Would you consider a homebirth?

Savannah2002 · November 2013

Oh I agree our CS rate is insane but I think that has to do with legal pressures. I was thinking C/S when I mentioned technology but even better imaging equipment, medications, even just fluids, a NICU unit, respirators, vents, etc. etc. For me the hospital births I assisted the midwives with were just more controlled and on average had less truly scary moments (I assisted on about 45 in hospital births). Things were a bit more hectic because more people were in and out of the room, nurses and IV techs, and it did feel less "homey" but overall my experience was just that it was better for everyone in the hospital. I regret that I didn't get to attend any deliveries in a birthing center.

I haven't been delivering babies for ten years but my graduate degrees are all healthcare based (MBA, JD and now working on PhD in health policy) and I may focus my thesis in this exact area so I'm very passionate and my own experiences have made me somewhat biased against home births after what I've seen.

Not to mention I'm high risk based on my mother's history and my medical history. I'm also 75% likely to need a C section so even if I looked favorably upon home births I'd never take that chance.

Savannah2002 · November 2013

Not that I've been induced but two of my friends had wonderful induced labors by combining acupuncture and the breaking of their water. They were able to avoid Pitocin.

Savannah2002 · November 2013

From everything that I'd heard it doesn't sound like it's anyone's friend. Shudder.

Jennesia · November 2013

Thank you ladies for all the responses. Many of you have brought to light some things that had not yet gone through my mind. DH and I agree that we will not have a HB without a CNM present. IF we cannot find one we will not be free birthing it as some of you called it.

You don't know my history so I will give you a little so you know where my head is at. For DD, we went to the hospital at 4cm and they broke my water. 13.5 hours later, I was only at 7cm even after trying an epidural that I really didn't want. I admit I was scared and did not want to get out of that bed(worst thing I ever could have done). Being a FTM at 22, I did not have the mental control to get through the contractions and wherewithal to stand up to the doctors and refuse treatment. We also later realized that my OB was c-section happy. With DS #1, it was less than 18 months since my previous section, so we were told that we HAD to have another. My doctors and their staff did not inform us of the risks associated with rapid succession births especially where c-sections and VBACs are concerned during my postpartum check-up after DD. If they had, we would have waited longer before trying for #2. They also did not inform me that I could have tried to labor with DS #1 since my body went into spontaneous labor. With DS #2, we waited 2 years before trying to conceive him to ensure my chances for VBAC. I now have what they call a tried and true delivery. Moose was 9lbs 12oz, completely natural at 9 days late. DD and DS were 6lbs 15oz and 7lbs 9oz, respectively.

We would still be having regular visits with the OB, but knowing what we do, how they would want to strap me to a bed and have constant fetal monitoring, and not let my body do what God intended it to, has me questioning whether they will allow my body to do what it has already proven it can do or just lock me up because they won't take the risk and force me to have another major abdominal surgery?

mcsojoss · November 2013

I didn't read all the posts above, but this is one of my big fears... I have heard so many scary stories about hospitals, birth trauma, not being listened to, not getting to keep your baby with you, etc... I have friends who are doulas and think home birth is the way to go. part of me agrees with them. I also work work children with developmental disabilities and see what can happen when not everything goes correctly. So I am really torn. The hospital near me has a really high c section rate. Did I mention that EVERYONE i know who has had a kid in the last year has had a c section. EVERY SINGLE ONE!!! That isn't normal. Oh, and both my parents are in the medical field and VERY pro hospital.

This is probably the thing I am MOST scared of. My plan to figure this all out, once I am KU, is to look into midwife practices, visit hospitals, talk to friends, talk to doulas, and let my heart guide me. I know people who have had such traumatic experiences in birth and it really fucked up their relationship with their new kiddo.

IT IS SO SCARY!!!!

Savannah2002 · November 2013

Jennesia said:

Thank you ladies for all the responses. Many of you have brought to light some things that had not yet gone through my mind. DH and I agree that we will not have a HB without a CNM present. IF we cannot find one we will not be free birthing it as some of you called it.

