Home birth vs hospital for first born

denisealonzo44 · January 2015

hello ladies. I'm 23. I'm having my baby boy in July. I want my delivery experience to be as natural as possible for my baby. I don't want any antibiotics for him when he's born or epidural for myself while he's born. I also am a home body and simply don't like hospitals but I want to do what's best for him. I know that the hospital will be ready if any complications arise... What do you think??

ChristyM87 · January 2015

I can understand trying to avoid an epidural and wanting a natural birth, but are you aware why antibiotics are given during labor? They are only given if the mom is GBS+ in order to protect the baby. Moms who don't get antibiotics have a much higher rate of infants becoming septic and requiring hospital admission.

If I were you, I would look into a birthing center. I am using one for my first, still low intervention midwife only care. If all goes well then I may home birth the next baby down the road

ClovesA · January 2015

I think you can't know what your birth is going to be like, especially for a first child. It terrifies me to think of giving birth at home. DS came 4 weeks early and in 4 hours. With each contraction, his heartbeat slowed too much because the cord was being pressed. All turned out fine, but there were a few moments when it was really scary and the doctor thought they were going to have to use the vacuum to help get him out quickly. With something like that, there's no time to have a hospital on standby. I just know that no birth story goes exactly as planned, and I think it's a major risk to do it outside of some sort of medical facility. I like pp's suggestion of a birthing center if that's the gist of what you're hoping for.

Also, this was just posted on my FB feed a few weeks ago. Certainly, there are plenty of successful home births, but you can't be sure you'll be one of them. www.popsugar.com/moms/What-Home-Birth-Like-36487613

jamtoast · January 2015

I don't think there is anyone who enjoys being at the hosptial but in my mind, that is where you go to have a baby. You can choose at the hospital to have no antibiotics for your baby and no epi if that's what you want.

If we had chosen a home birth with my first, he wouldn't be here. My water was broke just before I started pushin after 48 hours of hell. There was meconium in the fluid from the stress of my long labor, and he was born a couple pushes later. Super fast, so fast that there was no time to realize that the cord was in a knot and wrapped around his neck multiple times. He came flying, out blue, not crying, not breathing, I was bleeding a lot because i tore very very very bad. It was an awful, very scary situation. I thank god that I didn't push for hours like most first time moms because it would have killed my baby with the cord around his neck. He also had breathing problems after because of the meconium in his lungs.
Also, while I didn't want an epidural either, if I hadnt got one when I did (after 45 hours) I wouldn't have been able to relax and progress as fast as I did and they said my little guy wouldn't have lasted much longer in there being stragled like that.
Still scares me. He was as blue as a bottle of dawn dish soap, and no one had any idea until he came out.
For this reason, I would never ever ever ever have a home birth. It's not worth the risk.

kladd7182 · January 2015

This is a very personal decision for you to make. With that being said, I am pro hospital births. Anything can happen at any moment, and the time it takes to get you to the hospital could literally mean the difference between life and death for you, the baby or both. If you are Group Strep B+, and you don't do antibiotics during labor you are aware you're putting baby at risk right? You can come up with a birth plan at the hospital, epidural no epidural, no vitamin k shot for baby whatever. Talk to your midwife, doula or whatever about the risk involved and come up with the right plan for you.

mrspark812 · January 2015

In my honest opinion, a home birth for your first isn't the wisest decision. Many experts will tell you a home birth is only safe for mothers who have already had previous healthy and successful deliveries. There are just too many things that can go wrong and since its your first time you have no idea how your body could respond to labor. I would hate for something to go wrong and you were unable to get to the hospital in time. Like other posters have said...look into a birthing center. They often provide an at home environment but are also usually close to a hospital just in case something goes wrong.

