Has anyone here had a homebirth?

preglicious

Just curious to learn more about it from a personal point of view. I haven't made a birthplan yet but wondering if I need to have a hospital birth since I am not a high risk patient. Last appointment I asked ob-gyn if I were and she said you are not high risk.. you are considered "advanced maternal age" I wanted to punch her. LOL! So if I do decide to have a homebirth I will need recommendations of doula/midwife if you had any. Or talk me out of having one. I know I will feel safer knowing all the medical technology will be available just in case any complications arise. WDYT??

KristenBtobe

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think finding a midwife that will do a homebirth in Ohio is pretty tough. State licensing is such that many midwives just plain don't do them here.

kel716

It's not something that I would do, but I don't want to talk you out of it.  A friend of mine's mom delivered all 3 of her kids at home. 

Anyway, you don't *have* to have a birth plan either- mine was simple- bring me a happy and healthy baby, and give me my epidural when I'm ready for it.  Other than that, I didn't worry about it.  But again, this is me and not you.  I wish you all the luck in making your decision. 

curlypie1

I have not had a homebirth, but I was one. My mother's experience is probably not the norm, but she had a midwife lined up to deliver me but I arrived so quickly, an EMT driver with the help of my Dad had to deliver me. I'm personally not interested in a home birth for many reasons, but I know women do it all the time. Good luck with your decision!

Meg41208

KristenBtobe:

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think finding a midwife that will do a homebirth in Ohio is pretty tough. State licensing is such that many midwives just plain don't do them here.

I've heard this too - that it's more or less illegal to have a planned homebirth in Ohio. 

preglicious

Just wondering something that giving birth is something people have been doing for ages, I should be able to give birth on my own at home. Why is it illegal? But I am also a bio major so I definitely can appreciate the sterile environment of the hospital and the convenience of modern technology. Oh but if homebirth is illegal in Ohio, forget it. I would rather not go to jail! I guess I won't make a birthplan then. Seems like even when someone has one things don't go accordingly anyway.

KristenBtobe

I think having a broad birth plan is good. Mine was simple. I want to labor on my own, no pitocin or other measures unless absolutely necessary. If I ask for an epidural, give me one. I want to hold the baby right away if possible. No one wants to cut the cord, so don't ask. I want to nurse right away.

JenRose05

I have a birth plan with my midwife but am fully aware of how the whole thing can be thrown out the window I just feel comfortable having my midwife know everything that I "hope" to have done instead of trying to relay the fact during labor. There were a few things we went over that I wasn't happy about with my first birth (that would've been avoided if my old OB and I would've had better communication) and FWIW at least I feel comfortable going in to it all. I myself would prefer a hospital birth due to the amount of staff and sterility but I'm hoping to do the labor part as long as I can at home. It does help to talk to your OB or midwife about they way they do things just so you can be prepared

arozumovich

I would not have a home birth personally. My Dr and I thought my daughter was positioned correctly, so they induced me, come to find out she had her head turned sideways and never dropped into the birth canal! YEAH! I was not expecting a C-Section, but I was glad to be at the hospital with the medical staff's help. As for the birth plan, mine went out the window, but its nice to know what you don't want, rather than telling everyone what you do want! You'll figure out how you would like things to go as your pregnancy progresses, by the end you just want that baby out!!! Tee Hee!

Moesten

Having a home birth in Ohio is not illegal per se, midwives risk their license if they attend a home birth in Ohio. You would not get in trouble at all for choosing to have a baby at home. The police aren't going to come and throw you in jail for giving birth at home. But sometimes your insurance might have an issue covering things arising from a planned home birth.

If you want a home birth-like experience there is a birthing center in Dayton (Family Beginnings? Someone correct me on the name here) that might be worth looking into.

BTW, there is a Yahoo group of midwives that will do home births in Ohio. You can join that group to get more information.   

MrsMoher

kel716:

Anyway, you don't *have* to have a birth plan either- mine was simple- bring me a happy and healthy baby, and give me my epidural when I'm ready for it.  Other than that, I didn't worry about it. 

Kel - We had the same birth plan.  LOL!  I would prefer a birth at a hospital.  Eli's cord got clipped due to large shoulders and having to force one shoulder out before the other and he stopped breathing.  I was so happy to have about 25 docs in my room in 2 secs.... I might have lost my little one had I been at home!  Although I was higher risk due to hbp.

Lucky_N_Love

I would also post this over on the Attachment Parenting board even if you think it may not be your style. They are very helpful and many of them have had home births. I have not but know many people who have. I wanted to deliver in a birthing center and had a pretty specific birth plan which I can email you if you want. Plans changed and I ended up with an Emergency C Section. I don't think there is anything wrong with a home birth just not for me. I thought a Birthing Center was the perfect combination for me.

brittanyandcj

my friend is a doula and did a water birth at home. if you want info, feel free to e-mail me and i'll give you her info.

 

lovejuliet8579 at yahoo dot com

Superchicy

I think you already got a lot of good advice.  I do highly recommend going in with an open mind though.  I planned on a drug-free waterbirth at the Family Beginnings birthing center.  My doula was on board and we were set to go.  Once I went into labor, my BP shot up, landed me in the regular birthing unit, then after 28 hr of labor ended up with a c-section, only to find out during the c-section that I was screwed from the start and would never have been able (or will ever be able to) to give birth naturally.  I managed 24 hr drug free, but from that point on had everything but the kitchen sink.  This is also what worried me about a home birth, that even the most well-laid out plan and being "low risk" does not guarantee a safe and easy birth.   The AP board though will probably have a lot of resources for you like pp mentioned, and having some type of medical practitioner there will help you along the way if you do run into obstacles or issues.    GL with your decision!

Traycee1242

preglicious:

Just wondering something that giving birth is something people have been doing for ages, I should be able to give birth on my own at home. Why is it illegal? But I am also a bio major so I definitely can appreciate the sterile environment of the hospital and the convenience of modern technology. Oh but if homebirth is illegal in Ohio, forget it. I would rather not go to jail! I guess I won't make a birthplan then. Seems like even when someone has one things don't go accordingly anyway.

Giving birth is something that women have been doing for ages.... but the infant mortality rate and mothers dying in labor used to be 100x higher than it is now thanks to modern medicine.

If it is something you are interested in, I suggest doing a lot of research. You will need to be much more prepared then if you were doing a hospital birth.

GL

Superchicy

Exactly what Traycee said.  Yes, women have done it for thousands of years, and women and babies have died during birth.  It can be done, but you do need to really do your research, and just like I posted, I was all set for a totally natural birth in a birthing center, and it all got shot to hell even with the a good plan, lots of research, classes, a doula, a birthing center that does nothing but natural births...       I too an a Biology major, but I also know that there are inherent dangers and it is not a decision to be made lightly.  Do your research, see if it's for you, and make sure you have someone like a doula there with you who can help you should you end up needing it.  I would have a doula again in a heartbeat even if I was in a hospital though, so I would rec a doula even if you choose not to have a home birth.