I can't decide where to have the baby

[phathui5]

I'm due in September and I know I have time to decide where to have the baby, but I'd much rather figure it out now so that I'm not stressing out about it. Here's my problem:

* The birth center where I had dd and wanted to have this one is closed now.

* Our house is 30-40 minutes from a hospital. I'd like to have the baby at home, but I'm not totally comforable being so far from a hospital.

* But I'm not comfortable with delivering in a hospital. I don't want to feel like I have to fight when I'm in labor.

Does anyone have any advice?

[jraohc]

My advice:
- I assume there are no other birth centers? Would that be an option?
- Interview some midwives who do homebirths (I'm assuming you're not comfortable with unassisted given that you're not comfortable being so far from the hospital). Ask them how far from the hospital is too far. Decide if you are comfortable with their answers. Decide if you are comfortable with them.
- Interview some midwives or ob's who deliver at the hospital. Compare those interviews to the homebirth attendant interviews.

I think that if you talk to enough people you will probably discover which direction you are going and you will decide where your comfort level is. Personally, I don't think 30-40 minutes from the hospital is too far, but I have only had a hospital birth at this point and am only planning a future homebirth (I'm not even pregnant right now). Good luck with whatever you decide. Congrats on your pregnancy!

[phathui5]

No, there are no other birth centers within what I consider "driving distance." It'd be like an hour in the car.

I have a midwife who will deliver at home or at the hospital. I just need to figure out what I want to do.

[BinahYeteirah]

bs"d

Since you already have a midwife you like, you could just ask her the questions. Does she think 30-40 minutes is too far (I assume not, though, since she is willing to attend you at home)? Does she think the 30-40 minutes to the hospital could make a difference in the outcome of any likely or not-so-likely emergency situations? Discuss those. Maybe the discussion could help you with your decision.

Maybe you could consider renting a hotel room near the hospital for the birth. Maybe you could spring for a nice one with a big tub.

[LoveChild421]

I understand not wanting to be too far from the hospital- usually 20 minutes is considered totally "safe" but 30-40 isn't that much more- especially since it takes "30 minutes decision to incision" to get a C-section going (I'm homebirthing myself and I know that if I have to go it will be for an emergency C-section). Most neo-natal resuscitation issues can be handled by the midwife or EMT'S if you call 911. I personally would still feel more comfortable at home and would just have my midwife keep a very close check on me so that any problems could be detected early. If I lived an hour or more away from a hospital I think I might make a different decision but 30-40 minutes away (25 speeding??) would be within the realm of risk I would accept when you compare it to the risks of the hospital. But you have to ultimately decide what you feel most comfortable with as you being relaxed and comfortable is the most important thing. Good luck and congrats!

[loving-my-babies]

I would view all the options. Can you interview a couple midwives that assist homebirths? maybe take tours of a couple hospitals? maybe interview midwives that deliver at hospitals? I would view all your options and make a decision after that.

[phathui5]

Well, where I am there's only one midwife that does homebirth who can legally bill my insurance. There's only also one hospital I'd consider. The hospital closest to our house doesn't allow midwives to deliver people there.

I'm going to the tour of the hospital that my midwife has priviledges at on the 26th to ask them questions about their "policies." (I hate hospital policies!)

[IntoTheRoseGarden]

Originally Posted by phathui5

. There's only also one hospital I'd consider. The hospital closest to our house doesn't allow midwives to deliver people there.

How close is the hospital that you don't want to go to? Is it the kind of hospital that would have the staffing to do an emergency c/s on a moment's notice? If you do decide to have the baby at home, you could always consider going to the less desirable hospital in the event of a dire emergency (but to the better hospital in case of a non-emergency transfer.)

[USAmma]

You can have total control over what you want and don't want in the hospital. Write up a birth plan, talk to the midwife, make several copies. Hire a doula so she can remind you of your wishes and keep an eye out for you if they try to intervene. Be prepared to sign waivers if necessary.

I gave birth at a hospital birth center and had a wonderful experience. I chose to have an epidural but other than that it was hands-off for most of the birth. No pit shot after the birth, no cutting the cord right away, medical staff stayed away most of the time, I had 4 people attending the birth, etc etc. Recently a local mama brought her own birth tub and had a waterbirth at this same hospital. Cool, huh?

Darshani

[momto l&a]

I wouldnt consider anything under an hour far.

My first 2 hb's where just blocks from hospital. Our last baby was 13 miles from the hospital which in good weather is 20 minutes, but come fog, frost, snow or just general icy roads up to a hour.

I say go for the hb Nothing IMO more enjoyable.