Deciding where? Home/Birth Centre/Hospital

[BunnyN]

I saw my midwife yesterday. I'm not impressed my care from anyone anymore, whole different thread on that though. She asked if I'd thought about a midwife led unit which is why I've changed which hospital I want to use, this means a new consultant who hopefully won't be a tool.

I've thought about discharging myself from consultant led care, especially given that he doesn't want to see me again until I'm 34 weeks!

Oh poor you :/. I really feel for you, I know how upset and unsure it can make you. Really I was not at all scared about the birth but was very insecure about the medical side of it which made me anxious. I was quite disappointed with the care I received from my doctors (In Portugal, so a different system). They could never remember who I was or what my pregnancy problems were and were always in a hurry. They only had something 'useful' to say when I had a different idea from them. I tried private care too. They were nice enough and had more time but were very intervention happy and not at all supportive of a natural birth. In the end that is what pushed us toward a HB. We found an independent MW. After we got together with her I didn't go back to the doctors. I felt so much better under her care. She really cared and took plenty of time to know my problems and ideas and to make sure everything was okay. Of course I'd be glad to have the services of a doctor if I needed them but as long as things were going well I didn't feel they were adding anything to my care except stress. It was only after we got together with that I realised how much it had all been getting to me. I enjoyed the last 10 weeks of the pregnancy so much more.

 

[sasha2014]

I had a homebirth in water and it REALLY suited me. I was comfortable, relaxed and at ease in familiar surroundings with family on hand and I loved it! Definitely doing it that way again.
If you are fit and healthy the potential of having to go to hospital is reduced anyway.
If something did happen don't forget the ambulance won't be sticking to the speed limit or stopping at red lights so a 30 minute car journey will be more like 8 minutes with the blue lights on! IF it came to that...which is probably won't ;-)

 

[Rachie004]

Thank you for the replies.

Everyone (generally) seems very keen to point out all the risks of homebirth and yet no one really seems to want to accept or consider that there are risks associated with hospital births, such as infection etc. I'm finding it really frustrating and some of it is making me want to 'give in' and go for the birthing centre.

 

[moomin_troll]

Do what ur comfortable with!
People can try to be scare mongers when they know nothing about the subject.
I had awful treatment in hospital and they mainly tell you to do things that make labour more painful and slower for u because it's better for them!
Luckily your still early on, you have plenty of time to do what you want, and generally ignore others lol

 

[madasa]

I much preferred my home birth. I was much calmer and more comfortable. I was also a lot more in control, being in my own home. (Not in control of labour, but in control of whether I was in my pool or not, when and how I pushed, what I ate or drank and when, who could be present... all those kinds of things )

 

[Pearls18]

Well as a home birth achiever I can now submit my opinion! Tbh my labour was too quick to say if I was more comfortable at home than the hospital, it was lovely not having to plan to get anywhere (which would have proved hazardous!) but what was amazing was being able to recover at home, going straight up into my own bath, putting my dressing gown on, sitting downstairs watching my tv with my hubby and son making me toast. You simply can't put a price on that. A million times better than being in hospital which I found rather unpleasant.