You don't know my history so I will give you a little so you know where my head is at. For DD, we went to the hospital at 4cm and they broke my water. 13.5 hours later, I was only at 7cm even after trying an epidural that I really didn't want. I admit I was scared and did not want to get out of that bed(worst thing I ever could have done). Being a FTM at 22, I did not have the mental control to get through the contractions and wherewithal to stand up to the doctors and refuse treatment. We also later realized that my OB was c-section happy. With DS #1, it was less than 18 months since my previous section, so we were told that we HAD to have another. My doctors and their staff did not inform us of the risks associated with rapid succession births especially where c-sections and VBACs are concerned during my postpartum check-up after DD. If they had, we would have waited longer before trying for #2. They also did not inform me that I could have tried to labor with DS #1 since my body went into spontaneous labor. With DS #2, we waited 2 years before trying to conceive him to ensure my chances for VBAC. I now have what they call a tried and true delivery. Moose was 9lbs 12oz, completely natural at 9 days late. DD and DS were 6lbs 15oz and 7lbs 9oz, respectively.

We would still be having regular visits with the OB, but knowing what we do, how they would want to strap me to a bed and have constant fetal monitoring, and not let my body do what God intended it to, has me questioning whether they will allow my body to do what it has already proven it can do or just lock me up because they won't take the risk and force me to have another major abdominal surgery?

So you've actually had two sections and one VBAC? That's insane to me to try this at home. If you don't like the hospitals protocols or how your OB/GYN handled your previous deliveries then go somewhere else. I mean really, when I read your post I hear a bunch of excuses for thing. Two sections means you have two amounts of scarring that are pulling during a VBAC! I hate when people use their age for why they didn't stand up against their doctors (or whomever) if you didn't want an epidural you should have said so. If you're old enough to be having a child then you should be able to say something during something happening to your body. Having children that close in age with the first being a section would make it beyond high risk for you to have had a VBAC. Why wouldn't you ask your doctor about when it would be safe to conceive again after having undergone a major abdominal surgery??

This may sound harsh but I hear a bunch of whining instead of proactively trying to do the safest thing for you and your child. Find a hospital where you feel comfortable with a doctor you feel comfortable with....I'm not going to sit here and pretend that your idea to have a home birth isn't insane and beyond dangerous.

ADH0906 · November 2013

mcsojoss said:

I didn't read all the posts above, but this is one of my big fears... I have heard so many scary stories about hospitals, birth trauma, not being listened to, not getting to keep your baby with you, etc... I have friends who are doulas and think home birth is the way to go. part of me agrees with them. I also work work children with developmental disabilities and see what can happen when not everything goes correctly. So I am really torn. The hospital near me has a really high c section rate. Did I mention that EVERYONE i know who has had a kid in the last year has had a c section. EVERY SINGLE ONE!!! That isn't normal. Oh, and both my parents are in the medical field and VERY pro hospital.

This is probably the thing I am MOST scared of. My plan to figure this all out, once I am KU, is to look into midwife practices, visit hospitals, talk to friends, talk to doulas, and let my heart guide me. I know people who have had such traumatic experiences in birth and it really fucked up their relationship with their new kiddo.

IT IS SO SCARY!!!!

Even as someone that leans pretty crunchy, I don't know that I fully buy that you can't bond with a newborn because of a birth experience.

WolFox · November 2013

I had considered home birth, but due to all of the potential complications, I'd really feel (and DH would REALLY feel) safer in a hospital. Note how I say safer but not more comfortable. Ideally I'd love to be in a birth center next to a hospital, but we don't have any around here.

I don't even think my local hospital has birthing tubs. :-/ As a compromise I'm going to have a Doula with us. We already know her and she's a great balance of hippy but realistic if shit hits the fan

I agree that home births should really be only for low risk births, and OP does NOT sound like she qualifies for that. A responsible mid-wife shouldn't take that on...

Valancyy · November 2013

I don't understand with your medical history why you would even be considering a homebirth. You have 3 other children, you want to risk them losing their mother?

Savannah2002 · November 2013

This may be a dumb question but do a majority of people not have more than one hospital within a 30 minute driving distance to them?

mcsojoss · November 2013

ADH0906 I was just commenting about experiences I have heard about. I am not a mom. I can't imagine not bonding with a kiddo. But that is what I have seen happen in my family. I also have a friend who didn't get to spend the first couple days with her baby, couldn't nurse, and still bonded. It is all individual. And it is scary to hear about traumatic births!

Valancyy · November 2013

Savannah2002 said:

This may be a dumb question but do a majority of people not have more than one hospital within a 30 minute driving distance to them?

