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March 2011 Moms
Anyone considering a home birth?
I know it's early but I'm sure some people have considered how and where they want to give birth already. Just curious if anyone is going the full on home birth route. I read an article that said more and more women are doing this, which is why I asked.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Anyone considering a home birth?
No way. I think it's too dangerous.
Not saying all women who home birth do this... but it bothers me when women insist on doing everything at home, but the second their baby (or themselves) have a medical issue, they run to the ER.
You can't have it both ways.
Life of mrsjanks
Oh, and FWIW- some doctors won't treat you if you had a home birth and then come to the ER with a problem. They don't know what happened during the birth, and they don't want to be responsible for the out come (malpractice suits arise from this).
I saw it several times when I worked at a research hospital.
Life of mrsjanks
I'd love to do homebirth but with my epilepsy, it's just not possible. I'm not even sure I can do a birthing center.
No way! We live a good 25 minutes from the hospital...on a good day with no traffic. So that would be 20 min to get an ambulance, 20 minutes back to the hospital... #2 will be born in March....in Canada...there will likely be snow. So, not an option for me.
My sister attempted last year though....they are only 5 minutes from the hospital. She ended up having a super tough labor though and wne to the hospital for the epi....had everything gone well, she would've done it...I thought she was nuts! That's JMO though.
Absolutely not....what if (god forbid) something goes wrong? I rather be in a hospital where split-second decisions can be made that will help myself / the baby.
If you're at home and run into a problem....what happens from there? No thanks!
Married 8 years - Aug 23/08
DD - 6 years old, March 17/11
#2 due July 19th! (It's a boy!)
I'm not, but simply because I don't want the mess in my house. We don't have birthing centres, so I'm going to be in a hospital, but with a midwife and no medical intervention (unless something goes terribly wrong). My brother and SIL had their first at home and planned on having their second at home but ended up going to the hospital with bleeding at 37 wks and going in to labour there, but had a natural birth there with their midwife.
I don't understand this view that having a home birth and then going to the ER when there are complications is trying to have it both ways. What about people who treat minor wounds or a cold at home that end up with massive infections or pneumonia? Are they not allowed to go to the hospital because they didn't in the first place with their minor wound or cold?
bfp#4 3/19/2014 edd 12/1/2014 please let this be the one!
beta @ 5w0d = 12,026! u/s 4/22/14 @ 8w1d it's twins!
I'm not because my house isn't really set up in a way that would have a room conducive for me to relax, with room for a birthing pool, etc. So, I'm going to a verrrrry small-town hospital 30 mins away with a dr who has a reputation for being a huge proponent of natural births. Very happy with that.
However...please don't think that homebirths are dangerous. Birth is an absolutely natural process that a woman's body is capable of handling on her own in most situations. Yes, there are complications that can arise, and that is why there are hospitals and ERs and such. I can't imagine ANY ER doc refusing treatment to a woman transferred to a hospital after an attempted homebirth. In fact, most homebirth midwives have prior arrangements with OBs in case of transfer. And, just for the record, transfers do not always happen because something went wrong. Sometimes, mama is just too exhausted after a long and slow labor, and she opts for a c-section or epidural because her body is just too tired to continue naturally. Midwives are prepared for even the most dire of emergencies. Sorry, off soapbox now...it just burns me up when women criticize each other for making different pregnancy/birth choices. Even if it may not be for you, don't judge!
I agree that I can't imagine they wouldn't treat a woman who showed up at the ER after attempting a homebirth. I guess I asked the question because I think "How could you do that? I couldn't do it!" Kind of like some people might say, "How can you jump out of a plane? I couldn't do it!" I was just curious if others had thought about it. I don't think all homebirths are automatically fraught with danger but, the peace of mind of being in a hospital is for me. For others, it's more peaceful to be at home. I don't think I'm judging, just trying to understand and learn a bit about other people's motivations while stating my own. I hope that makes sense.
Thanks. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't personally offending anyone. Not my intention, at all.
I didn't mean to offend anyone either, I'm just speaking from what I saw at the one hospital at worked at. Yes, it's up to the doctor (in some cases) if they want to treat you or not. They are the ones paying their malpractice insurance.
I also think of this- the infant mortality rate dropped tremendously with the increase in medical technologies, so why would someone want to be at home if something were to go wrong?
Yes, I know, women have done it for years and birth is natural, but you can't argue that being in a hospital isn't safer.
