Birth Options

christina627 · August 2013

I know this is a flame worthy topic, so let's try to be respectful.

What's everyone thinking as far as birth places? Hospital, Birth Center, Homebirth?

We planned a homebirth with my first and ended up in the hospital for an induction at just over 43 weeks. Then we had a homebirth with my second. And now I've found out that there might not be a certified/licensed MW that does homebirths in the area (at least one that doesn't live a few hours away...only labored a couple hours with baby #2.) So if we find a MW, we'd like a homebirth, if not we'll be in the hospital with my OB. Just praying we have a healthy baby either way we go.

LittleLady77 · August 2013

I think it's great you have the sort of confidence to be thinking about birth already. After 3 years and 30k+ spent on TTC I'm just to scared too plan that far ahead. I hope you are able to find a way to do a home birth if that's what you want.

lngcdr2009 · August 2013

I think it is a personal decision. As long as you find qualified providers and both you and DH feel comfortable with it go for it. If you aren't able a MW to do a homebirth then a birthing center might be a good second option.
I will be delivering in a hospital because I personally wouldn't feel comfortable with a homebirth and the nearest birthcenter is to far for my comfort.
Hospital delivers can be great also. You just have to have a good team on your side.

sozay23 · August 2013

I had an amazing birth experience at the hospital with an epidural and will be doing that again. No shame here!!

cassiekick · August 2013

Since this is our first baby I'm hesitant to wrap my heart around any one birth plan. We've hired a doula so that I have a personal cheerleader no matter what path I find myself on during labor and delivery. She's very knowledgeable, supportive, and I know she won't encourage me to do something just bc I'm in pain (my husband and mom however will be pushing for interventions to avoid seeing me hurting) and she also won't judge me if I decide to go the epidural route. In a perfect world , I plan to labor at home in our jacuzzi tub for as long as possible (we are 5 min from the hospital) then show up at the hospital to push- drug and intervention free.

I'm not trying to be a hero though- if it comes down to it ill have no shame in meds! We shall see!

christina627 · August 2013

Birth center isn't really an option. There isn't one close enough that I would be comfortable traveling too.

My son's hospital birth was fine. There was only one person that made the experience less than stellar. We just prefer the homebirth setting...not having to travel during labor and delivering and staying at home.

With my first, when I found out I was pregnant, I just assumed that I would deliver in a hospital and probably have an epi, (even though I didn't like the idea) just bc, I didn't know any different. Then I started talking to people and learned about home birth and after meeting with both an OB and a MW, I just loved the MW care. DH has mentioned more than once just going back to MI for awhile so we could have the MW that cared for us through my first 2 pregnancies, but that's not really realistic.

AcaAwkward · August 2013

We planned for an unmedicated birth with my daughter but ended up needing a planned c/s at 39 weeks due to several complications during the pregnancy. I am so very thankful to have had that extra monitoring and care as exposed vessels on our daughter's umbilical cord would have ruptured and she likely would have died had I given birth vaginally.

However, I was pretty bummed about having a c/s... I know this sounds ridiculous and ungrateful given our situation and of course I would gladly have a thousand surgeries to have her here safely, but I couldn't help but feel cheated out of a birth experience. Some women understand this, some don't - I get that!

ANYHOO, I'm thinking long and hard about a VBAC (hopefully unmedicated) vs another c/s. I have absolutely no qualms about the safety of VBACs, but I'm a little hesitant to get back in that unmedicated birthing mindset just to end up with another c/s because things didn't go according to "plan." So basically I'm trying to balance my desire for a vaginal birth with the possibility I'd end up super disappointed by a repeat section (whereas, if I just said "repeat c/s" from the beginning, I'd be way more at peace with it).

Damn. A novel on my crazy internal birthing dialog! Bless you if you read it all!

EJChapman123 · August 2013

Hospital birth with the epi like last time, assuming this sticks.

It's a very personal decision however, and what is right for one isn't always right for another. It aggravates me when someone thinks they know what is right for someone else, it's very conceited.

vballgirl78 · August 2013

I'll be doing a hospital birth again. I had a great experience with DD and for me (again, its a personal decision) I need to know I'm close to medical help if an emergency were to arise. I went natural last time and I hope to do the same this time, but I'm still considering an epidural.

christina627 · August 2013

AcaAwkward said:

We planned for an unmedicated birth with my daughter but ended up needing a planned c/s at 39 weeks due to several complications during the pregnancy. I am so very thankful to have had that extra monitoring and care as exposed vessels on our daughter's umbilical cord would have ruptured and she likely would have died had I given birth vaginally. However, I was pretty bummed about having a c/s... I know this sounds ridiculous and ungrateful given our situation and of course I would gladly have a thousand surgeries to have her here safely, but I couldn't help but feel cheated out of a birth experience. Some women understand this, some don't - I get that! ANYHOO, I'm thinking long and hard about a VBAC (hopefully unmedicated) vs another c/s. I have absolutely no qualms about the safety of VBACs, but I'm a little hesitant to get back in that unmedicated birthing mindset just to end up with another c/s because things didn't go according to "plan." So basically I'm trying to balance my desire for a vaginal birth with the possibility I'd end up super disappointed by a repeat section (whereas, if I just said "repeat c/s" from the beginning, I'd be way more at peace with it). Damn. A novel on my crazy internal birthing dialog! Bless you if you read it all!

