Home Birth - anyone?

Mommy2Isabella wrote: No debates on why you should or shouldn't please!!!

I just want to know if anyone here has done a home birth and what your experience was like!!

We are considering a Home Water Birth and just wanted to know if anyone else has done it!!

MyBrownEyedBoy replied: I had a midwife attended birth at the hospital. That's probably the way I'll go again if and when I have another one. There are several reasons I won't go for a home birth. The first one is the uncertainty of it. Even before I had Logan I wouldn't have. There are too many things that can happen. I want the security of assistance should I or the baby need it. Second, with Logan having a heart condition, I want a pediatrician immediately available to evaluate a second child for heart problems. Third, I don't even want to consider cleaning up after that. Birth is messy.

kimberley replied: i had a home birth with my last and would do it again. it was nice being in the comfort of my own home during labor and delivery and having my family and friends around me. being forced to stay in hospital away from my other kids was one of the reasons it was the only choice for me. also because my previous hospital birth had too many unnecessary interventions which threw my entire birth plan out the window.

it is not messy at all. if you prepare for the birth as instructed, there is virtually no clean up but one load of laundry and a half a garbage bag of waste. and the midwives do most of the clean up. the care i got from them was the best care i had in four births. for once, i felt like the "doc" actually gave a hoot. they were there 2 hours post partum (about 9pm) and quickly answered my call at 3am when vomitting started. one came back at 7am and stayed a few hours. they alternated the next few days, then once a week.

as for the risks, the midwives will not allow a home birth if there is any sign that trouble could arise. i had 3 previous natural births without complication and even then they tried to steer me away from the idea.
they carry resuscitation equipment with them and 911 will have an abulance at your door in 5 minutes if something unexpected happens.

just be prepared for things not to go exactly as planned. we had the bed ready, pool heated, everything perfect for birth but Kaleigh decided she was coming in a flash as i was walking through my kitchen laboring. it's a going joke that she has a hearty appetite cuz she was born in the kitchen lol. we just couldn't stop her and everything was fine and we have a funny story to tell.

kimberley replied: forgot to add, my midwives really didn't want me to do a water birth. it's all fine and dandy when you are in the water but getting out is the not so great part. both baby and i would be cold no matter how warm the room was and it is difficult for a mom who just gave birth to get out of the pool. besides that, if there are any complications, they'd have to pull you out cuz of lack of manoeverability (is that a word?lol) in the pool.

Cece00 replied: No way would I ever have a home birth. Never.

I am surprised you can find someone to do home birth with you (midwife, doula, etc) since you are high risk. Its my understanding that they are extremely discouraged for high risk patients, if possible at all. If I were in your shoes, I wouldnt risk it, JMO.

coasterqueen replied:
I agree. I didn't think a peri would even let you consider a home birth.

Danalana replied: I definitely don't want one. It's one of the only times you have people really taking care of you, and I want/need that. I don't know, I just have no desire for a home birth. I would like a water birth, though.

luvmykids replied:
Same here.

At any rate, haven't done it, don't think I would.

A&A'smommy replied: The idea is awesome, I wish that could have been an option for me but its impossible (I had a c-section with Alyssa). BUT then again I watched a home water birth and it scared me but now thinking back I'm wondering where her midwife was because the mom was doing everything.

luvbug00 replied: I would love to do a water birth as well, in a midwife facility. NOT at home. too many people would try to visit and i would want to be alone and feel better in a place where i felt still like my envoirment was medical to some degree.

I think it's one of those things where you really have to want it. Natural labor and delivery is a wonderful thing but it also has it's risks which i'm sure you are aware of. We are excited to meet your new baby wiether you choose to go natural or dr makes you go medical.

so what does Sal think? have you inquired to your dr about it??

lovemy2 replied: Nope - would never even consider it and I too am shocked you would being high risk....

BAC'sMom replied:

Ditto

Mommy2Isabella replied: My peri said that he wouldn't consider me a high risk patient, I have very MINIMAL issues.

I appreciate everyones input, we are aware of all the risks of doing a home birth. The midwife we will be working with knows my history and I had an Uncomplicated delivery with my first just had minor complications during the pregnancy. We live RIGHT by the hospital so if a complication does arise we will be there in a flash.

Sal is excited to be the first one to touch his son. We have talked a lot about different options this time around because we didn't like how things went when I delivered Bella. Many people enjoy the security of a hospital, we don't want that feel we want our baby to come into a comfortable relaxed environment. Where no one is telling me I can't drink water and that I MUST have an IV. I want to be free to labor how I want not confined to a bed.

