Where are you hoping to birth this baby?

[mamamillet]

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

[DreamsInDigital]

We are planning a homebirth with a midwife. :D

[applebean]

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

[elspethshimon]

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

[CandyApple]

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

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

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

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

Thanks, Amanda

[elspethshimon]

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




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

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

[CandyApple]

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

[elspethshimon]

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



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

[mamazee]

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

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

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

[triscuitsmom]

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

[deuxceleste]

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

[AllyRae]

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

[merebella]

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

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

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

[rjruiz_415]

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

[iowaorganic]

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

[cagnew]

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

[Thursday Girl]

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

[CaliMommie]

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

[jasonswife06]

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

[amcaugusta]

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

[Thursday Girl]

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


well with the price of gas, I find myself very limited. i found a birthing center/HB midwife I would love to look into, but it's over an hour drive.

[RunnerMommy]

I'm really really really hoping for an HBAC. I have my first appt. with my midwife in two weeks. Can't wait!! :D

[Nillarilla]

I'm really hoping for an HBAC with the midwife I had last time. We will see I have to call tommorow and see if I can get into her. There are 2 others in town but one I will not see as I have heard too many horror stories.

[midnightmommy]

We're looking at a hospital birth with a midwife. We really wanted a home birth, but I can't convince myself that we can find the money for it. Not to mention if we did get the money together than it would be a strain on our finances. We'll probably hire a doula though. That way we have someone there during labor to fight with the nurses, and help keep me going. I'm not sure if it's the same everywhere, but here the midwifes are just like doctors in that they are only there for the birth when it's in the hospital.

[PaigeAnThem]

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

That's what I'm wondering, too. I can't find a birthing center closer than and hour and a half away (but it's at The Farm, so it still might be worth the drive). I was interested in homebirth but haven't found any midwifes who are willing to do one.

My last birth was with a hospital midwife and I'm not entirely pleased with how it went down. I think they did what they could to keep it natural, but I still feel like I got hit with that intervention waterfall that ended in a c-section. My current plans are to go with them again, but I'm still looking around. I'm just anxious to go back to the same setting that I was in last time. I'm afraid it will make me nervous and unsure of myself again.

[Kimmiepie]

My plan is also a homebirth with midwife. This will be our first one.

[mamamillet]

I can't find a birthing center closer than and hour and a half away (but it's at The Farm, so it still might be worth the drive)

Paige-I am guessing you are in TN--whereabouts? I am in knoxville.

[Kelly1216]

Hi all! I'm planning a hospital birth, with my ob who I love!
Although, the hospital is 30 minutes away in good weather, so who knows what will happen in Feb. if it's a blizzard here in Michigan! My dh said homebirth if the weather's too bad! UC'ing is a little scary to me, but I'll do some research just to be prepared!

[midnightmommy]

Gosh I hadn't really thought about blizzards. I was up in Cadillac in Feb this year. Got stuck in a pretty major blizzard. I live in an area just outside the city of GR our streets are the last to be plowed. I may need to get some emergency supplies as well. My last labor from start to finish was nine hours. My transition was about two hours. I was planning on having back up stuff just in case anyways, but now I'll take it more seriously.

[AKislandgirl]

I would love to do a homebirth but we don't have any midwives in our little island community. I'll be at the hospital with my OB who did natural childbirth herself. She is great (I used to nanny for her) so I'm comfortable with this. I'm interested in having a doula if I can get one here.

[CityChic]

I would really love to have a homebirth. However, my DH is not comfortable with that so we have a midwife that works at a birthing center. It is a happy medium I suppose.

[bzmum]

This time around I hope to do a VBAC at the hospital with my wonderful midwife. With my first, I went with a planned home birth, however certain circumstances brought be to the hospital after 5 hours of pushing. I had a c-section and a healthy baby, yay! Our hospital just did a full maternity addition with private, single stay rooms. I sooooo hope I can do this naturally because I don't want to deal with the recovery from surgery with a newborn and toddler. Good luck to all the moms planning a home birth...its an awesome and comforting experience!

[firefly mama]

Well, my first was born in water in her bedroom (at home), and my second was born in water in the living room (at home), so I'm thinking perhaps this one will be in water in the kitchen? :D

Even though I'm a doula and attend lots of hospital births, a hospital birth wouldn't feel right for my pregnancies. For my first two I had an extremely experienced midwife who happens to live 6 blocks away. Right now she has an apprentice who is a good friend of mine, so I'm thinking of offering she could use me as her first primary birth (under the supervision of the experienced midwife). I'm also interested in starting an apprenticeship in the future, so I'll probably manage much of my own care (with their supervision).

[Gillian28]

We want to have a homebirth with a midwife. And I would love to give birth in water. :love

I'm going to call the midwife today!

[aprilsfools]

We are having a homebirth with a MW. We switched around 25 weeks from a hospital birth with a CNMW and doula.

I was feeling more and more nervous about the birth with the CNMW as the pregnancy progressed. All the ones I had seen in the practice were not much different IMO than OBs, the hospital had a very high epi and c-section rate (despite the practice of 17 MW), and the homelike rooms we saw on the tour didn't seem so homelike to me. A birthing center is not an option because I was not willing to travel all the way across the city during rush hour. The car ride is one of my biggest fears.