But don't rule rule out a hospital birth either. When I delivered my DD I had complete control over my birth plan. I went in unsure if I wanted an epidural and so I told the nurses and they never once pushed it on me. They would just ask how I was feeling, check my progress and then provide suggestions for ways to help with the pain (walking, the shower, etc). So do some research on hospitals in your area before you completely dismiss them. Yes some hospitals have reputations for being more intervention happy if you will, but not all of them are. Plus the biggest perk of delivering at a hospital is in the worse case scenario help is seconds away rather than minutes or even hours. Although I was having a very normal, healthy pregnancy with my DD I wanted to deliver at the hospital that had the best NICU in the area. God forbid we needed it, I wanted it as close as physically possible.

So my advice is do some research into birthing centers as well as the hospitals in your area. But I would avoid a home birth for your first. If you go on to have multiple kids then you can reconsider it.

OH one last thing....do a LOT of research on midwives (I am assuming you want that route as they are usually more pro natural) because their are different levels of qualifications for a midwife and they are not all created equal.

inLOVEalready715 · January 2015

This is such a personal choice, and while I completely respect everyone's rights and opinions...I'm in favor of hospital births. I like to plan for the worst and always be prepared. While a home or birthing center birth can be beautiful and perfect, a hospital can handle situations immediately and with the most effectiveness. I could not live with myself if something went wrong with my baby because of my choice to birth outside of a hospital. For me there is too much risk involved. Things don't go perfectly all the time. My feeling is this birth is not about me, it's about my baby and doing what is best for them, you can still take showers and walk around your room and rock on a birthing ball in the hospital. People have been delivering babies literally forever, but how many women and children died before we had the technology to prevent it. How many babies died of diseases before we had antibiotics and vaccinations? If you are really against a hospital birth I really encourage like PPs to look at birthing centers. The goal is to have happy and healthy kids and that is what we are all trying to do in our own way...I wish you a smooth and uneventful pregnancy and birth however you do it.

mariastratt · January 2015

Home birth all the way! Do your research for both ways from unbiased presenters. I'm not some hippie girl, actually a very conservative and having our second at home just like the first. It's painful, of course, but awesome. Women have been giving birth naturally since humanity started. If you're low risk, I'm sure you can do it too:) Meet with a midwife and a doctor if you're serious about the option!

britlove101 · January 2015

I'm also 23 and planning to give birth in a birthing center with midwives or at home with midwives practicing a technique for a less painful natural delivery called Hypnobirthing. No hospital, no unnecessary interventions, and no OB doctors cutting me open for lame reasons. I haven't had any children yet, this will also be my first.
This is a good point that helped calm me down about doing a birth at home with a midwife : If you are a low risk patient giving birth for the first time it is very unlikely that something will go so terribly wrong so fast that they didn't have enough time to get you and baby to a hospital. Typically there are some red flags that midwives are trained just like doctors to recognize. If a midwife thinks its something that needs attention they will not risk you or your baby's life by not getting you to a hospital right away.
If you do some research you'll find that the US is one of the only industrialized countries that uses trained surgeons (OB Doctors) to deliver babies in hospitals. Other well established countries use birth centers with midwives to attend every low risk birth. Sometimes these centers will be on the same campus as a hospital in case of emergency, but its not the norm for an OB to deliver.
Feel free to PM me if you ever want support or a lead to some great articles/ videos. It was quite easy to make this decision after doing research! Also check out a previous post I made called The business of being born. A lot of people chimed in on it, and its about home birth. There was even an OB who is a July mom participating in the convo! Good Luck to you!

luckystarr1 · January 2015

It is possible to have an intervention free, natural, med-free birth at a hospital. I've done it twice.

I labored with music and dim lights in a jacuzzi tub without any medical interventions, yet I had the security that should something happen, we would be in the safest possible place. I honestly feel it was the best of both worlds.

navbch · January 2015

I'd love to do a home birth, even free birth more specifically (and almost did last time). But while I'm not against home births, by far, there's just a big element of unknown with a first birth.

I will say, as you approach your due date it'll be more clear if you are even a candidate for a home birth.

Koalaknuckles · January 2015

I have no interest in ever doing a home birth.

I don't think hospital birth will diminish my ability to have a positive experience in the least.

I want to have my baby in an environment where we can both be taken care of immediately if a serious problem arises.