I agree that if a home birth is what you want, then you should have it. It's just not for me, and that's what this post was about.
Life of mrsjanks
Homebirths are much more common in other countries, where pregnancy is treated as a natural event and not a medical one - and since the US is so medical based when it comes to pregnancy that is why the US has such high c-section rates. While I wouldn't have one personally (I am a wimp) I wish I was stronger and could have one, I think it would be amazing. My choice is not out of fear of the idea of a homebirth but because I think I want drugs.
I also think people don't understand how homebirths work. A midwife is with you at all times, and at the VERY first sign of a problem they get you to a hospital. They don't risk it. They also clean up everything, so while I get the not wanting a mess it isn't something you have to deal with, it is part of what they do.
I 100% do not get the logic that women who have homebirths shouldn't be able to go to the ER because they can't have it 'both ways'. That is silly. A woman has a homebirth because they don't want to have unnecessary medical interventions, not because they are opposed to medicine as a whole. There is a big difference.
And I don't mean you personally, I mean "you" in general. The comfort thing is a common answer for women who home birth.
This is a controversial and interesting topic to me. I've always been interested in sociology, psychology, and anthropology. Actually, medical anthropology was one of the most interesting classes I took in college.
Still, no matter how a woman chooses to deliver, I wish her a safe delivery and healthy baby.
Life of mrsjanks
Many states don't have birthing centers, mine included. So in my state the options are hospital or homebirth. For some people a hospital birth is not what they want.
I agree 100% that it is possible that something could happen to the baby and it could die. But I wonder what the percentage of that actually happening is. My guess is that it is a lot lower than people think (and this is not saying that it is okay for this to happen at all, just a statement)
I also didn't mention that a homebirth midwife will not allow a homebirth unless you have had a completely uncomplicated pregnancy. If you have anything at all that is wrong they won't allow you to deliver at home.
Now I have an issue with freebirthers, which are women who do it at home with no midwife, just themselves and their husbands. They typically have had no prenatal care either. That is irresponsible to me.
Totally agree with this!
Life of mrsjanks
Well, guys, looks like I'm the odd man out. I'm definitely planning a water birth at home.
"Having it both ways," I feel, is an unfair statement, (but I'm not offended). The hospital is for emergencies, so if there's an emergency, everyone has the right to go to the hospital. That said, many women, including myself, do not view birth as an emergency, but as a natural process that a woman's body is capable of handling. Some births do turn into emergencies, and in those cases, I?m thankful for today?s technology and I salute doctors for their great work to prevent serious complications, or even fatalities. However, the majority of women who have given birth at home have done so without complications and most will say that it was an incredible experience!
It?ll be my first, so I don?t know what labor will be like, but I feel I?ll be more relaxed and comfortable in my home than I would if I were on my back under fluorescent lights and surrounded by strangers who want to get me out so the next one can come in.
I have no judgments against mothers who choose hospital births ? labor is hard, regardless of the path you take, and every woman should be admired for such afeat. A home birth is a personal preference, based on a variety of factors, and, I feel, is the perfect route for me. If there is an emergency, I would do the same as I would in any other emergency situation ? I would go to the hospital.
My husband and his brothers were born at home, so I have plenty of family support on his side - that helps a lot! My family, however, has genuine concerns (which I completely understand and don't resent them for that), but they've been very supportive and trust that I'm doing my research.
One of my friends had a home birth with her second child and it was beautiful how she discribed it. I am asking her if she minds me re-posting her blog entry and if she is okay with it I will post it tomorrow.
I also don't know if I am strong enough to handle a home birth mostly because I really enjoyed having an epi for DS. It seems like it would be wonderful to welcome your child in your own home.
Rachel and Jeff Married 5.29.05
Jason is 8
Elizabeth is 6
Katherine is 18 months
Have you seen the movie "The Business of Being Born"? It's a very interesting documentary about how birth in this country has stopped being a HUMAN EXPERIENCE and is treated like a MEDICAL CONDITION, even when it is not necessary to intervene... and sometimes the unnecessary interventions can even make things harder on both mom AND baby.
For non-complicated pregnancies, I agree completely with the concept of a homebirth. In fact, I feel that hospital can in and of themselves be dangerous. Hospital-acquired infections kill more people every year than AIDS, breast cancer, and car accidents COMBINED!
I think you need to review the studies that have been done before you comment.
