Homebirth/midwife or hospital/doctor?

[tsyhanochka]

hi Ladies

The OH and I just watched a great documentary last night called 'The Business of Being Born' it's very much aimed at Americans but being in Canada where our health care is free, it's a bit different. But it talks about home births and midwives. And all the complications that happen with hospital interventions that are not necessary.

Where I live in Ontario, midwives are covered under the health care and they are talking of funding birthing centres finally!

It seems like we're on the way to agreeing to have a home birth if all goes well when we TTC. I have decided a while ago on a midwife as my primary caregiver but was still skeptical about home births. I think I've decided. But we'll research for sure.

Anyway I thought I would share that, it's streamed on NetFlix if you subscribe, but I'm sure you can find it online somewhere too.

I thought it was very well done and not preachy, just informative.

Has anyone else had this talk with their OH? Midwife vs Doctor talk? or even the Home birth/birth centre vs hospital?

 

[Amarna]

I've thought about it but there aren't any birthing centers near me and I very much doubt that a midwife would be covered by my insurance. Not to mention I was quite fond of the idea of an epidural after over 2 days of labor with my first daughter and if it were to take so long again I don't know if I would want to go without some type of pain management stuff which pretty much rules out a home birth.

 

[odd_socks]

over here in uk the healthcare is free unless u have private.....i thought about a homebirth and would rather that, i dont think i will be able to with my back issues, i have been told its possible that i will have to have a c-section which scares me but i guess no matter how LO gets here aslong as its healthy thats the mine though.....ive gone abit off tracks here sorry no i havent spoken with OH about it in detail though

 

[Chai_w]

I've thought about it a bit, i like the idea of a birthing center or a hospital. I really like the idea of having a water birth, and there is a hospital not too far from me that made me kinda lean towards it more. They have the water tub in the hospital room so you have the bed and the tub, so that way if the tub isn't working and there is still time left if i need to i can have an epi but if not then i can do a water birth then get out on the bed for the afterbirth. I'll have to see if Colorado has a hospital like that in any of the towns we are looking at

 

[Chai_w]

also probably prefer a midwife to the doctor because certain ones will try their hardest to make it so you don't tear, whereas doctors will be more quick to snip snip. but it all depends on the type of people i find, if they are nice and will abid by my wishes than its cool either way.

 

[buttons1]

I had my DD at a midwife run birthing centre and had a fantastic experience it was so relaxed and personal so I would prob go for this again. Although I am starting to consider having a home birth next time as I had a very quick labour with my daughter and as you are supposed to speed up with subsequent labours I worry we would never make it to the hospital :S

 

[geogem]

Hi Hun,

I have had 2 very quick labours (5 hours and 2 hours) both with no pain relief and I love the idea of the next one being a home birth. I have discussed this with my husband and he is not keen on the idea. He's worried that something will go wrong and we wont get to a hospital on time (its 15 minutes by car - probably a lot quicker in an ambulance if needed!)

But I have had both of my boys in midwife led units attached to the main hospital and they were fab - never even saw a doctor the whole time I was there with my second son!!

If we dont agree on the homebirth thing (although I am going to try and convince him) I will definately do midwife led unit again. Its so much more personal and you can give birth any which way you choose!!

 

[i want it all]

I don't like the idea of home births, because you have to have 2 midwives, and to have a home birth you have to have had a smooth pregnancy. If you were in hospital youw ould have 1 midwife, and the other would be looking after someone with complications, rather than a 'safe & normal' birth so I think it's a waste of resources, when they're so understaffed as it is! I do like the idea of midwife led centres, and I think there are a few of them across the UK now. But having said that, my labour didn't go to plan, so I was greatful to be in hospital so they could get my baby out asap, and we were both healthy at the end!

 

[Augie]

My sister is a midwife here in the US and she's great at it! She's had two of her three kids and home and they were wonderful experiences and she believes in home birth. However, because of my medical history, it would be the best for me to have our baby in the hospital, which disapoints me. :sad: I'm considered high risk. Even my sister says she feels more comfortable with me being in the hospital for at least the first time. But she's going to be my dula and advocate. I hope everyone is going to have an advocate for their birth, it's super important!

 

[beccad]

Giving birth with a midwife is the norm in the UK, (and they're degree educated) although consultants are on hand for high risk pregnancies or if complications develop. A lot of hospitals have birthing centres for lower risk women, run by midwives, and you have the birthing pools and such like. You don't get much in the way of pain relief and if you wanted an epidural you'd have to transfer to the main labour ward.

Or you can have a home birth with two midwives, providing you are classified low risk.