I hope you get a vbac if that what you want! It can be hard when things don't go as you hope, but I think it's so good to have a plan of what you want.

I don't think that my choices are what's right for everyone. I wouldn't be alive today if c-secs weren't available, since my mom wasn't able to deliver vaginally. And I'm super happy to have the OB and team that helped with testing and my induction with my son.

DemoDoll · August 2013

With my next I will deliver at a hospital again. I am hoping to do a VBAC but since the deliveries are so close together I might have to automatically have a RCS, which I would be fine with. I had a really good labor experience and would like to do that again, despite ending in a c-section after 30 hours of labor.

Beener0514 · August 2013

I had an epidural in a hospital for DD but she got stuck and after 1.5 hours of pushing, I needed a c/s. I will have a repeat c/s because DD was 5 lbs. 13 oz and the doctor said if she couldn't fit, the chances are slim this one will. I'm fine with it. I had a great experience with my c/s.

lyndsey774 · August 2013

Natural birth (drug free) in a hospital, just like last time

KNSATX · August 2013

We are going to start exploring our options soon, but I was pleasantly surprised when my husband brought it up yesterday and asked me to consider a home birth. I am more comfortable at this point with the idea of a birth center, but we'll see. Neither of us are interested in a hospital delivery. I'm really looking forward to digging deeper on this topic!

Teresa1896 · August 2013

EJChapman123 said:

Hospital birth with the epi like last time, assuming this sticks.

This exactly. No desire to experience the miracle of childbirth without drugs. Kudos to those who can!

Marusika · August 2013

I don`t know.... The last time it had to be a c-section...Because I had placenta previa + blood pressure ( not so high though).... But it ended as an induced "natural" birth.

That was really traumatizing for me....because I knew that I`m giving birth to my baby girl and she is dead! The pains, mental and phisical were excruciating. It lasted 7 hours, but it was like eternity to me.My contractions started immediately at every 2 minutes! My body had no time to prepare itself for birth. Then, the last 5 hours I had 10-15 seconds between contractoins but it still hurt in that time, Felt pain continuously.

But the worst was that the doctor and midwifes didn`t care about me at all. They didn`t let my husband be with me all that time. When I was pushing the baby I screamed 2 times and my doctor said that I didn`t want this baby as I`m screaming like I`m in the forest.

How could she tell me that I didn`t want this baby when she knows that we TTC for 2 years.

And during the labor dr. repeated that I may be in labor for days, and if I don`t give birth today, then tomorrow is her mother`s b-day and she can`t miss it and I`n going to give birth by myself..

sarajean5682 · August 2013

I will have a hospital birth just like last time. My birth experience was amazing so I have no regrets.

Katiecave · August 2013

I'm planning on a hospital birth. I have a dear friend that is an OBGYN and know he will have my best interests at heart and won't push me to do anything I don't want to and will be an amazing help and support during the birth

so lucky!

NicoleAnne416 · August 2013

Hospital with an epi like my last two. It works for me.

christina627 · August 2013

Marusika said:

I don`t know.... The last time it had to be a c-section...Because I had placenta previa + blood pressure ( not so high though).... But it ended as an induced "natural" birth.
That was really traumatizing for me....because I knew that I`m giving birth to my baby girl and she is dead! The pains, mental and phisical were excruciating. It lasted 7 hours, but it was like eternity to me.My contractions started immediately at every 2 minutes! My body had no time to prepare itself for birth. Then, the last 5 hours I had 10-15 seconds between contractoins but it still hurt in that time, Felt pain continuously.
But the worst was that the doctor and midwifes didn`t care about me at all. They didn`t let my husband be with me all that time. When I was pushing the baby I screamed 2 times and my doctor said that I didn`t want this baby as I`m screaming like I`m in the forest.
How could she tell me that I didn`t want this baby when she knows that we TTC for 2 years.
And during the labor dr. repeated that I may be in labor for days, and if I don`t give birth today, then tomorrow is her mother`s b-day and she can`t miss it and I`n going to give birth by myself..

That sounds horrible. I hope you have a new OB. I can't imagine not having DH with me or being told those horrible things. I hope this time goes better.

