Anyone change their minds about birthing location at the last minute?

[quelindo]

This is my first baby; I'm due in less than three weeks.

I chose a hospital that seems to be a bit more laid-back and mom-friendly than others in my area. My doctor (a family practitioner) was recommended to me as being the most non-mainstream mainstream doc in my area, and I really do like her.

However, as I get closer to the EDD I'm getting a bit worried. We don't want the Hepatitis B or Vitamin K shots, we don't want the eye ointment, we plan on cloth diapering right from the start, we don't want the baby bathed, we don't want to be separated from the baby at all, we don't want to circumcise, etc. It might be fine at this hospital, but I feel like I'm going to have to be on hyper-alert to make sure things are done according to our wishes.

I don't have a midwife, but we have hired a doula whom we really like. I don't think I'd feel comfortable doing a home birth, but there's a birthing center that just opened up in our area recently.

How nuts would it be to switch gears now?

Part of me is a bit afraid of getting in over my head; being in pain and wishing I were at a hospital.

Any thoughts?

[orangebird]

I don't think it is ever too late to change yor mind. You can even change your mind midway through your homebirth and head to the hospital. It never too late. go with what your gut is telling you. I would start calling midwives right now to see if anyone is willing. Or you could go unassisted if you are comfortable with that. Do what your gut is telling you. Would your family doc ever come see you at home? I had a physician present at my first homebirth.

[Noelia430]

It's never too late. Give the birth center a call and try to get a feel for the midwives there. It's your choice and you have to do what you feel comfortable with.

[Spark]

Agreeing 100% with the PP's. Changing your mind is often the BEST thing you can ever do, esp when it comes to birth!!!

[mweb]

Have you been able to visit the birthing center? Since it's so new, maybe you could ask if it's possible that your family practitioner doc be granted privileges there (provided she's willing)? I suspect this is not likely, thanks to liability insurance rules for the birth center, but perhaps . . .

Best of luck to you mama!

[alegna]

I didn't switch locations, but I switched homebirth midwives near the end. Best decision I sver made. I agree that it is nearly impossible to have a non-medical birth in a hospital.

Homebirth rocks!

-Angela

[mamaverdi]

You can do it!

I switched midwives 2x with my 1st pregnancy and 3 x with 2nd. I even moved states (I believe) to have the midwife I ended up having with my 2nd baby. (That wasn't the real plan for moving, but I think it was fated that way.)

Anyway, I agree with the PP who said they might give priviledges to your doctor. I saw that in another state.

Good luck! And let us know what you find out and decide.

It's never too late until the baby is born.

[nancy926]

Is it a freestanding birth center, or attached to a hospital? If the former, I'd say go for it, definitely. If the latter, it may be just as "regulated" as a hospital, but you can still check it out.

I agree that it's never too late to do what you're most comfortable with!

[its_our_family]

I awitched at 36 weeks. Bst decision I made the entire pregnancy!

Go with your gut!

[starbarrett]

I think it's unanimous! Changing your mind is totally allowed. One of my friends dropped her obgyn in the last week for a midwife. The more she learned about birth, the less she felt her dr was right for her. She doesn't regret it.

Another friend of mine is a L & D nurse. She was up in the air until the last month about where to deliver. In the end she decided on a birthing center and a CNM midwife and was very happy with her decision.

Personally, I agree with you. Labor is no time to have to be fighting against the wills of others. You're gonna be kinda busy doing other things. =) The doula will help alot with that, but best to choose a place that is more philosophically in tune with you.

[gentlebirthmothr]

Amber,

WOW about your friend switching from her OB/GYN to a midwife in the last week of that pregnancy. Also your friend that was the L & D nurse birthed in a freestanding birth center with CNM.

Thank you.

[orangebird]

Originally Posted by teagreenribbons

Amber,

WOW about your friend switching from her OB/GYN to a midwife in the last week of that pregnancy. Also your friend that was the L & D nurse birthed in a freestanding birth center with CNM.

Thank you.

I'm a NICU (newborn intensive care) nurse with L&D experience and I wouldn't step foot into a hospital to deliver a baby unless there was a medical need. It is partly my medical experience that leads me to conclude the hospital is absolutely the wrong place for healthy birthing women.

[onlyboys]

I would totally listen to your gut. If it tells you to switch, then you should do so.

FWIW, it *is* a pain to have to be hypervigilant about your childbirth choices. Even with my ped who is in agreement 100%, I still had to be really careful what happened to my children.

Good for you!