VBAC Homebirth?

ChristinaDawn

We're considering having a VBAC homebirth.  We both would really like to, our issue is there aren't many services in our area that aid in this effort.  By not many, I mean I've found one and their service area is 45 minutes away so I'm not even sure if they're really an option or not.  I haven't contacted them yet mostly because I'm scared they'll say no and I'll have to totally let go of this thought. 

Additionally, the hospital that we are currently planning on delivering at (which I also work at) is only 20 minutes away so should anything go wrong, I wouldn't be far from help.

For anyone who has done this or is looking into this, what do I need to do?  Obviously find someone willing to oversee labor and delivery first and foremost, but what else?  If we decide to do this, do I tell them that this is my plan at my prenatal appointments at the hospital?  Will I still be able to bring baby to my current hospital for post-natal care?  I'm just starting to really look into this to see if it's an option or not.

*LrCg*

My first birth was a homebirth, my second a c-section (90% placenta abruption during my third trimester) and now for this one I will have a homebirth VBAC.  I'm very supportive of VBACs so I have no concerns about it and of course I'm pro-homebirth.  My CNM is 1 hour away from me (I'm right at the end of her cut off) and there was never an issue of her making it to my first birth.  I did have a very fast birth- 4 hours but I kept in contact with her.  She also has a policy of call when you want me vs. when you are at a certain point.  She did say when I was pregnant with my 2nd to call her much earlier because she wants to be there earlier since it would probably be a shorter birth. 

For the CNM we used she did all my prenatal appointments, was there at the homebirth and did all the post-natal care treatment with me and baby.  She came back within 24 hours of the birth and then again a week later to look over the baby.  Our pedi was fine with this and did not require us to bring our baby in.  Although our CNM performs homebirths and works from her birth center she is highly respected and works well along with doctors.  If you are interested you should interview some midwives and you may also want to check with what your insurance covers.  My insurance covers homebirths but only with a CNM not a CPM.

nosoup4u

My sister had an HBAC with a traveling MW, they paid for her airfare and fee, but it wasn't much more than a local MW. She went to regular pre-natal appointments with hospital-based CNMs, but didn't tell them about her plans. She had weekly phone calls with the traveling MW for most of her pregnancy.

cchill01

Like PPs have indicated, you need to look at the laws of your state and the rules of your insurance.  My ICAN chapter was pretty gung ho about homebirths, so that would be a good resource.  There were women at the meeting I attended who did the "bait and switch" on a doctor/hospital midwife, so that their regular appointments would be covered.  Others talked about the hospital transfer process (if you need to go) and which hospitals would allow a homebirth midwife to even come into L&D.  Seemed like a lot of work to me.

But, my guess is that you will find that 45 minutes is nothing for a midwife to travel. So, give her a call and she may be able to answer the above questions.  

ChristinaDawn

Thank you ladies so much for the info.  I work at the hospital we go to and the insurance is through the hospital so I don't believe they cover homebirth but it is still definitely worth looking in to.  I just can't get out of my head that it's "irresponsible" to have a home birth VBAC and I don't feel this way towards any one else.  I just feel like if I go for it I'll be in that small percentage that some thing does go wrong and every one will think we're stupid for trying it.  It will also depend on how much it costs.  We're willing to pay more to have the experience we want.  My hospital stay last time including everything was only $250, I know it will likely cost more than that to have a CNM come for a homebirth so money will play a bit of a factor in this decision as well.  Both my DH and I just want to make sure we have the best experience possible because this is our second and last child.