Questions about germs as they relate to HB

[gwen's mom]

I live in Wyoming and with all that is going on in the state in relation to midwifery, it is no longer possible for me to have a midwife attended homebirth in my home. I will have to travel to Colorado were the options are to birth in someone elses home or in a hotel.

So my question is really about germs. I know that there is a 25% chance of getting an infection after a hospital stay just by the nature of the germy places that they are. I know that there is little risk of infection in your own home because your body is use to the germs of your house. Can anyone tell me about germs and the risk of infection in other people's homes? I know hotels are considered germy too but what about if you brought your own bedding and did a once over yourself?

I am leaning more and more towards birthing in a suite style hotel as I love the idea of having a full kitchen and a couple of bedrooms but I certianly do not want to put the little one at risk...

Thanks.

[JunipersMom]

Unless your babe is born with open wounds that you will be rubbing on all the surfaces in the place ~ I wouldnt be concerned. I think a general cleaning of the place in early labor would be just fine.

[bryonyvaughn]

Baring regular or exotic pets, I'd assume the germ in one person's home would have much in common with germs in another's. I think the germs in homes and hotels would be far less likely to be of multiply and extremely antibiotic resistant strains.

If I were in your situation and not comfortable UCing, it would be a toss up for me between the potential weirdness of birthing in a stranger's space vs. the neutral ground of a hotel suite and the normalcy of the chemicals in some people's homes vs. the toxicity and fumes of the chemicals used in hotels. For me on both issues the hospital would lose hands.

~BV

[birthgreeter]

My oldest daughter worked in a hotel for a while, and thus I learned a lot about how they are 'required' to clean...(not all are this way, but just a warning) be sure to do a 'cleaning' yourself at least a little....and take all of your own bedding...bag up theirs and place out of the way...
just a suggestion.
I am very careful now of hotels after learning about this 'yuk' from my daughter.

[wumanh]

If you are going to wherever you will birth a few days before (which I assume you would), you will be inoculating the new place with your own germs. If you go to someone's home, you will be making friends with their bacteria as you stay there. Nourish yourself well and your immune system will be strong. Humans have co-evolved with and owe their lives to bacteria. If you have a healthy body then you will be able to handle most bacteria out there.
Bring your own linens to birth on. If you waterbirth, you will just clean the tub really well. I like using essential oils in a homemade cleaning solution or hydrogen peroxide.