The US has some of the WORST RATES of neonatal and maternal death of developed nations around the globe. Countries that have FAR MORE homebirth actually have far better outcomes than we do.
The studies show that it is just as safe to have a PLANNED homebirth as it is to have a PLANNED hospital birth.
Birth is NORMAL. You are not sick, you are not dying because you are pregnant or in labor. This is a NORMAL physiological part of the female body. In a pregnancy that has remained healthy, there is no reason to suddenly treat it as if the mother and baby are suddenly ill because labor has begun.
There is a time and place for medical intervention and that is why we have trained and skilled midwives to acknowledge when a pregnancy has left the realm of normal and seek medical treatment.
We live in an era that we CAN have the best of both worlds. I would much rather be considered low risk and healthy until proven otherwise then seek 'medical' as needed.
Here's some reading and FACTS:
https://www.gentlebirth.org/ronnie/homesafe.html
https://www.homebirth.org.uk/homebirthindex.htm
https://www.nashvillemidwife.com/safety.html
https://www.changesurfer.com/Hlth/homebirth.html
https://www.birthpsychology.com/birthscene/otoday4.html
https://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/homebirthchoice.asp
So what if something goes wrong? A skilled midwife is there to treat and determine if a transfer is necessary.
It's not like this is some random person who shows up with a stack of towels and pot for boiling water. Midwives carry an assortment of supplies, including PITOCIN (think postpartum hemorrhage), suture, resuscitation equipment, etc.
I really can go on, but I've read the research. I have seen birth on both sides of the debate (A LOT). I am employed by a hospital L&D unit and STILL would plan a homebirth over giving birth at a hospital.
It just irks me that people speak about this topic without looking at the research.
I'm an american living in the netherlands. Here they treat pregnancy as a natural part of life. It by no means is a "medical condition". I only saw my doctor to confirm pregnancy.
This is my first pregnancy so I guess I don't have any preconceived notions. This entire time I've been totally comfortable and not freaked out by the very non-invasive approach. Reading everyone's posts and knowing they come from the US where "medicine is the answer to everything" makes me so glad to be having a baby here.
I feel like I'm so much more in control of what I want and I totally trust the midwives and the system to tell me if and when something goes wrong and that it will be dealt with accordingly. But I really feel that this way is so much less stressful and so much more healthy for the baby.
Home birth is highly promoted here. IF I weren't living in an apartment building where I know my neighbors would hear me scream I would be all about a home birth. But my modesty has gotten the better of me and I'm opting for a birthing center with a midwife and a doula. And maybe I'm still in the 'honeymoon' period of the pregnancy but I'm looking forward to the delivery.
I have many mom friends who have all (ALL) had positive home/birthing center experiences..no medical intervention...all natural. Which leads me to believe that they're definitely doing something right here.
And, since I'm not being tugged on by kids now... this is not true at all. most women having UC's (unassisted births) do have *some* form of prenatal care. Many do dual care with a midwife but birth unattended, many do self prenatal care (some under supervision of a midwife), some even see OB/GYN's their entire pregnancy.
Most of the UC'ers I know have some level of back up agreement with a midwife, in case they need her. Most have sought neonatal resuscitation certification and have supplies. Rarely have I met a UC family that hasn't prepared for potential complications.
There's a few threads on the Natural Birth board about UC's now, please feel free to seek them out.
and a author and activist I love for the work she has done:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8Q_zCyjaw8
https://www.unassistedchildbirth.com/
I realize you clearly took offense to this statement, and I apologize. Everything I have read, and seen, on freebirth (as it is called in the UK where I first heard about it) talks about no prenatal care, about a general mistrust and dislike for any sort of medical involvement in pregnancy. I have an issue with that - the main one being that you can be 'prepared' but unless you are trained to deliver a baby I don't think it is the right thing to do on your own. And by trained I am not talking about being a doctor, my son was born in the UK where the system is midwifery led, I never saw a doctor, and heavy on homebirths and birthing center. I 100% believe it is a natural process and doesn't need medical intervention unless necessary, and am at a completely midwife led practice now. But no matter how much reading up I did I wouldn't feel comfortable in delivering my own baby.
And actually, Laura Shanley, who you mentioned, speaks in this article about how she had no monitoring or scans for any of her 5 pregnancies, and she is the 'leader' of the movement. This is why many people believe that UC or freebirthing = no prenatal care. I don't agree that self prenatal care is the same as proper prenatal care, under and OB or midwife.