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2nd Trimester
Birth center tour, now hard to decide what to do!
My husband and I went on a tour yesterday to a birth center that's closest to us that takes our insurance.
The ladies were nice, and a big change from when I went to the doctor and felt like I was on an assembly line and she just went through the motions, barely talking to me, and almost rushing us out the door.
If I go to the birth center, I will have a water birth, which is something I've always wanted. No option for drugs, so in a way that's good because a lot of my friends that have had it that way said that at points they prob would have asked for drugs if they had them available, but when it was all over, and they had their natural birth, they felt amazing and said they would not change it. This way I will have no choice but to have a natural birth.
Any of you ladies gave birth at a birth center? What was your experience like? What about in a hospital? I don't want to just be laying in a bed, not allowed to walk around.
My reasons that I'm hesitant are kind of ridiculous when I say them out loud. For example:
-it's small, they only take 10 women a month, to make sure that there's not too many births at once. They have only two birthing rooms available.
-as much as i hated feeling like i'm on an assembly line at my dr's, here it's like, they're super attentive, and want to spend all this time with you, and talk to you, and have you "become part of the family" which is nice, but at the same time, I like some space.
-It looks like those typical 70's birthing videos in there, like floral sheets and I just feel like i'm in the 70's when I'm in the birthing room.
-not much room for family and friends to come to the birthing center. I guess I always pictured it like you see in the movies (i know that sounds ridiculous) where the family waits in the waiting room, and then see the baby when it's born and everyone comes in.
I just want to feel good about the choice I make. I am just not sure what the right thing is to do. As ridiculous as my reasons might sound, I guess I just want to look back and remember it in a nice way, and have fond memories of how my first baby was born.
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Re: Birth center tour, now hard to decide what to do!
Thanks so much! I will repost it there. Just thought I'd post it here as well in case any women have already gone through it.
Hope you have an amazing birth, which I'm sure you will!!
Do they have the facilities to do a C-section in case of emergency?
They went over everything with us. The hospital is 5 minutes away in case of emergencies, but they said that they haven't had any issues with that. In the 4 years one of them worked there, only 3 women got taken to the hospital. So that is close by in case of emergencies.
Yeah, see, that's what I think is a plus about it, i won't have the option for drugs. So many people have done it without drugs, and I can too, but since I've never given birth before, I am not sure how I will feel, and if I would be strong enough to say no to an epidural if someone kept offering it to me.
obviously, i don't know about the OP's facility, but the one i'm going to is a freestanding facility (so not inside a hospital) that works closely with a major hospital less than 2 blocks away. if something happens to put the mother or baby in distress, they will transfer you immediately to the hospital. for "normal" complications, they have medications and equipment at the site and will treat as they see fit. their transfer rate is about 12% (i think) and their c-section rate is only about 3%.
I think the whole theory behind a birth center is that it is a very low intervention, home-like appeal. I have never heard of a birth center with any surgical licensing. It sort of defeats the purpose of the "home feel". But the midwives are trained thoroughly and extensively on warning signs and push women out the door to a hopsital if an emergency arrives. In addition, most birth centers have low transfer rates & the transfers are rarely emergency, they are more along the line of 'moms too tired after 46 hours of labor, perhaps a hospital can do some low risk intervention and can help get her through the rest of transition..".
They have oxygen and emergency supplies but C-sects are the opposite of what they are trying to provide.
My baby is two!!! Baby girl 9/17/09
My other baby is still a baby! Baby Boy 11-30-11
yeah, that's what this place is like too. It's freestanding and like 5 minutes from the hospital. they went over everything with us in case things did go wrong and what ill happen.
I honestly feel ridiculous posting this because there are so many pluses, and great things about it: the women are super nice, you feel a part of a family not just the next patient that walks through the door and they wanna rush you out to move to the next one, i will have a natural birth, i will have a water birth, so many amazing things. My reasons are ridiculous why I'm even considering not to do it, like it being small and looking all 70's in there.
I would looooove a home birth, that would be my number 1 choice if I could do it that way. I think you will have an amazing experience, in the comfort of your home, and of course, if anything happens, you have the option to go to a hospital. But rarely things go wrong, and you will be more comfortable and happier in your own home.
I am giving birth at a birthing center, and in reference to the above, you should ask about how long after birth you are discharged. At my center you leave within 3-8 hours depending on when you feel comfortable leaving and what time you deliver. So it isn't like they keep you cooped up for 2 days with no options to see family at all, KWIM?
Breastfeeding and pregnant!
Yeah, they told us that usually you get to leave 3 hours later, and they said that most people just have family come over the next day instead of coming to the center.
Thank you everyone for responding, just getting out my concerns makes me realize how ridiculous they are, seriously. I mean, there are many amazing reasons why it's better for me personally. some might prefer a hospital, but i really want a natural birth, and this seems like the perfect place, since i will have help and coaching from the midwives and be able to have a water birth, which i've always wanted.
Ditto to this. I had an amazing med-free hospital birth. Was never hooked to an IV (except right after delivery I let them give me a little pitocin to help my uterus contract back down), had freedom of movement, used a birthing ball, was coached by the nurses on positions, was never offered an epi. (We went in with a birth plan that pretty much just said "I'd like to do this med-free, so please don't offer me XYZ unless it's absolutely necessary for mine or baby's health. If something goes wrong, do what you gotta do.") Breastfed immediately. Kept the baby with me the whole time. Was home within 24 hours. And our hospital (who actually rarely sees med-free births) just added tubs and some queen size beds in the birthing suites. So don't just assume a hospital will tie you down and push to get you an epi. I do think the media blows things up a bit.
That being said, a birthing center birth could be wonderful for you, esp if you want a water birth. The one closest to me is at least 45 mins away - otherwise we might have tried it. But I like laboring at home as long as possible and don't want a long car ride in hard labor.
I think these responses are both great words advice for a hospital birth but birth center care is much different besides just allowing you to walk around. The prenatal care is even significantly different than CNM or OB care.
My baby is two!!! Baby girl 9/17/09
My other baby is still a baby! Baby Boy 11-30-11
Nicole - was this wonderful sounding hospital in Mass? I ask b/c I'm seeing an OB affiliated with Brigham. Thanks!