I had my first child at home after a quick 7hr labor back in April. I had an awesome water birth with a wonderful midwife,and my partner and I are thinking about trying for baby #2 in June. After some thought I'm considering a hospital birth for the next baby. My labor was very quick with the first,I was literally pushing within 30min of my midwifes arrival. She lives 1+ hrs away,and that makes me nervous for my next labor. Additionally I feel like since having my daughter I've become a bit of a worry wart and I'm concerned I won't be as relaxed during my pregnancy/labor with baby #2,im already worried and I'm months out from TTC. Am I crazy for wanting to try a hospital birth even though I had an awesome home birth previously ???
Re: Home birther considering hospital
B born 7/15/13, C born 3/2/15, #3 on the way May '17
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As long as you're happy with your choice, I don't think anything else matters.
I think that hospital staffs are more apt to respect the wishes and trust the voice of a woman who has given birth before. The woman across the hall having her third unmedicated was spoken of with great respect by the same nurses who didn't even trust me to go poop because I might accidentally give birth to the baby since it was my first. I went into my birth very well-researched, very articulate, and with a doula but it still was not a fit for me. For me, after doing hospital then out for the second I can't imagine ever going back (even despite paying considerably more to birth at home). The model is so different in prenatal care, birth, and post-partum care, so just think through your desires for pre and post as well at the birth. For example, how will prenatal care vary? Will it be easy to accommodate your child at appointments (if that is a goal for you)? Some other details outside of birth wishes vs. hospital policy on things like a hep lock or monitoring, will nurses come to your room and massage your uterus, even if you are trying to sleep? What about other lab work/ Do they come at all hours? Can you keep baby in bed with you (if desired)? Will older sib be able to visit (think about seasonal flu restrictions, too)? If you have special wishes for your placenta, can the hospital honor them? Will they be high-pressure for a bath for baby or separation for any reason? If you decline, will you still get respectful care? Will you need to take your baby for the newborn check-ups in a doctor's office with sick people in the waiting room vs. a non-sick environment with a midwife?
Those were the details that surprised me about a hospital birth--that is was more than just the delivery rules (which weren't up my alley anyway). Again, I think that some L&D people talk to fist time moms like they are clueless and so you'd have built-in credibility based on already having a child, but I just wanted to throw some other thoughts into the mix.
More Green For Less Green
Elizabeth 5yrs old Jane 3yrs old
The only thing I didn't like was AFTER the birth. It was one of those units that had separate delivery and recovery rooms. So just 45min after birth I got moved to a tiny, dark little room on the other side of the hospital. There was literally someone in and out of my room every hour or more. Just stupid stuff like hospital guest services and the photographer and things I just didn't care about. It made it impossible to sleep! I had to stay for the baby for 24hrs in order for it not to be AMA but literally hr 23 I was waiting at the door to go.
I had a doula and a new nurse who wasn't pushy and a CNM who was willing to let me do whatever. I think all of those things worked together to give me a great experience.
I had three hospital births and one birth center birth before having a homebirth. The hospitals were down the street but the birth center was about 30-40 minutes depending on traffic. The stress of being in labor/pain on the highway was a huge factor in choosing to finally have a homebirth with my fifth baby. It wasn't the only reason but it was a big reason.
You have to weigh the pros and cons of each birthing place and decide what is best for you. A birth center may provide the best of both worlds if you are still unsure.