For the longest time, I've wanted to give birth at a Birth Center or at home when the time came. Some of the reasons being: being more in control of my environment and what is done to me, having a Midwife who supports me before, during and after birth which an OB will not do, and I actually feel safer from infections because hospitals are where sick people go and are breeding grounds for infections. In some of my research though I came across information that indicates homebirth may not be as safe as I thought. There seem to be some instances where Midwives want to avoid transferring to the hospital at any cost--even if it's needed. That terrifies me. We have an appointment to talk with the local midwife group that delivers at home (the only one in town.) I currently have an OB and she was nice enough to suggest some questions I should be asking. I'm nervous that they will "fail" the questions and not earn my trust and I have to deliver in a hospital. I'm afraid of being cut, of being made to lie on my back the whole time, of being induced and ending up with an unnecessary C-section just so some doctor can go home because I took too long. My OB promised these things don't have to happen but even though I like her I have an inherent mistrust of doctors/the medical system. So anyway I was wondering what the ladies here think about homebirth. I have a feeling what the poll results will be, but let's see.
Would you give birth at home?
03/18/2013
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Yes...but we can't have them at our age.
03/18/2013
Any responsible midwife will be able to ascertain the real risks and know when something is out of her expertise when the time comes and things may not go according to plan. As you are in charge of your birthing experience, this means you have the right to fire the mid-wife if she does not jive with your wishes - which is why you need to ask those very important questions beforehand and make it clear what you expect in your birthing plan.
Myself, I'm not sure yet, as I'm going into the latter-half of my 30's and will end up having in vitro done, and I'm not sure what sort of risks will pop up (diabetes, high blood pressure, etc). I think I would prefer a birthing center, as hospitals are so impersonal about the whole thing: "Patient #19 is taking too long and I need to get to my tee time. Fire up the scalpels."
Myself, I'm not sure yet, as I'm going into the latter-half of my 30's and will end up having in vitro done, and I'm not sure what sort of risks will pop up (diabetes, high blood pressure, etc). I think I would prefer a birthing center, as hospitals are so impersonal about the whole thing: "Patient #19 is taking too long and I need to get to my tee time. Fire up the scalpels."
03/18/2013
Yes, I am a nurse and I would so have a home birth. It is not a medical condition. The hospital is a dirty nasty place.
03/18/2013
A lot of my friends and my clients have had home births, a few had to be transferred, when it was necessary. I never heard of a Certified Nurse Midwife refusing to transfer, at least not in our area. (I have known of one case where a lay midwife refused to transfer when the placenta didn't deliver after 2 hours, and she left. But, she wasn't experienced enough nor had the qualifications to be DOING births in the first place. The dad got the mom and the baby to the hospital and they removed the placenta manually, and they were OK. But, Dad had to take control and do what needed to be done. Mom was in no shape to be making any decisions at that point.)
As for delivery in a hospital. I've attended them and I had my kids in them. Even with a GOOD birth plan, the hospital is in charge. Even the best OBGYN is not going to be in the room most of the time, and protocol WILL be enforced, no matter what. Routine is more important to hospital personnel than a first time mother's birth plan UNLESS your OB enforces your birth plan to the letter and you have made accommodations for emergencies.
Birth plans should be gotten to your OB by the 30th week of pregnancy. That way, you can give her the 8 or so copies she needs. Who needs your plan? 1)L&D, 2)The OBGYN OR (they need to have it, just in case) 3) Recovery 4)The Floor Nurse where you will be transferred, 5) The Regular Nursery, 6) Special Care Nursery, 7)NICU, 8) The ER, just in case. PLUS one for your OB's office.
If your OB is used to enforcing Birth Plans and she gets your in time AND the hospital is willing to go along with it, (you always need to go over it with your OB, because some things (like eye drops for the baby) are law and can't be waived) Getting 8 departments to enforce a Birth Plan is difficult. I had my Plan enforced, by the Iron Will of my OB and myself, but it wa my 3rd kid. The first time, they didn't even look at it. DO NOT walk into the hospital in labor with your birth plan. It's too late then and nobody will have time to review it and protocol will be enforced.
If you want control (because YOU aren't going to be able to advocate for yourself while you are in labor, believe me) absolute control, and you have a low risk pregnancy, I'd go with a home birth with either a good Nurse Midwife or a doctor who does home deliveries.
