A question for those who choose a birth center

[Reha]

For those of you mamas who have chosen to birth at a free-standing birth center over a homebirth....what were your reasons?

I know that sometimes, it is the ONLY out of hospital option in certain areas if you don't want a UC, and sometimes your living arrangements don't make for a calm birthing environment for some people (living with parents, friends, etc).

But, I guess specifically, for those of you who chose a birthcenter over a homebirth, did you feel at all like it offered you a greater sense of security?

I am quite simply curious as to why people chose birth centers over homebirths. I fully respect the choice and I think it is great, but I want to understand more the *whys* about it.

[mamamilkers]

I chose (but didn't end up with) a birth center with DD#1 because I really felt more secure there than at home. In one respect it was more secure because I did live with friends, but on the other hand, I had this idea that you had to GO somewhere to give birth. It made me feel safe and secure being there.

Of course, I ended up transferring to the hospital, so my whole opinion of "safe and secure" went right out the window.

[Destinye]

I chose a Birth Center because I was considered high risk and it was closer to the hospital had I had to go there, versus 45 minute drive in the snow. Also and this is funny I really did not think I could handle my parrot squawking during the birth,. Plus the birth center had a very nice big bath tub which I would not have to clean afterwards, that was a factor I just was so overwhelmed at the time it seemed easier to go there. I came home 2 hours later though.

[storychick]

We went to a BC with my first. Mostly, in my mind, because we lived in a small apartment that was not very well sound-proofed, and wasn't really "home". Also because homebirths were not technically legal in that area, and we did not want to put our midwife at risk. And lastly, because it seemed like a compromise for my husband, who was afraid of homebirth (why, he never could quite say).

After that, even though it was a great experience, it just made sense to be home. I found the car the worst part of labor so I just told my DH that I refused to do it again. We had moved in between and here our midwives were happy to come to our home or go to the BC and we didnt have to decide in advance, so I just decided home and eased him into it with a "maybe".

With this baby there was no question, even for him. Having seen HB now he's a big advocate. Though he does wistfully point out their tubs at the BC every so often... I think he didnt like the "emptying the birth pool" process last time!

[Reha]

Originally Posted by storychick

And lastly, because it seemed like a compromise for my husband, who was afraid of homebirth (why, he never could quite say).

I hear this alot. I think it is so interesting that a BC is often a compromise when partners don't feel comfortable with homebirth....a birth center offers nothing more than a homebirth does in terms of safety. In fact, one could argue that a homebirth is a tad safer because it is your own germs in your own home. It really seems like there is this perception taht a birth center is safer and better able to handle emergencies. That is so interesting to me....

Tell your DH that not all dads have to empty the pool at homebirths... We always take care of that before we leave from a birth.

[Reha]

Originally Posted by mamamilkers

In one respect it was more secure because I did live with friends, but on the other hand, I had this idea that you had to GO somewhere to give birth. It made me feel safe and secure being there.

Yes, this is so true....culturally, we are taught that when we have a baby, we have to GO somewhere to birth.

Thanks for sharing!

[liawbh]

It was a compromise with DH.

Also, and perhaps more importnantly (I might have been able to talk DH into HB given time) I didn't want to have to make sure my home was sparkling the entire last month of pregnancy. I liked the idea of someone else cleaning up, both before and after.

The atmosphere really felt "right" to me. Like a fabulous B&B, with huge tub.

It ended up being a good thing, because we were 45 min closer to OHSU when we had to take ds. Also, b/c it took so long for the resp. problem to develop (~ 6 hours pp), if we'd been home, the MWs would've been gone by then, and so there would've that extra delay while we tried to determine if there was a problem, called the MW, called the local hosp. etc.

IF we have another, I'm really not sure which way we'll go.

[yonit]

I chose a bc for one my 2nd and 3rd birth (although my 2nd was transferred to a hospital at 30 weeks due to a kidney disorder in my daughter).

My reasons were similar to what others have mentioned. My biggest concern was safety. I did not live near a hospital that I could transfer to in an emergency. The nearest hospital to me did not do L&D at all, so did not have any OB's on staff, a nursery - never mind any sort of NICU - or anything else. I was afraid if I had to got there in an emergency transfer, I would get someone who had no clue what they were doing and hadn't been at a birth since their internship. The last thing I wanted was an emergency c-section by someone who hadn't done one in 20 years! I just didn't feel that would be a viable transfer plan in an emergency situation.

The BC I used was privately owned, but 5 minutes away from a good hospital where if need be I would be OK having a baby (I have attended many beautiful births at this hospital as a doula). I also loved the midwives there, they were absolutely wonderful, and made my experience as home-like as possible. I had interviewed a few HB mw's in the area, and honestly I didn't click with any of them. I liked the BC midwives much better - and would use them again in a minute.

