Home Birth

abunky wrote: so has anyone ever had one , i'm considering this option ..i did my home work on it , the pros and cons ....what do you ladies think about home birthing

Kaitlin'smom replied: would depend on alot of things for me, but after having an emergency c-section the last time not sure I could do it.

lisar replied: I had to have emergency c-sections with both of mine so I wouldnt be able to even if I could have another kid.

mommy~to~a~bunch replied: I LOVED it! I've only had 1, and when I have more babies, they will be born at home too. Research has proven that it is safer to give birth at home; the outcomes are BETTER for moms & babies. My labor was only 3 hours & 2 minutes long, from the first contraction until I was holding her, and it wasn't even that unpleasant.

I think homebirths should be the norm for healthy, low risk moms. My care I got from my midwife was far superior than what I ever got from an OB. Instead of a 5 minute appointment with an OB, I spent 1.5 hours, maybe more, going over health & nutrition, my ideals and beliefs about labor & delivery, if I wanted a waterbirth, etc.

I will never give birth in a hospital again. Not with the risks of medical mistakes, the harrassment, the unnecessary procedures, risks of infections, etc.

Some great books to read are The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer and anything by Ina May Gaskin, particularly her book, Guide to Childbirth.

abunky replied:
i had a couple of freiends that had a home birth and swear by it , i'm realy hessitant to go to a hospital again , it just seemed like wheni got there , they threw me in bed and wouldnt let me move around none , and i had a birth plan and noone respected what i had asked for , ...thanks for the info on the books

mommy~to~a~bunch replied: You're welcome!! If you ever want more info, just let me know . I LOVE talking about homebirths & babies!

abunky replied:
thanks , well then you will be hearing a lot from me for the next 8 months

mommy~to~a~bunch replied:
That's perfectly fine with me !

Crystalina replied: I've never done it. I have a very good relationship with my doctor and the hospital here is great so I don't think I'll try it. This is a small town, the girls who deliver my babies went to school with me.

kimberley replied: i loved my home birth. midwives are as hands on or hands off as you want them to be. i had three normal births beforehand so the risks were low. it was really comfortable to be able to put the lights low, have my pillow, to labor wherever i was comfortable and to not have to go anywhere afterwards. no nurses waking me every ten minutes... just me and baby and family.

mommy~to~a~bunch replied:
Isn't that just wonderful?? I loved that I didn't have to go anywhere, I could do what *I* wanted, no "rules" or anything to follow.

I loved my midwife . She had the right equipment to make DH comfortable in case of an emergency (didn't use any, of course), and our personalities meshed so well, which made for great karma . She knew when to back off, and knew when to give me support. It's an amazing experience I will treasure forever .

Crystalina replied: What do you do in case of an emergency? What happens if the baby has a high billy rubin count? Does the baby have to go to the hospital anyway? Are they prepared for things like that? I've seen it on t.v. but on t.v. you never see an emergency situation. High billy rubin count is not an emergency situation but both my kids had it and had to stay in the hospital.

kimberley replied: they have a portable lamp, defibulator (sp?), meds etc. and are trained in infant CPR. i am in a big city, so an ambulance would be here within 10min of any emergency that required more than they could handle.

they really do try their hardest to convince you not to have a home birth because of the liability. if there are any risks at all, they will outright refuse to do a home birth. thankfully, i was low risk and determined to have a home birth. tho she did convince me not to birth in the water.

i think things are different here. midwifery is a 4 yr bachelor of science here that includes 2 yrs practical and governed by doctors and midwives so i felt quite secure. i'd do my homework anywhere else.

Bamamom replied: I had normal pregnancies and normal deliveries. However in each case I was glad I was in the hospital. With Tripp the cord was wrapped around his neck - which I'm sure a competent midwife could have handled but I felt much better knowing that he was steps, not minutes, from a neonatalogist. With Katie, her heart rate dropped radically when my water broke at 7cm. Again, not uncommon but had they not had on the fetal heart rate monitor they wouldn't have known that I needed to move around (and they massaged her head) to increase her heart rate and bring her out of distress.

I guess I just have a really good relationship with my OB and my hospital. I hear the horror stories of being woke up every few minutes, the nursery taking the baby against the mother's wishes, doctors not following the mother's wishes - I've just never encountered anything like that. My doctor gave me the option of going home the next day, the nursery ALWAYS asked if this was a good time to take the baby and usually gave me about a 30 minute warning so I'd have time to nurse the baby before they came, and my night nurses never woke me - they only came in once and were very quiet and respectful.

I guess my point is that every doctor, nurse, and hospital can't be lumped in together. Some of us have had WONDERFUL experiences at the hospital and wouldn't consider giving birth elsewhere.

Sorry - hope that wasn't hijacking the post. Just wanted to voice why I give birth in the hospital and that it can be a good experience.

Crystalina replied:
A midwife doesn't hook you up to a fetal monitor? Oh that would freak me out if that's true.

