Is it normal to preregister at the hospital for home birth?

Re: Is it normal to preregister at the hospital for home birth?

• annabelle.27 member

  April 2012

  I was asked to as well. It's standard (where I live, anyway).

  

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• Tash13 member

  April 2012

  I haven't been asked to do this but idk if I would question it.  My MW said most of her transfers are non-emergency (the #1 reason being pain medication due to exhaustion or prolonged labor).  It would make things easier to already be registered rather than trying to provide info at the time.  I wouldn't take it as discouragement but just covering your bases so you don't have anything to worry about no matter what the outcome is.  That being said, if you do think it's discouraging I think you should talk to your MW about it.  Express your concerns and see what she has to say.

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• xnbride member

  April 2012

  I think it is a good idea because if you do transfer it will help make the process go much smoother. I don't think she is being pessimistic, just realistic and practical. The reality is that sometimes a transfer is needed and it helps to make the process as seemless as possible to prevent any additional trauma.

  When we were headed towards a homebirth, I still registered. We are staying with our hospital midwife instead, but I think it is a good idea. You have a 10% chance of needing a transfer (which is not significant) but it is good to be prepared. You don't want hospital staff to be frustrated and consumed with trying to solicit basic information from you and your DH during a vulnerable time when you would rather not have to answer those types of questions and just focus on getting in and out.

   

  

  9 angels in heaven-3 in my arms and 1 in the NICU                                                                                                                                    
  Mono/di twin girls: Josephine born to heaven and Evangeline born Earthside at 25w
  

  
  

  

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• LesleyT member

  April 2012

  It's just registering- "just in case"- better to be registered and not need to go than need to go and have to deal with paperwork in an emergency (its mainly so the hospital can check your insurance in advance so if you go, you slide thru). Think of it as making a restaurant reservation, but not end up going to dinner. No harm, no foul- but better safe than sorry. 

  

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• Mamasaurus member

  April 2012

  I pre-registered at two places. One is the only hospital in my area that will attempt a vaginal breech delivery. My LO is not breech now, but I want to know that I have that base covered just in case. I don't want my H having to mess around with paperwork at a time like that. The other is the nearest hospital to me and has one of the top-rated NICUs in my area. We would only go there for an emergency, but again, it's no time to ask H do be doing paperwork when I know he will be worried about us and want to be with us if he can.

  I don't feel like it's giving me an excuse or setting me up to fail. I feel like I have all my bases covered, which makes me feel better about my home birth. I know that if we try everything we can at home and there's a real problem anyways, I have taken care of everything possible to make sure my LO will have fewer interventions/receive the best care if we end up at a hospital. I am one of those people who likes to plan for worst case scenarios, though. Every time we get a bad storm in the forecast, I buy a day or two's worth of nonperishables and bottled water just in case. I know most people aren't that way, though, and if it makes you feel less confident, it probably won't hurt to not do it/to fill out the paperwork but not send it in yet.
  

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