But as everyone says, it's a personal choice.

elonsmom · January 2015

Home births only reccomemded for low risk. However low risk can quickly turn to high risk. I hear you about the issues at hospital. However if something life threatening should happen technology is right by your side instead of a potentially 20 minute hospital trip or longer.

SoonToBeGenao · January 2015

Just for argument sake... To all of those who say "in case something terrible should happen" and all the likeness of that statement- what exactly are you referring to? Certified midwives who come to your home bring along every single thing that they also keep in birth centers. They are certified and licensed to identify risks and red flags way before they are a real emergency. So what terrible things are you all referring to that would happen at home to be so emergently life threatening?

mrspark812 · January 2015

SoonToBeGenao said:

Just for argument sake... To all of those who say "in case something terrible should happen" and all the likeness of that statement- what exactly are you referring to? Certified midwives who come to your home bring along every single thing that they also keep in birth centers. They are certified and licensed to identify risks and red flags way before they are a real emergency. So what terrible things are you all referring to that would happen at home to be so emergently life threatening?

One poster already shared her personal story about how her son almost died because his cord was so wrapped around his neck. It was something that they didn't realize was wrong until the baby was born. Had she been at home and 30+ minutes away from the hospital her son would not have survived. Yes midwives can identify risks and watch for red flags but sometimes those red flags come up suddenly. My cousin almost bleed out because she had issues with her placenta. This was a situation that had no warning signs, no red flags. It was split second thing. One second she was fine and one second she wasn't.

4foxsake · January 2015

This is my first and I am having a home birth. I think that most people that are terrified of home birth don't realize how well equipped a midwife is to care for you. They can do literally everything for you that a hospital can do except for cesarean sections and western pain relief. They carry equipment with them for recessitation (sp) and pitocin for hemorhages, oxygen, ect. If you are low risk , it is a safe option. A previous poster said they would have died if they labored at home because of thecord around the neck, meconium, ect, but the truth is a midwife (at least a well trained one) would have transferred her long before that for the sheer length of her labor, and regardless, would have been able to deal with the cord situation efficiently, recussitation, and pitocin for the bleeding. The most important thing is to make sure you have a highly qualified midwife. I would recommend, if you do go this route, to find a CNM (certified nurse midwife) . This certification is the highest level of midwifery, requires a nursing degree, and many years of practice, in and out of hospitals. All that being said, the risk of neonatal death among low-risk women in a homebirth is 2/1000 compared to 1/1000 in hospital. However, I believe the stats are more favorable to homebirth more if only CNM's are counted. In a homebirth you risks of infection, cesearian, tearing, episiostemy, amd instrumental delivery decrease dramatically. If you are really interested I would recommend you do a lot of research, and decide what level of risk you are comfortable with. Also, chedck put the natural birth board here. You are much more likely to have a natural birth if you plan a homebirth. Good luck.

4foxsake · January 2015

Also, if you do need antibiotics for a strep infection, a CNM will administer them for you. This is for the safety of your baby, as strep can be a very dangerous condition for a baby.

SoonToBeGenao · January 2015

Fyi up to one third of all babies are born with a Michael cord. That is not an emergency. They can't strangle because they are getting oxygen through the cord. Not their nose or mouth.

It's all about research.

Find a licensed and certified midwife with experience. Hire a doula and rock your homebirth!

SoonToBeGenao · January 2015

Nuchal cord* autocorrect and mobile hate me

mrspark812 · January 2015

SoonToBeGenao said:

Fyi up to one third of all babies are born with a Michael cord. That is not an emergency. They can't strangle because they are getting oxygen through the cord. Not their nose or mouth. It's all about research. Find a licensed and certified midwife with experience. Hire a doula and rock your homebirth!

I can't speak to the other poster's experience...I was just relying what she said earlier. As for my cousin I know for a fact had she not been at the hospital we could have lost her.

