Looking for sympathy - NY State homebirth?

[mobywrapmama]

Hello! I've been lurking for a while, and have finally convinced myself that it is time to post. This is all very new to me - the posting-acronyms-check for updates-website thing. (The magazine, on the other hand, is my favorite item to arrive in the mail every 2 months)

We are expecting #3 August 12th. After 2 mw attended hospital births I feel ready to be "brave" and deliver at home. But I live in upstate NY where there is currently ONE mw who will deliver at home, and she has no medical priveledges to any area hospitals. So I am lamenting and asking for input. A mw attended hospital birth is not the ... worst, right? How can I make it more home-y?

[veganf]

Ny

I'm so glad I no longer live in NY state for that reason. But have you tried asking on the Midwifery Today forums?

- Krista

[autumnfaery]

Is there a reason why she has to have hospital priveledges? Chances are, you won't be needing to go to a hospital, and if you do, then she doesn't need priveledges for you to go. Of course, she wouldn't be able to "deliver" the baby, but at that point, it may not be that big of a deal. I'm sure she would still stay with you for the entire birth.

I'm in MN and no homebirth midwives have hospital priveledges here. You just go if you need to go. It's not like they can turn you away (not here anyway!).

I'd talk with the midwife and see what she does in cases of hospital transfer. I'm sure she's got her bases covered.

[eleven]

Hey hey hey! Welcome!!

I'm in NYS and will be having a homebirth, too! As soon as I find a midwife, that is! I am in the Hudson Valley, so there are a good number of options.

If the midwife is a CNM, she will have a doctor back up with hospital priviledges. Even if she is a DEM, she probably knows some homebirth friendly docs who would be willing to see you and provide back up care. I think that CNMs who have hospital priviledges themselves are extremely rare.

Have you considered asking the mw who attended your hospital birth to provide back up care for you? That might be the best of both worlds!

Dena is exactly right - in the case of transfer, you will be cared for by an on call doc at the hospital if you choose not to work with a back up.

Good luck!! I'll be looking forward to reading about your progress!