What kind of birth did you have?

[Greaseball]

Just curious!

[Elphaba]

hey, i had a midwife-attended hospital birth. best of both worlds for me. of course, i was wishing i was at home afterwards, because i had no privacy in my post-partum room. it was like grand central station! i even put a sign on the door telling people to clear heir visits with my midwife, but did they listen, noooooo. freakin residents and med students think they are exempt from respecting our wishes.

[mom at home]

Two wonderful midwife-attended homebirths. I wouldn't do it any other way unless there was a good reason.

[organicmama]

I had a hospital birth with my first, a wonderful waterbirth at a free standing birthing center with a certified nurse midwife for my 2nd birth. I am planning a home/waterbirth this June with a wonderful licensed midwife. I guess if I have another, I'll have to take it a step further & go unassisted. Just kidding...I don't have the nerve for that! :D

[parisfrance]

I checked both midwife-assisted homebirth and emergency cesearian. I joke about my "natural cesearian" because I got to the hospital with my midwife after three hours in transition (his head was flexed) and only got the epidural about 15-20 minutes before they got my son out, so he was an alert little dude, Apgar of 10. She also wrote all sorts of things on his chart like no glucose solution, no nursery, and no bottles, which I didn't even know she did but boy was I glad when I found out, because I was in no condition to think about those things afterwards.

[Nursing Mother]

I've had 4 midwife home-births and 1 unassisted homebirth and they all went great.

[Milo]

Parisfrance, your "natural c-section" sounds like my first birth...midwives are great about all those little things. My second was a midwife attended-homebirth, and I'm planning a homebirth this time too. I really, really don't like hospitals....

[glad2bemama]

Both of mine were midwife attended homebirths. First one, back east and next one her in CA. Can't imagine it any other way!:)

[pina la nina]

Absolutely beautiful - midwife & RN (& dh & my mom) assisted hospital birth. In a beautiful private room, the midwife forbid anyone coming in so it was just the 5 of us (+baby!) the whole way. Really magical experience.

[Sara29]

Unassisted birth with my first.
Sara

[Rachel Fox]

I had a hospital birth with a mid-wife. In my area there are no midwives who do home-birth. Now that I know I can do it I won't ever have a baby in a hospital again! I hope next time midwife at home then unassisted at home. Even though it was in the hospital it was still just perfect. We went totally drug-free, it's funny how people look at me when I say that. I owe that to mothering- the very first article I read weeks after I found out I was pregnant was "epidurals the untold story" I am so thankful. Doesn't it feel so good to push a baby out!? I'm going off- I just can't wait to do it again!

[tasha]

I had wanted a natural birth but was in labor, intense labor for 32 hours without my cervex dialating. The doctors said that an epidural would help me to relax so that my labor would progress. They were right but I was very dissapointed. I had so many tubes attatched! I never want to go through that again! But I was exausted! Kyrra was born after 40 hours.
I had to let go of my expectations and give in to something I didn't want. I think it was a good lesson for me I just wish I didn't have to learn it in that way!

[jenoline]

I said "Other", because I started out at a midwife-run birth center, and then was transferred to the hospital (which was uneccessary, IMO).

I was kind of upset about the way my birth was handled by the midwife, especially after we got to the hospital. However, I still had a natural, unmedicated birth, which is what I wanted. And I got to go home the same day, which was also what I wanted. So, I try not to complain too much:rolleyes:

I'm hoping to have a homebirth next time, if I can find a good midwife who will attend. :)

[Christi]

I had a hospital birth. I have an awesome family doc. She was ttoally cool about me doing whatever I wanted. I labored in a whirlpool. and my dh, parents and a massage therapist were all there. I was the only patient so only the nurse and Dr. were even in the OB wing. It was totally natural, no moniters or iv's Just me! When I had a misscarriage my Doc didn't think anything of it when I told her I wanted to do it at home. I had a great experience. I will definately go to that hosp for another birth.

[drachonfire]

I had a midwife attended hospital birth for my first and a midwife run birth center for the second. But, I wasn't allowed to vote them both, so only the birth center made it. The other wasn't really a choice.

[Plady]

I had a homebirth with a midwife and doula and my husband, mom, 2 dogs and cat. Everyone was in the room (and half of them on the bed!) for DD's birth. I wouldn't do it any other way if I had the choice. The only drawback with homebirth was having a construction project going on in the house and not having nurses around for the next few days to shoo away visitors and tell me I had to stay in bed. But I felt great (no drugs, no episiotomy, no tears) so I guess I shouldn't gripe about anything. Really, it was even better than I'd hoped. :)

[KPduty]

There was no option for completely unnecessary non-emergency cesarean (and I do not mean a planned cesarean, either).

[Née Née]

Mine was a planned homebirth, that was transferred to hospital for "failure to progress", which in my opinion is a crock of SH*T


R.

[Raven]

Planned water birth at home with a midwife...beautiful!

[Greaseball]

Renee - Yeah, I agree the whole "Failure to Progress" is a bunch of crap. I hear some places only allow a first time mom 18 hours to get the whole thing done, and 12 hours for a second time mom. It took me 38 hours and although I was in the hospital I was grateful they respected my wishes and did not give Pitocin.

Supposedly the baby is "in danger" if a mom takes "too long", but I think it's in more danger at the hands of an impatient doctor.

[glad2bemama]

I hear that, Greaseball. Thankfully I had a homebirth with very supportive midwives at both of mine. In fact, my midwife from CT flew out to help with doula work for my 2nd. I have back problems and can only carry my babies posterior and as a result, my cervix stays posterior through most of labor-- both of mine were actually arched backwards instead of fetal postition. The result-- 52 hours of "active labor" and 3 hours pushing with first. My second was 64 and a half hours " active"-- a lot of which I was 8-9cm and 1 and a half hours pushing. My midwife finally had to hold my cervix forward for the last 5 hours.
Anyway, there are many reasons that a labor may take a long time. I wonder how many women have the same trouble as me and just don't know it because their docs insist they are "failure to progress." By the way, both boys were 9/9 on apgars-- I was just a little tired, but exhilirated!

[wildmama]

I voted for unassisted homebirth. We planned to be midwife assisted, but hadn't even called her by the time the baby was born. My contractions were still 12 minutes apart at the time she was born. She and I were fine and the delivery was uncomplicated. She had apgars of 9 and 10 (based on what we told the midwife after she arrived). I lost minimal blood and was up and around a few hours later. It was an amazingly simple affair!

[teachermom]

My first and second were midwife attended birthcenter births but almost like a home birth as both were free standing centers in the midwife's home (or attached to it). We chose this route because we lived so far from the nearest hospital in case of an emergancy.
My third pregancy,I was transfered to an ob's care and had to have a hospital birth. It was also a wonderful birth which I attribute to having a great doc.(his wife had a home birth...and he is very respectful of a woman's power thru birth). I was drug free, not monitored, and delivered on hands and knees,my 2 yr.old roomed in with me (he put in my chart that she must for health reasons..she was still nursing!). I was transfered to his care because I had to be on insulin for GD.
I am pregnant with my 4th now. We plan to have a homebirth with a midwife for this one. We now live in town. I am already watching my sugars and carbs trying to avoid GD this time. I feel really good about it.

[Sylvia Lynn]

my first two were natural births in the hospital with an incredibly enlightened ob. this was 24 and 22 years ago.

ds2 was born at home. we had a midwife but matthew got there before she did.

ds3 died in utero so i got to find out what induction and monitoring feel like. i had demerol iv which was a mistake. it burned my veins and hurt worse than the contractions.

dd2 was born at home with two wonderful midwives and a few close friends. beautiful.

[paula_bear]

I didn't know we could pick more than one response. First birth was in hospital with a sOB. (that wasn't a typo, BTW...)

Second birth was a planned homebirth, but baby arrived about 5 min. before the first midwife, so it was sort of unassisted.

I voted homebirth attended by midwives b/c that was what we intended and I really liked having them there in the early postpartum period.

Next birth will definitely be at home, most likely attended by a midwife. Oh, that is if I succeed in convincing my husband that there SHOULD BE a next birth....wish me luck, lol!

[lovinmama]

I have 3 children and have had all three,
one hospital birth, one unassisted homebirth
and one midwife attended homebirth.

[TexasSuz]

I really envy those of you who had natural births! I have to have planned c-sections due to my anatomy "down there." I feel blessed to be able to have children at all - I would not have lived through childbirth 100 years ago.

My first c-section, 6 months ago, was horrible! They gave me way too much medication and I was foggy for days! I am looking for ways to control the situation a little better the next time around.

I am glad that most APers don't look down on me for not having a vaginal birth. Believe me, I would if I could! C-sections are no fun!

Susan

[Gentle Mama]

I had a "completely natural" (HA!) hospital birth with my first and vowed I'd never do it again, so I had a midwife-attended homebirth with my second.

[mommabear]

I had a midwife-attended homebirth. We had planned for the hospital, but when my midwife came to my home to check me and accompany us to the hospital, I asked if we could just stay home -- every time I stood up my contractions piled up on one another (I knew we wouldn't make it to the hospital!) I had actually wanted a home-birth, but had bought into recommendations to have the first baby born in a hospital so "you know what it's like"!!!! Now I tell people that if you really want to "know what it's like" go with as minimal intervention as possible (not always easy in a hospital). Anyway, it was so cool -- as I was labouring, my midwife brought all of her stuff upstairs (she keeps everything she might need for a homebirth in her car), and she and my husband prepped the bedroom, etc. I actually have no idea how everything looked because I was totally focussed on labour and afterward the midwives cleaned everything up so quickly. It was an awesome experience!

[quantumsarah]

I had two midwife assisted hospital births. The first one was horrible, and the second was incredible. Differnt cities, hospitals, and midwives. I would have greatly preferred a midwife assisted homebirth, but I couldn't afford to pay a midwife. Medicaid covered my hospital births.

[SHRTSASSY]

First birth was induced at hospital attended by a doctor...epidural, episiotomy...awful. Second birth was natural at freestanding birth center attended by midwives and a doctor...wonderful! I'm thinking of doing a homebirth next time.

[jtsmom]

my first was a midwife attended hospital birth. 24 1/2 hrs start to finish, 3.5 hours of pushing, then he was delivered with the vacuum. I had nubane which made me crazy and an epidural which wore off and I felt the vacuum which was the worst pain I have ever felt, I couldn't believe I didn't die from the pain. I think I was pretty close to having an emergency c section. I was very tired going into labor with him which I think made the whole experience bad ( wanting to take the edge off with the nubane- so I could rest)

With dd, I was really scared to have another baby. As my midwife said, I was just grateful to be alive after ds was born. On my med charts, it said "traumatic first birth"

Anyway, with dd, I couldn't sleep well and asked for a sleeping pill so I knew I'd be well rested. I got a good night sleep then woke up in labor. Got to the hospital, said "I WANT AN EPIDURAL NOW!!!!" the nurse made me go in the bathroom and undress. When I came back out, she said, oh, honey the only relief you're gonna get is pushing this baby out. DD was born 20 min after arriving at the hospital. My midwife and doula were not there, a DR was, tho ( a woman:) I didn't remember her name. Later that day, I asked my midwife "What was the drs name that delivered the baby?" She said "YOU delivered your baby!"

She was right:D

I am done having children, but should God bless us with another, I would want a hospital water birth. (if there is such a thing):rolleyes:

[mamarain]

birthed the baby at home into the water as the midwife told me to catch my baby.. it truly made me believe in unassisted births!

[MERMAMA]

I had my ds after 27 hours of labor at a birthing center,drug free, no epesiotomy, no tears. I pushed for 2 1/2 hours but finally he decided to come out. Next time I plan to do homebirth assisted by the midwife who delivered #1. She now has her own homebirth practice. It was a wonderful experience and I would not change anything.

[Raven1]

Now, I assume you mean what kind of birth did I, the mother, have, not what kind I the child had, lol!(ftr, I was a "2 wks overdue", pitocin, back labor for 14 hrs, shaved mom, hospital birth;)
My own two were both born at home with the same midwife (which I am glad of as I liked her and they were 7 yrs apart, so I feel fortunate;)
First was harder, but still only 11 hrs total from water breaking to birth(6 hrs or so of hard labor). felt like a truck had run me over for 4 days;) several stiches. Sore as all get out. 8'6"
Second was also 11 hrs total of labor, but only 45 min or so of "hard labor", and 2 pushes. Was up and about same day/night. At the grocery store with her next morning. one internal stich. No soreness whatsoever. Felt like I could do it again right away(didn't though;) 7'12"
But both were empowering, just as we wanted, and wonderful. Wouldn't change anything for the world:) Kimberly, mom to Forest, 10 and Lily, 2.5

[temama]

Had three hospital births, with male ob. Will NEVER do that again!!!! Had all natural births...no drugs except was given pitocin with ds#2. Water broke only 6 hours before pitocin and doc had a golf date!!!:mad: Pushed ds#3 out in 1 push much to the dismay of my doc who wanted to give an epesiomoty(sp?). Ds#1 was also short & sweet, 2 pushes. Will have a home, water, lotus birth with next. Am currently looking for a midwife in my area to be prepared, but if I can't find one will go unassisted.


Carey

[IowaMama]

My birth was supposed to be at our local birth center, with a midwife, but my daughter's head was transverse, they transferred me to the hospital for a cesarean, without even giving me any alternatives, very unhelpful, now I am educated and know many things that could've prevented this situation.

[Momazon]

First baby born in hostpital with water broken, morphine and epesiotomy. Only escaped with that few interventions because he was quick. Also was a "teaching hospital" UGG!
Next was born at a nurses house, one minute from hospital. Lots of talking, speculation about progress, examination and instructing. Waterbirth
Third was born in bathroom of my house with only myself and spiritual grandmother ancestors present. If I had it to do again, would also be a waterbirth

[Zoe]

I'm having a home waterbirth attended by a doctor.

[paula_bear]

WOW, Zoe, I didn't know doctors did homebirths anymore! That's great - I was under the impression that their liability insurance wouldn't cover it (even though, if those same ins. cos. did their homework, they would find birth is ten times safer at home than in hospital....) I hope your doc is hands-off and you have a fabulous, empowering, wonderful birth!

[CanOBeans]

I guess I should have voted for two options. I had a c-section with my DS, who was breech. I was induced at 41 weeks, failure to progress according to OB timetable, ended in c-section.

DD was born at home :D with two midwives attending. They were there in a mostly "lifeguard" role, as DH did all the labor support and caught DD. We don't expect to have more children, but I would love to give birth again!

[FatherDove]

Our midwife assisted homebirth was the most magickal day of my life! Catching our beautiful girl and laying there staring at her, giggling. We didn't find out the sex until I cut the cord about two hours after the birth.

Our midwife was the most wonderful woman! She was there for anything we needed at any time and her homebirth classes were awesome! My dw did want a water birth but since she labored so quickly (about 5¾ hours) and another woman from our class was giving birth at the same time (figures!) there was just no time to setup the tub, etc.

Our midwife finally made it as the head crowned (the assistant midwife made it 30 minutes earlier) and within 30 minutes our little Verona Dove (http://www.adeler.com/family/sawyer/verona.asp) was here! Woohoo!

I couldn't imagine it any other way.

:love

[spirited mama]

Both my sons were homebirthed. I'm pregnant again and I'm big for dates! Because of my history and the fact that I picked a really amazing midwife (liked the 1st practice I used, 2nd more medical, this 3rd practice totally awesome!) she is willing to try a homebirth if I am carrying twins! My first birth was textbook. Although the midwife left to get equipment when I was 3 cm and returned when I was fully dilated (1 hr later). The 2nd birth went quickly as well. Your labour is faster when you are in your own environment and there are no strangers!

Good Luck and I recommend homebirth. Your natural endorphins kick in and its just incredible how quickly the whole thing happens, and the exhileration....I was on a birth high for month afterwards.

Spirited mama:love

[kama'aina mama]

Originally posted by FatherDove
We didn't find out the sex until I cut the cord about two hours after the birth.


We spent the first hour of our daughters life welcoming our new son. Long story but it involves homebirth and snuggling!

[Beth]

I voted for midwife assisted homebirths. 2 wonderful experiences. I am thinking about catching the next one myself with my midwife nearby. My mom birthed at home and my sister and SIL, I am just wondering what compels you great mommas here to do natural hospital or homebirths. All my friends and in-laws think I am crazy. They think their drs. "saved their life" with all the interventions. Some take the drs word that they will have to have all c-sections. It does make me crazy to hear all the interventions and to know how they could have been prevented. Maybe I'll do a poll on what compels us to get educated on how birth can and should be.

[paula_bear]

Beth, you bring up quite a few good points. I know, for me, I made my decision after the first visit w/ my OB/GYN, with whom I felt I had a really good relationship. When I expressed concerns about the needless interventions during my son's birth (with a pompous a** of a dr. w/ an ego the size of a skyscraper...), he assured me that this birth would be different. However, he did defend the use of the vacuum extractor (which the first dr. used as soon as the head crowned, w/out giving me a chance to even push the baby out).

