Homebirth

[Peppamint]

Lots of questions!

I'm checking into continuing my prenatal care with the Drs (paid 100%) and paying a midwife for a couple prenatals and homebirth ($750). It would be much cheaper than total prenatal care with the midwife ($1450 or so).

Any suggestions you have would be great! I'm reading The thinking woman's guide to a better birth, a good birth, a safe birth and some other books.

I'm trying to compile websites/links so I can print off some of the info. I'm going to hit dh up with all this and try to enlist his support. I'm hoping to do so without having to put my foot down and say with or without your blessing. Ya know?

Any arguments you used to sway dh would be great too!

TIA!

[khrisday]

Even though we had private u=insurance, we were able to get Medi-Cal to pay for midwife prenatal care and a homebirth. The only thing we had to pay was for the second CNM to attend the birth, which was $250 I believe. Check into your states Medi-Care rules.

[DancerMom]

I think if you can afford to you should have more visits with the midwife, just to get to know her and feel really comfortable with her. FWIW, one of the most special things about my homebirth experience was the friendship that developed with my midwife. I knew enough about her to trust her implicitly. Just a thought.

As for convincing people, it may be hard (I got so many people telling me how crazy I was) but stick to your convictions...birthing at home was so peaceful, I sometimes even describe it as "fun" when people ask about it. The best was not having to count contractions or get into a car and go somewhere. I just relaxed through the whole thing.

Good luck!

[cottonwood]

Good point about using the extra visits to get to know your midwife.

Another option is using the OB for whatever tests you deem necessary, and the midwife however often you feel comfortable with, and doing the rest of your prenatal care yourself. It isn't rocket science, after all!

[Peppamint]

I thought I should add, I'll be meeting the midwife I mentioned next Friday. My friend/coworker is going for a prenatal on our way to go shopping and invited me to join her to I could meet her too! How sweet is that?

Anyway, I'll be able to discuss with her just how many visits I'd have with her and all that. I'm looking forward to meeting her.

As for dh, I haven't been mentioning too much. I feel like I need to savor the idea and let it soak in more for myself.

I don't want this to be a battle, but almost all my friends (and my mom) have reminded that it's my body that has to go through labor.

Keep 'em coming!