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Natural Birth
MrandMrsHull
member
Home Birth?
MrandMrsHull
member
I haven't posted here before but I am looking for a little advice.
DH and I have been taking the Bradley class. After several discussions with our OB. we decided to also hire a doula to ensure that no unnecessary interventions were used or that we get scared/pressured into something once we are at the hospital.
She will come to our house during early labor and assist DH with coaching ect (We would like to stay at home for the majority of labor) and then come with us to the hospital.
We are toying with the idea of hiring her to just do a home birth and not go to the hospital.
On one hand I figure, well since we are planning on only going into push anyways, maybe we should just do a home birth. On the other my first time momness and fear of the unknown kicks in and I get panicked thinking about doing it all at home.
If you have done a home birth would you share your experience with me? Do you have any advice?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Home Birth?
She is a midwife and we hired her to be our doula during labor at home and then go to the hospital with us. I liked the idea of having a midwife with us that could monitor baby and me while at home so we could stay there as long as possible instead of spending 20 hours Inge hospital.
We are now considering hiring her (for an extra 1600) to be our midwife and do an actual home birth.
I don't have any firsthand experience with a home birth, but based on what I have read, here are my thoughts...
Doulas generally aren't trained to actually give birth or make medical decisions. So, if you'd like to do a home birth, you'll want to get a midwife to help you do that. Yes, you could conceivably be in a situation where you give birth with only your doula present, but generally (from what I understand) the paramedics will need to be called.
Are you close to your hospital? Perhaps you can find a home birth midwife that has a relationship with a nearby hospital/OB. That way, you can have a home birth, but if something goes wrong it's a lot easier for your care to be transferred.
ETA: Just saw your response that your doula is a midwife. I'd say that if you're comfortable just doing a home birth, and your doula/midwife is able to do that, then go for it! If something goes wrong, you can always be transferred to the hospital.
Mama's Clone - 07/18/12
That doesn't mean that labor was easy. Actually, I had what I describe as excruciating back labor during transition. (This may have been due to his hands being up by his head.) But with DH's counterpressure I made it through.
It was so nice to be able to curl up in my own bed (almost) immediately after delivery with LO and DH.
And really, we hardly had any cleanup. The midwife and her team did the vast majority. (I think DH had to throw in another load of laundry or 2 after they left. Plus, I had to bleach a pillowcase that got stained and didn't come out the first time.)
I liked not having to go anywhere in a car while in labor.
If you can hire a HB midwife and are comfortable with the risks, go for it!
We're planning our second home birth so I'd say go for it if that's what you and your DH feel most comfortable with. I've felt that it's easiest for me to stay relaxed and comfortable at home, which helps the birth go quicker. Not having to drive anywhere in active labor is great, and I'm looking forward to another waterbirth, which isn't allowed in our hospital.
a doula doesn't perform homebirths , look into a CPM or LM if you are looking into that.
I've done a homebirth and am planning my second, I'd make sure you do all of your research and talk to the midwife and ask all the questions you have. LMK if you have more questions
As long as she is a MW too (which it sounds like she is), I would totally do it. We loved our homebirth and are planning our second VERY soon (see my ticker? LOL)
It is very common for homebirth MWs here to also act as doulas. A lot of them are doulas before becoming MWs and will continue the work as they build up their practice. My MW just stopped taking doula clients (except repeat clients) recently because her homebirth practice is doing so well now.
I would just make sure to talk to her soon about it to make sure she has the time (which is significantly more of a commitment with prenatal apts.) and what a homebirth with her entails. Does she come with other MWs? How many births has she attended as a MW? Etc.
FWIW, not all MWs HAVE to be NMW or LC. In my state CNM are not even legally a possibility at homebirths. My MW is currently a DE and planning on getting the certification this summer. My last MW was DE and never really planned on getting the certification (unless our state started requiring it). She was totally qualified and knowledgeable and I felt much more comfortable with her than I did with the CNM practice I left at the hospital.
I say hire her as your midwife...you always have the option to head to the hospital if you or she feels it necessary, but once you go into labor you probably can't change your minds and ask her to do the home birth.
I say if you are seriously considering the home birth go for it and always know that the hospital is there for you. If your midwife is good she will see any signs of the need to go to the hospital either before you go into labor or after...that is why they are there and most women don't just give birth at home without telling anyone, to help if there is a problem and let you know if that problem is something that can safely be dealt with at home or if a trip to the local L&D is warranted.
Good luck!