The final straw came when we were calculating EDD. I did my best to explain that I did not ovulate on Day 14, as DH was out of the country then. I estimated that I ovulated sometime between Day 21-25. Well, my explanations went completely unheeded. After the vaginal exam, the dr. stated, "There's no way you're ten weeks!" and whisked me off to perform a vaginal ultrasound. Intervention on day one! I realized then that (psychologically) I would never survive another hospital birth experience.

I didn't know anything about UC birth, so I went on my search for a homebirthing midwifery practice. It took me a good while to locate one, there are only 3 CNM's in NJ who do them and I didn't know about DEM's at that time. I had a very satisfying homebirth experience, even though our daughter arrived about 5 min. ahead of the first midwife! After the homebirth, I realized how awful the hospital birth was, and how I had been carrying a great deal of anger, resentment and dissatisfaction for six years!

You may want to check out www.BirthLove.com (http://www.birthlove.com) to read lots of birth stories and join the forums there. There are lots of UC and homebirthers there.

[Jillian]

Sorry for the length of this message. I just had to get this out.

I had a wonderful homebirth with my dd who is now 21 months old.

Before I got pregnant I thought that I was going to have a hospital birth just so that I could have pain medication. I am a HORRIBLE WIMP when it comes to pain. But as soon as I got pregnant I changed my mind. My birth suddenly became about my baby and not myself.

I consulted with my mother who happens to be a midwife and we decided that her and her partner would be my midwives. Everything went perfectly. My birth only lasted 8 hours from midnight to 8 in the morning. I found that breathing didn't help at all but a low moaning worked wonders.

Anyways, Mackenzie came at 8:32 and she was big, 9 and a half pounds. I had her in a squatting position and my mother and her partner think that my pubic bone (or pelvic bone. I'm not sure.) must have seperated. By that night I was in horrendous pain. I couldn't move and I was sobbing from the pain. This pain was about 5 times worse than the pain of childbirth. My midwife thought that the pain I was going through was from my uterous not contracting (I think) so she made my mother leave the house while she kneaded my stomach. I understand why she made my mother leave because by the end of it I was screaming from the pain.

The next couple of days were horrible. I was bedridden and Mackenzie would cry everytime she tried to nurse. My mother called her chiropracter to see if he could help. He helped me a lot but even with this help I was still limping around for weeks. He also helped Mackenzie. I was reluctent to let him work on my newborn baby, she looked so fragile, but in the end I let him because he showed me how she was in pain. I hadn't noticed but she couldn't move her shoulder without wincing. After her ajustment and a little help from a breastfeeding expert, she was the perfect baby and has been ever sinse.

Let's say I remember mackenzie's birth fondly but the aftermath not so fondly. I 'd love to have another child but I'm too afraid of this happening again. I was wondering if any one else has had this problem and if it happens ever time or not.

Sorry again for the length of this message. I couln't find anywhere else to post it. Thanks,

[Beth]

I am definitely not an expert on this issue. But my mother is a midwife and she has told me some stories of babies who were squeezed just a little to much in the birth canal and needed an adjustment from the chiropractor afterwards. These babies also had difficulty nursing initially, and after the adjustment they were wonderful babies.
I am not sure about your pelvic bone. There are many things that get pushed around and bruised during labor so it is possible that your pelvic bone was affected. Did you notice that you have or had residual pain in that area for a time afterwards?

About your question if that happens everytime. I haven't had that problem but I'd say it doesn't happen everytime, b/c every labor/birth is different. Babies are different sizes and positions, your body is different, stretched and adjusted. But anyone please correct me if I am wrong.

Just a few thoughts from me. Hope this may give you some encouragement. :love

[tara]

I planned a homebirth and labored at home for 23 hours before deciding to go to the hospital. I had pushed for 3 1/2 hours by that point with very little progress and we thought I'd need a vacuum extraction. Luckily, the car ride did the trick and Jackson was born without intervention (but with another hour and a half of pushing) once I arrived at the hospital. I don't regret going to the hospital - by that time I had been awake for something like 40 hours and I was soooooo exhausted. Also, I hemorraged so much after the birth that the midwives said they would have brought me in anyway. But, I definitely have a bit of unresolved grief over losing the perfect homebirth that I imagined.

So, I marked "other" on the poll... I want credit for my planned homebirth! :) Sometimes I think I *did* have a homebirth - heck, I did almost all of it at home!

[nanikisses]

I've had 3 homebirths with midwives, 1 lay midwife, 1 LDEM, and a ND, LDEM.
After an initial cesarean with my 1st baby.

Maybe by some miracle we may have more babies;)

My first homebirth was just amazing, the best one, really,
maybe because it was at home vs. hospital, or a midwife vs. doc or natural instead of surgery....but it was very powerful, an intense labor but purely magical, ahhh the energy:love

I would love to go unassisted but don't know if I would feel
150% comfortable because I have such intense labors & a ton of back labors as well as heavy bleeding afterwards....if I could get dh on board....

Homebirths rule!! :D
It is a testament, for sure when I say I did it at home and even
after a c/sec


:banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana

[levar]

No Joke. I was in labor [transition for almost 60hrs] for over 72 hrs. Eventually I agreed to a C section.

Turned out I have a genetic "defect" from my paternal grandma that causes my hips to widen in a V shape instead of nice II like every one else. Only since the advent of C section have the women in my family with this trait not died in child birth. Unlucky for me I did not know my Grandma had it, or that it could be passed on, or that I might have it. Any future children I have will be delivered by planned C section, and I will try to remember too to tell my children and grandchildren of this history.

The biggest issue I have with all this is that *everyone* makes such a HUGE big deal out of the fact that c sections are "un nessesary" and make big plans for how to avoid it. Well, we did all the things we were "suppose" to do. Yet I still had a c section. It was not my fault and it was not the doctor's fault etc. It just was. In fact if it wasnt for all the pressure to have a "natural" birth I would have had a c section much much earlier and not had to suffer SO much that frankly I think we're going to end up adopting from now on becuase even therapy hasnt gotten me "ok" enough to want to get pregnant again.

So. It seem to me that congratulations are in order for ALL of us Mommies: and the family, doctors, and mid wives who support us the best they can. The real miricle of child birth is the CHILD not the process. 72 hrs while long [oh so long] is nothing compared to the 72 YEARS that I might get to spend enjoying my son and the celebration of his life.

~Sandie

[Saara]

2 hosp. births. Never again, if I can help it. :(

[flminivanmama]

on c-section at 29 weeks due to PROM and a breech baby

1 VBAC waterbirth with a DEM

[jempd]

I had a hospital birth and wound up being not happy with it. I do wish I had stumbled on the Mothering board before I had ds and not after. But I try not to stay stuck in regretting too. It is so interesting to read about homebirths or birthing center births. I was very scared of pain and had no reassurance so I opted for epidural and was induced. In retrospect, and also since the birth was straightforward with no complications, I feel with some research into it first and support I could have done it. Also I was pissed off at the hospital and the head Ped. because they really made nursing much more difficult for us than it need have been.

[paula_bear]

originally posted by levar
The biggest issue I have with all this is that *everyone* makes such a HUGE big deal out of the fact that c sections are "un nessesary" and make big plans for how to avoid it. Well, we did all the things we were "suppose" to do. Yet I still had a c section. It was not my fault and it was not the doctor's fault etc. It just was.
Levar, thanks for bringing up this point. You are lucky to live in an age where you were able to survive birth with a live baby! I agree that C-section can be a wonderful life-saving maneuver. You are in no way "less than" for having had one. However, as elective cesaerians come into vogue, I fear that women who are capable of vaginal birth will be scared into electing this way of birthing their babies, missing out on a wonderfully empowering experience. Also, 25% c-section is way too high. I refuse to believe that only 3/4 of today's women are capable of birthing vaginally. Personally, I believe that the fear-based medical model of birth and the attendant hospital interferences with the natural process is what leads to such a disproportionately large number of "unnecessary" c-sections.

