[laurata]

It is looking very much like we will be moving very soon! I am currently 27 weeks pregnant, and have been plannig a UP/UC... It is very possible we will be staying in a furnished rental when I am term, and I'm not sure I'm willing to labor in a place with paper thin walls, have to answer nosey questions, risk 911 being called, etc. So I'm thinking of finding a birthing center. Problem is, I'm already in my third trimester! I have "records" of prenatal care (done by me), am I going to be able to find a midwife to take me on?<br><br>
Alternatively, if I decide to go to the hospitals, which ones are least likely to freak? Any that allow waterbirth? Any truely exceptional doctors that might be willing to take me on so late?<br><br>
I still hope for a UC, but at this point, WHO KNOWS what will happen for this birth! I don't even know where I'll be living/ when I'm moving/ if I'm moving! Eek!

 

[mamamilkers]

Honestly, I wouldn't worry too much about birthing in a rental. Two babies have been born in my apartment and I know others who have birthed in apartments, as well. I think there's been quite a few threads about that on the homebirthing board and people don't seem to have any problems <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/thumb.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="thumbs up">

 

[Aufilia]

Ugh, I can see not feeling comfortable in a rental. Rentals drove me nuts that way -- I never, ever felt like I had true privacy in an apartment. Of course some are better than others -- I hope you can find a good place for you.<br><br>
I don't yet have much birthing center experience (yet!) but as far as hospitals, if you go to a hospital I would recommend Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland. They don't have waterbirth tubs but other than that I had a spectacular natural birth experience there. Evergreen is a certified "Baby Friendly" hospital (I beklieve they were the first in the country) and IME were natural-birth friendly, too (ie, don't require IVs, don't require continuous fetal monitoring, nurses were respectful, veeeeery pro BFing, your first post-natal appointment is schedule with an RN/LC). The lack of a waterbirth pool really WAS my only gripe with Evergreen. I saw the midwives at the Center for Women's Health, who deliver there.

 

[lisalulu]

I don't know how midwives or hospitals would react necessarily but I had a good hospital birth at Group Health. They were really supportive of natural childbirth-I was a birth center transfer and got one of their midwives. I don't think any of the local hospitals allow waterbirth. Oh and group health has terrible tubs-I would recommend renting one.<br><br>
If you don't want to do a homebirth in a rental but don't want a hospital there are a few birth centers around too. Although, we just had a homebirth and with all the noise I made, I didn't even wake up my son who isn't that great of a sleeper-your neighbors might not even hear you.

 

[ErinBird]

I had a UP/UC in 2006 in a rental in Seattle. Things have their way of working out<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><br><br>
My apartment had a central "area" that shared no walls with neighbors. I also birthed in the middle of the night (4:40am), so my hardest labor occurred when it was coolest outside and we didn't need the windows open. If you want a UC, and you end up living someplace you feel you can't birth, maybe a hotel room could work?

 

[DahliaRW]

If you want to do a birthcenter, I know many women who have had a fabulous experinence at Puget Sound Birth Center (kirkland) and there are many midwives in the area who have priviledges there. I can't imagine a midwife not taking you on just because you have no previous prenatal care.

 

[laurata]

Thanks ladies! I am going to check out Evergreen Hospital and the birth center in Kirkland when I am there next week or the week after. We should know w/i 3 weeks if this move is a go! I am so excited and scared.

 

[Bellejar]

Yeah, I have had two births at evergreen and am going for a third soon. I see the CNM group there. They are pretty laid back. Also i have heard raves about puget sound birth center. Good luck!

 

[Azryel]

There's a fair amount of discussion about local hospitals, birth centers, and midwives that you might find useful on this thread:<br><br><a href="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=828507" target="_blank">http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=828507</a><br><br>
Good luck with your move!<br><br>
* Jaime

 

[krafty_mama]

I would reccommend the Puget Sound Birth Center (many Liscensed Midwives in the area have priviledges there).<br><br>
There are two other birth centers in the area as well: Eastside Birth Center in Bellevue (a private birth center which is very nice). And the Seattle Home Maternity Birth Center in Columbia City (a neighborhood in Seattle).<br><br>
If you are interested in a hospital I think Group Health is your best option. They have a birth center there staffed with midwives. You can use non-Group Health Insurance for birthing there. You just have to call and see if they take your particular plan.<br><br>
Good Luck!

 

[zebedee's momma]

Hey mamas, what it UP/UC? I am so confused.. Puget sound birth center is great but if you want a home birth i'd say don't let a rental stop you. Who cares about what neighbors think this is your birth! Hope it's a beautiful one whatever you choose!

 

[danotoyou2]

If you're going to be outside of town, I've heard great things about Enumclaw hospital (I was born there, too! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"> )<br><br>
If I were you, I'd pop into a local clinic to get some official prenatal care. Then when you move you can transfer the paperwork and they'll have less hassle... maybe. But since it's so late, you probably will be hassled regardless.

 

[zebedee's momma]

unassisted pregnancy unassisted childbirth? And why would one want to do that? Not being judge mental just curious women have been assisted by others in childbirth all over the world for centuries. And why unassisted pregnancy? <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[laurata]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>zebedee's momma</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/10340206"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">unassisted pregnancy unassisted childbirth? And why would one want to do that? Not being judge mental just curious women have been assisted by others in childbirth all over the world for centuries. And why unassisted pregnancy? <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"></div>
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Well, there is lots on the web about both UP and UC, but we also have a forum on just those two topics here in MDC: <a href="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/forumdisplay.php?f=306" target="_blank">http://www.mothering.com/discussions...play.php?f=306</a> . I agree, women have been assisted in pregnancy all over the world for centuries, but many have also birthed peacefully and alone as well.

 

[eri_flores]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>zebedee's momma</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/10340206"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">unassisted pregnancy unassisted childbirth? And why would one want to do that? Not being judge mental just curious women have been assisted by others in childbirth all over the world for centuries. And why unassisted pregnancy? <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"></div>
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I think a lot of people currently take it to mean "not attended by an 'official' care provider" rather than "totally alone". Women may birth with a friend/partner/parent/doula present and supporting them and consider that UC. They just don't have a mw or doc with them.<br><br>
As far as UP, if we don't consider pregnancy an illness, then it isn't necessarily something that needs to be monitored by a professional. Many women have enough information to do all the monitoring they will need by themselves. It is , of course, a very personal decision.<br><br>
And laurata: all the best to you as you make this decision and transition! Trust yourself to know what's best wherever you find yourself. I recently homebirthed in a rental with paperthin walls and even though I was much louder than I expected to be (!) it felt ok. Hope everything goes well with your visit!

 

[zebedee's momma]

Fascinating! I'm going to read Unassisted childbirth to learn more. Thanks for the info.<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">