There are pros and cons both ways. Having a homebirth is something we have decided to do, and as Sal says, I may be part hippy but it will be a VERY memorable experience and we have educated ourselves on the subject so PLEASE don't think that we are just jumping into it blindly and we don't understand the risks and such.

lovemy2 replied:
Why are you with a peri then if you aren't high risk? I thought that was what they specialized in is High Risk - not just kinda high risk?

coasterqueen replied:
I agree. And weren't there issues about maybe having to take the baby early or something like that. Isn't that why you are on bedrest? I didn't have to see a high-risk (Peri) with Megan, but my complications were not MINIMAL with her. I was on bed rest a lot and I considered the problems very serious for me. I was freaked out 24/7. I'm a bit insane though, I guess.

GL with whatever you decide to do. I think if you want to do a home birth that is great. I think it's an awesome thing to do. I guess from your previous posts you made it sound like your complications were not minimal, so I know I'm a bit shocked by this post.

luvmykids replied: I'm all for a home birth if that is your decision and you're dr is on board, don't get me wrong. I'm just with Karen, I was under the impression you were high risk with Isabella and not supposed to get pg again because of the possible complications so that is where my suprise came from.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: After having an emergency c-section with my second, no way would I even consider a HB. I was in that OR in less than 5 minutes. Wesley was out in less than 10. I can't imagine what could happen if I were not in the hospital. Scary thought.

Now my MIL had both her children at home. Back in the early 70's.

I was NEVER told I had to stay in bed to labor. We had big tubs, showers, inflatable balls, rocking chairs, the works at our hospital. I could even walk around the floor, go sit in the cafeteria for a while, eat and drink. I also was able to play soothing music and the dimlights, so it really made for a relaxing environment. Now I'm not trying to talk you out of it, but most times the doctor will let the husband catch the baby if he chooses. A friend of mine just had her baby about a month ago and was able to catch him herself. You just have to ask.

moped replied: Not here, but I admire anyone that can do it without drugs!!!

Calimama replied:
Minimal? Weren't you dialing at 24 weeks? Put on strict bedrest? Weren't you high risk with Bella as well? Don't you go to a specialized doctor? Maybe I'm confused (and trust me that happens a lot lol) but I don't get how all that is considered minimal?

As far as the homebirth, I imagine it would be quiet serene. My birth was in a hospital but no one was in the room other than DH and a nurse because no one thought I was serious when I said I felt her coming. He not only caught the baby, cut the cord, but had to help with suctioning, and carry her over to the warmer because the doctor wasn't there and my nurse was well.. shocked. Good luck with whatever you choose. I hope either way will be an experience you can look back on and love.

Cece00 replied:
JMO, but dialating early is not a minimal issue, I dont know a single Dr who would consider that "no big deal". I have a friend who lost her daughter last year due to that very same thing, baby born @ 23 weeks and she died...now she is pregnant again and they are taking it REALLY seriously, cerclage and all, definetly considered high risk and she didnt even dialate on her own this time before the cerclage.

I'm kind of wondering about your Dr's, honestly. It seems like you've had a run of them that -again JMO- arent doing the best job. You had the one who never confirmed twins but told you one died, now one who is telling you sex is OK when you are dialating early (and semen has prostaglandins, known to help progress labor). I'm pretty concerned for you.

In your situation, I would still NOT consider a homebirth. I mean obviously you have to do what you feel is right for you, but I think people see homebirth as this calm, natural thing and it USUALLY is...but they have babies die EVERY YEAR who are born at home, or have complications and dont get to a hospital in time & have complications because of that. I just think homebirth should be left for people who have NO ISSUES whatsoever (not minimal ones...NO issues) and have prior completely healthy pregnancies & birth (which you had problems with your previous pregnancy too, right?) and even then I think its a big risk.

Good luck to you if its what you decide. I'm still surprised anyone would allow it, and that concerns me that someone would in your case, but I will hope you get the best care & that the baby will be OK.

Just remember that you CAN have a peaveful & wonderful hospital birth and you CAN refuse the IV and you CAN drink water if you want to & Sal CAN be the first one to touch the baby....YOU call the shots @ a hospital, I think a lot of people forget that. You can also choose a different hospital than last time.

kimberley replied:
i don't know if people forget that or just plain ol don't have that option. you are lucky to have a good hospital near you because we don't have ANY here. in 3 hospital births, not one was remotely peaceful... with the last being the worst. they threw my whole birth plan out the window.. actually laughed when i gave it to them. they took over with one unneeded intervention after another against my wishes. it was a horrible experience for the third time so i will never go back. no amount of meds is worth the way they ruined what was supposed to be a natural and beautiful experience.

but i do agree with the others to the OPer, seriously reconsider a home birth if you have had previous complications even with pg. you can opt for a midwife at a hospital or birthing center instead. much safer and still the personal care of a midwife. i know if you were in ontario, you wouldn't even be given the option here. they are strongly governed by a panel of medical experts and would never agree to a home birth in your situation. just think about it.

moped replied: I had a great hospital experience and can't wait to do it again in 30 plus days

Kaitlin'smom replied: no way would I ever consider it before or after Kaitlin. However if I were to ever have another I am deffinalty hiring either a dula or midwife to be with me and help. I would rather be in a birthing center or hospital where I know we both will be cared for. I loved the hospiatl and while I did not have the ideal birth, I would hate to even think about what might have happend if I tried it at home.

HuskerMom replied: I admire women who do it at home, but it's not for me. I would be too worried about something going wrong. I wouldn't have been able to do it with Keith last time since he was breech and I ended up have a c/s. And since I'll be having a c/s this time too a home birth wouldn't even be an option for me. But my hat's off to the women who do it at home!

gr33n3y3z replied:
I agree I'm shocked with that

mummy2girls replied: personally i wouldnt but thats because i get high blood pressure and my pressure goes so out of wack i dont want to risk me going sky high and stroking or passing out. plus my births always have a risk of me havinf a c-section because of the pressure.

Plus dont you have some issues... any issues would make me say no and go with the hospital.

jcc64 replied: I'm a little surprised at how hard everyone is coming down on her, considering that she specifically asked that it NOT turn into a debate. She was just asking for the experiences of others, if I recall correctly. I know that everyone's concern is coming from a good place, and I don't disagree with it, considering her circumstances. I think seeking a second opinion about a home birth in this situation would be a very prudent thing to do.
However, like circumcision, like vaccinations, like many decisions we make for our families, this is a personal decision, the consequences of which are hers' and hers' alone. I know many people who've had home births, and their babies are all fine, as are they. Home births in many other European countries are standard practice. I would think the distance to the hospital should be a pivotal factor in making the decision to home birth. For us, the hospital was too far away should a complication have arisen, so I didn't feel comfortable with a home birth. However, I want to remind you that there are also risks in hospitals- they are crawling with staph and other difficult to treat bacterias, and babies are particularly vulnerable.
So, we all weigh the pros and cons individually and do what we think is best. Good luck to you whatever you decide, and I hope it all goes well for you!

Hillbilly Housewife replied: I considered it. A friend on mine had a home birth last year, my mom's enighbour. She wasn't my "friend" then, but a lot happens in one year and her girls play fabulously with my kids now.

If I was to have another baby... I'd do it at home. My problem with birthing a baby isn't so much the pain... it's the nerves. I get panicky and more than anything I need someone to tell me to shut up and relax. Not someone hovering around me waiting to see what I'm going to yell out next.

I can only imagine what it would be like. I imagine it would be very peaceful... as long as I felt safe and had a trained professional by my side to slap me back to reality.

lisar replied: I say if you wanna do it then do it. But have 911 on the speed dial just in case. I couldnt do it personally both pg's of mine were high risk and Lexi was a c-section and Raygen was an emergency c-section 6 weeks early. If it wasnt for the hospital I dont know what would have happened with Raygen. Just be careful is all my advice. And goodluck and if you do decide to do it then you gotta tell us all about it. I dont know anyone brave enough to do it. All my friends WANTED that epidereal (sp?)

gr33n3y3z replied:
exactly so hopefully she picks the right one for her baby

Boo&BugsMom replied: I have not, but I know a woman who had all 7 of her babies at home. No complications, and she was high risk for two of them. It's your decision, noone elses. It's personally not for me, and only because I don't want the mess in my home (isn't the aweful? ) but I have heard it is a wonderful way to go if it is for you. It is suppose to be less stressful on the baby and the mother, and much more comfortable to say the least (not pain wise) .

Boo&BugsMom replied: http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/homebirth.html

Check this out. Might help with your decision.

holley79 replied: Have you met with a mid wife who would be helping with your birth and maybe get her opinion? I would go that route first. Let her help you weigh the pros and cons especially with your situation. I have to laugh when anyone talks about a home birth here because of Kim's birth story. best of luck in whatever you chose. Just be sure that it's the smart choice for you and baby.