Talk to your hospital and find out what their C Section rate is, if it's higher on weekends and on holidays, there's a problem. (and many hospitals don't even DO vaginal births on holidays and weekends, unless you come in 10 cm and the baby's head presenting) Good hospitals will work with you, but you have to get that Birth Plan to all the right people ASAP.
Good luck. If you are low risk, home birth is a great choice.
As for delivery in a hospital. I've attended them and I had my kids in them. Even with a GOOD birth plan, the hospital is in charge. Even the best OBGYN is not going to be in the room most of the time, and protocol WILL be enforced, no matter what. Routine is more important to hospital personnel than a first time mother's birth plan UNLESS your OB enforces your birth plan to the letter and you have made accommodations for emergencies.
Birth plans should be gotten to your OB by the 30th week of pregnancy. That way, you can give her the 8 or so copies she needs. Who needs your plan? 1)L&D, 2)The OBGYN OR (they need to have it, just in case) 3) Recovery 4)The Floor Nurse where you will be transferred, 5) The Regular Nursery, 6) Special Care Nursery, 7)NICU, 8) The ER, just in case. PLUS one for your OB's office.
If your OB is used to enforcing Birth Plans and she gets your in time AND the hospital is willing to go along with it, (you always need to go over it with your OB, because some things (like eye drops for the baby) are law and can't be waived) Getting 8 departments to enforce a Birth Plan is difficult. I had my Plan enforced, by the Iron Will of my OB and myself, but it wa my 3rd kid. The first time, they didn't even look at it. DO NOT walk into the hospital in labor with your birth plan. It's too late then and nobody will have time to review it and protocol will be enforced.
If you want control (because YOU aren't going to be able to advocate for yourself while you are in labor, believe me) absolute control, and you have a low risk pregnancy, I'd go with a home birth with either a good Nurse Midwife or a doctor who does home deliveries.
Talk to your hospital and find out what their C Section rate is, if it's higher on weekends and on holidays, there's a problem. (and many hospitals don't even DO vaginal births on holidays and weekends, unless you come in 10 cm and the baby's head presenting) Good hospitals will work with you, but you have to get that Birth Plan to all the right people ASAP.
Good luck. If you are low risk, home birth is a great choice.
03/18/2013
Quote:
Wow thanks for the information. That's very helpful!
Originally posted by
P'Gell
A lot of my friends and my clients have had home births, a few had to be transferred, when it was necessary. I never heard of a Certified Nurse Midwife refusing to transfer, at least not in our area. (I have known of one case where a lay midwife
...
more
A lot of my friends and my clients have had home births, a few had to be transferred, when it was necessary. I never heard of a Certified Nurse Midwife refusing to transfer, at least not in our area. (I have known of one case where a lay midwife refused to transfer when the placenta didn't deliver after 2 hours, and she left. But, she wasn't experienced enough nor had the qualifications to be DOING births in the first place. The dad got the mom and the baby to the hospital and they removed the placenta manually, and they were OK. But, Dad had to take control and do what needed to be done. Mom was in no shape to be making any decisions at that point.)
As for delivery in a hospital. I've attended them and I had my kids in them. Even with a GOOD birth plan, the hospital is in charge. Even the best OBGYN is not going to be in the room most of the time, and protocol WILL be enforced, no matter what. Routine is more important to hospital personnel than a first time mother's birth plan UNLESS your OB enforces your birth plan to the letter and you have made accommodations for emergencies.
Birth plans should be gotten to your OB by the 30th week of pregnancy. That way, you can give her the 8 or so copies she needs. Who needs your plan? 1)L&D, 2)The OBGYN OR (they need to have it, just in case) 3) Recovery 4)The Floor Nurse where you will be transferred, 5) The Regular Nursery, 6) Special Care Nursery, 7)NICU, 8) The ER, just in case. PLUS one for your OB's office.
If your OB is used to enforcing Birth Plans and she gets your in time AND the hospital is willing to go along with it, (you always need to go over it with your OB, because some things (like eye drops for the baby) are law and can't be waived) Getting 8 departments to enforce a Birth Plan is difficult. I had my Plan enforced, by the Iron Will of my OB and myself, but it wa my 3rd kid. The first time, they didn't even look at it. DO NOT walk into the hospital in labor with your birth plan. It's too late then and nobody will have time to review it and protocol will be enforced.
