Natural Birth
mrskimmell
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HOME BIRTH?
mrskimmell
member
How many of you ladies have done home birth? What was your experience? Did you enjoy it? Those who have more than one child, did you try a home birth and a hospital or birthing center birth? Which did you find the most comfortable and productive, or which would you do again given the chance?
Endometriosis Confirmed
2 Large "Chocolate Cyst" Found
Both Ovaries
Post op as of 10-02-14 BFN
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Re: HOME BIRTH?
I had only a few complaints about the hospital birth experience, but definitely preferred the homebirth for several reasons.
I liked not having to travel; I think knowing that I was already at my place of birthing helped things progress quickly. It was also very nice to just be tucked into my own bed afterwards and not have to be woken multiple times in the night by nurses checking this and that.
It was easier with my older daughter--we didn't have to find someone to watch her in the night when I was giving birth, she just slept on upstairs. We had arranged for someone to take her out the next day in case I was still in labor then and needed to focus.
I also preferred the continuity of care available with a homebirth. By that I mean that I had a much much higher chance of having the midwife present at my birth be the same person I'd gotten to know at all my prenatals. I think that personal connection is important and safer, since they might be able to spot problems more readily knowing you and what you are ilke. With the hospital birth I got whichever midwife was on call and to this day I wouldn't be able to pick her out from a lineup. That said, you can probably find hospital midwife practices that are smaller than the one I went to where you can meet them all and have a higher chance of that continuity of care. I've also heard that family practice doctors (not OBs) who do births can be really good this way, they'll be the one to come in to the hospital and attend your birth.
The after-birth care was also better with a homebirth--they did several home visits in the days following the birth, vs. the hospital where you go home and then there's nothing until a 6-week follow-up appointment unless you encounter problems and have to seek out follow up care (and go to them).
My husband was unsure about homebirth until we met with some midwives and he got his concerns addressed. Now he loves it and would definitely do it that way again. I would too.
#2 was a hospital birth - natural
#3 was a homebirth/waterbirth
#4 was an unassisted HB/waterbirth (not planned unassisted, it just happened so quickly that my MWs didn't make it in time)
I much prefer the homebirths. My reasons are mainly because I am a control freak and didn't like giving over the control at the hospital. Also, recovery is much better at home. I got zero rest following the births at the hospital, but at home I was comfy in my own PJs/bed with people bringing me home-cooked food. I could snuggle with my other children, versus being in the hospital with #2 and not being able to see my oldest following the birth. I love that with a HB my babies never left my side and I was present for every procedure or check-up, because it happened in bed right next to me.
The care I got with my HB MWs was far superior to that of my hospital-based MWs with the first two. Much more thorough and holistic. I felt like they cared for me not only physically, but also spiritually and emotionally, which is equally important to me during this process.
If I ever have a fifth, I will be planning another HB. I would never want to do it unassisted again, because that was a little scary, but there is nothing like a planned HB!
I received good prenatal care. They listened to my dramas and gave sound medical advice. They respected our wishes for the birth.
I labored from 12am to 11am. It was hard at first because I didn't know how to relax through the contractions. I was seizing up and not breathing. My midwife got there about 5am, checked me and i was at six cm. she helped me to breath and vocalize to try and relax. I ended up singing through contractions! At about 11am, I asked to be checked for a second time. Baby was almost crowning. My MW wanted me to pee before pushing but I couldn't, so they helped me back to the bed and we all got me into a good pushing position. I tried to push slowly and many times to slowly stretch out but I was jut over it. I pushed hard on the next contraction. Baby came flying out in 4-6 pushes at 11:28. DH was not allowed to catch bc MW ha a concern about shoulder dystocia (it did not happen but I understood and appreciated her concern). DD was put on my chest with a towel to nurse and have akin to skin and my bottom was assessed. When DD was done nursing she was given her examination.
The MW cleaned everything up after and threw together a snack for me. They went out to get some breakfast and sutures and when they came back I was stitched up and given instructions about monitoring baby's temp.
Postpartum care was good too.
We paid out of pocket and saved so much money birthing at home vs the hospital.
Alinall I had a great experience and will be planning a homebirth for our next.
#2 home
Future: home!
I loved our home birth!
ALL of these just confirmed how I feel I had pretty much made up my mind but every one kept telling me "You will be in too much pain" what if something happens or goes wrong" But I keep feeling like we have been having babies before doc and hospitals it's a very natural prosess right?