My nurses gave me the option of taking the baby. With Izabella they brought her back to me as soon as they were done with her first bath and all that and she never left again except to get her pics taken.

Evan on the other hand, I also had the option but I took the first night off and gave him to them. It's nice to rest. I wanted to take advantage of that because there is no rest at home.

My stays in the hospital were very short. 2 days.

kimberley replied: no but they do know how to use a stethoscope.

i guess this all boils down to perception. to me, birth is the most natural experience that requires little to no intervention. women in africa squat in a field and give birth. no big deal. it is something you experience with the love of family around you to welcome the newest member. not a team of doctors.

others believe it is a medical "condition" that requires monitoring and intervention. they prefer the security of a doctor making decisions. but doctors are not infallable.

i am glad many people had wonderful hospital experiences... whatever works for you. that doesn't make home birth less appealing for those interested.

Crystalina replied:
I give major kudos to the mothers who squat in the fields. Those are true women!

I do prefer the doctor but that is not to say that I think that women who choose home births are wrong at all. To me that does not make a person better or worse. It's just a different way of going about it that has been done (I know) way before doctors intervened.

I do not believe the being pregnant is a medical condition in the least. I do, however for me, feel better having it monitored but not by a team of doctors. I only have one and two nurses.

I was just questioning why they don't use the monitors. I still don't get it. And does that mean they don't do ultrasounds? Is there a reason for this? I know some religions (Amish) it's because of the use of electricity.

Hillbilly Housewife replied:


Sorry - this made my day.

High Billy Rubin...


it's bilirubun, just for further let's-not-crack-Rocky-up-cuz-she-hasn't-had-enough-coffee-today

and, ultraviolet lights can usually help. It's pretty much, essentially, jaundice. Most midwives ARE equipped with the light pad.

(barring the REALLY serious levels of bilirubin of course, that could damage the brain... but you'd have other signs of that, such as poor fetal heartbeat, other signs of distress...)

kimberley replied: they used a doppler throughout my pg to check the heartbeat. they sent me for 1 ultrasound at 20+ wks to check everything and that was it. i suspect they don't use monitors during labor because they are an unnecessary intervention. there are no meds involved so there is less risk to the fetus. (pitocin inductions bring on unnaturally strong contractions that can make baby's heartrate dramatically drop.. which happened with Jade). i never understood the constant monitoring of the heart rate to begin with. it is normal for some fluctuation during labor and birth and it causes mom stress to see the variations imo. it is not religious... it's just natural.

ZandersMama replied: Both of my pregnancys were so far from normal that i never could have had a home birth. With Zan i was on bedrest from about 12 weeks, miscarried his twin, went into labor at 30 weeks, spent 2 weeks in hospital, and when he was born cord was wrapped around neck twice, she had to cut if off before he was even out of me, just his head and neck was out.

And, you all know Zaviers story.

abunky replied: i'm learning a lot of good info here , from everyone

mommy~to~a~bunch replied:
Breastfeeding is the best way to lower bilirubin counts, but almost all doctors are completely ignorant on the subject and usually say to feed formula to lower it. Sunshine is the next best thing.

Most competent midwives know how to handle an emergency. It's something you discuss at your appointments as well. My midwife carries Pitocin, oxygen, & suturing supplies. I had no worries about emergencies, and I knew my MW could handle anything.

Midwives philosophies on pregnancy, labor, and birth usually differ drastically than an OB. Most HBMW's are hands-off, low tech, natural birth minded, where as OB's are high-tech, hands-ON, and medically minded, most of which is completely unnecessary in low risk women. It's a matter of what you are comfortable with.

I wanted to avoid the medicalized births I had before. I hated not being able to move around, hooked up to monitor, and not allowed to eat or drink. I hate hospitals to begin with, they are for sick & dying people, not a healthy mom about to have a baby.

I think my MW checked the baby's heartrate only a few times while I was in labor. I had the freedom to do as *I* pleased, and it was great! Doctors have instilled the fear surrounding childbirth into generations of women. They feel they need to "save" women from themselves, that our bodies are broken & we can't possibly birth without a doctor present. That's is so far from true; how did our species survive before doctors ?

Bamamom replied:
I'm sorry you had such a bad experience Mollie. I guess my point was to say that it wasn't like that for everyone. I was allowed to get up and move, to eat or drink. And as far as hospitals being for sick people, I think that's just a matter of perspective. I don't view them that way.

I'd love to see some scientific research on breastfeeding being the best way to lower bilirubin counts. Katie's was high but I bf her through it - on the advice of the hospital lactation consultant. However I've never seen or heard that bf is the BEST way to counteract a high count. Just wondering.

Again - I don't think it's fair to lump all OB's together. Some will follow the mother's wishes to the hilt. IMO (and it is ONLY my opinion) it is up to the mother to find an OB that shares her birth philosophy. If the mother and the OB aren't on the same page about things how could one expect to have a good experience?