If you want control (because YOU aren't going to be able to advocate for yourself while you are in labor, believe me) absolute control, and you have a low risk pregnancy, I'd go with a home birth with either a good Nurse Midwife or a doctor who does home deliveries.
Talk to your hospital and find out what their C Section rate is, if it's higher on weekends and on holidays, there's a problem. (and many hospitals don't even DO vaginal births on holidays and weekends, unless you come in 10 cm and the baby's head presenting) Good hospitals will work with you, but you have to get that Birth Plan to all the right people ASAP.
Good luck. If you are low risk, home birth is a great choice. less
As for delivery in a hospital. I've attended them and I had my kids in them. Even with a GOOD birth plan, the hospital is in charge. Even the best OBGYN is not going to be in the room most of the time, and protocol WILL be enforced, no matter what. Routine is more important to hospital personnel than a first time mother's birth plan UNLESS your OB enforces your birth plan to the letter and you have made accommodations for emergencies.
Birth plans should be gotten to your OB by the 30th week of pregnancy. That way, you can give her the 8 or so copies she needs. Who needs your plan? 1)L&D, 2)The OBGYN OR (they need to have it, just in case) 3) Recovery 4)The Floor Nurse where you will be transferred, 5) The Regular Nursery, 6) Special Care Nursery, 7)NICU, 8) The ER, just in case. PLUS one for your OB's office.
If your OB is used to enforcing Birth Plans and she gets your in time AND the hospital is willing to go along with it, (you always need to go over it with your OB, because some things (like eye drops for the baby) are law and can't be waived) Getting 8 departments to enforce a Birth Plan is difficult. I had my Plan enforced, by the Iron Will of my OB and myself, but it wa my 3rd kid. The first time, they didn't even look at it. DO NOT walk into the hospital in labor with your birth plan. It's too late then and nobody will have time to review it and protocol will be enforced.
If you want control (because YOU aren't going to be able to advocate for yourself while you are in labor, believe me) absolute control, and you have a low risk pregnancy, I'd go with a home birth with either a good Nurse Midwife or a doctor who does home deliveries.
Talk to your hospital and find out what their C Section rate is, if it's higher on weekends and on holidays, there's a problem. (and many hospitals don't even DO vaginal births on holidays and weekends, unless you come in 10 cm and the baby's head presenting) Good hospitals will work with you, but you have to get that Birth Plan to all the right people ASAP.
Good luck. If you are low risk, home birth is a great choice. less
03/18/2013
Quote:
You are welcome.
Originally posted by
Taylor
Wow thanks for the information. That's very helpful!
One more thing, make sure you don't walk into the hospital holding your birth plan. You can have your own copy, but they won't enforce it unless it is ON FILE at the hospital weeks before you deliver. Birth Plans that come in and are handed to staff during labor, and Birth Plans that are more than 2 or so pages get thrown in the circular file. They need to be SHORT, to the point and sensible.
I've seen birth plans where women have put things like, "I will not consent to a C Section for any reason." Or, make demands (rather than requests) of the staff or really long plans and they simply cannot be enforced.
Plans need to be sensible, reasonable and workable. I would talk to a Birth Doula service (and IMO, get a Birth Doula) and have someone at the agency review and edit your plan. I'm a nurse, and I needed help with my second and third plans. I used a Doula Service for the help.
03/18/2013
Not all ob/gyns work through a hospital. Many own their own clinics, which makes them small business owners who must listen to their customers and make changes that the customers want. It's not really a thing I've thought about extensively, though, now I'm curious to do more research!
03/18/2013
Here's a copy of my last Birth Plan. I had to have a C Section, but the basics are there. It isn't a template for a vaginal birth, but they do have templates online or when you talk to a doula.
Birth Plan Requests for -----
EDD Nov 12 year
These are some requests I would like to have on file in my office and hospital charts for the birth of my baby in late October Early November.
Delivery
We are planning a surgical birth. I have some requests of the surgical delivery team.
1) I would like to request a Board Certified Anesthesiologist to insert and attend my epidural. I do not feel comfortable having a student or resident attempt this procedure and do not want to give permission for one to do so. Residents and students are welcome to observe in a hands-off manner.
2) Because of scarring from previous surgery to my urinary tract, I would like the epidural to take effect before a catheter is inserted into my bladder.
3) I would like to request antinausea medication during surgery. I am prone to severe nausea.
