what are your plans for labor/delivery?

[happyhippimama]

Ok, what kind of birth are you planning this time?

I have 4 "standard" hospital births. No complications, but got an epi all 4 times.

THIS time, I am planning a homebirth in our garden tub w/a midwife.

What is everyone else gonna do this time around?

[BlissfullyLoving]

We are planning another homebirth.

[boscopup]

Planning an out-of-hospital birth. Basically, I'll rent a house across the state line where midwifery is legal , and at first contraction, I'm calling over a closeby friend to watch the kids so we can head up there and get the birth pool filling (they have a really nice one in the rental house).

I crossed the state line in a similar fashion last time, and had a wonderful birth, although I didn't make it to the tub. Shouldn't have waited for my mom to take an hour to get to my house to watch the kidlet (she lives 45 minutes away and had to shower first). Didn't help that DH didn't even CALL my mom until after HE had showered, and I was sitting there wanting to go on to the birth house to labor there and be ready to go in the water. This time he knows we're going ASAP. I don't care if he's had a shower or not! I didn't get a shower!

First baby was natural birth in a hospital, but was planned to be out of hospital like these last two pregnancies. He just decided to come at 29 weeks, so the out of hospital thing was out. The experience could have been better, but wasn't horrid either, since he came very quickly and the nurses didn't expect that.

[CawMama]

I am between a birth center, homebirth and hospital birth w/midwife. At this point, it's sort of up to dh and his comfort level (which I think is a crock....but I gotta do what I gotta do).

[amandaleigh37]

We're planning a homebirth this time. My son was born in the hospital (induction, but drug-free).

[ghuaghua]

We are planning another home birth with the same midwives who attended my son's birth. It was awesome, so I really look forward to that part!

[sunflwrmoonbeam]

Homebirth, currently debating on a water birth.

[bethelbelle]

Originally Posted by sunflwrmoonbeam

Homebirth, currently debating on a water birth.

Us too!

[ErinsJuneBug]

Most likely a HBAC. The midwife we like the most runs a birth center too - so we have the option of going there. Which, sadly will cost 2,000 more then a homebirth - but will be totally covered by insurance. If we have the exact same midwife, with the exact same equiptment at home then we'll have to pay 100% out of pocket. So messed up.

[DevaMajka]

Hospital birth with a midwife, and probably a doula.

I hemorrhaged quite a bit during ds's birth (they gave me 5 pints of blood, and I refused a 6th). The midwives are definitely encouraging a hospital birth. I don't think dp's nerves (or mine!) would be able to cope with the idea of a homebirth for me this time. lol.

[Shy0717]

Hoping for a homebirth or birth center birth if my body cooperates; if not then a drug free hospital birth with a midwife.

[pearl2]

Freestanding birth center! I really do hope those midwives and a doula (we're looking into getting one) can truly, truly help me with pain management!!

[agholmes]

We're definitely planning another homebirth, but that's about all I know. Since I had my last babe, I have worked as an assistant for all the local homebirth midwives, and now I can't really imagine having any of them with us for this birth. I think I got to know them all in a very different manner, seeing the way it works from the other side. We had an awesome DEM last time around, but she moved out of state since. I'm thinking about calling her to see if she would come back!

[jenneology]

At home, probably unassisted, with a water pool but not set on birthing in the water, just to have it around for labor.

[sonuptosondown]

Still up in the air. Previous births were hospital with epi. Tried to do hospital with midwife but that didn't work out, and that's not an option anymore.
So it's between another hospital birth (which isn't the worst thing for me) and a free standing birth center with midwives.

Question: Has anyone else had a birth center birth who had high blood pressure at the end of their pregnancy? I had to be induced a couple weeks early because of high bp. Is this something that could have been managed another way, other than induction? I really haven't researched at all yet, but would love if anyone has experience/info.

[chely7425]

Hospital birth Not a ton of options around here and that is what I am most comfortable with. Hopefully drug free though! I did drug free last time until we had to do an emergency c-section so.. yeah!

[BlissfullyLoving]

Originally Posted by sonuptosondown

Still up in the air. Previous births were hospital with epi. Tried to do hospital with midwife but that didn't work out, and that's not an option anymore.
So it's between another hospital birth (which isn't the worst thing for me) and a free standing birth center with midwives.

Question: Has anyone else had a birth center birth who had high blood pressure at the end of their pregnancy? I had to be induced a couple weeks early because of high bp. Is this something that could have been managed another way, other than induction? I really haven't researched at all yet, but would love if anyone has experience/info.

My understanding is that a high protein diet (and lots of fluids) is the treatment for high blood pressure. You want to have this diet as soon as possible and not wait for symptoms. I used to have a lot of information on it that I can look around for if you want.

[Carlin]

Ideally, I'm planning a home birth with a midwife. If there are good reasons to be in a hospital, my midwife can practice there too, so for an early baby or something we'd go with that.

[emlady]

Hoping for a birth center baby. We'll find out soon when my post op records get reviewed. Fingers crossed really hard!

[boscopup]

Originally Posted by sonuptosondown

Question: Has anyone else had a birth center birth who had high blood pressure at the end of their pregnancy? I had to be induced a couple weeks early because of high bp. Is this something that could have been managed another way, other than induction? I really haven't researched at all yet, but would love if anyone has experience/info.

A midwife would usually give you some things to try (like the Brewer Diet, maybe some herbs). If it's JUST high BP but no other issues that suggest pre-e (like if your bloodwork is fine and dandy), they may let you birth normally. They'd just watch you really closely for pre-e.