Crystalina replied: Rocky! I even Googled it because I couldn't spell it and that's what I got!

I understand now about the intervention and stuff I guess. I get why people would want to do it but I think I would just feel safer in a hospital *just in case*. There are so many things that can go wrong though. With twins the cords can get tangled, even with a single birth theres a risk of a knot. I guess I'm a worry wart.

Crystalina replied:
My OB told me everything, has good communication and is very personable. He's not a stiff. He let me do what I want when I wanted. The rooms in our hospital (the birthing rooms) are very homey and not at all like the other rooms in the hospital. The entire maternity floor has a different look and feel about it. It's so *not* hospital like.

With my kids' high ahem...bilirubun, I was also breastfeeding. It didn't help much. The lights, the sun and a few days in the hospital is all that worked. I did get to bring the blanket home so I could continue the light. I was told that with my blood type and DH's blood type that all my kids would have to deal with that. I don't think breastfeeding would have done it.

Mommy2Isabella replied: I recently attempted a homebirth and had to go to the hospital.

I loved my experience and if we have another child I will attempt a homebirth again.

My midwife knew when enough was enough and it was time to go to the hospital. I believe a baby somewhat knows what they need and my baby was having trouble breathing and a few other things when he was born and I am SOO THANKFUL for the hospital ... in that respect.

Good LUck, I had a great experience considering ...

mommy~to~a~bunch replied:
Yes, what you said about doctors & moms being on the same page is true, but not everyone has access to several different OB's to "shop" around. There was *1* here - no other choices. Now there are none. You have to travel an hour away.

I'm glad the rest of you had great hospital experiences, but the chances of something going wrong increase as soon as you enter the hospital. Homebirths are safer than hospital births, even with all of their fancy equipment. Yes, I was even shocked to learn that, and it helped me be even more confident in my decision to give birth at home.

Jaundice is normal; breastfeeding is the best to lower levels because breastmilk has a laxative effect on babies, helping them to pass the meconium and bilirubin. And if for some reason it takes awhile for the levels to go down, 10 minutes in the sunshine a couple times a day is good too. There's no need to supplement with formula.

jcc64 replied: I like the idea of a home birth in a low risk situation. I didn't take the risk b/c I simply live too far from a hospital, had anything gone wrong.

Kaitlin'smom replied: all I know is if I do have any more childern I am deffinalty looking into a dula or MW.

Hillbilly Housewife replied: Crystal, i laughed for a long time. You really did make my day.

Bamamom replied:
I've never heard that homebirths are safer. I'd really like to see some scientific research on that as well. I'd love to know how the numbers match up.

It was my understanding that the reason they often suggest formula to lower the bilirubin is because it helps to flush the system quicker. If the mom's milk hasn't come in yet then it is not there to produce the laxative effect you mentioned. Again, I'd be interested to see some scientific research on the subject.

Both subjects are interesting food for thought.

Hillbilly Housewife replied:
Why don't you google it? I'm sure you'd find much of the information that Mollie would be posting on the subject if she took the time to do it.

Bamamom replied:
I thought she could reference the sites (or references, if it were books) she was refering too that way we'd all be on the same page. It seemed to me she had done some research on the subject - I'd be interested in seeing the same research.

Hillbilly Housewife replied: A wonderful book about exactly this... homebirthing vs doctors/hospitals...is called "the birth house", by Ami McKay. It's set in the time where doctors and hospitals start to try to take over the norm, in a small town. Very enlightening book... I just finished it. Absolutely Excellent book, worth the price!

coasterqueen replied:
My thoughts are that it's a great idea if you are comfortable with it. I had two not so great hospital experiences and I feel comfortable that I would have gotten better treatment in the laboring process if I would have done it at home with a doula/midwife. I'm very confident in that for my two times. It wasn't just my OB who was the issue, but the nurses, hospital doctors, etc. With Kylie I ended up having to have a c/s that I would not have had to have if I would have done things differently. With Megan, well she came a month earlier than expected so in every way I'm glad I was at the hospital for her birth, but as far as the laboring process of it I think it could have been more pleasant and a LOT less time if I had people that were competent and not busy with other responsibilities except for me. I think that's a key of having a home birth IF you can assure yourself it's a low key risk situation is that with the home birth YOU are the only patient that the midwife deals with and they can focus just on you and your needs, etc. In the hospital, at least from my experiences, those nurses did NOT listen to me and I wasn't their only concern.

Mommy2BAK replied: homebirth sounds really cool, as long as the outcome is good and healthy for both baby and mother. ETA: (Not sure thats a risk I would be willing to take) I live in a very small town without a hospital, so I don't think it would be an option for me, maybe if I lived next door to a hospital where I knew I could get there quick if we had an emergency.

BUT with this pregnancy being high risk anyway, I would not condsider a homebirth, although I'm sure it could/has been done before.