4) I do not give permission for the infant to be given any vaccination (Hep B or any other) in the delivery room or at any time during our hospitalization. A vitamin K shot will be authorized by myself if needed. A PKU test may be given, without our written consent.
5) I request prophylactic antibiotic eye drops not be given to the infant for at least the first hour after birth, to facilitate eye contact and bonding. After that hour, we consent to legally necessary eye drops.
Recovery
1) If infant is stable and healthy my husband and I request at least 90 minutes alone with him/her immediately after delivery.
2) I would like PCA or oral pain medication started as soon after delivery as possible. I do not feel comfortable having the epidural continued for any period of time after surgery.
3) If I am stable and able I would like to place infant on my breast in the recovery room. If I am conscious after delivery and infant is capable of sucking I will not authorize artificial nipples, bottle, formula, water, glucose water or pacifiers at any time.
4) If I am not conscious after delivery, I request my infant be fed my cup until I am able to breastfeed.
On the Floor, Postpartum
1) We request strongly infant will not be given any artificial nipples, pacifiers, bottles, formula, water, glucose water ect. without my written consent. If infant is not able to breastfeed after birth we request child be fed with cup until breastfeeding is possible.
2) Because of intractable migraine and difficulty sleeping, I would like to request a private room.
3) If both infant and I are stable I would like modified rooming in with infant.
4) I would like to request that the urinary catheter be removed as soon as I am mobile. After my last sections the catheter was removed several hours after surgery.
5)We do not give consent for any vaccine for infant. (Hep B or other)
6) If infant is male, we will not be circumcising.
Thank you,
Our names
We got everything I wanted except the private room. The hospital was slammed and I had to share a room. I also never got to get my morphine via PCA, because we took out the IV when it started to back up a few hours after the birth. But, I did get everything else, and my daughter's birth was beautiful!
My OB called every department to make sure they had my plan read and followed. He checked in every day to make sure they were doing what they were supposed to do. It was a good birth and we were very grateful.
Birth Plan Requests for -----
EDD Nov 12 year
These are some requests I would like to have on file in my office and hospital charts for the birth of my baby in late October Early November.
Delivery
We are planning a surgical birth. I have some requests of the surgical delivery team.
1) I would like to request a Board Certified Anesthesiologist to insert and attend my epidural. I do not feel comfortable having a student or resident attempt this procedure and do not want to give permission for one to do so. Residents and students are welcome to observe in a hands-off manner.
2) Because of scarring from previous surgery to my urinary tract, I would like the epidural to take effect before a catheter is inserted into my bladder.
3) I would like to request antinausea medication during surgery. I am prone to severe nausea.
4) I do not give permission for the infant to be given any vaccination (Hep B or any other) in the delivery room or at any time during our hospitalization. A vitamin K shot will be authorized by myself if needed. A PKU test may be given, without our written consent.
5) I request prophylactic antibiotic eye drops not be given to the infant for at least the first hour after birth, to facilitate eye contact and bonding. After that hour, we consent to legally necessary eye drops.
Recovery
1) If infant is stable and healthy my husband and I request at least 90 minutes alone with him/her immediately after delivery.
2) I would like PCA or oral pain medication started as soon after delivery as possible. I do not feel comfortable having the epidural continued for any period of time after surgery.
3) If I am stable and able I would like to place infant on my breast in the recovery room. If I am conscious after delivery and infant is capable of sucking I will not authorize artificial nipples, bottle, formula, water, glucose water or pacifiers at any time.
4) If I am not conscious after delivery, I request my infant be fed my cup until I am able to breastfeed.
On the Floor, Postpartum
1) We request strongly infant will not be given any artificial nipples, pacifiers, bottles, formula, water, glucose water ect. without my written consent. If infant is not able to breastfeed after birth we request child be fed with cup until breastfeeding is possible.
2) Because of intractable migraine and difficulty sleeping, I would like to request a private room.
3) If both infant and I are stable I would like modified rooming in with infant.
4) I would like to request that the urinary catheter be removed as soon as I am mobile. After my last sections the catheter was removed several hours after surgery.
5)We do not give consent for any vaccine for infant. (Hep B or other)
6) If infant is male, we will not be circumcising.
Thank you,
Our names
We got everything I wanted except the private room. The hospital was slammed and I had to share a room. I also never got to get my morphine via PCA, because we took out the IV when it started to back up a few hours after the birth. But, I did get everything else, and my daughter's birth was beautiful!
