks for the link - I'll check it out.