Random ?: Home birth

I just saw that a couple we are friendly with had their newest addition at home recently.

I've only given birth once, wanted to go completely drug free, but begged for the epidural as soon as I got to the hospital. DS ended up coming super quick too, so I probably could've sucked it up.

This is such an amazing thing in my eyes. Has anyone ever done this/considering if you are expecting?

(Please don't move to pregnancy btw).

Random ?: Home birth

I think it can be a wonderful experience but what happens if a complication arises and you have to wait to be rushed to the hospital instead of just already being monitored. That's the only thing that bothers me about home births. Otherwise, I think they are beautiful. I actually really wanted to do a water birth. Which a lot of friends looked at me like I was nuts... But my hospital didn't have it so I didn't persue that idea.

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Re: Random ?: Home birth

Message edited 9/22/2012 2:41:25 PM.

Re: Random ?: Home birth

I know someone who had 3 home births after delivering once in a hospital & once at a birthing center (NJ). The dad was telling me how strange it was that he had to file paperwork to get birth certificates at the town. For the time in the hospital, she had to be brought in from the birthing center due to complications.

It was never a consideration for me. I did opt to deliver twice without an epidural or any medication. It wasn't something I wanted. Plus having seen how messy birth was when my sister delivered, I'd rather have that in a hospital where someone else is doing laundry.

I think it's great if people are that confident of their medical situations but I want an entire team of doctors at my disposal if necessary.

Message edited 9/22/2012 1:34:58 PM.

Re: Random ?: Home birth

I probably would not be here typing this either if I had decided to give birth to DC #1 at home.

I liked the comfort of knowing an entire team of trained medical personnel was at my disposal if the need should arise... and it did.

Random ?: Home birth

I would love to have home birth, its very safe if you are low risk and it's so wonderful to be in your own space feeling comfortable and happy. Most midwives are trained to deal with any situation and they' also know when it's time to get you to a hospital if need be. Where I live it's quite a popular birth method and we have a lot of choices for our births. I went to visit a friend a few days after she had a home birth in a water pool and she very proudly showed me a large rusty water stain on her ceiling...that, she proudly told me, was where her partner dropped a bucket of water when emptying out the birthing pool. Lol and gross!

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To each his own, but we are expecting in February and this is something I would not consider for myself at all. I would never want to take the risk that if God forbid there is a complication, we are not at a hospital.

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I was as low risk as low risk gets with both my pregnancies. With that said, both of my children wouldn't be here, or could have been severely brain damaged if I gave birth outside of a hospital. We had no idea until the actual moments of birth--and not until several hours in and the kids were being born. Even with what happened with my first, I was very low risk with my second and had no complications until she was born

So, to each her own. I am glad I never entertained the thought of anything but a hospital birth. Best of luck to you with what you choose, but just know there isn't always prior knowledge of a problem and even a hospital close by might still be too far.

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My 2nd was born at home. Best experience ever. Best decision I ever made

I had no risk or medical history, I trusted my own body and the birthing process, I trusted my Midwife.

Message edited 9/22/2012 4:33:08 PM.

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My SIL just had a home water birth and it was VERY relaxing. It wasn't covered by insurance but the service that she used included ultra sounds at home by midwives.

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I love the idea of a home birth.

Realistically though, I don't think it is for us. I have miscarried 2x, I think I will be very anxious throughout my pregnancy, I won't want to take ANY chances.

Random ?: Home birth

Last year I had the honor of being my sisters birth partner for her home water birth. It was the most amazing experience of my life, and that's including the births of my own children. If we were having more kids, I would absolutely be having a home birth.

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I was going to with my 2nd child because i wanted to VBAC ( vaginal birth after c-section) and most OBs and hospitals dont allow it . There are only a few homebirth midwives in Long Island, throw in a VBAC- i only found 1 willing but my insurance didnt cover it and she wanted 7 grand up front I ended up with some horrible midwife who only works out of hospitals that my insurances covered- i got strapped down to a bed for 23 hours and neglected causing a failed VBAC Im 12 weeks pregnant now and planning for another VBAC with the help of a rare awesome open minded OB but it will have to be in a hospital. I dont mind hospitals but I am pretty bummed that i cant have the water birth i want

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Message edited 9/22/2012 10:44:56 PM.

Re: Random ?: Home birth

I may totally get flamed for this.. but it is my honest opinion..

As moms-to-be our number one priority should be the health and well being of our babies. That being said, I think if you chose a home birth over a hospital birth you are putting your own needs ahead of your childs.

God forbid there is an unforeseen complication and something happened to my baby (and it DOES happen).. I could NEVER forgive myself. Just because I didn't want to give birth in a hospital? It's definitely not a risk I would ever be willing to take.

But to each his own I guess.

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I had two of my children at home., It was absolutely magical, I had no complications and neither did my kids. My midwife was extremely professional and well trained, they need LOTS of training to be a CNM.

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I have met people who did it & my cousin's wife, who I have actually never met, did. Her views on a lot of things, as told via family, have inspired me. She has also done attachment parenting, no TV at all, etc. I think that with a mid-wife it is safer than lot of people give it credit for. That said, I had to have a planned c-section due to a prior surgery for fibroids and endometriosis. Not only was a home birth not for me but I feel that some of the more natural types have judged me for agreeing in advance to the C-section. That part I do not like. I got several opinions and I read a lot.

Random ?: Home birth

I know 2 couples that have done this and there were serious complications. Not something I would risk.

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I think it's great. More power to anyone who can do it! I used a midwife but, at NUMC. I planned a waterbirth but wound up with pre-e and they wouldn't allow it.

I happen to have a very small home and I am not sure it wouldn't feel very crowded with a home birth. I will use a midwife again next time and try for the water birth again.

As to the person who suggested that anyone who does a home birth is putting her own needs before her child.. that is really nasty to say. You should look up some of the benifits of a natural childbirth and home both to the child. It is a very calm experience. It might not be for YOU and that is fine. But, you should do some research on the effects of hospital births on babies. There is a reason why the U.S. is very high in infant mortality when compared with other countries who favor more natuaral births. There is a reason why NY has a c-section rate of over 50% (50% of birth do not end in an emergency. So that means that doctors in hospitals are jumping to sections much quicker. sections are not the best choice for a mom or baby UNLESS the lives are at risk.) Are there emergencies? Yes. But, no one is suggesting that these women go out into the woods, 3 hours away from a hospital to birth thier babies.

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My sister had one natural delivery and one c-section, both in hospitals.

Her third child was delivered at home. Although she intended a water birth she ended up delivering him on the bathroom floor :)

Random ?: Home birth

Not for me. I can imagine it being a wonderful experience, but my DS had the cord around his next and his heart rate plummeted as he descended. I delivered naturally, but they were prepping the OR at the same time. I didn't know how dire of a situation it was until DH told me a few weeks later. And I had a fairly non-eventful pregnancy.

Message edited 9/23/2012 1:02:44 PM.