I'm hoping I won't have to give birth at all, and I need a c-section LOL! No way I'll be pushing if I can help it. If I have to then I want all the drugs LOL!!!

 

[puppymom]

We have not discussed this, but I have definitely thought about it. I don't think I'd want a home birth - I like the idea of being at a hospital should the need arise. However, I have thought about a midwife. Here we can choose to have a midwife or a doctor. Even if we go with a midwife, we can still deliver at the hospital. I think this will be a decision we make after I become pregnant. I myself am leaning toward a regular hospital delivery with my doctor. I say this knowing that I would be going to a small hospital that does not provide epidurals, therefore, will try to be as natural as possible. This hospital would direct me elsewhere if the birth was going to be high risk - in that case, I may change my ideas! A friend of mine went to a birthing centre for her pregnancies, and there were also no epidurals, but they had tubs in each room. They did not deliver in the water, but were able to relax in it until the time came - I also like that idea.

 

[holly2234]

I had DD in a midwife led unit attached to the main unit. The rooms were so much nicer and more relaxed. I had one midwife and a student with her. I found it so useful hearing her explain to the student what was happening so i knew as well what was going on.

 

[lilmissbroody]

being a student midwife i strongly beleive that woman centred care by a midwife is the best option.
a midwife will do her best to advocate for you and help you to make decisions on what is best for both mother and baby.
midwives are also trained to recognise when extra help is needed. i think if someone is experiencing an uncomplivated birth there is no need for an obstetrician as they are more inclined to employ medical procedures (forceps, episiotomy & cesar) as they are specialists in complicated births and many have not seen a normal vaginal birtth. that being said, if intervention is needed, they are the best people for the job.
in regards to a homebirth, i would say it is an amazing exoerience and if it is an otion for you and you fee comfortable then go for it. you are able to labour and birth in a familiar and cosy place with the people you choose to be there.
the third thing id like to say is that a waterbirth is a fabulous idea if you are considerng it. you can hire blow up ones that you can fill up at home too. by being in the water you are softeing the tissues allowing them to stretch more easily and reducing tears and grazes, it also has a pain releif effect on the body. you can also hire blow up pools to fill and is at home. - not sure if this is true, but apparently waterbirth babies are more placid.
hopefully someone has found this usefl, sorry its so lon.
oh, and any questions or anything you can always pm me =)

 

[puppymom]

I'm hoping I won't have to give birth at all, and I need a c-section LOL! No way I'll be pushing if I can help it. If I have to then I want all the drugs LOL!!!

Much opposite of me! I want to experience true labour and birth, the way it was meant to be. The recovery time is also much quicker when done naturally. I would prefer not to be healing for 8 weeks or more if I can avoid it. Of course, I will do whatever is the best for the baby when the time comes!

 

[i want it all]

Giving birth with a midwife is the norm in the UK, (and they're degree educated) although consultants are on hand for high risk pregnancies or if complications develop. A lot of hospitals have birthing centres for lower risk women, run by midwives, and you have the birthing pools and such like. You don't get much in the way of pain relief and if you wanted an epidural you'd have to transfer to the main labour ward.

Or you can have a home birth with two midwives, providing you are classified low risk.

I'm hoping I won't have to give birth at all, and I need a c-section LOL! No way I'll be pushing if I can help it. If I have to then I want all the drugs LOL!!![/QUOTE]

Can I be cheeky and ask why?

I've had a c-section, and if you think it's the easier option you are WAY off the mark! I couldn't do so much with my baby, including taking her out for a walk on my own, or bathing her. I couldn't carry her or put her into her crib! And this was for a few weeks, not just a day or 2! Once hubby had gone back to work I was stuck in the house for weeks! People think it's a lazy persons way of giving birth but I had one and will do everything in my power to not have another! I think it's worse now I know what to expect, than before when I just thought I would manage!

 

[lilmissbroody]

I'm hoping I won't have to give birth at all, and I need a c-section LOL! No way I'll be pushing if I can help it. If I have to then I want all the drugs LOL!!!

Much opposite of me! I want to experience true labour and birth, the way it was meant to be. The recovery time is also much quicker when done naturally. I would prefer not to be healing for 8 weeks or more if I can avoid it. Of course, I will do whatever is the best for the baby when the time comes!

I'm hoping I won't have to give birth at all, and I need a c-section LOL! No way I'll be pushing if I can help it. If I have to then I want all the drugs LOL!!![/QUOTE]

Can I be cheeky and ask why?