However, I never really considered a HB because I never thought DH would be on board.

Randomly, I rented The Business of Being Born on night and right after seeing it DH turned to me and said, if you want a homebirth I am totally on board with that. Before that I had read him a ton of information about natural birth in general, and during the film he kept saying, OMG, I am so glad you have been doing your research.

Meeting with our MW cinched it for him. It was the first time he had ever been asked how he was doing during the pregnancy, felt about the birth, etc. and he had been to EVERY apt. with the CNMW. We have both commented in the past couple of months at how much better our care is since we switched.

So, give your DH a chance. Present him with the information. Show him the BOBB, ask that he at least meet with a HB MW for you (my friend did this with her DH and that is what did it for him).

GL!

[PaigeAnThem]

Paige-I am guessing you are in TN--whereabouts? I am in knoxville.

Hey! I'm in Nashville. I moved back here from Knoxville while I was pregnant with my first so I could be near my mom.:o

[SuperB]

We are planning on a home-birth with a midwife. Possibly a water birth. There is also a birth center about 30 minutes away if for some reason we can't do a home-birth. :thumb

[mamabens]

I want a homebirth with a midwife but I'm not positive we can swing it so what we've discussed is go ahead & get an ob loacally & go there up until birth, but 'accidentally' have the baby at home. We're only thinking that because insurance will cover it & we're really low on funds like most people right now. I am discussing witht he midwife though to see if we can work something out. Wihs me luck. My first 2 were hospital births & I was not very informed so I did waht the dr wanted. Not this time.

[my_baby_love]

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

LOL! My dad said the exact same thing when I was pregnant with DS. He never was 100% on-board with the homebirth/midwife thing, but at least he eventually stopped asking about my doctor!

We are planning a homebirth, just like with DS. We had a good experience, and I couldn't imagine doing it any other way. We are trying to move, though, so I don't think I can use the same midwife as with DS :(. I will probably at least start care with her, though, because I really, really like her. I have another midwife all picked out in our new location, though, so if we move I should be all set!

[tulipmama]

I'm planning to have a hospital birth with a CNM--he's actually a male midwife! I was dubious, but all my LLL friends love him, and his office is literally 4 blocks from my house, so I met with him last week-- he's so great! We're definitely on the same page about the birth. He meets you at your house when you go into labor and you decide together when it's time to go to the hospital. Then he stays with you the entire time you're in labor so the nurses don't harass you about an IV,epi, etc. He has 3 children who were born by homebirth, but he only offers hospital births because we have an unfriendly local attitude toward homebirths and he is not the "underground" type. I was pretty eeked out about seeing a male midwife (kind of misses the whole point, eh?) but he is way more understanding about the birth I am seeking than my female OB I had for my first birth (before switching to a CNM) was!

[rzberrymom]

I live on an island with no hospital, so homebirth is pretty much the norm. So, we'll have a homebirth with a midwife, I'll make sure to have a doula this time, and I'm also hoping to give birth in the water.

[skybluepink02]

I'm wavering between a hospital waterbirth with midwives and a homebirth with midwives. Homebirth is "illegal" in my state, so that makes me a bit doubtful, but it's still a possibility. My other option is a midwife group that practices out of a hospital. They offer waterbirths and baby-friendly atmosphere, so it might be a good option.

[TayTaysMama]

We will be having our 1st home birth and I am incredibly excited!

I just hope it's not snowing if we need to transfer because the hospitals are both 45 minutes away in good weather. That won't be fun!

[BathrobeGoddess]

Home...no question! Yarrow was a planned homebirth gone bad and I STILL am going to birth stay home...it will also be HBAC as Yarrow was a crash csection...anyone want to talk about how safe homebirth is, they can talk to me! We pretty much had the most dangerous complication you can have at a homebirth, a cord prolapse and everything was still fine!

[Akemi001]

Assuming that this pregnancy is a normal pregnancy like my 3 previous ones, I'm planning on a homebirth. If I can find a midwife that accepts my HMO which is through medicaid, than I'll have my delivery attended by a midwife. But if I can't then I'm going for an unattended homebirth with the hubby. I know I can do it cause I gave birth to my last 2 boys in the labor room without an OB present. They both showed up after the babies were born. I'm looking forward to this experience very much.

[mellydis]

The hospital DS was born in was an incredible experience. Lots of supportive women around, family room with constant baby contact, middle of the night attentiveness...Of course, it's a forty minute drive into the city, but I kinda pushed the issue on my husband. I shall push again!! Relentless shrew that I am!

[Jenivere]

At home with the same midwife I had for my girls. :)

[an9elkatie]

I am deciding b/t a hospital midwife and a homebirth midwife. I'm kind of having a hard time, though, b/c the local home and birth center midwives won't attend to VBAC's :irked:

[Thursday Girl]

so i heard that only two birth centers in the area have midwives that will still attend home births. And even though we live in the city, the places are outside of the city...BUT MY wonderful DH was talking to my friend and she is friends with a midwife at one of those centers that no longer does home births. She said she would call her personally and introduce us. She assures DH that this midwife will do a home birth for me. AHHH how nice to know people.

and I guess DH is warming up to the idea, he was hesitant at first.