Please do not think I am against home births. For the right person they are a fabulous option, I just personally believe in taking every precaution possible.

shay4cavs · January 2015

I can definitely relate to you wanting the least amount of medical intervention but natural birth is hard. It's amazing and beautiful and all the stuff you imagine it being. But it's hard nonetheless. I would suggest an in between option:birth center. That's what I did withy first because there will be nurse midwifes who are medically trained and experienced in natural birth. Where I had my son they had the birthing rooms set up like actual bedroom. Each room had a nice large tub to birth/ labor in if you like.

SoonToBeGenao · January 2015

mrspark812 said:

SoonToBeGenao said:

Fyi up to one third of all babies are born with a Michael cord. That is not an emergency. They can't strangle because they are getting oxygen through the cord. Not their nose or mouth.

It's all about research.

Find a licensed and certified midwife with experience. Hire a doula and rock your homebirth!

I can't speak to the other poster's experience...I was just relying what she said earlier. As for my cousin I know for a fact had she not been at the hospital we could have lost her.

Please do not think I am against home births. For the right person they are a fabulous option, I just personally believe in taking every precaution possible.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm sorry about your cousin. Really. It sounds like she had retained placenta which is why she bled.

I still don't understand where home birth mothers are not "taking every possible precaution". This is a serious lack of knowledge and ignorance.

4foxsake · January 2015

mrspark812 said:

SoonToBeGenao said:

Fyi up to one third of all babies are born with a Michael cord. That is not an emergency. They can't strangle because they are getting oxygen through the cord. Not their nose or mouth. It's all about research. Find a licensed and certified midwife with experience. Hire a doula and rock your homebirth!

I can't speak to the other poster's experience...I was just relying what she said earlier. As for my cousin I know for a fact had she not been at the hospital we could have lost her.

Please do not think I am against home births. For the right person they are a fabulous option, I just personally believe in taking every precaution possible.

I am not sure exactly what was wrong with your cousin, but as I mentioned before, midwives do carry pitocin on them which is used to stop/slow hemorrhages and bleeding. If your cousin was hemorrhaging, it is likely the pitocin would have stopped/slowed it long enough to get emergency care (unless she lived a really long way from a hospital, in which case, a homebirth would not be recommended).

mrspark812 · January 2015

SoonToBeGenao said:

SoonToBeGenao said:

Fyi up to one third of all babies are born with a Michael cord. That is not an emergency. They can't strangle because they are getting oxygen through the cord. Not their nose or mouth. It's all about research. Find a licensed and certified midwife with experience. Hire a doula and rock your homebirth!

I can't speak to the other poster's experience...I was just relying what she said earlier. As for my cousin I know for a fact had she not been at the hospital we could have lost her.

Please do not think I am against home births. For the right person they are a fabulous option, I just personally believe in taking every precaution possible.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I'm sorry about your cousin. Really. It sounds like she had retained placenta which is why she bled. I still don't understand where home birth mothers are not "taking every possible precaution". This is a serious lack of knowledge and ignorance.

Please do not call me ignorant. I take that very, very personal. I have done my research. Probably more research than most. I know that home birth can be perfectly safe. Women have been doing it for years. And I know the risks of hospital births (higher chance of infections, more likely chance to have a c-section, etc.) Yet through my research, my personal experiences and how I approach my health I believe that a hospital birth is the better choice. The OP asked for people's opinions and I gave mine. I specifically stated in my original post to do research and then make the decision that she felt was best for her. So again do not accuse me of being ignorant or having a "serious lack of knowledge".

SoonToBeGenao · January 2015

" I just personally believe in taking every precaution possible."

This implies that any homebirth mother is not taking precautions. That is simply untrue. Share your opinion but don't generalize like that.

jamtoast · January 2015

SoonToBeGenao said:
Fyi up to one third of all babies are born with a Michael cord. That is not an emergency. They can't strangle because they are getting oxygen through the cord. Not their nose or mouth.

It's all about research.

Find a licensed and certified midwife with experience. Hire a doula and rock your homebirth!

I said in an earlier comment that the cord was wrapped around his neck and it was in a knot.
So yes it was an emergency when he was born blue and not breathing.

mrspark812 · January 2015

SoonToBeGenao said:
" I just personally believe in taking every precaution possible."