[Sara29]

Hello everyone!
Just peeking in to comment on the birth of my son this past sunday.This one went well too.Thank God there was no need for transfer.I can't say enough good about the complete naturalness(sp) of just birthing(no monitors,or iv's,or vaginalexams...and so on).I went into labor at 4am. It was kinda hard for me to time the contractions as the first birth(UC) I just went with the flow.Anyway the MW was good.Very no-touch.And I am glad she got there just at the end.Ofcourse there is much more to the birth than what I post right now,but here are the basics:
Please join me in welcoming our big boy into this world.Born at home on Sunday April 21st at 10:01am.
Labor started at 4am.Midwife got here at 9:30am.Was at 9/10cm(first and only vagianl exam the whole pregnancy).Pushed a few times on toilet til water broke(clear),pushed some more then went to stand next to bed.Was to tired to stand/squat and push.Got in bed to push,but wasn't getting anywhere,so I had to get up again and push next to the bed.Boy, were my legs shaking! I only pushed for like 15 minutes,but it seemed like it took forever to bring him down,and get the head out.
Nimet (3yo)was with me the whole time.She did great.She likes to tell everyone that we helped her deliver her brother.
Mw did the check of us both and we were fine,placenta was huge/healthy/intact.She left around 11:30am. I think I bled quite a bit more with this one than Nimet(lots of clots and blood after mw left),and have been pretty darn weak so I am on bedrest per dh(sssh dh is out so I snuck downstairs). I am feeling better today.So much for going to the doctors to get antibios for my ears today(yes,ear is still infected)

No name yet for the boy.
He weighed in at 9.8 pounds
Head was an ouchy 14 inches around
and the length was a bit over 21 inched
He loves to suckle in his sleep.

Oh and we named him ALEXANDER

Wishing you all wonderful births and healthy babies!
Sara

[Saara]

Congrats, Sara! I love the name Alexander so much that I named my first-born that very name. :D

[indiegirl]

One assisted homebirth, underwater. I will do it again that way.

[amandajf]

One hospital birth by an OB i met previously on one occasion and successfully scared the bejesus into her if she went against my birthplan. One hour of arguing epsitiomy :). Surprised her at birth.. no episiotomy.. no tears.. she now doesn't do routine epsiotomy <told I was right, Dr. S!>. After aftermath with miscalculation of due date.. NICU staff almost killed my baby and I didn't get to breastfeed until she was 5 days old.. but i did it.

Second planned midwife assistedhomebirth. Wonderful wonderful wonderful. Baby was in hospital for 12 hours overnight at 3 days old until we could get a home bilirubin light set. And we were also one of those "Hi son! I'm so glad my son is here... wha? girl you say? no way? i sold everythin i owned that was pink!" and off to the mall at 24 hours old in my lil girl in a blue gown, blue onesie, blue socks, blue hat and blue blanket to get pink :) DH made me walk for over an hour praying someone would ask how old she was so he could gloat over his wife having her at home and walking the mall already.. until i told him my guts were coming out of my coolie and i needed to go home.. finally on way home stopped at the natural grocery and finally the salesman asked her age and almost fell over. DH was elated and i got to finally sit down!

[spirited mama]

I think c-sections save lives. Although its untrue Julius Ceasar was delivered in that fashion. It was illegal under Roman law to perform a c-section on a live woman! We know Julius' mother survived the birth, so he must have been born vaginally.

25 per cent is a high c-section rate. There is a difference between choosing a doctor and a midwife statistically. Our first midwife said her c section rate was 3 per cent. Mind you she prescreened her clients. But when there are no risk factors and the mother is fine, there is no justification for speeding up the birth by forcing a c-section into the equation. And in this instance a midwife sure comes in handy, as it is not something she can offer.

spirited mama:D

[Ivanhoe]

I had an emergency cesarean due to hemorraging at 38 weeks. At the hospital I was diagnosed with placenta abruptio and was wheeled to the OR, one hour after admission.

Yesterday I asked a pro homebirth doctor why do placenta abruptios happen and he said, "how do you know it was an abruptio, did they show you the placenta? I said, "Nop". And he continued, "what day was, maybe it was a holiday, or a Saturday night?" 'Ouch, -I said- It was the Saturday night of a Holiday"

~The end~

[Writermom]

I had a disappointing hospital birth. My husband and I were absolutely resolved against any interventions; however, labor was long, long, long, and the medical establishment/staff fear/lack of knowledge about natural birth on their part wore us down. Finally delivered my beautiful son vaginally, but by the skin of my teeth, after epidural and pitocin. A couple of my "favorite" quotes from this birth story: One nurse came in and stood there for a while, arms crossed. "Do you mind if I watch?" he asked. "I've never seen anyone do this without drugs before." And this from the doctor: "Okay, three more pushes and we wheel you in for an emergency c-section." I pushed him out on the second push.

As my friend says (who homebirthed her little girl): "Asking for a non-intervention birth when you go into a hospital is like walking into Kentucky Fried Chicken and asking for a veggie pizza. It just ain't on the menu."

So, I live and learn, and my next baby, due in a couple of weeks, shall be born right here. Just me and my husband, midwife and doula, in a birthing tub, comfy at home. The peace and joy I have felt in this pregnancy since we made this decision a few months ago, knowing that I won't be facing a hospital birth again, is extraordinary. I'll try to post again after the baby comes and share the story.

Thanks for reading!

[spirited mama]

Thanks for sharing...

You can do it! Homebirth is cool...and don't forget hindsight is 20:20. Sounds like you made all the right decisions the first time, but were in the wrong place at the wrong time...

[tinyshoes]

Had a hospital birth by choice:
I knew it all; I wanted an OB because even if you have a CNM, CNM's need an OB for back-up. So then I read all the OB texts I could get my hands on from the University of Minnesota's biomed library.

I knew my Bishop score for my elective induction, because I studied it, and so I called my OB's 'bluff' when he said I could have an elective induction.

AROM, Pit, 2 epidurals, EFM, external toco, interuterine pressure catheter, urinary catheter, more meds pumped into me while I waited for the doc to arrive to deliver my baby, big ol' shot of lidocane in the perineum to numb me for the episiotomy (took a total of 20 minutes, or 5 contractions, to push baby out,) and a couple handfulls of ibuprofin & tylenol & stool softeners to round out the intervention-filled adventure.

Now I know more and will have a more pleasant time next time, with a doula and some type of midwife...hope to do it at home, but I've got to read up on GBS before I roll the dice on that one.

I called my doc's bluff, and I wasn't sectioned. I concider myself lucky.

[Shulammite]

I'm "other," both times.

First birth began at a freestanding midwifery center. I labored there for 30+ hours and moved to the affiliated hospital at about 36 hours because my son was positioned in my pelvis in such a way that the midwife couldn't appreciate exactly where he was. Ultrasound showed he was a shoulder presentation, and I was painted up for a C-section and taken to the operating room. One last check showed he had decided to adjust himself! After a total of 41 hours of labor, it took only 3 or 4 pushes and he was born!

Second birth started at the same midwifery center. The one midwife I'd not seen during my pregnancy was on call, and she kept insisting I take the Stadol I had vehemently reminded the entire staff I would not take, since I think it made my first labor worse. Well, 3 or 4 hours of pain, with someone wheedling at you that "just half a dose" would help so much, is a hard thing to resist. I relented, the Stadol made labor horrible, and as soon as it wore off I said Okay that's enough of YOU. Take me to the hospital. As soon as I checked in, I was ready to push, so I probably should've just stayed put, but I feel good about taking charge. That birth was about 6 hours total, which I also felt really good about!

[meister31]

I had a Hospital birth w/ drugs and that I thought for my first birth it went very well. I slept through pretty much the entire labor and woke up said its time to push and out she came in 45 min.!
:)

[kat]

I had a homebirth just 3 1/2 months ago with a midwife. I was so happy I didn't chicken out and go along with the pressure to be in a hospital. After deciding on the birth at home, we made it very clear to people how much safer it was and how much better it was for me mentally. That shut up most of the nay sayers. I did have a pediatric nurse give me a horror story she attributed to being a home birth. Like more problems don't occur at a hospital ? If I had been in a hospital I would have caved and gotten drugs and then probably a c-section because it took 3 1/2 hours to push the little guy out!

I had a very hard 24 active labor with back pain. Don't know for sure why. The little guys was positioned perfectly. I was smart and asked my friend who is a personal trainer to be part of the birth. She gave me counter pressure on my back for 12 hours. That's a friend. I would suggest to anyone having a home birth to ask a trusted friend to be there. She helped my husband and me more than I was aware of until way after. Hubbie was able to focus on me during and after. She set out food for us, washed my sheets. It was a great good deed.

It was so beautiful to just be alone with my husband and son that night. We became an instant family, bonded. Hard as it was I am an improved woman for the experience.

