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Natural Birth
MommyPhoenix
member
How many of you are planning a homebirth?
MommyPhoenix
member
Hi Ladies,
I'm curious to know, how many of you are planning a homebirth? I am slated to birth at home with the assistance of two midwives, with the option to transfer to a birth centre (attached to a hospital) at any time. I've read up on so many different opinions, facts, pros and cons for homebirths and while I feel 90% confident to bring my baby into this world at home, there is that 10% that is eating away at me. Oddly enough, I am not fearing childbirth (could be my own naivity LOL) but more so the unknowns. The one negative comment against homebirths which I can't shake is "you're putting your baby's life at risk!" There are negative issues that could surface both in a hospital and home environment so I know there is no clear cut answer, but I just wanted to get a sense of what all you Ladies are planning to do. Comments please! TIA 
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Re: How many of you are planning a homebirth?
Hey soul sister! I'm right there with you. The people who are saying that though don't really realize that the infant and maternal mortality rates in the US are behind countries like Singapore! They don't really want to know how bad hospitals terrify a women who is "failing to progress" with the dead baby card. They flash that fetal distress or what have you and you're rushed though intervention after intervention until you have to have a c-section. (I realize this doesn't always happen, but that is a possibility and considered normal these days.)
Your midwives aren't going to show up with a rag for you to bit down on, they bring IVs, pitocin, sutures, resuscitation equip, O2, and lots of emergency equipment. To treat the majority of birth related issues. They are also not sitting there knitting a cap for your baby. They are tracking you better than a fetal monitor because distress isn't just based on a baby's heart beat. They are helping you with the pain but they are also watching your progression the whole way. You'd see a doctor about 30 mins before you're told to push at some hosiptals, before that it is nurses watching your stats, charts, not observing you. You'll be mobile as needed, eat when needed, relaxed because of your setting, in a darker room, without shift changes and dilation checks from perfect strangers. Home births average 4-6 hours less of labor and no one will start threatening you because of "failure to progress."
Most signs that you're needing intervention are detectable a lot further out than people realize. There aren't many emergencies when you're being monitored respectfully like a midwife team will do. You or your baby may transfer after birth too. You may have some prolonged bleeding or your baby may have inhaled meconium. Transfer afterwards isn't a bad outcome and isn't necessarily an emergency either.
Remember though, if you need to move from home to somewhere else, you aren't going to a birthing center. You're going to the hospital. If there is a reason to move, you're doing it once because you need something the home birth setting or birthing center can't offer like an epidural or c-section, otherwise stay home. If you aren't convinced by the big day, go to the birth center, it isn't free standing but it's a better option then giving in to pressure to be at the hospital against your own instincts. They would be following hospital guidelines though, you're on the same clock as everyone else.
Hi there! With my first two, I had them in the hospital. Actually was on hospital bed rest most of the pregnancies, then a 3 day labor with the first, a 5 day with the second one. The 3rd, we switched to a midwife and natural approach about 3/4 of the way through the pregnancy. We weren't planning on him coming at home, but with the herbal/homeopathic medicine that my widwife put me on, I dilated and ended up having him at home within 12 hours. My shortest, easiest labor (completely med free/epidural free). We are trying to get pregnant again and I am doing it ALL NATURAL this time at home, water birth.
Oh and watch the documentary "The Business of Being Born". It's awesome!!! You're not putting your baby's life at risk - you're actually keeping yourself and your baby safe if you choose the right midwife. You're preventing unnecessary surgery/invasion, and you're going to get essential bonding after the birth that the hospital environment does not allow.
Good luck!!!
I am this time. I just found this article yesterday, its recent (nov 2012) stating that our ministry of health of encouraging home birth in low risk women
https://www.timescolonist.com/health/Health+minister+encourages+home+births+risk+cases/7481232/story.html
I am planning a home birth. I planned one with my DD but she came too soon. My hospital birth experience wasn't terrible, but it did cement the idea that home birth is the right choice for me and I am confident in my decision.
I also trust my midwife 100% to transfer me if needed.
Thanks for the comments Ladies, they really help! It's nice to hear from others who share the same commitment. The article from SunnyMuffin was reassuring as well since it's relating to matters closer to home geographically (thanks SunnyMuffin). For the most part, I think people that I have told are either afraid to share their opinion (thinking I'm crazy) or have come right out and said how dangerous a home birth would be (some of those individuals have never even had a LO!) To each their own; I've read beautiful stories supporting both sides but for me and DH, wanting a natural, med-free birth for our first child, our home just seems that much safer (and less terrifying).
Oh! I forgot to mention along with the homebirth, I am also considering a water birth (another controversy in itself LOL!). I feel confident enough and educated enough in my decision, just needed a little confidence "boost" from you lovely ladies!
We're planning for another home birth (had one with our first) and also planning for hospital (long story).
I felt very confident the first time around that being at home was the right choice for me. And I felt it was safe. I did a lot of reading and knew all the risks. I also had great MWs that had hospital rights and no concerns about needing or wanting a hospital transfer.
For some reason this time around I feel more concern and worry about what could go wrong. But I think it has to do with the fact that we are now overseas and live in a smallish town on an island. I know the healthcare is great but they have different protocols and such here.
The great thing about home birth is that you really could go to the hospital at almost any time. You may go into labour and just feel that you really want to be at a hospital, or at home.
If I were you I would plan and prepare for a home birth but also get to know the hospital. If it feels more right to you to be at the hospital instead of at home you can just go.
We are planning a home birth. The stats out there (that have actual planned home birth rates, and not just random people delivering outside of a hospital) show that the rates are lower for midwife assisted home births. If you have not read Ina May Gaskin's Birth Matters, check it out. Its more clinical than Ina May?s Guide to Childbirth (though that one is also good!)
Be assured that midwives are trained. They want the best for you and baby, and no one wants a bad outcome. They are trained to be proactive if they feel there is a risk.
All the best in your home birth! Just let people know you have done your research, will be supported by medical professionals (as midwives ARE), and you have an emergency plan. I find that answer generally stops the negative comments.
I birthed in a hospital last time and it was so, so unnecessary. I feel the comfort and security of your own home makes you (and baby) even safer and we're planning a homebirth this time.
Our society really breeds fear when it comes to birth - we've been exposed to the idea that birth is a scary medical event since most of us were very young, so many don't understand the idea of choosing not to have that hospital security blanket for the many what ifs. Don't let those comments sway your confidence!
growing a foosa
every last word of this!
i planned two homebirths. the first ended in a non-emergency transfer to the hospital for surgery, the second was an hbac in water.
by the way, the midwife for my second birth does not travel with O2. she said that evidence does not show better outcomes.
Wow, you Ladies are truly awesome! I was sharing some of your comments with DH last night and he was so happy to hear that other women were so passionate about this issue (DH is a big supporter of our home birth plan). This is our first baby and we are creatures of research so we've read it all!...but the real experience and support from you all really helps alleviate my concerns. We've decided not to share our plans with others (other than those truly close to us), they don't need to know nor do we need to hear anymore negativity. You have all made me feel better about my decision and I am so glad I posted my concerns, what great feedback!
I've got 10 weeks left to go! Once LO arrives, I'll post my birth story and let you all know how it went! Thanks again for the support!
Do NOT fear birth. Why bother?
As I have mentioned before, midwives are not idiots. Any chance of danger, they send you on an ambulance to the hospital.