Do YOU think I am weird too?

Germanwife2b · June 2010

I am in OB nurse in a hosital and have been for almost 11 years. I've done L&D, NICU, post-partum and regular nursery (mostly post partum and regular nursery). I work in a really high-risk, inner city hospital and have seen many, many things in my years. Most people would say that I would be driven to birth in a hospital by what I've seen, but I chose a homebirth (to the shock of the doctors I work with).

In another note, I achieved pregnancy through IVF after 2 years of TTC. Most people say that people who use medical means of getting pg would never think to homebirth...but I did.

So do these combinations make me weird Stick out tongue I've had some choice comments directed at me on occasion! WDYT??

AshasaurusRex · June 2010

Not at all, it just seems that you know first hand that sometimes a hospital is not conducive to a natural labor and delivery. And just because you had your baby put in you by a Dr. doesn't mean he/she has to be removed by one;)

alybookgirl · June 2010

No way! I would think that you would want a home birth more because of all that you see in the hospital. One of the L&D nurses that taught our BFing class wants to start a natural birthing center in our town because she is so against all of the interventions that occur during THE MOST NATURAL EXPERIENCE!

*speedracer* · June 2010

i don't think it makes you weird, but i am wondering, do you think having a natural birth/homebirth has changed how you view/do your job at the hospital?

ErinMSB · June 2010

I noticed in a previous post that you mentioned you were an OB nurse. Do I think it's weird that you chose a HB? Not at all. I think it's very interesting though. Kind of like, "well, she's been doing this for so long and has seen so much and SHE chose a homebirth!"

Germanwife2b · June 2010

*speedracer*:
i don't think it makes you weird, but i am wondering, do you think having a natural birth/homebirth has changed how you view/do your job at the hospital?

Yes and no. I work with people and with clients who <generally> want a medicalized birth. It drives me nuts because that is not how I view birth. It was my L&D experience that confirmed my desire to have a homebirth (I've been interested in natural childbirth and homebirths since I was a teenager). I especially LOVE breastfeeding teaching and my extended BF views are definitely influenced by my personal experience. But honestly, I follow procedures and protocols that don't always jive because "that's the way we do things". Unless a parent declines our procedures or protocols, it is just what we do (babies still go into the nursery for the assessment for example). Parents have to go out of their way to request something different and ask for it and sometimes write it down and deal with people who think "those" natural parents are so clueless. I personally embrace those patients. I love when a midwife delivers a patient at our hospital and the patient chose them specificaly for their speicialty because their goal is a natural childbirth. They are my favorites!! but for me, I just knew that you had to go through extra "hoops" in a hospital (especially the ones in my area) to get the birth you wanted and frankly, a homebirth required no "hoops". My birth plan read : "Please do not announce the birth of our "surpise" baby. I would like my husband to tell me." There was no need to write anything else because they practice exactly the way I wanted my birth to be handled. And I knew darn well if I transferred to the hospital during my homebirth, that I was going with the need for interventions and I would tackle them as the need came.

Ok- I just rambled on and on about a million subjects. If you'd like to know something more specific, give me a shout!!

Germanwife2b · June 2010

ErinMSB:
I noticed in a previous post that you mentioned you were an OB nurse. Do I think it's weird that you chose a HB? Not at all. I think it's very interesting though. Kind of like, "well, she's been doing this for so long and has seen so much and SHE chose a homebirth!"

Yes- and I do think that gives me some extra credibility. But I, like anyone else, did my research and have been doing research on the subject for years and years. And statistically when I look at rates of epidural use, episiotomies and c/s and compare the local hospitals which I could choose to deliver with...hands down, my midwives (who have been in practice for over 25 years) have better stats and better outcomes. I felt much safer being with them then any hospital in my area (quite frankly).

KateLouise · June 2010

This post makes me think of people who work at McDonalds but would never eat the "food".

pinksweetpea2 · June 2010

The nurse who taught our natural childbirth class was 36 weeks pregnant and planning a homebirth. She said it was what she saw in her work that made her want to give birth at home.

I am not crunchy at all, so many folks were surprised that I was giving birth at home. A lot of people thing homebirth = weird hippy people.