My OB called every department to make sure they had my plan read and followed. He checked in every day to make sure they were doing what they were supposed to do. It was a good birth and we were very grateful.
03/18/2013
As long as I wasn't a high risk pregnancy and found a competent midwife, I would be okay with a homebirth. My partner doesn't seem as open to the idea, however.
03/18/2013
I had one with my youngest and LOVED it. I will never go back to having a hospital birth without a heck of a lot of reason. I could eat if I was hungry, walk around if I wanted to, I wasn't confined to a bed, wasn't medicated (and it hurt less than my first birth with an epidural), and when I gave birth, I got to go to sleep in my own freaking bed.
03/18/2013
Maybe. I'd need more info.
03/18/2013
Quote:
Not to mention with a home birth, nobody takes or does anything to your baby! My greatest fear in having hospital births was that they were going to do things to my baby when they took them to the nursery. My first one got bottles (against my will) and got nipple confusion. I fought tooth and nail to keep my babies with me after that.
Originally posted by
SneakersAndPearls
I had one with my youngest and LOVED it. I will never go back to having a hospital birth without a heck of a lot of reason. I could eat if I was hungry, walk around if I wanted to, I wasn't confined to a bed, wasn't medicated (and it hurt
...
more
I had one with my youngest and LOVED it. I will never go back to having a hospital birth without a heck of a lot of reason. I could eat if I was hungry, walk around if I wanted to, I wasn't confined to a bed, wasn't medicated (and it hurt less than my first birth with an epidural), and when I gave birth, I got to go to sleep in my own freaking bed.
less
At home, you can go to sleep with your sweet baby in your arms and no one will bother either of you.
03/18/2013
Quote:
I loved it. I had PPD with the first after a hospital birth because the second he was born THEY TOOK HIM. I didn't see him for HOURS. When he came back they were like, "Oh, yeah, we gave him a bottle." No. Just no.
Originally posted by
P'Gell
Not to mention with a home birth, nobody takes or does anything to your baby! My greatest fear in having hospital births was that they were going to do things to my baby when they took them to the nursery. My first one got bottles (against my will)
...
more
Not to mention with a home birth, nobody takes or does anything to your baby! My greatest fear in having hospital births was that they were going to do things to my baby when they took them to the nursery. My first one got bottles (against my will) and got nipple confusion. I fought tooth and nail to keep my babies with me after that.
At home, you can go to sleep with your sweet baby in your arms and no one will bother either of you. less
At home, you can go to sleep with your sweet baby in your arms and no one will bother either of you. less
03/18/2013
Home birth is something I always wanted to do.
03/18/2013
Quote:
Plus, many midwives have a solid understanding of the way your diet and emotional health affect your physical health. This is often overlooked by OB's for some reason.
Originally posted by
P'Gell
Not to mention with a home birth, nobody takes or does anything to your baby! My greatest fear in having hospital births was that they were going to do things to my baby when they took them to the nursery. My first one got bottles (against my will)
...
more
Not to mention with a home birth, nobody takes or does anything to your baby! My greatest fear in having hospital births was that they were going to do things to my baby when they took them to the nursery. My first one got bottles (against my will) and got nipple confusion. I fought tooth and nail to keep my babies with me after that.
At home, you can go to sleep with your sweet baby in your arms and no one will bother either of you. less
At home, you can go to sleep with your sweet baby in your arms and no one will bother either of you. less
03/18/2013
Why not as long as there was a competent midwife.
03/18/2013
Quote:
I would rather have a doctor there if any complications should arise.
Originally posted by
bayosgirl
For the longest time, I've wanted to give birth at a Birth Center or at home when the time came. Some of the reasons being: being more in control of my environment and what is done to me, having a Midwife who supports me before, during and after
...
more
For the longest time, I've wanted to give birth at a Birth Center or at home when the time came. Some of the reasons being: being more in control of my environment and what is done to me, having a Midwife who supports me before, during and after birth which an OB will not do, and I actually feel safer from infections because hospitals are where sick people go and are breeding grounds for infections. In some of my research though I came across information that indicates homebirth may not be as safe as I thought. There seem to be some instances where Midwives want to avoid transferring to the hospital at any cost--even if it's needed. That terrifies me. We have an appointment to talk with the local midwife group that delivers at home (the only one in town.) I currently have an OB and she was nice enough to suggest some questions I should be asking. I'm nervous that they will "fail" the questions and not earn my trust and I have to deliver in a hospital. I'm afraid of being cut, of being made to lie on my back the whole time, of being induced and ending up with an unnecessary C-section just so some doctor can go home because I took too long. My OB promised these things don't have to happen but even though I like her I have an inherent mistrust of doctors/the medical system. So anyway I was wondering what the ladies here think about homebirth. I have a feeling what the poll results will be, but let's see.
less
03/18/2013
Quote:
Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately, NM's aren't licensed in Ohio, and I can't find any even with an out-of-state license. That's why I have a list of 10+ questions to ask the CPMs at the practice. Kind of nervous, but these responses are validating my instincts.
Originally posted by
P'Gell
A lot of my friends and my clients have had home births, a few had to be transferred, when it was necessary. I never heard of a Certified Nurse Midwife refusing to transfer, at least not in our area. (I have known of one case where a lay midwife
...
more
A lot of my friends and my clients have had home births, a few had to be transferred, when it was necessary. I never heard of a Certified Nurse Midwife refusing to transfer, at least not in our area. (I have known of one case where a lay midwife refused to transfer when the placenta didn't deliver after 2 hours, and she left. But, she wasn't experienced enough nor had the qualifications to be DOING births in the first place. The dad got the mom and the baby to the hospital and they removed the placenta manually, and they were OK. But, Dad had to take control and do what needed to be done. Mom was in no shape to be making any decisions at that point.)
As for delivery in a hospital. I've attended them and I had my kids in them. Even with a GOOD birth plan, the hospital is in charge. Even the best OBGYN is not going to be in the room most of the time, and protocol WILL be enforced, no matter what. Routine is more important to hospital personnel than a first time mother's birth plan UNLESS your OB enforces your birth plan to the letter and you have made accommodations for emergencies.
Birth plans should be gotten to your OB by the 30th week of pregnancy. That way, you can give her the 8 or so copies she needs. Who needs your plan? 1)L&D, 2)The OBGYN OR (they need to have it, just in case) 3) Recovery 4)The Floor Nurse where you will be transferred, 5) The Regular Nursery, 6) Special Care Nursery, 7)NICU, 8) The ER, just in case. PLUS one for your OB's office.
If your OB is used to enforcing Birth Plans and she gets your in time AND the hospital is willing to go along with it, (you always need to go over it with your OB, because some things (like eye drops for the baby) are law and can't be waived) Getting 8 departments to enforce a Birth Plan is difficult. I had my Plan enforced, by the Iron Will of my OB and myself, but it wa my 3rd kid. The first time, they didn't even look at it. DO NOT walk into the hospital in labor with your birth plan. It's too late then and nobody will have time to review it and protocol will be enforced.
If you want control (because YOU aren't going to be able to advocate for yourself while you are in labor, believe me) absolute control, and you have a low risk pregnancy, I'd go with a home birth with either a good Nurse Midwife or a doctor who does home deliveries.
Talk to your hospital and find out what their C Section rate is, if it's higher on weekends and on holidays, there's a problem. (and many hospitals don't even DO vaginal births on holidays and weekends, unless you come in 10 cm and the baby's head presenting) Good hospitals will work with you, but you have to get that Birth Plan to all the right people ASAP.
Good luck. If you are low risk, home birth is a great choice. less
As for delivery in a hospital. I've attended them and I had my kids in them. Even with a GOOD birth plan, the hospital is in charge. Even the best OBGYN is not going to be in the room most of the time, and protocol WILL be enforced, no matter what. Routine is more important to hospital personnel than a first time mother's birth plan UNLESS your OB enforces your birth plan to the letter and you have made accommodations for emergencies.
Birth plans should be gotten to your OB by the 30th week of pregnancy. That way, you can give her the 8 or so copies she needs. Who needs your plan? 1)L&D, 2)The OBGYN OR (they need to have it, just in case) 3) Recovery 4)The Floor Nurse where you will be transferred, 5) The Regular Nursery, 6) Special Care Nursery, 7)NICU, 8) The ER, just in case. PLUS one for your OB's office.
If your OB is used to enforcing Birth Plans and she gets your in time AND the hospital is willing to go along with it, (you always need to go over it with your OB, because some things (like eye drops for the baby) are law and can't be waived) Getting 8 departments to enforce a Birth Plan is difficult. I had my Plan enforced, by the Iron Will of my OB and myself, but it wa my 3rd kid. The first time, they didn't even look at it. DO NOT walk into the hospital in labor with your birth plan. It's too late then and nobody will have time to review it and protocol will be enforced.
