Who's had a home birth? I want a home birth!

Re: Who's had a home birth? I want a home birth!

• marriedtoadutchman member

  October 2015

  We had a home birth with our third. And will defiantly consider it again. It was great staying home and feeling comfortable in familiar surroundings. After he was born it was nice to shower and sleep at home:) I still remember how quiet it was the next morning and watching my dh bath my son in the quiet of our home.

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• cattlebride member

  October 2015

  No experience here but I think there's a natural childbirth board with a bunch of stories. I read it a bunch my first time on the bump.
  
  All though imo cuz im a nursre, medically any vagianl birth is natural .

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• goldie987 member

  October 2015

  I haven't, but I recommend reading up about the potential issues with home birth. Studies have found they have higher rates of infant death (4-8 times) and brain damage (as much as 17 times). Yes, the numbers are a small percentage of total cases but it is a bigger risk and you need to be comfortable with and understanding of that risk. There really is something to be said, in my opinion, for having emergency medical intervention a room away instead of a drive away, not matter how short. In the end it's your choice, just make sure you read information from both sides before you make your decision.

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• FutureMrsCAF member

  October 2015

  I know home births can be a really incredible experience, but we live way too far from the hospital for me to be ok with it. I would only consider it if I lived within minutes from the closest hospital.

  
  

  
  

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• CourtJack member

  October 2015

  I had a home birth. It was the most amazing experience of my life. I would recommend it to anyone considering it.
  
  I wanted a vbac and I knew my chances of success were increased if I chose not to have an epidural. We made a somewhat last minute decision to stay home instead of going to the hospital and that decision was helpful in my no drug birth for obvious reasons. I can guarantee I would've taken drugs had I gone to the hospital.
  
  Aside from that I really enjoyed that I was in familiar surroundings and I had a group (like five people including two midwives, a midwifery student and my doula) of people I trusted and had seen me through my whole pregnancy. We all took a group photo in my bed after my daughter was born :-) It was a team effort to say the least. I felt really connected to my team of midwives and trusted them completely (hope that doesn't sound too cheesy).
  
  I plan to have a home birth again this time. But I'm definitely renting the giant tub. Given the last minute nature of my decision last time that wasn't an option.
  
  Happy to answer any specific questions!!
  

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• june2016baby member

  October 2015

  I feel like women who have home births must be much braver than me! I get anxiety just thinking about it.
  
  My good friend almost bleed out after her (hospital) birth. And the doctor who worked on her said, "And THAT'S why you shouldn't do home births!" Now he's an MD, so of course he feels that way, but I haven't been able to forget that. It kind of haunts me. For her, with that baby, a home birth would have meant her death.
  
  However, since you've already had children and everything went smoothly, I'd say your chances of having a safe home birth are reasonable.
  
  P.S. I just mentioned the phrase "home birth" to my husband, (who is also an MD,) and he sat up in bed and yelled, "WHAT!" Which was pretty funny.

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• jerseybroadwaybaby member

  October 2015

  I have had 2 natural water births at the hospital. Both fairly good experiences. However I would LOVE a home birth. Our problem is that currently we live in a very small apartment and we are looking to move. We are not locked into where we are and can leave whenever so it could literally happen whenever! So I'm planning on hospital this time again unless we are moved by 6 months in.

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• Corts member

  October 2015

  There is just too much that can go wrong in a matter of seconds. That only OR equipment can handle or a nicu. I would never waste precious seconds for the sake of being in my own bed.
  Disclaimer- I am a NILMDTS photographer so my strong opinions are obviously influenced by what I see on a regular basis.

  

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• CopperLane member

  October 2015

  I think that being your third, you are in a good place for a home birth. I know someone who had her third at home, all previous births were problem free. She did fine, and baby made an appearance before the midwife did!!! You know your body, you've been through labor, and you'd likely not have a home birth if anything looked wrong near the end of your pregnancy, so I say go for it!!! My friend was really proud of and glad that she had a home birth. For her it was her best labor experience.

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• splsmama2016 member

  October 2015

  My boss had a home birth..... By accident. Haha. Her water broke when she was at home and they literally couldn't even make it to the car before baby girl came. She said it was like she just slid right out! Their midwife got to the house about a half hour after she delivered. Their little girl is now almost 4

  
  
  
  
  

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• emucoleman member

  October 2015

  I've heard a lot of wonderful home birth stories. It sounds like it can be a truly wonderful experience. I am not planning to have one, but I admire people who do (as long as they carefully consider the potential consequences). 

  
  

  When I was pregnant with my DD, I felt like I was sacrificing all the magic of a "natural" birth for the benefit of pain relief and instant medical care if it was needed. But the truth was, when I did give birth--in the hospital, with an epidural--it was a truly magical, beautiful experience for me, my DH, and everyone else who was there. I can't imagine it being any more wonderful in any other place. I commend those who have home births, but I think that childbirth can be a beautiful experience no matter where you are, as long as you have people you love around you and qualified people that you trust assisting in the birth. It doesn't have to be "natural" to be wonderful. 

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• chloe97 member

  October 2015

  Please do your research. A good friend of mine had a homebirth. The cord got wrapped around the neck of the baby during the birth and by the time the midwife realized the baby was in trouble, it was too late to get her to the hospital in time. The baby was born brain dead. I'm all for using midwives and women being able to choose their own birth plans, but I can tell you that there isn't a day that goes by that my friend doesn't wish that she could redo that decision. If she had been in a hospital, a surgeon could have gotten that baby out before it was too late. Are there other hospitals in your area that you could look into?

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