Mom of Declan born 2/23/02- my one and only.:love

[deb_n]

I was a planned birth center birth (we just didn't have the room and facilities at home, or would have been there)-a peaceful, beautiful place just a mile from our island home. But the water broke, we tried for 3 days to get labor going with everything under the sun, moxa to nipple stim. We were working with a wonderful midwife and friend, but also is required by her licensure to consult with an ob. We, of course, worried them greatly to go beyond 24 hours ruptured (I was not leaking any more, no temp, no vag exams-but they think only in terms of what they see in the hospital-with all that "microbial soup"), so by the 3rd day, agreed reluctantly to go in and be induced. After awhile on the Pitocin, I had a weak moment and requested an epidural. I wish I had made them check, turns out I had already went from 1-5cm. The Pit, not unexpectedly, lowered my BP, and the next thing we knew the babe's heart rate was also down and not coming back up fast enough. So in we went for a section. It was frustrating to see so little of my beautiful man the first hour (they denied my request and took him away for care, although dad was there), we did get to latch on in the recovery room. His apgars were great, Conor is a healthy, happy boy, of that I am thankful. But as a nurse who has attended more than a few high risk deliveries myself, I know where high tech is necessary and where parental wishes for a calmer birth experience can be honored. So it was a bit painful and disappointing for awhile, still gives me a ping of regret when I hear all your great stories.

[kat]

Deb-n Hey don't regret. Grieve But don't forget how the most important thing is that you and the little guy are ok. I loved the home birth but I was regretting not being able to squat and walk as much as I lliked and "planned" because of the back pain. It is all such a mystery.

Before labor I had worked on a birth journal with my artwork. I tried to deal with the idea of a potential c-section. and felt ok with knowing that my intentions were there. If it happened I knew that I didn't ever give up the responibility to others. So many woman I've talked to dont' even know what the drugs are they are requesting. They just want out of the experience. I felt I did my child the best service just being informed and making choices on that not on social pressure. I believe whether I would have had a home or ended up at the hospital it was MY birth experience. And I was there for my kid all the way through it. So were you.
:thumb

[fruitfulmomma]

:) My first birth, with my son, was a planned homebirth with midwife. The second, with my daughter, was planned as another homebirth with our midwife but we transported to hospital less than two hours before she was.

[fruitfulmomma]

I meant to say "before she was *born*." Anyway, we transported because mommy was exausted and having incredibly urges to push at only 5 to 6 cm. My cervix was going back and forth between 5 and 9 and her head seemed to be lying transverse or military. Had a bit of fentonol at the hosp. and calmed down enough to dialate to 9 with a slight lip before I pushed her out - which took about 5 minutes. Not what I would have planned for - my son was totally natural - but I think things went well. She was very alert and took to the breast right away.

[maybebaby2]

Birth centre- Sheer detirmination and deathly fear of intervention
meant that I atempted to avoid that at all costs by labouring out of the way of any health professionals.
"Unassisted labouring" then a birth centre for the moment of birth. By that i mean I waited at home until I was absolutely sure the baby was coming. (after 12 hours labour) Steady contractions coming 2 minutes apart, 2 minutes in length then a 20 minute fast drive to the birth centre. The midwives could tell I was ready to birth as i ripped my clothes off, told dh to put on music, asked for the tub to be filled, jumped in and starting mooing deeply. There was a half hour lull/ transition, then the wonderful urge to push started. Ds was posterior so it took two hours for him to turn himself into the right position. The posterior backache was the only bit that was difficult to accept.
he was pushing on my cocyx - it still doesn't feel right two years later.
but Oh the endorphin high when he pushed his way out. The midwife was wonderful, low key , no internals/dilation measurment at all, just observation of my sounds.
At the moment of birth she stepped away and took photos, leaving my dh to catch the baby. it was so private and intense, I forgot she was there. Then she cleaned the room and left us to it. 12 hours later as night fell we checked out and slept our first night as a new family in our own bed. bliss.

[Beth]

Maybebaby2- that sounds great. I loved reading your birth story. I was so excited that your midwife was so laid back. You are blessed.

[JesseMomme]

2 hospital births - my three year old was where I went to prenatals faithfully, went to childbirthing AND parenting classes (what a joke) had a blood pressure "scare" and everyone was concerned about how swollen I had gotten, and I was naively 1 day from walking into the hospital to be induced with Pitocin when I went into labor on my own 2 weeks past my "sell by" date.
I thought for a year after I had my first son that I had succeeded in "natural childbirth"- to the amazment of my freinds and family who thought I would have 1 contraction and scream for an epi- in bed for 12 hours straight, dehydrated, strapped to IV and EFM, had an amniotomy after they decided I hadn't broken my water "enouph", pushed with O2 mask on my face, in the supine postition, had an internal fetal moniter when they concluded he was in distress, got a shot of litacane in the yoni in prep for an episiotomy I didn't want (and didn't get, son came too fast, phew!), his cord was cut faster than you can say stat and he was taken to the peds team waiting a few feet away. I tore and "naturally" got stitches, even one in my cervix!
(Afternote- my son was in the NICU for three weeks recovering from his "natural" birth- pulmonary hypotension, and a punctured lung they blame on meconium, I blame on aggressive suctioning)

Second birth, same hospital, different attending and resident...
I was not as niave but not nearly as strong as I needed to be (although I did alright defending much of myself during labor and delivery)I tried breaking away from the chaos of prenatals and thier "concern" with my risk of pre-eclampsia, something that came up conveniently after I told them I'm not showing up, I am having this one at home. Their scare campaign worked unfortunately, and my labor at 39 weeks gestation was jumpstarted with cervadil. I got out of bed as much as I could, demanded 5 times to be let into the hot tub before finally getting it, where I reached transistion. I walked around the bed, back and forth when I was strapped to the EFM. I was stark naked and finished labor on my hands and knees while they litterally argued with me to get on my back so they could check me because they could tell I was pushing and stop pushing! When I was ready I landed on my left side and pushed my beautiful boy out, where he went straight to my tummy. To the awe of the staff, he started the "crawl" towards my breast. Dh had to litterally throw himself between the cord and the Dr with the clamp to avoid having them cut it right away, and they waited until it was white and done pulsing.

It was better to get to have my son right after the birth unlike the first, but there were still "fuck-ups". I was hooked to an IV again of dextrose and whilst busy admiring my new baby, they switched the IV bag to Pitocin for the afterbirth with out my knowledge or consent. They took him to the nursery "for a little while" so I could go to my room (ok, logical huh) and there I went, 4 hours after the birth, and for two more hours, deciding whether or not to take the needle out of my hand myself (the Pit was excruciating on my uterus) feeling like a helpless cripple whereas only hours before I had felt so triumphant. I demanded my baby the whole time before getting him. For the rest of our hospital stay, he had trouble nursing. When we got out of there, I swore I would never go back again.

And here I am awaiting my first homebirth...and my mother for the life of herself can't possibly imagine why I would be so "selfish" even though she was there for the first two births and she must have seen everything I had seen...talk about two different points of view~!! LOL.

Phew, I didn't mean for that to get long...

[indigolilybear]

one very assisted (IMO) homebirth and one beautiful freebirth or UC. i doubt i'd ever do it any other way. it was great!

Jessemomme--the selfish thing is a hard one. i grappled a lot w/that one myself w/ds. then i realized that really it is risky (for different reasons! ) in the hospital and that i was doing my baby a service by birthing him at home, peacefully w/no rubber gloves or anything non-family touching him. (however, trying to convince my mom was a different story. lol) good luck.

[JesseMomme]

INdigoLily,

Thanks for the chin up. ALready I have learned (though I had pretty much planned on it being like this anyways) that i Have to let it slide off my back, the negativity and comments that is, especially from my mother, who in the end is concerned, or should I say, afraid, because she loves me. But tuned out I am, especially after she did actually say that what I was doing was selfish and I knew there was no reasoning with her, no matter all that I know/ have learned.
If trying to have a peaceful and safe birth makes me selfish so be it! I deserve it!

[Barefooter]

I had a cytotec induced homebirth by a well known midwife who had her CPM revoked.

[JesseMomme]

Barefooter,

I had heard rumors of midwives using dangerous cytotec, but never anyone coming out and saying it! I hope there was no damage to you and your baby...soem people come out of that unscathed...some regretfully not...
It is bad enouph OB's think usuing Cytotec is the birthing miracle drug, it is bad enouph that using on pregnant women is off-label and the drug manufacture themselves sent out a warning letter to obstetricians, who scoffed at it. That's bad enouph, it makes me ILL to thikn that midwives, who should traditionally hold women's body's and births sacred, use this. I am glad this one in particular lost her CPM.
If you are interested, please email me at kandsmom13 @ yahoo.com, and I will send you the address of the webmistress of www.birthlove.com. She has an entire up to date section on Cytotec and would more than love to hear from you. Who knows, maybe you already have your story or comments on there! LOL

Love,

[Barefooter]

She has an entire up to date section on Cytotec and would more than love to hear from you. Who knows, maybe you already have your story or comments on there! LOL


Jesse,

I've been very out of the birth loop for a while but I did have my story on the birthlove site before it became private. It's titled "Take This Pill and Have Your Baby in the Morning."