And of course I also loved their great big jacuzzi tub that fit 2 people, and how wonderful the jets felt on my back and of course that my insurance paid for it 100%.

With my current pregnancy though, I have since moved and live about 5 minutes from a large teaching hospital. I would never choose to give birth there, but would go there in an emergency in a second. I have a wonderful mw who is very hands off (as I have requested) and I can't wait to finally have a hb.

[Destinye]

Originally Posted by Lennon

Tell your DH that not all dads have to empty the pool at homebirths... We always take care of that before we leave from a birth.

I am glad to hear that! I don't think DH could have handled it at all, and was surprised they did not do anything like that, and it definitely was a factor in choosing the BC, but also my bathtub was small and hard to get in and out of and they did not have a pool, so just seemed easier to go to the BC as it was also closer to the hospital, and I had a fibroid, and was carrying a lot of extra amniotic fluid, was 10 days late and 40 years old nobody knew exactly why the fluid formed but all was well.

[Destinye]

wow I need to breathe when I talk of my birth look at that sentence!

[storychick]

Originally Posted by Lennon

Tell your DH that not all dads have to empty the pool at homebirths... We always take care of that before we leave from a birth.

My MW offered, but he was in "host mode" and refused, saying he could do it. Silly man.

I think that is part of why he'd rather go to the BC in a way, too... he hates feeling like he has to play host to the midwives. Though this time my MW is a good family friend of ours (same one, we've kept up and do babysitting exchanges etc) so maybe he'll feel less like she's a Guest with a capital-G, if you know what I mean.

[elmh23]

I chose the birth center because my husband is not comfortable with a homebirth at this time. The birth center is only 2 minutes from the hospital, while we're about 15-20 with NO traffic and up to 45 minutes away during rush hour. He's really worried about something going wrong, so I knew a homebirth would not make him comfy. It was either the bc or the hospital and there is NO WAY I'm delivering at the hospital again.

[Emmeline II]

*

[sogriffin]

I guess I have pretty unique circumstances. I live in Florida (because dh is military and they told us to live here), but will be travelling home to Alaska for the birth of this baby. My daughter and I will fly up in October when I'll be 34 weeks and dh will join us in the middle of November, unless the baby comes sooner- then he'll fly up ASAP.
I chose a birth center at the beginning of my pregnancy because I wasn't quite committed mentally to a home birth yet. I chose the birth center I did because that's the one that military insurance will pay for. Luckily I signed up early- I filled the last spot on their November list. If I hadn't, I'd be stuck going to the military hospital :

Now, I've spent my pregnancy educating myself and working through some things and would LOVE to switch to a homebirth. However, a few things are holding me back. First off, I'm not in Alaska yet so I have no idea how to change without meeting a midwife face-to-face. Tricare will only pay for CNMs, and I have yet to find any through online searches that do homebirths. I'm not sure if it's too late at this point to switch. I actually feel fairly blessed that the birth center midwives agreed to take me, knowing that I'll only be seeing them for my very few last weeks of pregnancy.
The other big concern is that we'll be staying at my parent's house. I'm thinking that I may just feel more relaxed at a birth center then at their house. Although I have a sort-of secret plan to just stay put if I'm comfy there. My dad is a paramedic of 30+years and has caught over 20 babies in the field....won't he be surprised if I just decide to push a baby out in his living room?

[zoebird]

one of my friends chose a birth center because she has specific health needs that may or may not require hospital intevention.

[mothragirl]

medicaid would pay for a birth center but not a homebirth so i didn't really choose it. looking back i should've just refused to leave my house

[Reha]

Originally Posted by zoebird

one of my friends chose a birth center because she has specific health needs that may or may not require hospital intevention.

but in this case, a birth center provides no extra care for specific health problems than a homebirth would (unless it is a birth center attached to a hospital). There really seems to be this idea that a birth center is somehow safer than homebirth. I just don't understand it.

[zoebird]

the birth center is across the street from the hospital. it's also the top birth center in the state (and possibly east coast).

she has herpes. the sores can show up during labor, which would require a c-section to prevent transition.

for her, it's a 'better' option than homebirth because of the unpredictable nature of transfer considering the distances.

[ethansemi]

I chose a BC because it was the closest thing I could find to HB in my state (we researched for a year) now the laws have changed since then and I've found MW's popping up all over the place! So #2 (when we get prego) will be a HB!

[lolar2]

Originally Posted by liawbh

I didn't want to have to make sure my home was sparkling the entire last month of pregnancy. I liked the idea of someone else cleaning up, both before and after.

When my mom found out I was planning a homebirth, she said something about giving me money for a cleaning person to come in a few times around the due date. Good excuse!