With Blakely and Ayden I had a very quick labor and I never felt like the doctors were too invasive, and I never had nurses that woke me up all through the night. They were both born at different hospitals, but both hospitals had the same policies on taking baby to the nursery, the baby is only taken when the mother is ready. Of course though, there are pro's and con's to anything. Good luck with your decision!

coasterqueen replied:
As much as I agree with homebirth, I think you are doing the right thing. I don't think I'd ever try a home birth with multiples - there is a risk in general with multiple pg's anyways. Like you said, I'm sure it's been done and safely, but I'd be a nervous wreck for sure.

Hillbilly Housewife replied:
Would you be satisfied with research that likely isn't on a governmental health and safety board? It's not likely scientific....but I'd love a link or two myself... What I've read so far is sooo interesting... especially after reading the book I posted about.

Bamamom replied:
I don't know that I would be satified if it weren't scientific - it doesn't necessarily have to be sanctioned by the government but it could still be scientific - like conducted by a university or independent research group.

If it's not scientific then it could be just some random person sitting in their bedroom spouting rhetoric. If I'm going to buy into a new way of thinking then I want to make sure I'm being influenced by what really is best for me and my children - not just someone else's opinion.

I could be wrong - and Mollie please correct me if I am - but the way Mollie phrased a few things lead me to believe she had done some research on the subject. I was just wanting to look at that research.

My2Beauties replied: I applaud those women who do homebirths, I'm just too much of a worry wart. My OB's office is nothing but women, it's called total woman, they have breastfeeding classes, infant massage classes, a relaxation center where you can get massages, facials, pregnancy massages, etc...it's all about women and their needs and making them have a wonderful birth experience. My doctor sat with me and went over every concern I had, they were not invasive, the nurses at the hospital were as sweet as sweet as could be. The only bad experience I had was with pitocin. Aubrey was born "sunny side up" as they called it which meant I was having an extremely hard time progressing on my own (I had like 4 false labors too) and so the pitocin was all they could do, I had a hard time pushing as well, took a long time for her to come out because of her position. But what I appreciated was that they didn't try to go in and turn her around or pull her out with forceps or anything whacky like that, they took their time, told me to push when I wanted, told me to rest when I wanted etc...it was a great experience in that respect but pitocin sucks! My contractions were horrible. Also, I'm such a chicken, I couldn't ever give birth without an epidural

Hillbilly Housewife replied: I'm just trying to find out if you're looking for research validated by an official government approved group, or if you're ok with something, say from a group of mothers who got together and formed their own research group. I just didn't want to (either Mollie, me, or whomever else might have links) post information and then have that info ignored just because it's not sanctionned by the government. It would definitely help to know what you're looking for as to not waste time giving you links you won't bother with. sorry, didn't mean to offend you.

moped replied: Big shocker here, but homebirths aren't for me

Bamamom replied:
Oh I'm not offended at all. I think it's good to for us to all be on the same page as to what we are looking for.

I don't think a group of women who did homebirth getting together and putting their particular experiences on a website or in a book is valid. I could just as easily get together with group of women who had great experiences in a hospital and open a website or write a book - that doesn't mean that we have anything to back that up but 15 or 20 good experiences. It's just someone's opinion.

Again - it wouldn't have to be government sanctioned or condoned but it would need to be scientific.

Hillbilly Housewife replied:
Then you probably won't get much, considering most research that isn't sanctionned or condonned by gov't and the medical field IS by real people with life experience.

Ah well... Mollie might come up with something and surprise us.

BAC'sMom replied: I, like TAMARA do not have a Hospital in the town where I live. The closest Medical Center is 45 minutes away. Although I think it is wonderful that women are given the option of a Home Birth or a Hospital Birth. I would have never considered a Midwife / Home Birth as a option. I would much rather have all the Tests and Technology that a OB / Medical Hospital could offer me. I would rather be safe than sorry.

Good luck with your decision

Bamamom replied: isn't research at all. It's just opinion. And those people have the right to their opinion, they have a right to publish and promote it in a variety of ways, and others have the right to believe it. But it isn't research.

Hillbilly Housewife replied: I guess what I'm trying to say is that even though they may be independant in their research (not affiliated with the government) they are not above being discredited by the government and affiliated organizations, and so I don't think there will be much found, beyond crunchy groups/organizations...i could be wrong, but that's something Mollie might know.

I take, for example... the 9/11 movies (just because there was a thread about it not long ago) - there were several people involved, including scientists, including structural engineers, including a whole whack of highly credited people... and the gov't still attempted to discredit them and say they were ALL WRONG. A large number of highly educated individuals, supposedly experts on the subject, proving their knowledge with reports, graphs, you name it... vs the gov't saying "it's not true"... and somehow the gov't's word is what was said to be the Final Word. Why is that?

ps - most universities in Canada ARE affiliated with the government, considering they get a lot of funding for said research from it, scholarships and such..even degrees are somewhat programmed by the government... maybe it's different in the states.

