Where are you hoping to birth this baby?

[mamamillet]

For me I am hoping for a homebirth attended by a midwife. I have started asking around for some recommendations for a midiwfe. What are your plans?

[DreamsInDigital]

We are planning a homebirth with a midwife.

[applebean]

the hospital. It's what I'm comfortable with, and I like my ob.

[elspethshimon]

I have a hospital midwife that I love, but my first choice is a homebirth and I'm going to do everything I can to make that happen.

[CandyApple]

Originally Posted by elspethshimon

I have a hospital midwife that I love, but my first choice is a homebirth and I'm going to do everything I can to make that happen.

Excuse my ignorance, but can you explain a hospital midwife to me?

I'm currently planning to birth at the hospital, we have a small one with a nice, quiet maternity ward run like a birth clinic (private, baby room's in, etc). My first 2 were there, and I've been pleased so far. I like my OB fine, he's always followed my wishes, but I hate the long waits in the waiting room for the monthly appointments, and I'd really like to try a midwife this time. But I'm not quite ready to do the whole thing at home. I'd be interested in a hospital midwife if I was more familiar with the set up.

I'm also interested in hearing the awesome homebirth stories from those who have had them. I haven't ruled one out, but I have to admit I like the quiet day or 2 at the hospital after the birth...

Thanks, Amanda

[elspethshimon]

Originally Posted by CandyApple

Excuse my ignorance, but can you explain a hospital midwife to me?

In my case, it is a certified nurse midwife who provides the midwives model of care within a hospital setting. Mine is supportive of unmedicated birth and changing positions, committed to normal, vaginal birth, opposed to routine episiotomies, and do not push inducing. She is still somewhat constrained by certain hospital policies, although she has said that she has no problem "looking away" if someone chooses to eat during labor at a hospital that discourages it. Oh, and she also said she'd let my partner catch the baby if he wanted.

Here the homebirth midwives are either DEMs (direct entry midwives) or CPMs (certified professional midwives).

[CandyApple]

Thanks for the quick reply. One more question... Do you still have an OB, or does the hospital just call one if they are needed?

[elspethshimon]

Originally Posted by CandyApple

Thanks for the quick reply. One more question... Do you still have an OB, or does the hospital just call one if they are needed?

The office has several midwives and a couple of OBs. When I had my loss back in March, I saw one of them. My assumption is that the midwife will take care of everything, but if you need an OB while in the hospital, they will use one that is on-call. So it wouldn't necessarily be one from the office.

[mamazee]

Originally Posted by elspethshimon

In my case, it is a certified nurse midwife who provides the midwives model of care within a hospital setting. Mine is supportive of unmedicated birth and changing positions, committed to normal, vaginal birth, opposed to routine episiotomies, and do not push inducing. She is still somewhat constrained by certain hospital policies, although she has said that she has no problem "looking away" if someone chooses to eat during labor at a hospital that discourages it. Oh, and she also said she'd let my partner catch the baby if he wanted.

Here the homebirth midwives are either DEMs (direct entry midwives) or CPMs (certified professional midwives).

This is how my midwife is too, and I'll do the same - hospital with her or one of her midwife partners, who are also wonderful. I successfully had a natural birth in the hospital with her last time and I'm hopeful things will go well again. It is more difficult to have a natural birth in the hospital even if your midwife is on board because of the nurses and hospital policies, but it can be done.

[triscuitsmom]

I'm planning a homebirth for sure... probably a UC. I will get prenatal care with our midwives here, but I want a UC, with the option of having them there if I need or want them.

[deuxceleste]

I'll be at home. I'm hoping to be able to use the same mw I used last time... she told me I was a "shoe in" but she's quite busy these days...

[AllyRae]

I was hoping at home, but because of my ET, I can't (my risk of clotting or hemmorage is far too high). So, I'll be at the hospital--I just don't know if it will be a scheduled c-section or not (I have birth related PTSD and I have to have platelets removed before surgery, so that's one vote for a c-sec. But a c-sec can be very dangerous to a person with ET, so that's a vote against it).

[merebella]

Hi gals, and let me say congratulations to all of you on your bfps!

I'm going to have my lo in a hospital-based birthing center with a nurse midwife. Dh isn't ready for a homebirth yet, it's our first, and I'm not sure I a yet, either. So this is a great compromise. the Alternative Birthing Center at tthe hospital is for natural births, no pit, no iv's, no eating restrictions, nurses who know and can help with natural birth positions and tricks for how to manage pain, huge tubs, and queen size beds. I love my midwife, and I can't wait to give birth, actually!

When my parents asked what doctor I'm going to I told them that I'd be seeing a midwife at such and such place. My dad replied, "Oh, good. So what doctor will you see." He didn't get that the midwife does the whole deal... I think I'll be doing a lot of explaining!

[rjruiz_415]

my *plans* include a homebirth. Not sure about a midwife yet- especially as i dont know where to find one-lol. If hubby is suuuper against UC, and we cant find a good midwife, it will either be at our free standing birth center, or the birth center in the hospital (where i had DD)

[iowaorganic]

Hospital with my OB- he isn't really a natural type doctor- but he is definitely the best around. My DD's birth was kind of tramatic and DS's was much much better. This one will be the easiest I hope by far. I labor so quickly that DH and I joke about having it at home- but probably still the hospital. I am curious as to a doula- I have a friend who had one and loved every minute of it- but am not too sure how to go abuot finding one. Anyone with suggestions?

[cagnew]

Hospital with my OB. Mainly b/c that's what our health insurance covers, but also because dh isn't comfortable with a homebirth.

[Thursday Girl]

I am hoping to have a home birth, but we shall see. If not a home birth then a free standing birth center. DH and I both DO NOT ever want to have a baby at the hospital again. The experience with dd#1 was not so good. Then at the center with DD#2 it was so much better, DH was bragging about it for weeks, and saying he wishes we had done that the first time. BUT when you know better you do better.

[CaliMommie]

I would like to have a homebirth, possibly with a midwife, but possibly a UC.

[jasonswife06]

I want a homebirth but dh is freaked out about that idea. So I am searching for a nurse-midwife in our area or a decent birthing center. How far is too far to drive?

[amcaugusta]

I want a homebirth, would even consider an UC. My DH is so not having it. : I will be pushing the HB issue a lot.