Need some encouragement

amber323 · June 2012

I have been planning a homebirth since the beginning of my pregnancy, I have everything ready for it and felt confident in my decision. Unfortunately a month ago a water pipe exploded in my house and ruined everything so insurance has our house ripped apart and we aren't able to live there until the construction is done (probably by the end of the month). So since there are no birth centers in my area I have no choice but to go to the hospital. I'm pretty upset about this and was hoping my house would be done a lot sooner so I could have my home birth, so I would love some encouragement that NB is possible in a hospital. And anything that could make me feel more confident and trusting of the hospital, I've been so against it from the start it's hard to accept!

mamaloves · June 2012

Ugh, I'm so sorry that happened!

I had a wonderful natural birth experience at a hospital with my first baby and have the same plan this time around. Not one person at the hospital pressured me with any intervention and everyone 100% respected my wishes. I think learning about your hospital will hopefully make you feel better - my hospital is very pro-natural birth, a doula trains their L&D nurses, my OB practice is very supportive of natural, etc. It'd be great for you to get that kind of reassurance from your hospital and providers to help gain your trust. I also took a childbirth class at the hospital which also gained a lot of my trust (it was geared toward natural birth), maybe your hospital offers classes that would help gain your trust as well.

Labor at home for a long long time, bring written birth preferences to the hospital, and have your partner on board to communicate your preferences with the nurses.

I, personally, really liked being in the hospital for 48 hours after having my baby. I'm looking forward to it this time! I felt very cared for, safe, etc. Plus I was happy the blood/afterbirth mess that went on for at least 24 hours was not happening in my house.

vintagejjane · June 2012

Wow! That stinks! I'm so sorry that you have to go through all of that. I would just make sure you and hubby are on the same page so that he can be your advocate. A lot of the time doctors try to scare the husband first then he tries to convince you.... Blah blah blah... I think you'll do great!!! Lots of luck!

ToastieSimons · June 2012

I just gave birth on sunday. Completely unmedicated. My nurse was AMAZING!!! everytime I felt I couldn't do it she was so encouraging and really pushed me to going natural. I told her from the beginning that's what I wanted and she seemed to know what to say to encourage me without telling me what to do.

My doctor was extremely supportive also. They kept telling me I was doing an amazing job and made it such an amazing experience.

I did have to have an IV per hospital policy but they still would have let me labor in the tub or shower.

Jcrab · June 2012

Hugs Momma! That is such horrible timing. Do you have any friends or family that might be willing to let you labor at their house? Obviously it would not be the same comfort level as home but maybe better than the hospital. I think my MW even had one family deliver at her house because it was their best option. I hope things work out for you and you can feel ready for wherever you end up delivering. There is a book called "Home birth in the Hospital" that might be useful. Good luck and keep us updated!

sschwege · June 2012

I had a wonderful med-free, almost intervention-free birth (my MW broke my bag of water right before DD's head was crowning) in a hospital. You can do it!

Have you taken a tour of the hospital yet? It might help to make you feel more familiar with the place and give you a sense of what to expect in terms of policies.

dmhrn13 · June 2012

that sucks- but i deliver in a hospital & its still possible to have a natural birth. you do give up many freedoms though. but maybe its happening for a reason, look at it like it fits into a divine plan- even if its not the one you planned. good luck!

amber323 · June 2012

dmhrn13:
that sucks- but i deliver in a hospital & its still possible to have a natural birth. you do give up many freedoms though. but maybe its happening for a reason, look at it like it fits into a divine plan- even if its not the one you planned. good luck!

I am really trying to think of it like this, obviously I'm not meant to birth at home or and having my home destroyed is a big enough sign for me!

I'm going for a tour next Tuesday of the hospital so hopefully that eases my mind (and baby stays put til then)!

LaurelBee · June 2012

I am so sorry your HB isn't going to happen- I know what it meant to you! And I'm even more sorry to hear about the damage to your home. I'm sure it's been impossible to feel 100% comfortable in your own home with all that damage...

I had a hospital birth with Ds at a hospital that was not NB friendly at all. They don't even allow MWs to deliver babies... Anyway, I still had a good birth experience! My nurse was great- she told me exactly what I needed to hear in a no nonsense fashion I would def write a brief birth plan in case your nurse isn't trained in NBs. But most of all, have faith. It's this way for a reason and your body will do it's job and so will your baby!! GL mama

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