Anyways, enough about government and the power it claims not to abuse...

maybe Mollie will be able to come up with something for you.

kimberley replied: Rhonda, isn't the fact that millions of women all around the world for thousands of years have had unintervened births proof enough??

prenatal care as it is today has not been in existance very long. my mom didn't have a million 4d u/s, glucose tests, constant monitoring. she got pg, told to drink milk and that birth was going to hurt.

Mommy2BAK replied:

Bamamom replied:

Both of these statements were made as fact. I'm just interested in finding out if these are indeed factual statements or just someone's opinions.

I'd also like to point out the incrediably high infant mortality rate and high rate of miscarriage during those thousands of years of women squatting in the fields to give birth. Sure most of those babies lived but to dispute that millions of babies have survived that would have died without medical intervention flies in the face of pure fact. I agree that a normal pg progresses just fine without intervention and will probably also be a wonderful homebirth experience for those who wish it. But there are time when, either because of need or just because that is where the mother is more comfortable, a hospital birth is warranted.

I'm NOT saying that Mollie is wrong at all. I'd just like to see some research to back up her statements.

Bamamom replied:
I don't necessarily care if they were discredited by the government. In any valid research their method of research will be described - sample size and method, data collection method, etc. If they have conducted their research appropriately then I don't really care if the government disagrees with it. To me science is science.

It is different in the states. State university do recieve some money from the government but the majority is from tuition and from donations.

(Hey, Rocky, look at us interacting like adults. Yeah for us!)

kimberley replied: quoted from this site

Crystalina replied: I can understand why some do home birth but why does this keep coming up:



That was quoted from the link Kimberly posted and it's also been mentioned in this thread. That makes it sound like those of us who prefer hospitals are wimps. I've met a few moms who think it's a "condition" but those are women that are lazy in their lives anyway. I've never seen it as a condition or that I'm "not well". And as far as pain meds, they don't work for me so I get no epis...although I would love one! So I endure pain just as much as a woman laying in her own bed at home with her midwife.

kimberley replied: i really couldn't find anything saying bf was better for jaundice babies. just that the colustrum has laxative ingredients, frequent nursing increases bowel movements to lower bilirubin leven, and that a mom shouldn't stop nursing because of jaundice.
frequent nursing and sunlight is enough in most cases.

coasterqueen replied:
I couldn't either, but I KNOW I had a fact sheet on it at one time through Kellymom's website because I found the link on my favorites list, but when I went to go to the link it's been taken off her site.

kimberley replied: i don't think anyone who prefers a hospital is a wimp. everyone's threshold for pain is different and their comfort levels are different. there are some women who act like they are dying when they are pg and others who trudge thru it... but generally, those who do think it's a "condition" would never consider natural or home birth. also stated there is the fact that a normal low-risk pg does not require medical intervention. it's the same premise that many people don't go to a doctor when they have a cold... they get in bed and eat chicken soup. no treatment necessary... same goes for normal birth.

equally, i don't understand why me having a natural home birth is "risky" when women have been doing it for years.

Crystalina replied:
I know that a normal low-risk pg (which is all I've ever had thank God) does not require medical intervention. My dad delivered me at home just fine. It wasn't because they wanted a home birth but because I just wanted out. I'm fine, they were fine. All I'm saying (and maybe some others on here) is that the "safety" of the hospital is a good thing for us. I never go to the hospital. I'm the mom who toughs it out. When my kids are sick though, that is a different story. In my mind, when I'm delivering a baby, I have more then just myself to think about. In my mind I feel my baby will be safer being delivered by my great doctor. I have to think about more then just myself at that point. With that said though that does not mean that I think a woman who delivers at home is not thinking of her child's safety. I think that is where the lines are getting crossed in this thread a bit. I don't think any less of a mother who chooses different then myself and I don't think your way is "risky". My only questions were why certain tools were not used when home birthing. I know it's been explained but I find it hard to understand why a fetal monitor is invasive. The baby doesn't know it's there. I know that I enjoyed hearing my baby's heartbeat while I was in labor. It actually calmed me.
I can totally understand the pitocin and other drugs not being needed but the monitors I question.

And you have to admit that that quote kinda puts down women who choose the hospital. It does not put us in the best light.

