[mamatoady]

Well, the [email protected]# hit the fan at our house and we have to move this week with little choice on where to go. We have almost no money and dh's job has not been pulling in very much. Most likely we will move in with my mom or my best friend for a short time to save up enough to start over again.

Anyway, we had a homebirth with my son and are planning a homebirth this time, but it's $2500 and our insurance doesn't cover it. Given our financial problems, I'm starting to wonder if it's a smarter choice to have the baby in the hospital, because then it would be almost completely covered.

With that said, with dd, I got cold feet on the homebirth and decided to have a hospital birth and ended up being induced and using an epidural and totally losing any control I had as soon as I switched over. I am terrified of that happening again. I have great risk factors for them to use against me--I'm very overweight, I'm having some sugar issues, I have gall bladder problems. I also don't think I'll be able to birth the way I want to (I squatted on the floor with my son).

Am I being irresponsible financially by continuing with this home birth? I'm telling myself that if I end up in a c-section that I'll owe more than with the midwife...and I really feel it's safer at home, so I'm telling myself that I can't put my baby in jeapordy for financial reasons....any thoughts?
sarah

 

[rhiandmoi]

I would talk to your MW about your concerns about the cost and see what kind of options she can offer you.

 

[angelapittman]

Our HB midwife charges $2500 as well and our insurance doesn't pay for HBs. With some work, we are getting some of it covered because they will cover prenatals, just not the actual birth charge.

That being said, we knew that even if we had to pay the full $2500, it would be LESS than the hospital anyway. We estimated our portion of the hospital bills with the deductible and our portion would have cost us like $3500 anyway!

Maybe you have a similar situation?

 

[RachaelsMommy]

Don't forget that as soon as your baby is born, he's a patient, so make sure you're taking that into consideration when you're adding what your OOP costs will be. If I was in the situation, I'd go through with the hb. There are somethings you can't put a price on. This is coming from a totally frugal person.

You have to ask yourself what you will regret more in 10 years: having the birth you want or (possibly) saving some money.

 

[MegBoz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RachaelsMommy You have to ask yourself what you will regret more in 10 years: having the birth you want or (possibly) saving some money.

ALthough I have to say, I think the options you'd get in a hospital are relevant to the decision. Birth in a crappy hospital vs. financial stress of an HB? Go for the financial stress! No question there.

But there ARE decent hospitals. There are great hospital-based MWs, and heck, there are even some decent OBs out there too.

Really!

Of course, I know sometimes hospital-based CNMs are literally not permitted to treath high-risk mamas, so even if there are some good MWs in your area, you might still not get to use their services.

I had DS in a hospital with very natural birth friendly MWs.

 

[AnnR33]

I would also talk with the mw about reducing the cost a little or is there anything you could barter with such as cleaning services/cooking/computer skills/etc? You never know until you ask.

Personally, I'd stick w/ the hb because 10 yrs from now you will definitely look back at the birth experience and you want it to be good memories but you won't necessarily still be thinking about the bills you were paying back then KWIM?

Good luck!

 

[Jilian]

For me it would really depend a lot on what my local hospital was like. Our local hospitals here are just bad and I'd do all I could to avoid giving birth in one uless it were medically necessary. I agree about asking the MW if she offers a reduced fee, you could try applying for medicaid and see if you qualify for at least partial assistance, and you can try to raise money by cutting costs in other areas or selling some items online. But if none of these things worked out then I'd likely go with the hospital birth because of the costs, mainly because my family having a place of their own to live would trump my need for a homebirth.

 

[HikeMama]

If what you're afraid of is losing control because you're at a hospital, maybe you can have a doula. The doulas in my area charge about $500. She can be your ally and help you have the birth you want in the hospital. (now that is of course if you decide that a hospital birth is more fiscally responsible). Good luck!

 

[srlpenny]

I personally would stick with the HB, even if I had to write a stupid check from a credit card. No money is worth what could happen in I went to our local hospital.
That being said our hospital is a complete POS. If you think you would be OK at the hospital then maybe, but it doesn't sound like that. There are very few things that are going to make as much difference in your life than this, it's worth it.

 

[heamae]

I had the same situation. I figured it would cost the same if not more to go to the hospital bc we have to pay 80% of the bill. Then dh's hours got cut more and was on the verge on unemployment. If he did get laid off I would be on state insurance and pay nothing so the MW agreed that if that were to happen she would refund the money and we would go to the hospital. 1 week to go and things are looking good. I am still worried I will chicken out and want to go to the hospital for the epidural and then end up not saving money and having two bills.

 

[annanicole]

personally for me financial stability is every bit as important as a great birth. So yes, I would forgo the homebirth to have a hospital birth. The thing is, you don't have to go to the hospital until you're ready, and you know enough about your body and your labors to do what you need to do. But this is my humble opinion. hospitals and doctors only have the power over you that you give them....remember that. Good luck

 

[ShwarmaQueen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by annanicole So yes, I would forgo the homebirth to have a hospital birth.

I agree. Honestly, if this is the difference between you having EXTREME finanical hardship and not, I'd forgo the homebirth. It's not fair to you to have to birth somewhere you don't want, but it's also not fair to your family if they're having to sacrife needs (not wants) so that you can acheive it. An example of this would be like, not being able to pay the electricity bill.

I would ask your mw about bartering and payment options. Do you (or your DH) do any crafts or special services that she might could use?

No one can make the decision for you though, I'd weigh the financial impact really thoroughly before deciding- that's a tough one.

 

[mamatoady]

well, this might work out, actually! We are moving downstate to be with family and I found a CNM who only does homebirths--so at the very least our insurance may pay for prenatal care and post partum. Thank you all for your thoughts on this matter--I'll still have to weigh my options if my insurance won't pay anything.

Sarah

 

[OneLove]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RachaelsMommy Don't forget that as soon as your baby is born, he's a patient, so make sure you're taking that into consideration when you're adding what your OOP costs will be. If I was in the situation, I'd go through with the hb. There are somethings you can't put a price on. This is coming from a totally frugal person. You have to ask yourself what you will regret more in 10 years: having the birth you want or (possibly) saving some money.

This idea of the baby being in the hospital's care is what drives me to oop for a homebirth. I am making a last minute decision on this myself. I hate the thought of being forced to do the vit. K and eye goop, or having to stay in the hospital myself 24 hrs so they can do the heal test. I also don't like worrying about how they will treat him as he is birthed, and just after... (he doesn't need a bath! etc...)

Andee (edd #3 June 3)