Took me a long time to learn to become verbal about what happened to me, but I try to tell as many people as I can so that no one is left in the dark about the use of Cytotec at home or the practice of this particular midwife.

[paula_bear]

Wow, Karen, I cannot believe you had that experience. I'll check out your birth story next time I visit Birthlove. Hope you and baby are unscathed by "the Devil Cytotec."

[Maracita]

I was in labor for about 48 hours. My ds's arm was stuck so it took a while, but it was still wonderful and I was so glad to be home as I knew the birth center would have moved me to the hospital by then. The next will be at home too if I can find as good a midwife as the last time, unassisted rather than the hospital. If there will be a next time...

[fummy mommy]

My first was a hospital birth. I was induced...Dr said my placenta might give out since I was overdue(8 days). We later learned what a DORK he was. Labor was 9 hours, 40 minutes of pushing. When my dds head was crowning the dr pulled my labia apart, I suppose to ease the head out. Needless to say I tore big time and was so swollen for about a week. After that birth experience I felt like I was in a car accident. And b/c I didn't know any better I thought it was great.
My second was a midwife assissted homebirth. So different from the hospital. 3 hours of labor with 20 minutes of pushing. This time no tears and my ds was a pound bigger than his sister! It was truly a great experience.
My third was a home waterbirth or, a water homebirth, however you want to look at it. Labor was long but not hard. This time our midwife got to hang out with us. As my dh said to her it was great to watch her do her magic. 10 plus hours of active labor, 17 minutes of pushing in the tub. My kids and dh were in the tub with me and my dh caught our dd. That was truly an awesome experience! Water was the way to go. It provided us with some special family bonding. I don't think I 'll ever forget that.
Even though my birthing experiences from my first to my third were worlds a part, they were both beautiful in their own way. It is because of my first dd that we changed our lives. For that I'm grateful.

[JesseMomme]

Barefooter,

That is great your story is up there...and it does sound familiar...I will be sure to go back and read it. Take care

[NocturnalDaze]

I had an unmedicated hospital birth with a mid-wife. It was supposed to be a waterbirth but the hospital only had one tub and it was being used. So I labored in a large bathtub at the hospital and only got out right at the end.

The next time though I would like a homebirth, I was too chicken with my first baby and I didn't know what to expect...

Kim
:bouncy

[gratefulmama]

Unmedicated beautiful hospital birth with CNM and my husband. I wanted homebirth but dh couldn't deal with this so I compromised. I labored 9 hrs. at home, was 9 cm on arrival to hospital, stayed 9 cm for a while, pushed 2 hours (1 1/2 hrs not real pushing without urge, 1/2 hr real pushing but still no urge). Had a lot of back pain that no amount of rubbing or position changing touched. Midwife said baby was not posterior, so I don't know what that was.
I second the above comment by maybebaby2 on the endorphin rush! Wheeee!

[grisandole]

I chose "other" because I had a homebirth with a cnm and an md (family practice doc, not an ob/gyn) in attendance. That was ds2, born almost four weeks ago! It was an absolutely wonderful experience, much better than the hospital experience with ds1......it was night and day!

[DancerMom]

Midwife assisted homebirth for us! It was the best experience of my entire life!

[MommaAnne]

I've had 2 hospital births and my last one was an unmedicated birth at a freestanding birthing center. I loved every minute of my experience, it was way way better than the hospital births. I labored in water until I was complete, then I decided to get out of the water and give birth lying on my side on the bed. I left the center 15 hours later and my son spent his first night at home.
I did not give birth at home b/c unfortunately I could not (laws in my province).

Anne

[rwikene]

This is my first child so I only have her story to share.....

I started out laboring at home, moved to the birth center (as planned) when I was in "active labor" and only 5 cm dialated....labored there for about 4 hours, blood pressure went TOO high, had to move to hospital (30 min away....in the car....sitting up ahhhhhhh)

Hated the hospital, small "labor and delivery" room, got an epidural, pitocin and they broke my water....all interventions I didn't want, but gave in to..... after about an hour they said that they couldn't keep track of baby's heartbeat, which didn't surprise me b/c all through my pregnancy when the m/w would find the heartbeat the baby would move....so the doc decided to do an internal monitor ( I had big objections to that, but they didn't care)

After laboring some more on drugs they said I was fully dialated and ready to push...my midwife had mentioned that she really wanted to get to her son's football game, so she hoped the baby came soon....I pushed a few times, midwife seemed frustrated that the baby wasn't coming down...the doc suggested a c-section, because of CPD. The midwife was supportive of this. :rolleyes:

Earlier on, when they first did the internal monitoring of baby's heartbeat they thought that there would have to be a c-section, the heatbeat was REALLY low

i had the section...was VERY medicated, and spent the rest of that day and the next loopy....all in all, I have to say that I hated this experience, only because I know that it can be so much better

So next time, I can't do a birthcenter (I'm high risk now), I desperatly want a homebirth, but I am very scared about having another unplanned section. I know I labored much better at home, no pressure. I don't know if I will use the same midwife, I think she is the only one in the area who does homebirths though...I will have to check this out

BTW: right after the baby was delivered the midwife left, she made it to her son's game, for what it's worth...

Rachel

[JesseMomme]

This is my first child so I only have her story to share.....

Rachel,

This seems like it was a very difficult story to share, and I want to thank you for doing so.

[QUOTE]I pushed a few times, midwife seemed frustrated that the baby wasn't coming down...the doc suggested a c-section, because of CPD. The midwife was supportive of this.

Your midwife was deplorable and the Dr, ignorant. I can't count anymore how many times woman get "CPD" thrown at them so they can cut the baby out. (You can tell, I do not believe in CPD as a "real" diagnosis)

Earlier on, when they first did the internal monitoring of baby's heartbeat they thought that there would have to be a c-section, the heatbeat was REALLY low -i had the section...was VERY medicated, and spent the rest of that day and the next loopy....all in all, I have to say that I hated this experience, only because I know that it can be so much better

You are right, it can be so much better. You were essentially robbed of the birth you dreamed of.

So next time, I can't do a birthcenter (I'm high risk now), I desperatly want a homebirth, but I am very scared about having another unplanned section.

That birthcenters "won't take" vbac's really burns me...If you desperately want a homebirth, then that is the birth you should shoot for. I think that woman who wound up with c-sections were the ones that would do the "best" in an unhindered labor (e.i. no interventions, lots of encouragment, no "worry/concern" eminateing from attendants at all times). That you labored so beautifully at home is your proof and your truth.

I know I labored much better at home, no pressure. I don't know if I will use the same midwife, I think she is the only one in the area who does homebirths though...

To use that midwife again would be a mistake - I know I am stating the obvious here. If you think she is the only midwife "in the area" look harder. I once thought there were no midwives in my area but asking questions (La Leche League is usually a good bet) led me to know about quite a few. <sigh> A midwive that agrees with "CPD" is a poor excuse for being a helper of woman. What other trouble would she throw at you, kwim?

I will have to check this out
BTW: right after the baby was delivered the midwife left, she made it to her son's game, for what it's worth...

Wow glad you didn't inconvenience her too much! < sarcasm-snort> How long ago did this take place? are you planning on another baby or already pregnant?

It sounds like you are on the right track believe it or not....keep going with your gut. I can understand being scared of another section, the operation seems infamous of taking away woman's trust in their own bodies. (So I also can't count the times woman tell me they are planning "another c/s" because "my pelvis is just too small anyways") Your body works...it just wasn't given a chance at all. Keep reading VBAC stories and research of VBAC....and research of why unnessasary (pardon spelling, I am not awake yet :o ) c-sections happen.

Best of luck to you and your family, hugs!

[rwikene]

Jessemomme~

Thanks for your support....to answer your question NO, I am not pregnant now....My dd is only 8 mo....I think it will take me awhile to want to be pregnant again b/c of the birth experience I had...