If I lived in the "city" where I grew up I wouldn't. Now I do. There are a lot of small towns in the US with just one hospital.

Savannah2002 · November 2013

I went to undergrad in a very very small town in upstate NY and even there you could get to three different hospitals in under 40 minutes. The insurance coverage aspect is limiting but most hospitals I've been in (for medical procedures and surgery not related to babymaking or having) have been quite reasonable.

It's just been making me think because out of my large family and numerous friends I know only one person who had a less than stellar birthing experience and if I didn't like the policies or stats at one hospital I'd just go to another.

megs2011 · November 2013

Never! I had a section the first time around (twins, and they were in distress among other things..see siggy). I would like to try for a VBAC this time. A Midwife won't touch me because I'm considered high risk from my previous pregnancy. I agree with the other ladies and think it's insane that you want to have a HBA2C. You need to do what is safest for you and your baby and not worry about being comfortable. I don't want to have another c/s but if I end up needing one, I'm going to do it for the safety of my baby and myself. I have 2 other kids to think about when the time comes.

megs2011 · November 2013

GhostMonkey said:

megs2011 said:

Never! I had a section the first time around (twins, and they were in distress among other things..see siggy). I would like to try for a VBAC this time. A Midwife won't touch me because I'm considered high risk from my previous pregnancy. I agree with the other ladies and think it's insane that you want to have a HBA2C. You need to do what is safest for you and your baby and not worry about being comfortable. I don't want to have another c/s but if I end up needing one, I'm going to do it for the safety of my baby and myself. I have 2 other kids to think about when the time comes.

I have no issues with VBA2C.

I have an issue with doing it at home.

Sorry I guess I should have clarified a little better. I have no issue with it either @GhostMonkey, it's the at home part that I have issue with.

amberhoothoot · November 2013

Um, No I wouldn't.

I loved watching the Business of Being Born and it's follow up series on Netflix.

Because of this information I may hire a Doula to be with me this time around so that I don't get talked into a epidural too quickly. But I am too anxious for a homebirth. Plus, the cleanup is not something I would want to do.

sparklesandcream · November 2013

I personally feel home birth is never a good idea. I just don't see the point. With ds I saw only a mw my entire pregnancy, read everything, took classes, and planned for nothing but a med free natural birth in the hospital. Ds ended up full breech and I had a scheduled c section. It was awful. The best thing the classes prepared me for? To expect anything, because the exact opposite of what I wanted is what actually happened.

CityLover44 · November 2013

Since I can't have an epidural in my own bed..

I'd totally love to have an unmedicated birth. But I doubt it will happen. I tear up with a paper cut.

Also, my H is an ER physician and I can say I'm 200% certain he would not want me to birth at home. He has taken care of the mothers and/or the babies that were rushed to the hospital after failed ones. And no, that's obviously NOT the norm.. but still. I get to hear his stories.

Plus? I want to be taken care of in the hospital. It'll be the last time ever I'm spoiled.

Twinkie0612 · November 2013

GhostMonkey said:

An epidural and vacuum are not the end of the world. Neither is a c-section. I don't get why people act like it is the biggest failure in the world for someone to have those.

And yes, it could have been from that. Or a million other things.

I don't get this either. If there is one thing I have learned from dealing with IF is that life doesn't always go acording to plan. If it did, I would have an almost 2yo. If I am ever lucky enough to get pregnant (and stay that way) my birth plan will be "whatever get's my baby here safely."

This is not the same thing as "blindly following whatever my doctor says." I will still do my own research and be my own advocate, but I am not going to be so dead set on one type of birth that I would put myself or my baby at risk.

brownmouse · November 2013

I had a homebirth with two CNM midwives and an assistant CPM midwife in 2009. If we get a baby #2, we plan to birth in a freestanding birth center with a CNM (not the same one since we live in a different state) because we will most likely live in an apartment when the time comes instead of a house. I am a big advocate for homebirth and midwives WHEN it's reasonably safe to do so.I did months of research, and knew all my options and reasons for wanting a homebirth. If there were ANY inclination that I might be labeled high risk, or any sign of possible complications either during my pregnancy or in the early part of birth I would choose to go to a hospital. My midwives (the one I used, and the one we will use next time) carry all the same equipment as an ambulance, and are prepared to transfer to a hospital well before it would be an emergency. With DD, we lived less than a mile from the hospital, and this time, the birth center we will use is literally down the street, and the midwives have delivering rights at the hospital.