I've had a c-section, and if you think it's the easier option you are WAY off the mark! I couldn't do so much with my baby, including taking her out for a walk on my own, or bathing her. I couldn't carry her or put her into her crib! And this was for a few weeks, not just a day or 2! Once hubby had gone back to work I was stuck in the house for weeks! People think it's a lazy persons way of giving birth but I had one and will do everything in my power to not have another! I think it's worse now I know what to expect, than before when I just thought I would manage!

i agree with both these ladies.
not only does is the recovery time long and often more painful, it is major abdominal surgery. of course if it is needed it is needed. but if planon having multiple children, every time you have a cesar they open the same scar and restitch, meaning the scar gets longer, and thicker and increases the chance of your uterus rupturing.
also in regards to the drugs, movement is almost always the best way to cope with the pain. most of the drugs offereed to you have severe side effects and some are passed onto the baby. but it is your deision, id just suggest you research your options.

 

[MummytoSummer]

I tried to have my dd at a midwife led unit but after 4 days of labour bearing in mind my waters had broken on the first day, they kept me there and kept me there and kept me there saying it'd be fine, it'd all start happening soon etc, I wouldn't need hospital. Finally my mum and oh rang the hospital (about 30 minutes from the unit) and told them the story so far, they said that the midwives were totally wrong and I needed to get to hospital asap as my waters had now been gone for too long and my baby was at risk.
I ended up having an emergency c section and my baby was taken into scbu for 2 days.
It'll be hospital all the way for me next time!

It's probably just based on my own experiences and I know others have wonderful birth experiences but i personally don't think you should attempt your first birth at home as you just don't know what your body will or won't do. Midwife led units can be great (mine wasn't), as if you get into trouble they will transfer you to the main hospital by ambulance, although I think that could be quite traumatic.

X

 

[anniepie]

I want as natural a birth as possible, but I want it in a hospital!! It would definitaly relax me more knowing that if somethign went wrong, help was at hand. And also, I hate the idea of all that mess and people in my house!! And also, I live in a terraced house, so the idea of my neighbours (including 2 teenage boys!) hearing my while I'm in labour...no thank you! Think it'd also freak my darling kitties out too

 

[geogem]

I'm hoping I won't have to give birth at all, and I need a c-section LOL! No way I'll be pushing if I can help it. If I have to then I want all the drugs LOL!!!

Much opposite of me! I want to experience true labour and birth, the way it was meant to be. The recovery time is also much quicker when done naturally. I would prefer not to be healing for 8 weeks or more if I can avoid it. Of course, I will do whatever is the best for the baby when the time comes!

I'm hoping I won't have to give birth at all, and I need a c-section LOL! No way I'll be pushing if I can help it. If I have to then I want all the drugs LOL!!![/QUOTE]

Can I be cheeky and ask why?

I've had a c-section, and if you think it's the easier option you are WAY off the mark! I couldn't do so much with my baby, including taking her out for a walk on my own, or bathing her. I couldn't carry her or put her into her crib! And this was for a few weeks, not just a day or 2! Once hubby had gone back to work I was stuck in the house for weeks! People think it's a lazy persons way of giving birth but I had one and will do everything in my power to not have another! I think it's worse now I know what to expect, than before when I just thought I would manage!

i agree with both these ladies.
not only does is the recovery time long and often more painful, it is major abdominal surgery. of course if it is needed it is needed. but if planon having multiple children, every time you have a cesar they open the same scar and restitch, meaning the scar gets longer, and thicker and increases the chance of your uterus rupturing.
also in regards to the drugs, movement is almost always the best way to cope with the pain. most of the drugs offereed to you have severe side effects and some are passed onto the baby. but it is your deision, id just suggest you research your options.

I totally agree with these ladies - my SIL had a c section 2 days before I had Blake and I had a natural delivery, she couldnt do anything for weeks, was in agony and really struggled to lose her weight (she still looked pregnant 6 months later) and I was out and about going for walks with my little one and doing everything just 2 days later. A c section is by no means the easy option and can be very dangerous for you and the baby in comparison to a natural birth! She found she couldnt breastfeed without being in pain as it pulled her stomach muscles. Please consider this as it really isnt easy!! the recovery period is long and painful where as a natural delivery takes hours rather than weeks!!

 

[LoveCakes]

I've never seen the appeal of home births. For me no matter how low risk the pregnancy is there are a lot of things that can go wrong during birth. Even if you are 5 min from the hospital a baby not breathing for 30 seconds will do permanant damage, too scary for me!

Plus, the mess and smell etc... bleugh, I'd want hubby to be cuddling the baby with me, not trying to work out how much bleach and air freshener we need to get the house ready for visitors.

I'm lucky that there's a midwife led unit 15 min from me with full consulatant back up.