Of course, there is a little voice inside of me that keeps saying "I want another baby now", I have to keep reminding that voice that I HAVE a little baby...we can wait:D ( I think that voice is my husband, maybe he is talking to me in my sleep;) )

When I do get pregnant I won't be going back with that midwife, I was also very frustrated b/c when I was laboring at the birth center, she was napping and having another midwife (who I didn't know) check me.....I asked another woman who had the same midwife if she had this experience and she said she did...she also ended up delivering at the hospital and had a horrible experience too.:(

BTW: this midwife wasn't my first choice, I had another midwife until I was 28 weeks...but she ended up quitting (long story) because the birthcenter that she worked at was under investigation....there had been an infant death, even though she wasn't involved she said it was too much pressure and left.

*sigh* so here I am confused, hurt and scared .....I KNOW this is not how I should feel about childbirth....:(

Rachel

[deb_n]

Rachel,

I had planned a birthcenter birth myself (birthcenter only since it was quiet, peaceful and better facilities than own home), but after prolonged rupture of membranes we had to go to the hospital for Pit, which lead to a c-section. My lay midwife was extraordinary, allowing me to make choices and so very supportive. She stayed through the inpatient delivery process and acted as my advocate. For example, I was crying slightly while they prepped me for surgery, grieving, of course. I explained to them when they comforted me that it was not fear (I was a former neonatal nurse), just grief. But when my midwife came in, she whispered to me that they were considering giving me Versed (like Valium, relaxes but also dissassociates you from the process), and as a nurse I know that sometimes healthcare workers treat for their own discomfort at my grieving. We stopped THAT from happening, and she was also able to get my son brought into recovery to latch on, able to be with me or my son when my husband was not there.

I know from discussions with her that the insurers in WA state do not cover midwives for VBAC's (in homebirths, birthcenters), but she does do them, it is an individual choice. Not all midwives are the same, as a nurse I was very impressed with my care. What I find most amazing is that in the 9 months of my perinatal care, it was my lay midwife-not the physicians, nurses, etc, who treated me the most professionally, as a participant in my care. The titled professionals, who are proclaiming that they are incorporating this philosophy in their care, have so much to learn.

Something that helped me, and several other local friends who also went through a section, was a healing circle put together by my midwife and a local healer. We shared experiences, socialized and walked a labyrinth with our babies to facilitate our grieving. The healer who worked with us is not so far from you in Everett, if you are willing to do a daytrip to Whidbey Island. She could probably recreate something like that for you, perhaps we could put together another group. Just let me know,

Deb

[USAmma]

I probably don't belong here! :-) I had a hospital birth with epidural. I had decided before hand that's how I wanted it to be, so got one as soon as I was admitted at 4 cm. My labor was very abnormal in that it started suddenly (like on the movies) and was very painful from the start, like searing knives. Cx were off the scale from the start, too, and 1-2 min. apart. I was glad for the pain relief because I know my limits and I wanted to enjoy the birth. I expected it to be a long birth because it was my first, but it turned out labor only lasted 8 hours.

I spent my labor reclining on the bed watching TV and calling friends to tell them of my progress. When the actual pushing time came I had to be woken up because I had nodded off in the wee hours of the morning. Even though I never felt a thing (not even pressure-- it was on high as I requested) they said I was a great pusher and she was born after less than 30 minutes. As her head was coming out I watched in a mirror and gave my MIL instructions for taking photos between pushes! lol! Everyone was so supportive and I felt relaxed and very much in control. It was a beautiful experience all the way around.

I have a friend who is going to do a homebirth because the idea of "being strapped down to a bed with montiors and IV's" scares her to no end, and I respect and support her decision. However, I did not feel confined at all. More like sitting back and letting my body do the work while I rested for the pushing stage. To each her own, I'm just glad we live in a time and place where we can make our own choices.

Darshani

[DiaperDiva]

I had a birthcenter midwife attended birth. it was pretty good, but I wish I could have been at home :(

[mama2jonah]

I had a wonderful and healing home water birth with ds no. 2.

My first birth was a rather traumatic hospital birth with a CNM -I ended up having pitocin, hemmorageing and having to have methargine(sp?) which I had an allergic reaction to. I couldn't walk upright for an entire week because of a 3 1/2 hr. pushing stage and hellacious hemmoroids.

With my 2nd birth, I labored outside during most of the active stage and only came in when I began to transition. As soon as I got in the birth tub, my water broke and I began pushing about 1/2 hr later. I pushed for about 20 min and caught my precious babe with no outside help. I did not hemmorage or have any other serious problems.

I no longer fear birth. In fact, I look forward to doing it again.

[familyman]

all three at home, such a wonderfull exper dh is now a mw and helping others get the birth they deserve w/110% of our suport

[violet]

I had absolutely the most fabulous unassisted home birth. She is my first and I'd never do it any other way. Four hours from start to finish. Last 2 hours in the water. It was so peaceful and gentle and beautiful. I can't wait to birth again!!! The only thing I'd change is that I'd have an alternitve minded MD lined up to do the postnatal check for insurance reasons because I was really worried about getting in trouble. But other than --absolute bliss.

[Alenushka]

I did not into childbirht with the idea of med free or not. I was sort of waiting to see. I was truly amazed at the xtent of the pain. I had back labor both time because my uterus in the wird tilted postion. Still, I hthought (what a hubrus) that becuase of so many years of youga and marital art I will be fine. With the first one I spent a night at home laboring and then went to the hospital. My water broke at home. I was 3 n and then I wlaked and did many thing and it just would not go any futhre. So, the residnet insiste on pytocin. Well, it sped it up all right but I think I should have some pain relief first. Pytocin makes contractions really abnormally stong. My massage therpist and husband and shower etc etc nothing would help. I started to have really interesting hallucinations. Finally anestisiologist appered. I took a 3 hour nap, woke up with the rude resident proclaiming tha I needed internal monitor which i was refusing. My OB was out of town and her on call doctor came. She sent the resident packing and told me to relax for an hour. In one hour I was almost ready. She did something interesting, she stuck her finger inside and massaged my cervix to make it more playbale. It did not hurt. I pushed my son in 30 minutes. Doctor used warm clothes and minerl oil and even thoguht my son was 8 lbs and had a huge head, i had no tears. He was so alert when he was born. He looked at us as if he met us before.
with the second one it was kind of the same but shorter. Again I labored whole ight at home to discover that I was only 2 sm after 12 hours. They offered pytocin and I agreed after epidural was started. Then it went kind of fast. Maybe 2-3 hours and I was 10. My nurse this time was very old and she procalimed that since the baby is so huge I will be pusing for 3 hours. It told her that the baby will be here in 15 mintus. He was 9 punds, very alert and big headed boy I was right. No tears again. i think I ma really good in pushing becuase I am an action kind of person and i do not ride the waves well.
The first time I felt sad that I could not do it wihout epidural but than I stopped. My main goals (besides the baby, of course) were not to have c-section or episiotomy and I got that.

[Angelmom]

I transfered to a hospital from a birthcenter with my first son; mid-wife attended homebirth with my second :heartbeat.

[MomCarol]

My first was a hospital C-section and second (just 4 months ago) was a midwife-assisted homebirth -- a waterbirth! How wonderful being at home with my husband, 2 yr old daughter and two closest friends. And I ain't no spring chicken either...42 years old. If I can do it, anyone can!

My 2 year old still points to my stomach saying, "George comes down your tummy out your pee pee, Mama?" Lately she's been holding my ankles, saying very demonstratively, "Get that baby out Mama!"

[Chloe]

Tex Suz- don't feel bad that you had to have a cesarean birth because of your anatomy! Sometimes there are good reasons for having one, like that. And placenta previa...

Anyway, I voted hospital birth, because that is what I had with DS1. I had an ob. My ob was out of town, and I had her dr on call...never met the guy in my life :( I ended up having an episiotomy. Except for some thngs I would change if I could, I had a pretty good birth considering it was in the hospital. I had nubain, which i won't take next time, and i had the pitocin and AROM, which I won't be doing this time!! I'll let my water break when it wants!!!

THis time I am planning, for now, another hospital birth, but with a midwife.

I would prefer a homebirth with a midwife, or unassisted!!!

Francine

[Super_Mom]

With My First i had a routine hospital birth, with epi. I swore never again!! So with my next two i decided to go to a birthing center which was a wonderful change, But i had wished that i was at home and that is why this time we have decided upon midwife assisted homebirth.

[mammamouse]

1st was an icky hospital birth because I didn't know there were other options

2nd and 3rd were birth center CNM births. One was a near miss ( lef the house needing to push) but otherwise a nice birth, other was icky- almost hospital icky. And both were at the same birth center.

4th was a very healing homebirth. How I wish I'd done it that way from the start. ..