Mommy2BAK replied: Kimberly, I am sorry if my wording of "risky" offended you.
In my own mind I would feel like I was taking a risk by not having doctors or an air-vac right there where I was giving birth to be the most prepared in case of an emergency. But, I am a worry wort.

kimberley replied: you didn't offend me at all.

i totally understand that people have their own preferences and respect that. but i don't disagree with that statement generally. i guess i take it differently. from what i have observed in my life, many women (not all) think they NEED a doctor to intervene through labour and childbirth. under normal circumstances, they are not needed but to assess it all went well. a lot of women labour alone or with their husband. where is it written that it is a medical necessity for a doctor to participate in the birthing process? many places around the world use midwives who at one time, were just moms who have BTDT or just family.

i think as a society, we put too much faith in doctors. they are human and make mistakes. every year is a new study saying what was good for you last year now gives you cancer. our bodies have the ability to heal themselves of minor ailments if we stop pumping drugs and chemicals at every hint of illness. moderation is a huge key to good health imo and that is not something north americans are good with in general imo.

again, i want to say, i do not think anyone who prefers the security of a doctor or hospital is weak or less of anything. we all make choices that are right for ourselves.

jcc64 replied:

No truer words were ever spoken, imo.

Cece00 replied: Yeah, surprise for me too....there isnt enough $$$ in the world for me to give birth at home, even if I could have, which I had 4 csections, so I couldnt have. But even if I had a vaginal birth, yeah....no way. I wanted the drugs & the safety of medical professionals.

Bamamom replied:
This is exactly what I was looking for. It's not that I'm opposed to homebirth at all. I just questioned the statement that when you enter a hospital things become more risky. I'm still not 100% sure I agree that giving birth at home is safer than in a hospital but at least now i think that as long as it is a low risk pg and that is what the mother wants they are equally valid as far as safety goes.

Thanks for looking that up Kimberly.

Bamamom replied:
I couldn't have said it better.

Again - please understand, I am not judging those who home birth. I understand it is a great experience for some. It's just not for me. And, I guess, like Crystalina I sometimes feel that those of us who prefer hospital births are somehow percieved as lesser for that desire.

abunky replied: thanks for all the info and addvice ladies ,its helping alot

Hillbilly Housewife replied: Either way... and here i only speak for MY OWN labors.... but the doctors for all three of my kids (minus the arm up my 'gina for half an hour) pretty much only caught them...and they stitched the few stitches I needed, which the nurse could just as easily done. The nurses are really the ones who "took care" of me, my needs... and honestly, a midwife would have been a 2-in-1, and would have been as prepared as my hospital room.

Maybe it's different in the US... but here, doctors aren't at our disposal for every little thing... msot nurses here are trained to deal with it. labor and birth i mean.. on the neonatal floor...bcause canadian hospital reality is that the doctor *may* not be there when the time comes. it really was, for me, a waste of my time to wait around for the doctor to come check the baby, sign some papers etc... had I been at home, i would have slept properly, would have been comfier etc... and if I was to have more kids, I'd try for a homebirth as much as i could. That's not in the cards for me, I'll be barren in a month.

Hillbilly Housewife replied:
COuldn't you have just said that to begin with????

kidding, kidding.

i thought you were looking for something "credited". Whoops!

PrairieMom replied: 3 pages, and I haven't bothered to read a single response.

I would personally never ever do it. I don't really care what studies say on either side of the fence, in my job I never see the things that go right, I only see the things that go terribly wrong, and all I know, is that when things go wrong, I want to be in a place where either me or my baby can be helped NOW, not in 10 minutes after the ambulance get here. I am a medical person, and I like my medical equipment. I would not be able to relax and have a positive labor experience if I was scared to death that something was going to go wrong.

5littleladies replied: I like the idea of a home birth but I personally would never feel comfortable doing it after my experience delivering Brianna. She had shoulder dystocia and my ob literally had to pull her out (dh nearly passed out and he is not the fainting type ) because her shoulders were just too wide for me to push out on my own. I'm sure a midwife could have dealt with a situation like that but I was very thankful for my ob that day.

This time, after my loss, I just like the extra care I am receiving. I love, love, love my ob, and truly feel she is the best person for me and this baby.

I agree, women have been doing it at home or on their own since the beginning of time and it is a wonderful, natural thing and if you feel that it is the right thing for you, go for it! I, however, could have been one of those women who, in days past, died because she couldn't birth her baby. I'm glad, for myself, that I have access to the extra medical care that I might need.

ETA: I also like having a day or two of just me and baby time before heading home to my noisy brood.

mommy~to~a~bunch replied: I can't read all of the replies - who needs what kind of info from me???

mommy~to~a~bunch replied:
Why does it matter if it puts you (hospital birthers) in a bad light? I'm sure you could find an article that puts down homebirthers and makes us look like criminals for not birthing in a hospital. Let it slide right off of your shoulders......

mommy~to~a~bunch replied:
Study Shows Homebirths Superior To Hospital Births

http://www.healthychild.com/database/for_a...e_like_home.htm

The Psycho-Technology of Pregnancy and Labor

http://gentlebirth.org/archives/homsafty.html#Why

http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/homebirthissues.asp

And a link on the BFing & jaundice: http://www.kellymom.com/newman/07jaundice.html

Crystalina replied:
I'm sure I could find an article to to put you "home birthers" down. I'm not trying to put you down though, no matter what you may think. And I'm sure none of my posts put you guys down.

