advice sought - homebirth dilemma - Page 2

[AlexisT]

Originally Posted by 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...

This is not always legally possible due to the restrictions on midwifery in the US (it varies by state). Or their insurance may not cover them for it.

[dachshundqueen]

My hb is $2500 and is by far cheaper than any hospital birth I could possibly have had in my area - provided it was just popping the kid out with an epidural and pitocin and having a healthy kid with no other complications for mom or kid.

I paid WAY more for my hospital birth and prenatal care last go round (I had an epi and pitocin and 2 stitches no other things to do with). Even if I went with no epi or pitocin this time at the hospital, it would still cost more than my HB MW fees.....strange.

Have you really looked into the true cost to you of a hospital birth? I mean, I had pretty good insurance and it still cost me way more than $2500.

Liz

[sarahwpen]

I am in very similar circumstances. I don't even have a house though at this point! I am in the middle of moving and our mobile home is not ready yet. I am due in 4 weeks! I decided to do a UC though anyway. I have low blood pressure and can't afford to bleed much, so I am pumping up my iron levels with blackstrap mollasses and spirulina and I have shepards purse on hand just in case. I could go to a hospital for just $300, or had the option to pay a midwife for $2800, but I decided I would rather be in control myself. I think I would be able to do my job better that way without interference. So far this has been my best pregnancy yet! (my 3rd)

[sibelius]

thanks for all the advice! i think the midwife will work with me on this, so i might still have my homebirth after all. i am still going to check out the cnm and get some more info. just in case. i'll keep you posted

[HappyMommy2]

I agree - talk to them and see if there are any red flags. I too thought it was cool that one of my original hospital midwives had a HB. Later - I realized that if even SHE wouldn't birth there where she worked, that was saying a lot!! In my case, they were still under hospital regs ... no water (tub) for vbacs, CFM no exceptions, and other red flags for me. So now I am paying for my HB ... and happy to do so!

[momto l&a]

Originally Posted by lyttlewon

I would pay for the homebirth.

:

I have had wonderful hb's, cant imagine giving birth anywhere else.

[Peppamint]

My last two births would have been paid 100%, no premiums and no co-pays... the catch? I had to give birth in the hospital with an OB.

I couldn't do it, even with the midwife's backup OB because I've had a hospital birth and my birth plan was ignored (for medical reasons ) and I know that when I'm in labor, I'm too busy and vulnerable to have to fight off interventions, drug-pushing nurses etc.

Only you can make that decision for yourself, let us know what you decide.