That said, If I were attempting a VBA2C, there is NO way I would even consider a homebirth. You are high risk, I would hope that having a birth at home would be less important than having a safe delivery and a health baby. And please do not consider having your baby at home without a midwife if you insist on having a homebirth. That is just dangerous and extremely irresponsible. The risk of uterine rupture after a C-section is not exactly a small risk, and after TWO c-sections? No way. For the health and safety of you and your baby, please deliver in a hospital where they are ready to handle such emergencies.

I definitely feel that a lot of the bad imagine that homebirth gets comes from mothers who freebirth and mothers who choose to give birth at home despite being high risk or having issues that suggest they might be safer in a hospital setting. Natural normal low risk birth is not a medical emergency, and is often treated as such unnecessarily. BUT a VBA2C could be a medical emergency VERY quickly, and I for one think it's better safe than sorry. You have other children who need their mother.

divinemsbee · November 2013

Savannah2002 said:

This may be a dumb question but do a majority of people not have more than one hospital within a 30 minute driving distance to them?

I'm sure there are other hospitals near me, I've never really looked them up because I've never been in an emergent situation that would require a hospital (although I probably should look that up) and if it was that emergent I'm calling an ambulance and letting them sort it. Since H is in the military we go to the military treatment facility that has my GYN, the OB department and it's own emergency room. It's about 16 miles down the interstate, and it can take 10 minutes to get there. But, if it's a rush hour or traffic's bad, it can take 30 minutes. ETA: We live (we're in a northern suburb, just barely) in something like the seventh largest city in the U.S., I know there are lots of hospitals, but most you have to take the interstate or a highway. So, larger city=more people=more traffic.

55 · November 2013

The hospital is across the next intersection outside of my subdivision. I'm young and healthy. Given these factors, I would definitely consider a home birth IF I knew things had progressed normally and IF I knew I would have a great CNM with me, too.

DiamondStardust · November 2013

In an ideal world... heck yes! But I think I'd rather go to a birthing center close to a hospital. If I was having a high risk pregnancy though, I'd definitely go to the hospital.

GinnyJ2012 · November 2013

GhostMonkey said:

amberhoothoot said:

Um, No I wouldn't.
I loved watching the Business of Being Born and it's follow up series on Netflix.
Because of this information I may hire a Doula to be with me this time around so that I don't get talked into a epidural too quickly. But I am too anxious for a homebirth. Plus, the cleanup is not something I would want to do.

How are you people getting talked into things? My nurses were told to not offer me meds. They did not. If they would have, I would have asked for a new nurse immediately.

Seriously- this stuff isn't hard. Have a little spine people.

Exactly. I had a detailed birth plan that I went over with the nurses. I understand things chance and emergencies arise, but don't agree to something just because the doc say so. Ask questions and make sure they explain what's happening, why they want you to have whatever it is, side effects, and what can happen if you chose to not follow their advice.

karter64 · November 2013

I would consider a home birth as I have had a previous, low-ish risk pregnancy and delivered succesfully. I also live less than 10 mins from my hospital.

The fetal distress my son experienced was diagnosed as soon as I had the fetal hearbeat measured into the hospital (right after my water broke). I was under observation and given oxygen. All these things could have been done at home or at a birthing center and I was hanging around for 10 hours in the hospital before I gave birth vaginally.

In the end, I will probably choose a birthing center or having a doula at the hospital, just because I like my OB, we have a cooperative relationship.

If I were in your shoes, I would just get a good doula and go to the hospital. You can consider all options, in the end you should do what is optimal for the safety of the baby and yourself.

I think that my OB and her partners aim for healthy baby and healthy mommy, which is really important because they don't use 'don't you want your baby to be safe' as a means to shut down all discussion.

It is a way that I have heard other women be shut down from expressing their doubts. If this is the case with your OB, perhaps you should seriously consider having a doula present for your birth.

EmeJay · November 2013

I haven't given birth yet, so this is only my opinion.

You expulse a human from your body. How can that be NOT traumatic? I don't think that doctors have a secret agenda other than delivering a healthy and alive baby.

