homebirth questions-SC

[nichole]

I am undecided as to where I want to birth. I left a message with a hospital midwife to call me back. I have no idea if that is going to work out or not. I have some pretty strong wishes. I do not want certains tests and procedures so....I'm just not sure! We will see what she says. My reasons for a homebirth not being my first choice are the cost and that I will be living in an apartment. The biggest reason is that I had to ride in an ambulance recently and I am scared to death to do it again. Kind of a silly reason but it is a BIG one for me.

Can you guys answer a couple of questions to help me with the decision?

1. What are the homebirth laws in SC? I live in Virginia right now and the the only midwife near me lost her liscence for doing homebirths!!! I'm just curious what the climate is towards midwives in SC. not so hot here really

2. What is the percentage of women who transfer to the hospital after having a previous normal delivery? Seems like it would be less so maybe that would ease my fears.

I don't know if i would be comfortable. I think I am scared for some reason. But I want to be open minded b/c all the things I hate about the hospital are easily avoided by homebirthing. Thanks.

[jrose_lee]

I noticed no one replied yet and didn't want to leave you hanging. Sorry I don't know anything about SC so I can't help you there. I can tell you, however, that we recently had a homebirth in Jan and we LOVED it. I adored not having to leave the house after contractions started. My labor was pretty fast for a first timer (8 hours) and I truly believe it is because I was so comfortable where I was. I was able to give birth in my bed and immediately got to hold my babe and didn't have to move for days unless I wanted to. No one tried to do any procedures on our ds and we felt so safe and in control. Sigh. I loved it. Wouldn't do it any other way ever ever ever. Also, usually there are not last minute emergencies like that. My doctor monitors his patients very carefully and if it seems like there may be a problem toward the end then they would decide not to do the homebirth AHEAD of time. Rarely are people rushed to the hospital in an ambulance as far as I know. They also watch very carefully during labor for any sign of needing to get to a hospital..so you wouldn't have to rush. This doesn't happen often though. Also, just so you know...we did our homebirth in our apartment and didn't even tell our neighbors or landlord (not their business!). No one even knew. hee hee! Hey- read my birth story here at MDC- it's called Birth of Micah Basil Sebastian Lee. Good luck with your choices!

[nichole]

thanks for your response. i was wondering if no one responded b/c i'm leaning toward hospital birth. i'm really not sure what to do! i have an appointment to meet with the midwife and someone is going to call me about their stats and possibly answering questions on the phone.

did you make a lot of noise during your birth? my neighbors can hear like every thing.

my best friend had someone in her bradley class transfer to hospital and there are lots of birth stories with hospital transfer on mdc. maybe not LOTS but definately some. i know it has the potential of being really peaceful if that is what i decide to do.

sigh, my husband nor family are not supportive and i feel bad about spending the money. my husband and i have already discussed that it is my decision but still it would help if i was more comfortable and had a better support system.

[mbhf]

where are you going to be in SC?


i lived in charleston for a year and had my first baby in a hospital with a midwife there. my second was a homebirth, and so will any others. i am moving back to charleston in the next few years, so i've looked up a little bit about homebirth in the area, and it seems like homebirth midwives are easy to find. i don't know the laws, but it looks like it's perfectly legal to attend births at home.

i don't think many people transfer from a homebirth. of course it happens, but if you're okayed for a homebirth, chances are things will go great. women who have given birth vaginally are even more likely to have a successful homebirth.

[nichole]

charleston

what hospital did you deliver at? i have an appointment with the lowcountry obgyn people. one of the midwives or a "patient educator" is supposed to call me back but i don't know if they will.

[whoamama]

I had my first homebirth, 3rd baby, at home in an apartment. It worked fine for us. Don't let the apartment part influence your decision. Also, I am very loud and vocal when I birth.

[mbhf]

Originally Posted by nichole

charleston

what hospital did you deliver at? i have an appointment with the lowcountry obgyn people. one of the midwives or a "patient educator" is supposed to call me back but i don't know if they will.

i delivered at trident medical center. it's in summerville, i think, it's been a few years. summer something. jennifer west was my midwife. she was alright, but the obs in her practice were AWFUL. christine case and mary zuzulin were there names, i think. jenn came in the morning she was supposed to go on vacation to assist me, and i'm so glad she did. i know if i had gotten one of the obs i would have had a c section. the hospital was not great, the nursing staff was not good either.

http://scmidwives.com/

and here is a link to a group of homebirth midwives on johns island that i looked into a little bit.
http://www.coastalbirthservices.com/index.html

[Emilie]

Get educated! Go read the birth stories on here. Read some books on natural birth- BIrthing From within is a great one.
I had a hosptial birth then a homebirth.
I did not transfer- but I do not think you have to ride in an ambulance if you must transfer- I think that mostly you get there yourself- dh or midwife drives you.
Good luck to you. Birthing at home is not as weird as it seems.
After you do it- you think hospital birth is strange.
Emilie

[Emilie]

there was a thread on here just a bit back about hb in a apt- go look for it- the general consensus was that no one noticed. Yes- i made some noise at different parts- mainly during pushing. It helped a ton. I do not think that should be a reason to NOT have a homebirth. I have heard of moms having homebirths in hotels since they did not have a midwife in their area!
You will be fine in an apt. You are not that loud most of the labor- and at that point you will not care to much!
having a baby is a beautiful miracle- having a homebirth- is choosing to treat it that way.