Unsure about birth outside of the hospital

Ducktale · April 2013

We've just started TTC, so this might seem premature but we're moving this year, possibly in the middle of a pregnancy, so we need to make some decisions quicker than normal. I'm still very new and unsure about the idea of a natural birth, but the more I learn the more I feel this might be the way to go. I also really like the idea of a birth center. However, I have some concerns about not being in a hospital-not concerned as much about the delivery, but after the birth.

After birth in a birth center, how long do you stay there? Seems like most leave within a few hours or so? I'll be a FTM and the idea of being in a hospital for a few days for guidance, help, questions, etc from the staff seems ideal. I really don't have experience caring for a newborn, so I think I would really like having a few days in the hospital to ease into it and get help. Does that make sense?

Also, is it really unnecessary, medically speaking, for both mom and baby, to be monitored for a few days after delivery by a medical professional? I would think I'd feel better having a professional's eyes and ears on me and baby those first few days. And what about things like circumcision and shots and such? I know a lot choose not to have these done, but if we do...?

Sorry if these are silly questions, I'm not too concerned about BIRTH outside a hospital, more confused about AFTER delivery for a first time mom. I'd hate to not try for my ideal out of hospital natural birth because of these concerns. I'd really appreciate your help!

tokenhoser · April 2013

The hospital didn't really teach me how to care for my baby. They maybe showed us a diaper and a bath, but mostly they woke me up all the time to check my blood pressure and generally were annoying.

Often, with a birth center you have midwife car

txwildflower84 · April 2013

The birth center I hope to deliver at allows you to stay for about 6-8 hours.

If you are concerned about having someone around to show you the ropes, you could always hire a doula to be there for a couple of days after delivery. She would b

CDMay2006 · April 2013

txwildflower84:
The birth center I hope to deliver at allows you to stay for about 6-8 hours.

NerdyMama2 · April 2013

txwildflower84:
The birth center I hope to deliver at allows you to stay for about 6-8 hours.
If you are concerned

Ducktale · April 2013

Thanks! That might be the way for me to go, I really appreciate the advice!

bunnie712 · April 2013

I did the pain med free hospital/OB thing with DD and DH and I were going out of minds with boredom after about 12 hours after delivery. The support we got was nice since the nurses would change the diapers, but it wasn't worth the long stay. The LCs were

Ducktale · April 2013

Thanks bunnie, that actually really helps. If anyone else had advice or experiences, please share! I just want to feel totally comfortable with this decision...

KrisM86 · April 2013

First of all, I would definitely advise a visit to the birth center you are considering. They should be able to answer all your questions so you can determine what you're comfortable with.

As far as my experience, my birth center requires th

daniellelea1985 · April 2013

I think you should definitely visit or attend an orientation at a birth center near you, they'll be able to answer your questions and give you an idea of their postpartum care.

Where I'm going you must stay at least 4 hours, no longer than 12 hou

kathleen02 · April 2013

I agree with the PP that said it was a blessing I didn't think I wanted. I had planned a birth center birth but had to transfer. I was able to deliver vaginally in the mid morning. However after such a long labor and a couple nights of hardly any sleep (f

Haley.Beth · April 2013

I don't know anything about birth centers, but I had dd in a hospital. We stayed for 48 hours, and they didn't help us. At all. The only thing the nurses did was wake us up when we were trying to sleep to take blood pressure and ask me how many wet/dir

Ducktale · April 2013

Thanks so much for the different opinions/experiences. For those that did not appreciate those few days in the hospital, we're you first time moms? I totally get if you're a STM to prefer to be at home, but I feel unsure about a FTM with a newborn leaving