I'll educate myself, yes. But I'll also trust the medical team because that is what they do. Day in, day out.

I think that we are so damn lucky to live where we live and to have access to hospitals full of everything needed for a smooth birth.

I wouldn't want to have any other medical intervention at home - why this?

Savannah2002 · November 2013

GhostMonkey said:

amberhoothoot said:

Um, No I wouldn't.
I loved watching the Business of Being Born and it's follow up series on Netflix.
Because of this information I may hire a Doula to be with me this time around so that I don't get talked into a epidural too quickly. But I am too anxious for a homebirth. Plus, the cleanup is not something I would want to do.

How are you people getting talked into things? My nurses were told to not offer me meds. They did not. If they would have, I would have asked for a new nurse immediately.

Seriously- this stuff isn't hard. Have a little spine people.

This exactly. I haven't given birth but I've had traumatic medical procedures take place while I'm conscious and making decisions. I've never been unable to stand my ground and do what I wanted/needed for myself. I'm sure giving birth is scary and very painful but I simply don't get how people keep saying things were "forced" on them. If I didn't want an epidural there is no way in hell I'd get one. Not to mention if they touch you against your consent it's medical assault. Medical professionals are not lining up to take on lawsuits.

Savannah2002 · November 2013

funnibunni80 said:

Twinkie0612 said:

GhostMonkey said:

An epidural and vacuum are not the end of the world. Neither is a c-section. I don't get why people act like it is the biggest failure in the world for someone to have those.

And yes, it could have been from that. Or a million other things.

This is not the same thing as "blindly following whatever my doctor says." I will still do my own research and be my own advocate, but I am not going to be so dead set on one type of birth that I would put myself or my baby at risk.
This. It is also not the same as being pressured into following whatever the doctor says. It's one thing if there is a legitimate need for something, but trying to put pressure on a woman to do *this* to make the doctor's life easier is not ok.

And while having a c-section or some other procedure isn't the end of the world, it can feel shitty when/if you realize that you were talked into an unnecessary procedure, and you realize - "Yeah, I could have advocated for myself, and it would have turned out a lot better."

I'm still missing how Csections make doctor's lives easier? Do you know any OBGYNS outside of your own? Csections don't make anything easier for doctors. They increase their costs, time, equipment usage (and believe me as as someone who does stats on medical pricing your OBGYN doesn't make all that much more for a C section....the hospital does), risk for litigation and worries over their patient. I really detest when people just throw around that doctors push C Sections because it makes their lives easier. Give me a freaking break.

Savannah2002 · November 2013

Elbug said:

EmeJay said:

I haven't given birth yet, so this is only my opinion. You expulse a human from your body. How can that be NOT traumatic? I don't think that doctors have a secret agenda other than delivering a healthy and alive baby. I'll educate myself, yes. But I'll also trust the medical team because that is what they do. Day in, day out. I think that we are so damn lucky to live where we live and to have access to hospitals full of everything needed for a smooth birth. I wouldn't want to have any other medical intervention at home - why this?

I agree but wanted to add that birth doesn't need to be traumatic nor does it need to be a medical intervention. Yes, a baby coming out of your vagina hurts and can be traumatic if care is not taken in how fast you push baby out but there are so many hormones circulating that once its over you could care less. Really and truly if you can find a provider in a hospital that will allow you to labor and deliver as you please unless there's a problem that would be ideal. I think the assumption that birth will ultimately be traumatic really sets you up for an emotionally difficult birth. A lot of it is in your expectation of what birth should be based on what you've heard or read.
I agree that doctors don't have an agenda but they also commonly seem to look at birth as one big intervention that they are responsible for managing. I round with the OBs in the L&D and hear how they talk and most of the ones I've worked with want things done their way. There are very few that appreciate the power of the body to labor and birth on its own. If you can find a provider that's appropriately hands off and supportive of you then that's perfect in almost any setting. Though it sounds like Canada has a different perspective of L&D. From what I've heard form a few friends is that they are much more supportive and less likely to intervene unless needed.

