home birth, anyone?

ecorry21 · January 2016

Hi August momma's!

My husband and I are quite sure we are going to try for a home birth (we're pregnant with our first child!) Just wanted to connect with any women out there who have...

A) had a home birth- what was awesome? What wasn't? Any tips/ ways you prepared?

B ) want to have a home birth! We're statistically a pretty small bunch, so I'd love to connect with you

jmknox · January 2016

I did a birth center instead of home but it was still awesome. You may want to check out the board Natural Birth, good questions/info/birth stories on there

Jenniferk08 · January 2016

My friend did it with her last. She had a photographer there who caught everything. She had a great midwife who helped her prepare.

I'm a drug me so I don't feel it while in the hospital kind of girl. But I think home births kick ass don't listen to the people who will try to freak you out. A good midwife will make sure things are safe for you.

the_other_mother · January 2016

I really wanted to do home birth (ftm as well) but apparently in Ohio it's not something that's really done. It's very difficult even finding information on where to start. We've decided to go the birth center route. We are both very comfortable with this option because it's actually in the hospital. Wish you all the best though!

HeyStVincent · January 2016

I am of the opinion that home birth is a perfectly reasonable option for a low-risk birth. I have actually attended rallies and petitioned for the State of Illinois to loosen its restrictions on home birth. That said, there is some recent research (a very large study) that found planned home birth or birth center birth is associated with 2x risk of death to the baby just before, during, or the month after labor. However, the risk is still really, really, really low for a home birth because birth (overall) in the U.S. is pretty safe - 1.8/1,000 babies born in a hospital died vs 3.9/1,000 babies born in birth center or at home (planned). https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/12/30/461290691/giving-birth-outside-a-hospital-is-a-little-riskier-for-the-baby

There may also be some problems with the above mentioned study, as studies in similar populations (low-risk pregnancies) in Europe have not found these same risks. The incidence of c-section is also significantly lower with a home birth. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMclde1513623

As a nurse who works with pregnant women in the prenatal and postpartum period, I have seen the outcomes of a number of obstetric emergencies that arise during labor. Based on that, there are a few important things to consider if you want to do a home birth safely. Make sure that the person you are working with for the home birth is well-trained, has lots of experience, and is able to administer pitocin in the home setting. Some states do not allow midwives to adminster pitocin outside of the hospital setting and this can be a life-saving medication if you have some kind of hemorrhage. Also, you would want to have a plan for a quick transfer to a hospital if something were to go wrong with you or the baby.

Good luck to you! I hope your birth experience is exactly what you wanted it to be.

kat22stl · January 2016

Hi @ecorry21 - I had homebirths with both of mine! We are opting (at this point) for a hospital birth this time around because of my age and some recent medical issues. Both my pregnancies were low risk, my husband was on board and I had a trusted CNM (who was very open that she would transfer to a hospital if necessary; we are 5 minutes from my hospital). My midwife also had a great relationship with an ob practice that I saw once at the beginning, for a 20 week scan and then the once at the end (around 39 weeks).

Every midwife is different but i am happy to answer any questions I can. It was lovely to climb into my own bed post delivery! She also offered postnatal appointments - checking on me and baby at our house 24 hours, 48 hours, 1 week and 1 month. (After that we saw our pediatrian).

DSMLove · January 2016

I had a home birth, and assuming that I continue to be low-risk, I plan to do it again.

My experience with it was wonderful! My midwife was totally supportive and attentive. I felt safe and respected. I managed pain by freely moving and changing positions to however I was most comfortable. I had a birth tub which also helped a lot with managing the pain. I only pushed when my body felt ready, and I never had anyone rushing me.

The only con was that my insurance wouldn't pay for it. But it was so much cheaper than a hospital birth, so my husband and I just saved up the money ahead of time, and it was very doable.

ETA- I took a 12-week Bradley method class and I thought that was a really wonderful way to get educated and prepared for a medication-free child birth.

BritMC18 · January 2016

I would absolutely love to have a home-birth, but the practice I go to doesn't support them. I've been at this practice for over 10 years and am comfortable there, so switching isn't an option just so I can have a home birth. But if I was at a practice that supported it, I'd definitely be doing one! I say go for it!

dirtyboots · January 2016

DH and I are planning on a midwife supported home birth with ours. My mom had home births with her last 2, 3 previous were in the hospital. Her and dad both said the home birth was great for them, and I being 16 and 21 when my youngest siblings were born I was able to see a lot of what happened. I didn't watch the actual births, but all leading up to it and then seeing friends having their babies in the hospital, DH and I decided that home birth was right for us.

greendogs1993 · January 2016

I had a home birth with my son and it was the most empowering and amazing experience in my whole life. It is actually less risky for low-rise pregnancies. The rate of c-section is drastically lower, tearing is less likely, and apesiotemis (no idea how to spell it) usually aren't performed. I was left with no stitches to heal. My midwife was part of a study that is rather dry but very informative. Read it over if anyone starts talking about how dangerous it is. Sadly, you will be judged no matter what you choose, so choose what is best for you.

The title of the article is: Outcomes of Care for 16,924 Planned Home Births in the United States: The Midwives Alliance of North America Statistics Project, 2004 to 2009

If you would like to hear a more detailed account of my birth story feel free to send me a message.

greendogs1993 · January 2016

greendogs1993 said:
The rate of c-section is drastically lower

I just read through the paper again and found some of the numbers. Cesarean rate in U.S. hospitals was 32.8% in 2009. Whereas the rate of Cesarean for planned homebirth (transfered to a hospital for the procedure) was only 3.5%. Mortality rates for infants and mothers were the same as national averages.

mermaidbina · January 2016

HeyStVincent said:

I am of the opinion that home birth is a perfectly reasonable option for a low-risk birth. I have actually attended rallies and petitioned for the State of Illinois to loosen its restrictions on home birth. That said, there is some recent research (a very large study) that found planned home birth or birth center birth is associated with 2x risk of death to the baby just before, during, or the month after labor. However, the risk is still really, really, really low for a home birth because birth (overall) in the U.S. is pretty safe - 1.8/1,000 babies born in a hospital died vs 3.9/1,000 babies born in birth center or at home (planned). https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/12/30/461290691/giving-birth-outside-a-hospital-is-a-little-riskier-for-the-baby

There may also be some problems with the above mentioned study, as studies in similar populations (low-risk pregnancies) in Europe have not found these same risks. The incidence of c-section is also significantly lower with a home birth. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMclde1513623

As a nurse who works with pregnant women in the prenatal and postpartum period, I have seen the outcomes of a number of obstetric emergencies that arise during labor. Based on that, there are a few important things to consider if you want to do a home birth safely. Make sure that the person you are working with for the home birth is well-trained, has lots of experience, and is able to administer pitocin in the home setting. Some states do not allow midwives to adminster pitocin outside of the hospital setting and this can be a life-saving medication if you have some kind of hemorrhage. Also, you would want to have a plan for a quick transfer to a hospital if something were to go wrong with you or the baby.

Good luck to you! I hope your birth experience is exactly what you wanted it to be.

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