If you want control (because YOU aren't going to be able to advocate for yourself while you are in labor, believe me) absolute control, and you have a low risk pregnancy, I'd go with a home birth with either a good Nurse Midwife or a doctor who does home deliveries.
Talk to your hospital and find out what their C Section rate is, if it's higher on weekends and on holidays, there's a problem. (and many hospitals don't even DO vaginal births on holidays and weekends, unless you come in 10 cm and the baby's head presenting) Good hospitals will work with you, but you have to get that Birth Plan to all the right people ASAP.
Good luck. If you are low risk, home birth is a great choice. less
03/18/2013
I am done having children and I did both mine in the hospital. The other stuff scares me more then hospital births.
03/18/2013
Quote:
WTF. Why give a baby a bottle if the mother is capable and wants to breastfeed?! Way to start a kid out in life..."here's your soy and sugar concoction little one!" Ugh!
Originally posted by
SneakersAndPearls
I loved it. I had PPD with the first after a hospital birth because the second he was born THEY TOOK HIM. I didn't see him for HOURS. When he came back they were like, "Oh, yeah, we gave him a bottle." No. Just no.
03/18/2013
I chose absolutely not, but I don't think that's it's necessarily unsafe. It's just not something that I would personally ever want to do.
03/18/2013
I would love to. I intended to with my first pregnancy, but we have one office with midwives here, and after doing an initial consultation with them I didn't feel comfortable with them over-seeing my pregnancy.
I ended up having premature rupture of membranes, and delivering my little one early, so I would have ended up having a hospital birth anyways. So I'm kind of glad not all my plans went out the window unexpectedly, and that I was already mentally prepared to deliver in hospital.
I'm not sure what I will do next time...I may still have a midwife, and a water birth, but at the hospital in the birthing center, instead of at home. The experience with DD came close to being an emergency situation, and in the end I wasn't able to deliver without help, so I was thankful for the equipment being there (and not having to get in a vehicle at 10 centimeters having back to back contractions!) It's still something I want, though. I'm just not sure if I will be able to not stress about it all enough to go through with it.
I ended up having premature rupture of membranes, and delivering my little one early, so I would have ended up having a hospital birth anyways. So I'm kind of glad not all my plans went out the window unexpectedly, and that I was already mentally prepared to deliver in hospital.
I'm not sure what I will do next time...I may still have a midwife, and a water birth, but at the hospital in the birthing center, instead of at home. The experience with DD came close to being an emergency situation, and in the end I wasn't able to deliver without help, so I was thankful for the equipment being there (and not having to get in a vehicle at 10 centimeters having back to back contractions!) It's still something I want, though. I'm just not sure if I will be able to not stress about it all enough to go through with it.
03/18/2013
I don't want kids. I have heart problems that would definitely pass on to them. I know what I went through and cannot knowingly put someone else through that pain.
03/18/2013
I really want to have a water birth. Not sure if I want it at home or not. I absolutely do not want the traditional rushed hospital birth though.
03/18/2013
no, too many things could go wrong. We wanted all the equipment around just in case.
03/18/2013
I birth at home. Our last two were home birthed. I've been in the hospital and have more stress there than at home. I also choose not to have a midwife present. Sometimes they can interfere and not in a good way. I lean more towards trusting my body and trusting birth (with a little extra added in for safe measure).
03/18/2013
Nope hospital would be the only way....
03/19/2013
Quote:
Wow! That's hard core. Would you mind sharing a little more of your birth stories?
Originally posted by
AmethystQueen
I birth at home. Our last two were home birthed. I've been in the hospital and have more stress there than at home. I also choose not to have a midwife present. Sometimes they can interfere and not in a good way. I lean more towards trusting my
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I birth at home. Our last two were home birthed. I've been in the hospital and have more stress there than at home. I also choose not to have a midwife present. Sometimes they can interfere and not in a good way. I lean more towards trusting my body and trusting birth (with a little extra added in for safe measure).
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03/19/2013
I chose the "other" option, because I while a home birth isn't something I'd ever want to do, I know it's a viable option for many women. I'm not going to condemn it for others, it's just not for me.
03/19/2013
Total posts: 41
Unique posters: 33
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