But doctors ARE in charge of managing the birth of the babies of their patients. It is an intervention for them because they are in charge and are both ethically and legally responsible for most of the results. I think people forget the responsibility of the doctor. They are there to bring into the world a baby in the safest manner and follow the set medically accepted guidelines. If they stray from what is considered acceptable medical practice (in order to appease a patient) then they run a huge risk of being sued if even a minor problem occurs. Canadian doctors have very little tort liability attached to malpractice so yes they are more free to sit back and be less hyper-vigilant and involved because their healthcare system doesn't penalize them for when things don't go 100% perfectly.

bluebird0521 · November 2013

I had planned on a natural birth at a birth center and originally was all for home birth. I personally don't think it is a good decision. Every pregnancy is different, why take the chance?

Why not just have a natural birth at a birth center if you don't want to deal with doctors?

EDIT: Actually on second thought, I don't believe midwives are able to deliver VBAC. When I was with a midwife the birth center could not take anyone who had a previous c-section and if you developed any complications, even those most OBs would consider minor complications, they couldn't take you due to their certification and insurance requirements/restrictions.

StacyJYay · November 2013

I wouldn't consider a home birth. First, my second will be born just like my first -- via an elective c-section. (My first was a terrific experience. For real.) Second, I feel that too much can go wrong too quickly at home.

short_meli · November 2013

If it weren't for me being highrisk, I'd maybe consider it, but ultimately I know that even then, I'd choose a hospital birth. Not only would I feel safer and more pampered, but I know that DH would not be a fan of a home birth. Not to mention potential issues with insurance.

Savannah2002 · November 2013

I didn't even think of the mess and clean up. Oh ick.

DiamondStardust · November 2013

bluebird1109 said:

EDIT: Actually on second thought, I don't believe midwives are able to deliver VBAC. When I was with a midwife the birth center could not take anyone who had a previous c-section and if you developed any complications, even those most OBs would consider minor complications, they couldn't take you due to their certification and insurance requirements/restrictions.

I don't think that's the case everywhere, though it may be in your area. But yeah, I think most midwives will transfer the patient back to their OB if they develop complications that put them at high risk.

Savannah2002 · November 2013

Elbug said:

Elbug said:

EmeJay said:

I haven't given birth yet, so this is only my opinion. You expulse a human from your body. How can that be NOT traumatic? I don't think that doctors have a secret agenda other than delivering a healthy and alive baby. I'll educate myself, yes. But I'll also trust the medical team because that is what they do. Day in, day out. I think that we are so damn lucky to live where we live and to have access to hospitals full of everything needed for a smooth birth. I wouldn't want to have any other medical intervention at home - why this?

I agree but wanted to add that birth doesn't need to be traumatic nor does it need to be a medical intervention. Yes, a baby coming out of your vagina hurts and can be traumatic if care is not taken in how fast you push baby out but there are so many hormones circulating that once its over you could care less. Really and truly if you can find a provider in a hospital that will allow you to labor and deliver as you please unless there's a problem that would be ideal. I think the assumption that birth will ultimately be traumatic really sets you up for an emotionally difficult birth. A lot of it is in your expectation of what birth should be based on what you've heard or read.
I agree that doctors don't have an agenda but they also commonly seem to look at birth as one big intervention that they are responsible for managing. I round with the OBs in the L&D and hear how they talk and most of the ones I've worked with want things done their way. There are very few that appreciate the power of the body to labor and birth on its own. If you can find a provider that's appropriately hands off and supportive of you then that's perfect in almost any setting. Though it sounds like Canada has a different perspective of L&D. From what I've heard form a few friends is that they are much more supportive and less likely to intervene unless needed.

But doctors ARE in charge of managing the birth of the babies of their patients. It is an intervention for them because they are in charge and are both ethically and legally responsible for most of the results. I think people forget the responsibility of the doctor. They are there to bring into the world a baby in the safest manner and follow the set medically accepted guidelines. If they stray from what is considered acceptable medical practice (in order to appease a patient) then they run a huge risk of being sued if even a minor problem occurs. Canadian doctors have very little tort liability attached to malpractice so yes they are more free to sit back and be less hyper-vigilant and involved because their healthcare system doesn't penalize them for when things don't go 100% perfectly.
------- Not entirely true. Doctors and Midwives are responsible for overseeing the process and intervening when medically indicated. Pregnancy is not a disease and birth does not have to be an intervention. That's why some parts of healthcare is bullshit because it shouldnt all be about avoiding liability. It should be all about having a healthy baby and when providers micromanage it doesn't always lead to a healthy safe situation. A good provider knows when to step back and allow their patient to progress on their own. Very commonly providers (doctors AND midwives) intervene when it's not medically indicated. The threshold for intervening is a gray area of course (ie the art of medicine). I never said they should stray from what's medically acceptable in terms of guidelines in practice. Eta: spelling sucks