Andrewsgal · August 2013

I have had a natural birth and an epi. The epi birth was so much more peaceful and lovely. I think I will go that way again. I would never be comfortable with a home birth.

mom2twin · August 2013

I had twins, and had them at the hospital. BabyB was breech. Ultimately I had an epi at 9cm dilated because we were all worried I'd need an emergency -c. That epi took me back down to 7cm

bummer. I delivered both of them, 4min apart, vaginally. I ended up being relieved I had the epi as I was cut & forceps were used to get babyb out. He was breech and also face up.... If its multiples again I'll definitely go to the hospital. If just one, I'm not sure....

sunflwra · August 2013

I only considered a hospital birth with my first. It was never a question for me, just what I felt comfortable with. I ended up needing to be induced due to blood pressure and then Brynn ended up having issues due to the cord being wrapped around her neck, etc. I'm so glad I was where I was. Not for everyone but gave me such peace of mind.

VABride2008 · August 2013

I would love to do a home birth but I haven't found anyone in my area who does them. The closest birth center is 1.5+ from home...so a hospital birth it is. I hope to have my third natural birth.

grimmeaa · August 2013

I will be dong a hospital birth again but might switch hospitals and OB. We have plenty of time to think/plan that

mandacann · August 2013

I'll be doing a hospital birth with an epidural.

SSWJ · August 2013

At the hospital with my 4th c section!

myluckypig · August 2013

I plan on a hospital birth with an epi, for the third time!

MamaFantastic · August 2013

Our hospital is a birth center, and my midwife delivered my son. Despite it being in a clinical setting, it was a very holistic and natural birth, 100% unmedicated. I labored in the waterbirth tub for awhile (I stalled at 9cm for four hours, and during that time they made me get out and change positions), then around the room and in the bed until he arrived. It was amazing, and I'll do it again this time.

DemoDoll · August 2013

spasticfantastic said:
Our hospital is a birth center, and my midwife delivered my son. Despite it being in a clinical setting, it was a very holistic and natural birth, 100% unmedicated. I labored in the waterbirth tub for awhile (I stalled at 9cm for four hours, and during that time they made me get out and change positions), then around the room and in the bed until he arrived. It was amazing, and I'll do it again this time.

I am so jelly of your birth story. If I could pick, that's ultimately what I would want. Instead, I got induced at 3 days overdue because of low amniotic fluid but was able to labor completely med free for 12 hours once the cervadil was removed, then had to have pitocin because I wasn't dilating fast enough, got the epidural an hour later because the pitocin made me have constant contractions with no breaks, labored for another 17 hours and only dilated to a 9. DD never got lower than -2 station so there was no way she was coming out vaginally. Le sigh. But I did recover really fast from my section so no complaints there.

leighbball · August 2013

I will be doing a hospital birth with an epidural again. My son was a c-section bc his heart rate dropped during the induction. I'm interested in doing a repeat c/s if my ob will do it.

rlmanning · August 2013

I will be backing into the hospital ready for the Epe! i had an AMAZING experience with my first at Kaiser with an epi and will be hoping for the same with this LO!
I give props to the natural mommas! That's just not for me ;-)

rlmanning · August 2013

@elbug I hear hypnobabies is a great tool for mommas wanting to go natural. A lot of the girls in my previous BMB used and all praised it after birth!

KHendy27 · August 2013

1st baby was a section bc of medical problems.
2nd baby I tried for a vbac but never went into labor. Had a repeat at 42w1d.
This baby I'm hiring a Doula and trying for a vba2c. I had great experiences with both my sections but I really want to push a baby out. Fingers crossed!

christina627 · August 2013

#KHendy27, you can do it! I have a friend that had two csecs (first was a planned homebirth and meconium was present so they transferred to hospital for csec) and then went on to do 4 more homebirth vbacs!

KHendy27 · August 2013

Thanks! My Doula has done several vba2c's at my hospital and has a million years experience. I'm hoping shes exactly what I need.

MamaFantastic · August 2013

I loved our doula! Best decision ever.

pdilly2b · August 2013

To me, the care provider is more of a concern than the birth location. I had a hospital birth with a midwife for DS and will do the same this time. It's really important for me for my care provider to know what birth looks like without all sorts of interventions and to not put me on a timetable just because some textbook 40 years ago said women *should* dilate 1 cm per hr or they are a failure. Some OBs aren't pitocin/timetable-happy, but many are, at least more so than it seems that midwives are.

jsoubel · August 2013

I will be going to a birth center with midwives. Did the same with DD, and had a really great experience. I delivered her at the birth center but then had to transfer to a hospital because the dang placenta wouldn't deliver. The hospital staff was great but I couldn't wait to get out of that place.

rrdiva1 · August 2013

At hospital, with drugs! I'm not trying to be a hero, earned those stripes with 4 ivf lol.

OceanLeaves · August 2013

I had a wonderful hypnobabies birth with midwives in a hospital. Will do the same this time but possibly in a birth center. I'm happy to answer questions from people prepping for hypnobabies. It worked shockingly well for me.

FTR I hate the reference to "being a hero." People have lots of reasons for trying to avoid meds but none of them have anything to do with heroism.

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