How are you planning to birth?

[AngelBee]

We are planning to have a homebirth. It may or may not be attended by a midwife.

I am planning a UC birth, but am fine with having a midwife there if it helps dh breath.

What are you and yours planning for your birth?

[IncaMama]

probably at a freestanding birth center (Where i birthed ava) but am considering a HB w/MW in attendance.

[catballou24]

i'd love a UC but dh won't go for it...so m/w attended homebirth/waterbirth again for us..

[carolhagan]

Most likely a UBAC although who will be there is up for debate.

[wobblykate]

At a freestanding birth center with a midwife. Today I have the first orientation class!

[honeybunmom]

Planning to birth at home again with my midwives and assortment of family in attendance and possibly a friend or two this time as well.

[Leav97]

In a hospital with a yet to be determined provider.

[preemiemamarach]

I will have a highly medical birth, because of my own risk factors, and I'm fine with that. Part of me wishes I could have the low-risk pregnancy experience of seeing a midwife, not worrying about ultrasounds, etc., but it's just not in the cards, so I don't beat myself up over it. The most important thing is to have a healthy baby, and the safest way for me to meet that goal is in a hospital with a bunch of high-risk specialists attending.

Last time, I got pregnant a few weeks after major surgery. Since I had to stop my rehab while pregnant, my hip was on the verge of dislocation by the time I had DS. I got an epidural pretty early in labor because I have some anatomical oddities that make them hard to place, and everyone (me included) was afraid I might dislocate my hip during labor, so I wanted to make sure I had at least an epi in case that happened. In the end, I only had to push three times, and the epi slowed labor, which ended up with pitocin, which made things hurt MUCH worse than before the epi, since I have a 'window' where anesthesia can't penetrate.

So this time, my plan is to wait on the epidural for as long as I can, so I can walk and move during labor. I am quite tall and have a fairly wide pelvis, so I think gravity will be my friend.

[Bexo]

In a free standing birth center with my midwife, doula, and husband. It's the same place I had my first child, and my birth team will be the same. It was a wonderful experience. The only thing I might try to do differently this time is actually birth in the water (last time I labored in the tub for a while and then decided to get out...why, I don't know. I ended up giving birth in the squatting position using a squat bar over the bed). This time I'd like to have the baby in the water. The place is set up like a bed and breakfast. There was a HUGE labor tub...very cozy. We had the entire cottage to ourselves. It was like a birth retreat!

[dawncayden]

I plan on homebirthing and waterbirthing with my same midwife and hopefully the same back up midwife. We might have the same doula as well, but I'm not 100%.

[mischievium]

Currently, I am thinking free-standing birth center with a midwife and doula, and, of course, DH.

[mamato2boys]

Another homebirth with a new midwfie. We met her last night, she is wonderful! :

[MI_Dawn]

Home birth or UC... I'm still debating...

[inky leeuhhh]

i will either be doing a home birth, or a birth in a reg hospital or center with a midwife, depending on what my insurance covers. really hoping the home birth will work out though!

[MissyLissa]

I'm going to birth with a CNM at a hospital. I'm not too thrilled about the hospital part but this midwife has an excellent reputation among the natural birthing community here so I am very confident that I will have a satisfying birth experience with her (and I've attended a birth with her during my brief time working as a doula). I thought long and hard about a homebirth and even claimed my spot with a homebirth midwife but I kept having a nagging feeling that I shouldn't go that route.

[dex_millie]

Homebirth

[Peony]

Homebirth, there may or may not be a MW as well. We are leaning towards no already though. I'm not thrilled with any of the MW's in my area (my old one retired). I had very few prenatals last time, and then when it came to the birth, my MW slept on the couch. I don't want anyone that will be more hands on, and DH actually seems to be ok with a UP/UC, so why not?

[MelW]

Homebirth again, though different home and likely different midwife this time, too. Same husband!

I might have my sister here to help with my daughter.

[Pregnant_Midwife]

Homebirth in my own heated and jetted birthtub (no renting it out in March or April ). I'll have my sister midwife in attendance, but most likely it's be me or my husband catching while she simply witnesses the birth.

[Casseiopia]

Probably the same hospital and provider as with my dd, it was wonderful!
They are very pro bfing, pro letting the birther have her own birth plan, against C-sections, letting it all happen naturally. No one tried to give dd a soother, bottles, and the LC team was there immediately after the birth

They even have watertubs you can use and the rooms are ALL private with chairs, birthing balls, couch, etc. There is no nursery, the baby rooms in with you (there is an excellet NICU though in case there are problems). My dd was a "meconium baby" and they still didn't take her away, they just suctioned her right there next to my bed, kept her in the little bed for a short time where I could touch her, and let me have her as soon as she was cleared.

I'd like to have a MW in attendance though this time, it's covered under our insurance. I'd love to to to the birth center, but its' not covered. DD's birth cost us a hundred bucks -- that was it! So we're hoping for that kind of experience again, for sure!