[bnrjnj]

With my first two, I had midwife assisted hospital births in Europe. My third was so precipitous that we ended up having an unassisted unplanned homebirth. The fourth one was a midwife assisted homebirth.

And let me tell you -- the last one was the best one!

[miriam]

Dearest Mothering friends:

My four beautiful children were born at home with the help of a wonderful midwife named Joan Dolan. The first two were under the auspices of the wonderful late great Dr N.B. Ettinghausen.

My own mother had eight at home delivered with my Father in attendance. #5 was a breech and was delivered at the local community hospital (1961). My mother came home four hours after the birth; that was practically unheard of then and is illegal now.

[uccomama]

Elective C-sec with my first because she just happened to be breech and I didn't know any better.

HBAC with my second which was okay, but it was far from ideal. I felt like a watched pot and one of my midwives has fear issues.

Unassisted birth with my third. They only way to birth IMO! It was awesome!

Deborah

[Gagesmom]

I gave birth to my 1st son at a natural birthing center, a wonderful (tho a little difficult due to my small pelvis and his head being flexed backwards during delivery) and memoralbe experience (he was born in the water and I had NO TEARING: Marvelous!!!!). I chose the center over home because at the time we had 1. Just moved into our house the week before the baby came 2. It was closer to the hospital in case of emergency. This time, we are birthing at home as I am much more comfortable in the knowledge that chances are slim there will be a problem.

[mindyfalcon]

Waterbirth at home in Portland, OR. I think next time, I will opt for home waterbirth unassisted.

mindy

[MysticHealerMom]

I'm planning a home birth with a naturopath.

so, this would count as a doctor assited home birth, just not an allopathic doc, a homeopath.

[JesseMomme]

I already voted in this poll months ago but I had to add I had an unassisted birth a month ago :D - my first two were hospital births.

[brandybehr]

I had a home water birth with an excellent midwife! I am so glad that I did, my first 2 were in the hospital with drs...

[maggiesmom1]

I had a HORRIBLE intervention-filled hospital birth with my daughter in 1997. AFter that bad experience, I decided to have a homebirth with any subsequent pregnancies. I'm lucky enough to live in the area where the largest physician-assisted homebirth practice is (they were profiled in Mothering a couple of months ago) and had a WONDERFUL experience with the birth of my son. I had a doctor, 2 nurses, my husband, daughter & inlaws present at his birth & it was the best thing I've ever done.

[CherP]

2 mid-wives attended homebirth - first baby. It was THE greatest experience of my life - I wouldn't do any other way!

What exactlt is meant by "unassisted"?

[MysticHealerMom]

Originally posted by CherP
What exactlt is meant by "unassisted"?

No professionals around. Could be no one at all, but if your dp (and kids) were there, that would count. You could give birth unassisted in the hospital, ie, you catch the baby after laboring without intervention, but I don't think that's the basic point.

More info: http://www.unassistedchildbirth.com/

Congrats on your experience, it should be wonderful :D


:hippie

[MommyT]

I had a hospital Bradley birth. We will definately stay home next time. :) Should have stayed home the first time. Everything I read about safe birth SCREAMED stay OUT of hospitals. We live and learn! We were able to do everything the way we wanted to, it is just more difficult at a hospital and not as comfortable as being home. Most of the nurses were so pleased to have a natural birth couple there, so that was a bonus, we got some special treatment. :) We chose a hospital with the lowest c-section rate and our doctor is a strong advocate of natural birth. The Bradley instructors in my area refer all their students to him when they are having 'doctor' issues.

[alie]

I had a birth in a birthing centre; it was so quick that I wish I'd had the babe at home, I was home 6 hours later. It was a wonderful experience,t hough.

[adrum1234]

I had a hospital birth, which ended up nothing to my expectations. So with this one we are planning for a home birth! I can't wait!!:thumb

[CKMom]

I had 2 girls at home [midwife assisted]. The first, I tried a water birth. I got in the water too early, didn't walk, labor lasted 22 hours, after the birth I had too much bleeding and had to transport to emergency room for a pitocin drip. No big deal, was home in 2 hours. The worst part about this was a nurse who said my private area "looked like hamburger". I had a small tear and she didn't think my midwife stitched me up appropriately. [this woman was not exactly a picture of health so I would never have considered taking any "health" advise from her anyway] However, I never had any problems with healing. In fact, I healed rather quickly.

Second birth [at home], I WALKED AND WALKED AND WALKED AND WALKED! 3 hours of labor and I had another baby girl, no excessive bleeding. No tear. I guess my midwife knew what she was doing!

Even though the first birth didn't turn out as I "planned", I learned a lot, primarily about the strength that is within a woman. I wouldn't change a thing. In fact, pregnancy and labor were the fun parts! Raising preschoolers is another story! :eek

[annakiss]

I had a planned homebirth with my mother attending (she's a CNM, but did this one at home for me). I delivered Alex on a bean bag chair in my mother's living room with my sisters & step-father in attendance (as well as an extra midwife, photographer, dh, and extra birth partner, sarah). labor was ten hours - perfect - and harder than anything i'd ever done before.

[starfairy]

I voted unassisted because that is what my last 3 were, but my first was born at Kaiser ( wanted homebirth, but i was 18 & living with my parents when my babe was born..my parents refused a homebirth in their home & I just gave up the dream :( )

[3girlsmom]

I had a very fast natural birth at the hospital with the 1st. The 2nd, came in the car 71/2 weeks early, on the side of the freeway with just dad in attendance, he delivered, then drove us to the hospital. The last was 51/2 weeks early and turned into an emergency c-section after the hospital tried to stop labor for 2 hours. After all 3, I was just happy to not be sharing my abdomen with someone as fidgety as me!:rolleyes:

[applejuice]

I wanted four babies born at home.

I had four babies born at home.

Midwife assisted; same midwife each time.

I am the luckiest woman in the world.

[Raven]

I had a water birth at home with my daughter Amber who will be 3 in July and I am plannign on the same with the little angel ont heway!:love

[CherP]

A distiction in your poll between hospital births with an OB and hopsital births with Mid-wives would have also been interesting.

I don't know about the US, but here in Canada mid-wives can deliver in hospital with all the same privledges as an OB.


As for myself, homebirth with mid-wives! The most incredible experience of my life!!
:thumb :thumb :thumb

[frogertgrl]

CherP, can midwives in Canada prescribe pain relief like the OB can? Or perform surgery (episiotomy, C-sec)? Are these included in 'all the same priviledges?' I'm not familiar with the Canadian system.

[CherP]

frogertgrl

Mid-wives in Canada cannot administer narcotics, but they can prescribe them. They do not peform c-sections or administer .epidurals but work very closely with OB's on call for these. If a patient who is in the care of a midwife at the hospital requires a c-section, the midwife stays with the mother and baby even though there is a transfer of care to the OB. The baby stays in the care of the midwife until discharged.

All the pre-natal, hospital care & stay, and post-partum care for mother & baby care covered by our Provincial Health Care - we do not pay a dime.

[DaryLLL]

I've had 3 births.

1st--36 hours from water breaking and after one hour of pushing (went to hosp too early, as I was carrying high and they were worried about cord prolapse, long painful unproductive labor, a rest partway with morphine), they decided baby was too big to fit and I had a c-sec. 10'2" baby girl.

2nd--at home, midwife asst, 12 hours of labor to successful home VBAC! 3 weeks early, 8 lbs of baby girl. Tiny tear, no stitches.

3rd--at home, midwife, 4 hours of labor, HBAC again! 9 lbs of baby boy, no tears.

Did I ever love my homebirths! Waterbirth wasn't popular back then. I wish I would've had one or two of those!

[EmmaJean]

A beautiful birth at home with non-CNM midwives. I hope I always have that privalege.

[BigBelly03]

in reverse order:

#5 midwife attended home birth

#4 hospital natural birth (I was actually sitting in an awesome birth chair--should have just stayed home though) :p

#3 hospital birth (should have just stayed home!)

:p

#2 midwife attended hospital birth

#1 hospital birth

I was never prepped, no IVs, no epis, no drugs etc. in the hospital--planning a midwife attended home birth, possibly in the water for next one #6 :)

[chiromommy]

I had 2 beautiful midwife assisted homebirths. Wouldn't plan it any other way!

[Avocado Baby]

I had a midwife attended hospital birth :)

[busybusymomma]

I never voted on this thread before because I was happily anticipating my homebirth and really wanted to vote homebirth. Well, three months ago I had the home (water) birth of my dreams. :love

My first birth was an induced, episiotomy, shot-of-Nubain-that-made-me-feel-2x-worse, hospital experience and I'll tell you what... homebirth wins hands down.