Hey everyone. I am nearly 35 weeks here and am seeking some opinions/advice on things.
For my past two and current pregnancies I have gone through a free standing birth center for my prenatal care, and have taken their homebirth option. For my past two births, being able to have the homebirth wasn't much of an issue (a couple midwives covering 8-10 births a month).
However, this time, they have had a string of midwife changes in the last so many months which has lead to some stress for me during the pregnancy. When I first began the midwife who caught my second was there, however I knew she would be leaving when her baby was born (which she did a month ago). Then, a new midwife started. I really began to bond with her, she was extrememly reassuring about the homebirth, being a homebirth mama herself and assured me that even if someone else was in labor during my birth she would have someone else come over and labor sit while she attended my birth. Well, a few weeks ago she was in a serious car accident. She is now going to be out, most likely until the middle of October (right around when I am due). So, they now have one of the midwives from their other birth center location at the birth. Which I am fine with them as I have met her before, etc....however, the main midwife who works at their other birth center is leaving at the end of this month (long distance move).
The other day I found out that they will only be having two midwives cover both birth centers for the month I am due WHERE THERE ARE 25 births planned that month...those plus of course, the prenatal visits. They have REALLY been emphasizing recently that there is a good chance that they will force me to come in to the birth center to give birth instead of having my homebirth. Just for the sheer possibility that they may have multiple women in labor at the same time.
Apparently there are a couple of other possibilities...some sort of student/brand new midwife who may go to my homebirth (there was a term she used...I don't know for sure if it meant a new midwife or what). She couldn't legally attend someone at the center, but could at home (that was how she explained it). However, that isn't definite and I may not know about that possibility for a couple of weeks (not to mention that person is likely quite unexperienced). Then, there is always the very slight chance that the midwife who had the car accident may be back and would push to attend my homebirth...though they said that is highly unlikely.
Anyhow, needless to say, I am more upset/concerned about this than anyone (DH doesn't seem to care where kiddo is born). I have not felt relaxed at the birth center for a while now. In fact, they are now letting me do my bp at home because it is always higher there (still in the normal range, but about 15-20/5-8 higher there). I don't feel comfortable or relaxed there. I really am, for all intents and purposes, a homebirth mama. I also have gone very quickly in the past...my last birth when I "knew for sure" I was in labor that was only a 2 1/2 hours before she was born. I am seriously concerned that if I am forced to go to the birth center it will mess up my rhythm in labor, that my bp will go up, and I will bigtime stall. Not to mention that we only have one car, and that having to go would mean my mom would miss the birth, as well as my two younger children. And, of course, being in transition and having to drive in a car?!? Sitting was the worst labor position for me other than lying down.
Now, I really feel like I have to fight for what I want (ha, with little energy). Since I am not a vbac mom or a multiparas mom they have said they don't have to give me a homebirth. I know they say that they are going to do what they can to, and I believe that, but I think that it just sounds so unlikely now. I really don't want to be stressed about this the last month of my pregnancy.
So, what advice do any of you have with this? I have sort of an HMO type situation with insurance, and this is the only birth center they cover in the area as well.
__________________________
Momma to two precious girls born at home and #3 due mid-October, planned homebirth #3
For my past two and current pregnancies I have gone through a free standing birth center for my prenatal care, and have taken their homebirth option. For my past two births, being able to have the homebirth wasn't much of an issue (a couple midwives covering 8-10 births a month).
However, this time, they have had a string of midwife changes in the last so many months which has lead to some stress for me during the pregnancy. When I first began the midwife who caught my second was there, however I knew she would be leaving when her baby was born (which she did a month ago). Then, a new midwife started. I really began to bond with her, she was extrememly reassuring about the homebirth, being a homebirth mama herself and assured me that even if someone else was in labor during my birth she would have someone else come over and labor sit while she attended my birth. Well, a few weeks ago she was in a serious car accident. She is now going to be out, most likely until the middle of October (right around when I am due). So, they now have one of the midwives from their other birth center location at the birth. Which I am fine with them as I have met her before, etc....however, the main midwife who works at their other birth center is leaving at the end of this month (long distance move).
The other day I found out that they will only be having two midwives cover both birth centers for the month I am due WHERE THERE ARE 25 births planned that month...those plus of course, the prenatal visits. They have REALLY been emphasizing recently that there is a good chance that they will force me to come in to the birth center to give birth instead of having my homebirth. Just for the sheer possibility that they may have multiple women in labor at the same time.
Apparently there are a couple of other possibilities...some sort of student/brand new midwife who may go to my homebirth (there was a term she used...I don't know for sure if it meant a new midwife or what). She couldn't legally attend someone at the center, but could at home (that was how she explained it). However, that isn't definite and I may not know about that possibility for a couple of weeks (not to mention that person is likely quite unexperienced). Then, there is always the very slight chance that the midwife who had the car accident may be back and would push to attend my homebirth...though they said that is highly unlikely.
Anyhow, needless to say, I am more upset/concerned about this than anyone (DH doesn't seem to care where kiddo is born). I have not felt relaxed at the birth center for a while now. In fact, they are now letting me do my bp at home because it is always higher there (still in the normal range, but about 15-20/5-8 higher there). I don't feel comfortable or relaxed there. I really am, for all intents and purposes, a homebirth mama. I also have gone very quickly in the past...my last birth when I "knew for sure" I was in labor that was only a 2 1/2 hours before she was born. I am seriously concerned that if I am forced to go to the birth center it will mess up my rhythm in labor, that my bp will go up, and I will bigtime stall. Not to mention that we only have one car, and that having to go would mean my mom would miss the birth, as well as my two younger children. And, of course, being in transition and having to drive in a car?!? Sitting was the worst labor position for me other than lying down.
Now, I really feel like I have to fight for what I want (ha, with little energy). Since I am not a vbac mom or a multiparas mom they have said they don't have to give me a homebirth. I know they say that they are going to do what they can to, and I believe that, but I think that it just sounds so unlikely now. I really don't want to be stressed about this the last month of my pregnancy.
So, what advice do any of you have with this? I have sort of an HMO type situation with insurance, and this is the only birth center they cover in the area as well.
__________________________
Momma to two precious girls born at home and #3 due mid-October, planned homebirth #3
.
to you mama, I hope things all work out for you.