This implies that any homebirth mother is not taking precautions. That is simply untrue. Share your opinion but don't generalize like that.

No that's not what it says at all. I never once they don't take precautions but are you telling me a home birth can provide every single medical opportunity a hospital can? Can they immediately rush you or your baby to surgery? Yes a highly trained and experienced midwife will provide every possible precautions that you can at home, but can they do everything? I am generally asking.... if so I guess my research was incorrect.

That is what I meant by my statement. Not that they aren't providing precautions at all.

JennyJensing · January 2015

Do you live close to a hospital?

jennashawn · January 2015

Yes a lot of babies are born with nuchal cords, yes they're getting oxygen through the cord, however when it is a "tight nuchal" and the cord is getting squeezed tightly around the neck the blood flow in the cord is decreased and therefore so is the oxygen. Do your research, crazy and unforeseen emergencies happen sometimes in birth and if you want every resource available for your baby have a hospital birth.

jessjeppe · January 2015

The trouble with wanting things to be natural is that back in the day, before modern medicine, a huge percentage of moms and babies died during childbirth. I personally think that we are so fortunate to be pregnant in a time where anti-biotics and emergency procedures are available to ensure safety of mom and baby, choosing to replicate an unsafe environment is kinda like spitting in the face of all the moms who wished they'd had our privileges.
But that's me, and your birth is up to you. Wishing you all the best.

JHaworth84 · January 2015

I have two big concerns - bleeding (me) and respiratory distress (baby).

Yes midwives might have oxytocin/pitocin/syntocinon but I have seen many people haemorrhage in whom that drug alone plus second and third line drugs have failed. These ladies need blood and possibly obstetric intervention both of which are only available in hospital.

If baby has respiratory distress midwives do not have advanced airway training and there are no NICU facilities and therefore NICU support at home. They are minutes away in hospital.

Currently in the UK we are having major problems with our NHS and some areas are in absolute crisis. Even though I live fairly close to the hospital (15 mins away) I'm not sure I want to put my faith in the ambulance service to get me and baby to hospital should either of the above complications arise so I will be travelling to hospital fairly early on in labour.

We are lucky in a way as most labour in hospital is managed by midwives in a similar way to a birthing centre. Doctors only get involved in high risk cases and if a problem arises.

alissasaintj · January 2015

I'm meeting with a midwife practice tomorrow to ask them questions about emergencies, equipment, etc to assess my and DH's level of comfort. I have a friend who had a home birth with this practice a few months ago and it was a great experience for her (it was her first). I live 2 blocks from a small hospital and an 8 minute car ride from a birthing hospital with a top line NICU, so I'm feeling fairly confident that if something were to go wrong, a trained midwife would recognize the signs and I'd be at one of the two very qickly. The hospitals here don't have labor tubs, and water birth option is important to me if I'm going to try and go without drugs. There are also no birthing centers locally, or Id definitely be booked at one of those for the "best of both worlds" scenario. From my perspective, I'd recommend meeting with a home birth practice to see for yourself what the emergency plan is and to take it from there if you feel your options. I'll repost tomorrow to update how my meeting went in case it's of any help!

4foxsake · January 2015

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8568573 This research indicates that when you exclude children born with congenital abnormalities (they would have died no matter where they were born) the neonatal mortality rate with a CNM at a homebirth is 0.2/1000. Out of 11,788 planned home births there were 0 maternal deaths. This means you are more likely to be struck by lightening than to die in a homebirth. Now, that doesnt mean shit never happens. Considering that the maternal death rate is on the rise in the us, I think we can infer that this increase in maternal death is taking place in the hospital (also considering only 0.6 birth in the us are homebirths.) No one knows yet what is causing the increase but many speculate it is tied to the increase in birth interventions and c sections. There have been a number of avoidable maternal deaths in hospital due to the administration of a drug called cytotec, which is not fda approved for use in pregnant women, and can cause uterine rupture. In the netherlands, 1/3 of all births are planned homebirths, and they lose less babies and less mothers than we do. Anyway, it is every woman's right to choose where she will birth. Choosing the best birth scenario for yourself is about risk assessment and choosing a place to birth that you feel safe in. I know women who had horrible experiences in hospital, and others who had great experiences. Lots of people have anecdotes that may say "I would have died at home" or "the hospital ruined my birth", but the truth is, these are just anecdotes. If you really want a natural birth, it is not impossible in hospital, it is just far more likely that you will accomplish it if you plan a homebirth, whether you transfer or not. If you truly would feel safer in a hospital, hire a doula, who will help you and the hospital stick to your birth plan.