Boys r us replied: My answer is no. To me, it's taking an unnecessary chance. If others chose to have a home birth, I don't try to change their minds or influence them with my thoughts. But since you asked my opinion, I'll happily give it

If my baby needs help, I would want to know that the help was right there, not "a 911 call and then a 10 minute wait for the ambulance and then a 20 minute ambulance ride before we got to the hospital" away...no thanks! I don't need that kind of help, I prefer the readily available!"

It's kind of a preventative measure for me! Sort of like making the kids pee before a long trip, only a lot more important! It's not that I can't stop somewhere along the way and find a bathroom for them..it's just that I might find one too late!

I guess the thing I would have to ask myself if I were to ever consider a homebirth is this, no matter how unlikely it is that immed. medical intervention would be needed over and above what a midwife can offer, how would you feel if it WAS needed and the 15 or 20 minutes you spent waiting for the ambulance to get to your home and then get you and baby to a hospital was just 15 minutes too long..and your baby died? I personally would never be able to forgive myself...which is why I personally could never have a home birth.

I happen to have a WONDERFUL OB/GYN and have had great experiences in the hospital with a nurse who never left my side to tend to anyone or anything else! But even if I hadn't been so lucky and had received poor treatment myself, I think I'd still be inclined to deliver in a hospital for the baby, not my comfort.

This is a very personal decision to make and one you should do a lot of research on and one you should feel 100% sure about, either way! good for you for making this post and getting other peoples experiences and input! I don't think there is a clear cut FACTUALLY right or wrong answer..it's personal and all your decision to make! Good Luck!

mommy~to~a~bunch replied: I guess most of you will never know exactly how you feel about homebirths because you have never done it. It's hard to give your opinion on something if you have no experience with it. I have done both, so I have personal insight into each.

A midwife can do just about anything, except a C-section, of course. VERY few problems require a C-section, despite what most have experienced. "Failure to progress", "decreased heart tones", "baby is too big (HAHAHA)", "mom is too small", are all excuses and most don't require C-sections, although those are the most common reasons. And most C-sections are unnecessary, but most mom's blindly trust their doctors & honestly believe they have their best interests at heart. It usually comes down to a matter of convenience for the doctor; most C-sections are performed during regular office hours too; coincidence?? I think not!

The facts speak for themselves - homebirths are better.

Boys r us replied: Your facts!
But I bet a mom who gave birth to a baby who needed the immediete care of a neonatal unit has a different set of facts.

It really is all a personal opinion..therefore there can't be a right or a wrong and that's okay! But I think it is misleading to be so case and point about something that isn't, if there is one thing factual about giving birth it's that there is nothing factual

Crystalina replied:
I think just about everyone in this thread has stated that hospital births worked for them and more power to those of you who do home births. We are not debating but trying to understand and it just seems like you won't be happy until others think like you and if we don't think like you then we just have all the facts all wrong. I don't think that is fair at all.

And your "facts" are your facts.

Crystalina replied:
Very well said!

mommy~to~a~bunch replied:
No, not just "my" facts - all the others as well say HB's are better.

Most people are OK with hospitals because they don't know better, or realize a homebirth might be an option.

Every mom that I have talked to who have done both say that their homebirth was 1,000x better than the hospital, and they will have their other babies at home as well, even those who have lost a baby.

Someone asked for facts that homebirths were safer, I posted them, along with my opinion, which causes nothing but trouble. Most people spend more time decorating their nursery & buying all the needless baby gear than researching their pregnancy/birth options; it's quite sad actually. How a baby enters the world is more imporant than matching curtains to the crib bedding.

If you don't like my posts, don't read them .

Boys r us replied: I really don't think anyone dislikes your posts or opinions, they're every bit as valuable as anyone else's on the baord..in fact, I nor Crystalina are saying you are wrong to have your opinion(I only mention her name b/c it appears your last couple of posts were directly related to our responses). But at the same time for someone to state their opinion as die hard fact and to do so as to put down others who don't have the same view as their own is less than desirable and often causes people to turn a deaf ear entirely on what that person has to say, which in some cases is actually a shame. Because then that person loses a lot of the audience they could be positively effecting with their vast knowledge on a subject

Crystalina replied:

This is not fact.

Bamamom replied: Thanks for the info you posted Mollie. The first of those links was actually to a scientific study much like the one that Kimberly posted yesterday. The others were all opinion articles but were still interesting. I appreciate you taking the time to share those.

I would agree that no one in this thread has put down you or your beliefs in any way. Yet you continue to put down those who choose to give birth in a hospital



I don't have to have direct experience with the flu to know it's not something I want to experience, or with war, or losing one of my children to a car accident, or losing my spouse to cancer. You can form opinions, informed opinions, without actally experiencing an event.

Ultimately it is a personal choice. If you are most comfortable giving birth at home that is great. I for one an not willing to take that chance. I only wish that you could respect my point of view as I have tried to do with yours.