My point is that often medical guidelines cause more intervention because it is the standard of care (nationally). While I agree a low risk or easy birth can progress with little involvement from a doctor or midwife....at the end of the day they are responsible for the health of the baby delivered. Therefore, just having prenatal care and a doctor/midwife involved means we (as a society) have medicalized birth and included intervention as the norm (and I think that's a good thing but others may disagree). Obviously, balancing the amount of intervention vs. letting nature take it's course is the call of the doctor/midwife and those calls are based on experience but also mainly on medical guidelines. The structure of healthcare makes it so that doctors have to be overly involved and err on the side of becoming involved vs. letting things take their course. Studies of outcomes in litigation show that doctors are judged much more harshly by courts/juries when they failed to initiate intervention methods vs. when they intervened and something went wrong. We can't expect doctors, who rely on delivering babies as their livelihood, to disregard the legal consequences by being hands off.

mikescutie7 · November 2013

I wouldn't consider a homebirth. My parents are both registered nurses, my mom worked in post-partum for years. I know I would be comfortable in a hospital with her expertise.

I had a pregnant friend who planned to attempt a VBAC at home without any help at all and I thought she was insane but she ended up delivering in a hospital

EmeJay · November 2013

GhostMonkey said:

EmeJay said:

I haven't given birth yet, so this is only my opinion.

You expulse a human from your body. How can that be NOT traumatic?

It is not traumatic for most people.

There is true birth trauma. It's not something to joke about.

What I meant by this is that birthing a child, whatever the way you choose that is right for you, still cause a big trauma to your mind and your body.

I hope I'm not lost in translation here .. I wasn't makin a joke about some women bein very distraught after giving birth.

I meant that regardless of the method, there might be a tiny tiny tiny percentage of women who will have the exact smooth and easy birth they were hoping for and that most of the time, there will be something they wished happened differently.

But again, this is pure speculations and perhaps that I don't really undertand how it works in the US vs Canada

Valancyy · November 2013

EmeJay said:

EmeJay said:

I haven't given birth yet, so this is only my opinion. You expulse a human from your body. How can that be NOT traumatic?

It is not traumatic for most people.

There is true birth trauma. It's not something to joke about.

What I meant by this is that birthing a child, whatever the way you choose that is right for you, still cause a big trauma to your mind and your body. I hope I'm not lost in translation here .. I wasn't makin a joke about some women bein very distraught after giving birth. I meant that regardless of the method, there might be a tiny tiny tiny percentage of women who will have the exact smooth and easy birth they were hoping for and that most of the time, there will be something they wished happened differently. But again, this is pure speculations and perhaps that I don't really undertand how it works in the US vs Canada

I think I know what you mean. I've given birth twice, and it is scary in a way. Things can (and do) go wrong. There is pain (of course), and anxiety that everything goes right. Looking back it's all pretty hazy (even without pain meds). I didn't have any meds with my 2nd, but I feel like I was on something, looking back, it's kind of a blur.

mockingjay1 · November 2013

No freaking way would I even consider it. As someone who used to work in mother/baby, now in NICU, I am very aware of the complications that can happen before/during/after delivery. What if you start hemorrhaging? What if you need an emergent c/s? What if baby's shoulders get stuck? All those things (and more) happen more often than people realize. There are always lots of people around in a hospital to help with emergencies (OB, anesthesiologist, nurses) and that's not something you'd have at home.

Don't get me wrong, I love CNMs. I just wouldn't feel comfortable delivering at home. Labor is a short time in the grand scheme of life, and to me it's not worth risking my life or my baby's life to have the perfect birth. Just my opinion.

abirdd9 · November 2013

All day long. God willing, our next LO will be born at home.

I would consider a HBAC, but I'm not sure about after 2 c/s. If I'd had 2 prior c/s I'd look more into a birth center option with a hospital close by. I'd also probably want to be seen by my midwife and and an OB that I fully trust simultaneously.

Want a personalized experience?

Would you consider a homebirth?

Re: Would you consider a homebirth?

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