jmlittleton · January 2015

Birthing center! It's a nice middle ground, and if complications arise during labor, most birthing centers can and will transfer you to a hospital! I chose a birthing center that transfers to a baby-friendly hospital, and the hospital is only a mile from the br thing center! Most midwives can tell if there are going to be certain complications that they will not be able to treat ahead of time, and they will set you up with an OBGYN to deliver! I strongly recommend a birthing center if you're trying to decide between the two!

Marlee8 · January 2015

I would have never ever considered a home birth before my own experiences, but now am planning one for this pregnancy!

For my first baby I had a midwife and labored at home until it was time to go to the hospital (worse drive ever when you're almost ready to give birth!!!). I was completely against drugs of any kind but after 27 hours and the urging of my midwife, I caved and had an epidural and my son was born an hour later. We went home 2 hours after that.

My second seemed to be going the same way. I was only 2 cm dilated when I got to the hospital so my midwife sent me home to labour more at home (7 minutes from hospital and home is WAY more comfortable when you're in labour). It was January and snowy and by the time we got home and up to the bedroom my second son came out on my bed with only my hubby there to help (midwife stopped for gas!!!).

After both experiences I can definitely say that home births are WAY more comfortable. I was resting and watching tv in the comfort of my own bed 10 minutes after birth. But my body knew what it was doing. My first would not come out without help. So even if I had planned a home birth for my first, my midwife would've transferred me to the hospital.

This one will be a planned home birth which will be a little different again - at least we will have all yhe necessary supplies!!!

I think planning one for your first is awesome if you want. But know that your midwife may transfer you and you may end up at the hospital anyway. Good luck!!!!

JenniferH1311 · January 2015

Being that I had to have an emergency c-section that they didn't see coming till it was time to push I'm extremely greatful that I was in the hospital!

gotdiesel2007 · January 2015

JHaworth84 said:
I have two big concerns - bleeding (me) and respiratory distress (baby).

Yes midwives might have oxytocin/pitocin/syntocinon but I have seen many people haemorrhage in whom that drug alone plus second and third line drugs have failed. These ladies need blood and possibly obstetric intervention both of which are only available in hospital.

If baby has respiratory distress midwives do not have advanced airway training and there are no NICU facilities and therefore NICU support at home. They are minutes away in hospital.

Currently in the UK we are having major problems with our NHS and some areas are in absolute crisis. Even though I live fairly close to the hospital (15 mins away) I'm not sure I want to put my faith in the ambulance service to get me and baby to hospital should either of the above complications arise so I will be travelling to hospital fairly early on in labour.

We are lucky in a way as most labour in hospital is managed by midwives in a similar way to a birthing centre. Doctors only get involved in high risk cases and if a problem arises.

Even if they were in a hospital not all hospitals have NICUs. The hospital I had #2 at did not have a NICU, they didn't even have a staff member that could get a IV in him. Plus that was down right the worst hospital experience I've ever had which made me want a home birth this time but I don't have $3000 laying around.