Edited for clarity.

Crystalina replied: Today I watched 'Amazing Babies' has anyone seen that show? Today it had an amazing woman on there who had an unassisted home birth...to twins! The first came out fine but the second was breech. One leg came out and that's all it was. I was stunned watching her. She was very calm but you'd have to be a calm type of person to do that. Her husband even asked, "What should I do?" and she told him nothing, just keep taping.

Here is the first birth although they cut a lot out. You really have to watch the show to see the entire thing. This video does not show the second birth. Maybe someone knows where else to find it online. There is nudity so just know that. Like I said, this woman is something else. Her MW lived 3 hours away so she did not get there in time. I'm glad it all worked out for her and the babies but seeing the second birth is the exact reason I would want to be in a hospital. I would not be as calm.

ETA: Here is their website.

AlexsPajamaMama replied: Nobody here is better than anyone else no matter what

kimberley replied: i agree. we are all here on this board because we love our kids and want what we deem best for them. i know i have learned a lot from this board and i think it's makes me a better mom.

Maddie&EthansMom replied:
NO kidding!!! Ha! When I had Maddie, my OB was paged at the very last minute and walked in to look at Maddie and stitch me up. The nurses did all of the work, basically. It was an awful experience

When I had Ethan, my OB did everything. He showed up at the hospital with me that morning and didn't leave my side all day. I didn't have nurses or stirrups or a huge medical team. I gave birth to Ethan on the bed, with my doctor, husband and mother there. When E was born a couple of nurses from the nursery came in and checked him out. I held him for awhile and nursed him. He wasn't weighed or pricked until HOURS later!! I think it was a wonderful experience and could think of nothing better, next to a homebirth.

If we ever have another baby...that's a big IF, I would either go to a birthing center or have the baby at home. I don't see my husband going for the homebirth, or another child.

Cece00 replied:
It can not be determined that homebirths are 100% better across the board, because birth is such a personal experience.

What might be better for one person might be the worst thing possible for another.

The experiences of you or other people who had homebirth do NOT constitute facts.

TrulyBlessed replied:
I totally agree with this statement. My MIL and mom both tend to get mad at me when the girls get sick because I won't give them cough medicine. I believe it's got to run it's course. If their fever gets to high, then I will give them a motrin. Now I'm really glad I don't run to the cold medicines right away when they recently stated that it could hurt some children. (I don't remember all the specifics) But like you stated one day it's good for you and the next day it's not. It's all just personal preference all the way around.

As for the original topic - I'm too scared to have a homebirth because Megan had shoulder dystocia which I guess puts me high risk for a c-section, which I want to do everything to prevent. I personally think that some c-sections are unneccessary, but that's JMHO. The other reason a homebirth scares me is because I have very low pain tolerance and I'm still going to have to face that this time because my epidural went wrong on my last birth so I am scared to have an epidural, but don't know if I am strong enough to birth without it. Face it, I'm just a chicken.

But I applaud those women that can have homebirths. I mainly applaud them for their selfcontrol and controling their labor instead of letting labor control them (like me!).

mommy~to~a~bunch replied:

Kimberley -ITA. Sometimes those mistakes are deadly. I also don't believe everything they say either, I do my own research and come to my own conclusions. An MD behind their name doesn't guarantee that they know everything about medicine & healing.

Cece00 replied:
Apparently you do not understand what I am saying.

Even for low risk pregnancies, you CANT that they are 100% better across the board.

That is impossible for a medical professional to judge, so its more than impossible for YOU to say that are better, even for low risk mothers, 100%.

:.Mrs_Mommy.: replied: I personally think hospital births are the way to go FOR ME because I would be so nervous that something would go wrong, I wouldn't be able to enjoy the situation. I also feel if something went wrong I would be to blame for putting my child and myself in a dangerous position. I had 2 C-sections, the first because Aaron was breech and was not dropping and I was not progressing. I feel the dr made the right choice for my situation. If I had been at home I would have labored for hours and hours before what? I went to the hospital anyway or I had my son legs first? Not my idea of a wonderful, memorable experience.

You just never know and I feel it is better to be safe than sorry.

I rather enjoyed being in the hosp, even when I didn't have the best nurse. It was quiet and I got to bond with my child for a few days before going home.

mommy~to~a~bunch replied:
Crystal - I am NOT going to battle with you back & forth over this. If you want to pick apart every single word I post, go ahead, but I won't reply after this post.

Did I say it was 100% safe, 100% of the time? No, I didn't. For the MAJORITY of low risk women, HB's ARE safe. Birth is NOT an illness, a disease, a condition; it's a natural process that shouldn't be messed with in a NORMAL, LOW RISK pregnancy. Women have to trust their bodies and realize that their bodies know what to do.

That's it, I'm done with this thread. If anyone wants more helpful information, they can PM me. I have tons of resources I can put you in touch with.