Need info on High Altitude unassisted home births

[Heidimama]

Hello! I love these boards! Where else can I find such inspiration and support to have my third child at home with my husband? I just read Joyberryjoy's post and it convinced me that this is what is right for me. My mission now is to become educated. So, there is only one midwife who will come to this altitude to be present at births. I need to find out if this puts us at a higher risk for complications? We live at about 9,500feet. Anyone out there have any experience, stories to share, advice to give? Those of you out there who have had unassisted births, what info would you recomend looking into. thanks to eveyone who supports this and says "you go girl" instead of what if and are you sure?

[cottonwood]

I would think if you are acclimated, there should be no problem, but I honestly don't know. Have you tried posting the question at the yahoogroups UC list CBirth?

[Heidimama]

I haven't. Is there a specific web site for that? thanks for your support. I have heard that many of the babies that are born here come out very purple and sometimes need oxygen. My son was born in the birth clinic here and they gave him oxygen. I don't know if they did that out of "routine" or necessity. It does worry me a bit allthough I am sure many miner's wives had babies up here without tanked oxygen.

[cottonwood]

Here it the link to CBirth:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cbirth/

And here is a medical article on the effects of high altitude on birth:

http://www.emedicine.com/ped/topic2783.htm

[indigolilybear]

just another "you can do it!!" our freebirth was our high point as a family. as for high altitude, hopefully sweetwater's links helped. I am totally delighted to see so much freebirth discussion going on here on these boards!!
btw, another great web site:
www.freestone.org
it's jeannine parvati baker's web site. she may have an answer for your question. she's pretty good about answering emails too!
good luck and we're here for you!