4foxsake · January 2015

gotdiesel2007 said:

I have two big concerns - bleeding (me) and respiratory distress (baby). Yes midwives might have oxytocin/pitocin/syntocinon but I have seen many people haemorrhage in whom that drug alone plus second and third line drugs have failed. These ladies need blood and possibly obstetric intervention both of which are only available in hospital. If baby has respiratory distress midwives do not have advanced airway training and there are no NICU facilities and therefore NICU support at home. They are minutes away in hospital. Currently in the UK we are having major problems with our NHS and some areas are in absolute crisis. Even though I live fairly close to the hospital (15 mins away) I'm not sure I want to put my faith in the ambulance service to get me and baby to hospital should either of the above complications arise so I will be travelling to hospital fairly early on in labour. We are lucky in a way as most labour in hospital is managed by midwives in a similar way to a birthing centre. Doctors only get involved in high risk cases and if a problem arises.
Even if they were in a hospital not all hospitals have NICUs. The hospital I had #2 at did not have a NICU, they didn't even have a staff member that could get a IV in him. Plus that was down right the worst hospital experience I've ever had which made me want a home birth this time but I don't have $3000 laying around.

My CNM accepts some types of insurance, and medicaid. Have you looked for a CNM? Many states require HMOs to provide coverage to a woman who uses a CNM. All states require medicaid to cover it.

CreechMommy · January 2015

You could have a prolapse cord, cord could be wrapped around baby's neck. Head over to ttc after loss and peruse the women's stories where they had healthy low risk pregnancies but their babies died due to a cord accident. And they were AT a hospital.
Of course it's your choice but I would never recommend a home birth. I know way too many children that wouldn't be here if they were born at home.

gotdiesel2007 · January 2015

4foxsake said:

gotdiesel2007 said:

JHaworth84 said:
I have two big concerns - bleeding (me) and respiratory distress (baby).

Yes midwives might have oxytocin/pitocin/syntocinon but I have seen many people haemorrhage in whom that drug alone plus second and third line drugs have failed. These ladies need blood and possibly obstetric intervention both of which are only available in hospital.

If baby has respiratory distress midwives do not have advanced airway training and there are no NICU facilities and therefore NICU support at home. They are minutes away in hospital.

Currently in the UK we are having major problems with our NHS and some areas are in absolute crisis. Even though I live fairly close to the hospital (15 mins away) I'm not sure I want to put my faith in the ambulance service to get me and baby to hospital should either of the above complications arise so I will be travelling to hospital fairly early on in labour.

We are lucky in a way as most labour in hospital is managed by midwives in a similar way to a birthing centre. Doctors only get involved in high risk cases and if a problem arises.
Even if they were in a hospital not all hospitals have NICUs. The hospital I had #2 at did not have a NICU, they didn't even have a staff member that could get a IV in him. Plus that was down right the worst hospital experience I've ever had which made me want a home birth this time but I don't have $3000 laying around.

My CNM accepts some types of insurance, and medicaid. Have you looked for a CNM? Many states require HMOs to provide coverage to a woman who uses a CNM. All states require medicaid to cover it.

We have tricare and there is some rule on the island that CNMs must work in a hospital or something like that, so tricare will not cover services. Even switching hospitals is a huge PITA bc it requires me to find a new doctor for everything. I have a love hate relationship with Tricare.

sschwege · January 2015

CreechMommy said:

You could have a prolapse cord, cord could be wrapped around baby's neck. Head over to ttc after loss and peruse the women's stories where they had healthy low risk pregnancies but their babies died due to a cord accident. And they were AT a hospital. Of course it's your choice but I would never recommend a home birth. I know way too many children that wouldn't be here if they were born at home.

Not sure how that proves your point since the babies you are referring to died 'AT a hospital'. You know what increases the likelihood of prolapse? Artificial rupture of membranes, you know where that's more likely to occur? A hospital.

@CreechMommy

That being said, I had both of my babies med-free at a hospital known for being low intervention and had a beautiful experience both times. We are planning another hospital birth at the same hospital. So I in no way have a problem with hospital births, I just wish people realized that provided you have a well trained MW, are close to a hospital and are low-risk, the absolute risk for mother and baby in either situation is extremely low.

OP: Honestly, if I didn't have the hospital we have I would have considered a HB for my second and third. I just wouldn't have been comfortable at home the first time. That's just my own personal comfort level, you have to decide on yours.

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Re: Home birth vs hospital for first born

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