[luv]

Trying to get hubby on board with a homebirth with midwife and doula.

First was in a hospital. It was OK. Could have been worse, could have been better. Looking forward to being with only family directly after this time.

-luv

[KelliH]

We're hoping for a birth center-that's as crunchy as I could get DH to agree with :) I would love a homebirth, but it freaks him out. I'll take what I can get.

[KellyKA23]

Im thinking the hospital. I had originally wanted to do a waterbirth, but since it has taken some long for me to get pregnant the Drs are treating it as a highrisk pregnancy so for right now Im going to plan on the hospital. If things had gone perfectly I would have wanted a waterbirth for sure, but I would rather just err on the side of caution!

Also I do want the epidual.. I have had such severe cramps and period pain the past 10 years ( the drs tell me its the same as going into labor every month) but without getting a baby at the end, ( but I have nothing to compare it to so who knows) that I just really want to minimize the pain! And i know there is going to be alot! Although the thought has crossed my mind that if I can handel it monthly I could do it one more time... so I will cross that path when i get there....

[elspethshimon]

Also I do want the epidual.. I have had such severe cramps and period pain the past 10 years ( the drs tell me its the same as going into labor every month) but without getting a baby at the end, ( but I have nothing to compare it to so who knows) that I just really want to minimize the pain! And i know there is going to be alot! Although the thought has crossed my mind that if I can handel it monthly I could do it one more time... so I will cross that path when i get there....

I would still encourage you to research other pain control methods. I have two friends, one who was not allowed an epidural because of a fever and another whose didn't take, who later said they wished they'd better prepared themselves for that possibility.

[an9elkatie]

Although the thought has crossed my mind that if I can handel it monthly I could do it one more time... so I will cross that path when i get there....
You are right on!

I, too, used to have horrible period cramps every month, to the point where I could not stand up and had to just curl up on the ground b/c it was so unbearable. Then, I had pitocin-induced labor with my twin pregnancy (which I've been told is twice as painful as natural labor) b/c I didn't know any better at the time, and it wasn't any worse than the cramps I used to get with my period. So, I too would recommend reconsidering the epidural! You can do it!

[boscopup]

Having a trained attendant at my homebirth is illegal in my state, and I'm not wanting to plan a UC (I think UC is awesome, but I personally need the support of the midwife there, plus I needed O2 last time and want to have that available), so I'll be crossing state lines to birth at a rental house or a friend's house. Not totally decided yet.

My first was in a hospital because he was a preterm. Didn't do any pain meds, although I was tempted. My second was born at a "birth house" across state lines, and it was so much less painful than the hospital birth!!! The ability to be up and moving around with nothing attached to me was awesome. And the atmosphere felt a LOT more like home. I'm hoping for a waterbirth this time. Tried last time, but the tub wasn't filled quick enough. :p

Also, for those with skeptical DHs... Mine was the biggest skeptic, but I still talked him into an out-of-hospital birth with our first (which obviously we didn't get to do, but we had been planning to do it). DH is now very much pro-homebirth. :thumb His biggest issue was safety, and once the safety issue was addressed, especially after talking to the midwife, he was a lot more comfortable with the idea. Then after having a hospital birth and an out-of-hospital birth, he saw how much calmer everything was, how much less pain I was in, etc... It was just good all around. And the biggest thing that got him was the fact that the midwives practiced evidence based medicine more than the OBs did!

[JoyfulChaosMom]

At home, just like the previous 8. (first was a hospital birth)

[KellyKA23]

You are right on!
I didn't know any better at the time, and it wasn't any worse than the cramps I used to get with my period. So, I too would recommend reconsidering the epidural! You can do it!


Thanks Katie! I definitely think I will look into it more!!!!

[starling&diesel]

I'm a paramedic in a small mountain town with no hospital, and today really made me think about our birth plan ...
We delivered a baby this morning at the little clinic. That's not 'supposed' tp happen, although it does, often. We deliver a bunch of babies up here, either because mama waited until transport wasn't possible, or baby came in a hurry.
We have a local nurse who was a midwife, but can't practice legally here because we're too far from the nearest hospital (1-2 hr drive). So she's always called in for local births (in her capacity as 'nurse' ... midwifing on the sly).
Attending this one this morning... I wondered about maybe waiting 'until it's too late to transport' so that this lovely and experienced midwife can deliver our baby in the same fashion.
The births that I've attended with her are med free, and good for mama and babe (skin-to-skin contact right away, eating and drinking, moving around, letting the cord go pulseless before cutting ... etc). BUT if something were to go wrong ... it's a LONG way to special care. Even by helicopter.

So maybe we'll stick with our original plan and do a homebirth at my sister's place in the city.

Wow. That was a ramble. Apologies.

ETA: Baby is fine, by the way! He showed up at 11:42 after only an hour and a half of labour, and he is wee ... 5 lb 6 oz. We took him and mama down to the hospital this afternoon for observation.