advice sought - homebirth dilemma

[sibelius]

let me start by saying that i have had two vbac homebirths, and they have both been great experiences. however, they both occured when my husband was a student, so we just paid for them with student loans. now, the reality of paying back those loans has hit, and i am really reluctant to take on the cost of another homebirth. although i love my midwife, she lives an hour away, and this time, paying for it will hurt.
i decided to explore my options a bit, and i discovered a practice of doctors and midwives whose mission is natural childbirth. i thought that was a good sign and a little unusual as well.
however, it really makes me uneasy to think of delivering in a hospital, but then again, i have had two wonderful homebirths, so i feel pretty confident that i could be in control of my birth. but you never know....
so what would you do?

[jessitron]

It's up to you. You're had a hospital birth and a home birth, so only you can know whether it's worth the money to stay home.

[lyttlewon]

I would pay for the homebirth.

[noah's mom]

I agree with going for the homebirth. If you have a bad hospital birth experience (or even a less than ideal hospital birth experience), there's no going back - but you can always pay back the money for a homebirth!

[twilight girl]

Is a free standing birth center an option where you live and with your insurance?

[sibelius]

no, the birth center is not an option because i have had a c-section.

basically, my insurance kind of sucks, and i wish i had known a little more about how much it sucks before getting pregnant!

until recently, i also would have advised against a hospital birth (although i have never had a hospital "birth"), but i never had to deal with the financial strain before. it really is tempting to go with the option that is free (or relatively so). on the other hand, it's true that i would really regret the decision if it results in a bad experience. hmmm.

actually, i really wouldn't consider it at all if i hadn't stumbled upon this particular practice. some of the midwives have attended homebirths or have had homebirths themselves (encouraging), and their practice seems to have the lowest c-section rate in the state. i know it won't be anything like a homebirth, but maybe it won't be as awful as it could be?

this is very rambly, and i'm obviously trying to convince myself that it could work. perhaps it's just a bad idea. i'd be curious if anyone else has been in a similar situation?

[alegna]

I would go into more debt for a homebirth in an instant. No question.

-Angela

[laurashanley]

Have you considered an unassisted homebirth? It's free.
Laura

[the_lissa]

Originally Posted by alegna

I would go into more debt for a homebirth in an instant. No question.

-Angela

Yep or have an uc.

[AlexisT]

Personally, I would go to this practice and actually meet them for real. You're not committing to anything by that, but you'll have a firmer basis for a decision. You might hate them, in which case, decision made. Or you might really like them.

I'd also check out the hospital they deliver in, and talk to women who've delivered there.

A hospital sure ain't home, but there's a huge variation in hospital experiences. So it might be a viable option for you, or it might not.

I'd also consider talking to the midwife and seeing if she can work something out with you.

[sibelius]

i guess i don't really consider an uc an option because my husband would definitely not be up for it, and i tend to lose a lot of blood. a little risky for me, i think.

thanks for all the input. i did make an appointment to check out the place, so i guess i'll take it from there. i have also e-mailed my midwife about some other payment plan-type options. we'll see what she has to say.

[KLK7]

Originally Posted by sibelius

i'd be curious if anyone else has been in a similar situation?

Well, we are currently in this situation, although appealing it with the insurance co. Insurance won't cover HB but will cover a hospital birth with a very small maximum.

We ultimately decided a HB was worth it. We decided that the advantages of HB outweigh the potential disadvantages of the hospital.

[AngelaB]

What about paying for a good doula and staying home as long as possible before going to birth babe in the hospital? If the docs and msw are cool with going naural they should support staying home as long as possible.
A doula would be cheaper than a homebirth but lessen your chances of a terrible hospital birth.
Angela

I forgot to add to make sure you have a solid birth plan

[mom3b1?]

I'd either find the money for the Midwife, somehow, or birth at home without a MW. If you decide to go with the Doctors, ask now about what will happen later. What happens if you don't go into labor by 40 or 42 weeks. I've heard of Doctors that automatically induce VBAC women at 38 weeks, in the belief that they can't birth a baby that is allowed to grow past that time. Sometimes extra monitoring and proceedures are required for VBAC moms even if you've already VBAC'd. Don't end up with ugly surprises at the end of pregnancy when it's too late to change plans.

Good Luck!

Kiley

[TattooedMama]

Having had three homebirths I can not personally imagine going to the hospital after having those experiences. And I paid $3000-$4000 out of pocket per HB. My insurance would have covered the hospital 100% and I still couldn't do it.

[MamaScout]

Originally Posted by AlexisT

Personally, I would go to this practice and actually meet them for real. You're not committing to anything by that, but you'll have a firmer basis for a decision. You might hate them, in which case, decision made. Or you might really like them.

I'd also check out the hospital they deliver in, and talk to women who've delivered there.

A hospital sure ain't home, but there's a huge variation in hospital experiences. So it might be a viable option for you, or it might not.

I'd also consider talking to the midwife and seeing if she can work something out with you.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[cathicog]

If you are in VA, have a homebirth. I'm serious...whatever it costs. i am sure the mw would work with you- most I knew have payment plans of some sort. But if you have*ever* had surgical birth, don't get near a Virginia hospital. The chances are, unless it is a real emergency, which the mw would prepare you for, I am sure) that you would end up cut again. Most VA docs are too afraid to buck the system, but I *do* know of a couple...

[Danasmom]

Just a thought

It is possible to have a good hospital birth experience. Of my 3 births; One was a wonderful experience. They just left me alone.

I would talk it over with the new place. The midwife sounds real nice and I like that they are "into natural childbirth"

You could:
1. have a birth plan
2. Tell them that you have had 2 HB's and that you would like it to be as intervention free as possible.
3. Remember that you can refuse any procedure. You just have to have a strong advocate for you that will let them know what you would like.
(I felt very helpless in labor at times)

4. I refused a few things that they wanted me to do. Refused the IV of antibiotics for the GBS, refused glucose. Had only one internal! And delivered in the position I wanted to. Standing up! I leaned over the bed and the midwife caught her from behind.

I totally understand the cost factor. I think you can still have the birth you want if you keep the discussions open and straight forward. Let them know your wishes!
My HB will cost $3,000 and our insurance ends one month before my EDD!
We will have to COBRA the insurance for $1,200 per month. Otherwise my dh's new insurance won't cover because she is an out-of network provider.
GL
Carolyn

[AugustLia23]

I would go for the homebirth and try to work out a payment plan with the midwife. At a hospital, even with the vbacs under your belt, they would still treat you as if you just had your c-section. Most doctors practicing in hospitals treat birth as an accident waiting to happen, this is simple fact.

Like a PP said, it doesn't hurt to meet the practice and see it for yourself. Meeting the OB I would have been using for this pregnancy just reaffirmend in me what I do not want for my birth. It may or may not be the same for you. Homebirth midwifery care just doesn't compare to hosptial/OB practices.

[flapjack]

My preferred option would be to talk to this practice and ask them to attend your birth at home. Natural childbirth, strictly speaking, just means an absence of knives, forceps and ventouse in medical parlance, and I'd expect any midwife to practice that...