I am only 23 weeks, so I have some time, but I am seriously considering being induced on my due date assuming conditions are good. Here's the story... I have had 5 babies, the last 4 at a hospital 45 mins away with CNMs. All vaginal, all undrugged and fast except #1. #1 & 2 were born on their due dates. I'm usually efaced and dialated to 3-4 cm about a month before I'm due.
#1 was posterior and 2 days in labor wound up with pitocin and an epidural.
:
#2 was 2hrs start to finish with an intense drive to the hospital.
#3 was a week past dd, broke water to induce, 2 hr labor.
#4 was 4 days past dd, not induced 35 min labor, waterbirth. (Happened to be at hospital!)
#5 was 3 days past dd, strep b, broke water to induce after 2 courses of abx were in, 2 hr labor.
We have switched to a new cnm practice that has a hospital only 20 mins away, but I would like to labor through transition in the tub, but they only have 2 tub rooms. I am also worried about making it to the hospital as my labors are so short (or so long if you want to look at the ctx I start having at 3-4 mos!) DH is even more worried about this. Assuming I am my usual ripe and 3-4 cm at my due date, both dh and the cnms want me to be induced by breaking my water on or close to my due date. I like the idea of being certain to get a tub to labor in (or I'll wait until there is one to get induced) and not being in transition in the car and possibly not make it, as well as being able to plan a bit better for the older kids. And the possibility of a slower labor, 2 hrs are less intense than 35 mins! The overwhelming likelihood is I would not need anything other than them to break my water, (the cnms also would not do this unless I was 3-4 cms) but even with my good history I do fear the slippery slope. I also know how much nicer it is to labor with an intact bag of waters. We are relatively positive of my due date as I am regular and my ultrasound matched dates. I know this is sort of rambling, but I'd like some experienced mama opinions. My ideal would be a UC at home in my own tub, that would take care of all of this, but for various reasons that is not an option and I respect my husband enough not to intentionally do that on my own. Please no dh rants, he is great.
#1 was posterior and 2 days in labor wound up with pitocin and an epidural.
:#2 was 2hrs start to finish with an intense drive to the hospital.
#3 was a week past dd, broke water to induce, 2 hr labor.
#4 was 4 days past dd, not induced 35 min labor, waterbirth. (Happened to be at hospital!)
#5 was 3 days past dd, strep b, broke water to induce after 2 courses of abx were in, 2 hr labor.
We have switched to a new cnm practice that has a hospital only 20 mins away, but I would like to labor through transition in the tub, but they only have 2 tub rooms. I am also worried about making it to the hospital as my labors are so short (or so long if you want to look at the ctx I start having at 3-4 mos!) DH is even more worried about this. Assuming I am my usual ripe and 3-4 cm at my due date, both dh and the cnms want me to be induced by breaking my water on or close to my due date. I like the idea of being certain to get a tub to labor in (or I'll wait until there is one to get induced) and not being in transition in the car and possibly not make it, as well as being able to plan a bit better for the older kids. And the possibility of a slower labor, 2 hrs are less intense than 35 mins! The overwhelming likelihood is I would not need anything other than them to break my water, (the cnms also would not do this unless I was 3-4 cms) but even with my good history I do fear the slippery slope. I also know how much nicer it is to labor with an intact bag of waters. We are relatively positive of my due date as I am regular and my ultrasound matched dates. I know this is sort of rambling, but I'd like some experienced mama opinions. My ideal would be a UC at home in my own tub, that would take care of all of this, but for various reasons that is not an option and I respect my husband enough not to intentionally do that on my own. Please no dh rants, he is great.
:
Our insurance will only pay a small part toward a homebirth with a MW. They pay 100% at the hospital. I am working on getting a waiver through, if that happens we will go HB with a CNM. Its not looking too promising at this point though. We can't afford to pay a few thousand out of pocket. I have seen others saying they just reorder their budget in order to afford it, but that is just not a realistic option here. Honestly I was sort of hoping to be unassisted at the hospital (just have everybody standing around twiddling their thumbs while I birth)and show myself and DH that I could do it. #3 I delivered the head myself (midwife didn't make it), but I had help with the shoulders. I think I get panicky and want to get the shoulders out before the baby turns. (I only read about that recently) Thanks for understanding about the tub. With my fast intense labors it made a huge difference, and the shower was not helpful.