HappyMommy28 · June 2010

I think as long as you/so and your MW are happy with the decision than it's a good one. I would love to do a home birth but that is not an option.

Unknown · June 2010

This content has been removed.

macdidlyicious · June 2010

I dont think you're werid. Just reading stories abuot the hospital are enough to mke me want to stay far away. I couldnt imagine seeing those stories live in person.

Hvae you ever thought of becoming a midwife? I think that environment may suit you better than where you are currently...

duncanpowers · June 2010

I have heard of SO many L&D nurses, doctors, etc. choosing homebirths recently that I'm starting to think it's the rule rather than the exception

Buckets of Moonbeams · June 2010

No. I think people who work in hospital-setting OB are probably way more inclined to choose HB, especially if you work with a lot of high-risk patients.

MrsTiara · June 2010

Nope, I have a friend who's a L&D nurse as well (in your area, too, I wonder if you know her!) and had her 3 kids with a MW in a birth center (too far for a homebirth MW). I think that the more people know, the less likely they are to want a hospital birth.

flyer23 · June 2010

Seems like most of the medical professionals I know fall into one of two camps:

1. I've seen so much go wrong during labor/delivery that I think anyone who considers homebirth is completely insane. OR

2. I've seen so much go wrong during labor/delivery as a direct result of hospital interventions that I think anyone who considers hospital birth is completely insane.

So you're in Camp #2. I don't think that's weird at all. I know a lot of medical professionals in that same camp with you!

As for homebirth after IVF, I don't see what one has to do with the other. I'm sure you didn't choose IVF just for the heck of it; if you could have gotten pregnant the, well, "natural" route, then you would have. It's not like you're against all medical advances, just the ones that cause problems! That seems very sensible to me!

Lurker216 · June 2010

If you're weird then so am I. I'm a nurse anesthetist (anesthesia provider) and I'm planning a homebirth with a CPM.

Most of my coworkers are amazed I'm interested in a vaginal birth (not a scheduled C/S) and planning on "trying" to go without an epidural. I'm not telling anyone I work with about planning a homebirth. They would all think I was insane and endangering myself and baby.

I just think that so many of the interventions that occur in a hospital lead to other interventions and so on. I am much more comfortable with the idea of being at home in my own environment with people I trust than being in a hospital with people I don't know and being on someone else's schedule.

PlainandTall · June 2010

This reminds me of another situation- we homeschool. There are a lot of people who don't really understand homeschooling and many think that someone should have to be be a certified teacher in order to be allowed to homeschool their children. What's funny is that many of the homeschooling parents I know ARE certified teachers ... and after working in schools- were very determined that they did not want that for their family.

jenair · June 2010

i wish i knew her name, but one of the student midwives at BirthCare had SUCH a similar story. This was about 3 years ago and after the birth of her daughter she worked a few more years b4 finally 'jumping ship' and returning to school for her midwifery degree.

It almost seemed like it was less midwifery was a calling and more - she couldn't handle the snide remarks at work anymore. Her environment seemed almost hostile after her birth choices. I really hope youre not dealing with this!!!

Germanwife2b · June 2010

jenair:

i wish i knew her name, but one of the student midwives at BirthCare had SUCH a similar story. This was about 3 years ago and after the birth of her daughter she worked a few more years b4 finally 'jumping ship' and returning to school for her midwifery degree.

It almost seemed like it was less midwifery was a calling and more - she couldn't handle the snide remarks at work anymore. Her environment seemed almost hostile after her birth choices. I really hope youre not dealing with this!!!

Not so much at work (although I've heard a few things from some choice people at work). For the most part, my coworkers are in awe of what I've done and thinking twice about how we do things in the hospital...but I can see on their faces that they think I'm a strange one. I don't care!!!

ScottiesLilHottie · June 2010

I think they make you awesome. Because you don't buy into the OMGZ THIS IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY!!! hype that everyone else allows themselves to fall into Good for you. That's awesome.

Want a personalized experience?

Do YOU think I am weird too?

Re: Do YOU think I am weird too?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards