Hospital birth question............

[Mandyblur]

Hi everyone,

I'm still deciding on a hospital or home birth, my husband would prefer a hospital birth as he doesn't cope well with seeing me in pain and tends to panic (quite understandable) after having 6 miscarriages he is also worried that the baby would need help once born.

I'm happy with either, the only reason i would prefer a home birth is i would be able to move around more freely rather than been stuck on a bed.

However, in a hospital do i have to give birth on the bed or could i birth on the floor............the reason i ask is the beds are so small and i can't move round on them well without nearly falling off and for a natural birth movement is the key!

Any experiences would be great to hear x

 

[aliss]

Not what you asked, but I admit my home birth was far better than the hospital birth.

RE: Beds

Staff will try their darndest to get you up on the bed but you have the right not to. Since many hospital births lead to interventions, it may become "necessary" at some point. If you wish to remain mobile, I highly suggest staying home.

Remember, you always have the option to transfer by ambulance if you wish Good luck!

 

[gk1701]

I had a hospital birth in a hospital that is known to me natural birth friendly. They would have let me give birth anywhere as long as it was in the room!

 

[amjon]

They encouraged me to walk around the room (only) when I was laboring. When it came time to push I had to be on the bed (though I probably preferred that, but they didn't use stirrups because she was already crowning when they came in the room and there was no time).

 

[MomPepperdine]

The hospitals over here move to change the way you sit lay and can be almost squating way

 

[Elizax]

If you want to give birth on the floor they will place mats down, if you want to give birth in the bath (as long as its big enough so they can see baby) you can give birth there, they will try to make you as comfortable as possible during the birth

 

[LDC]

The hospitals local to me pretty much let you give birth however you want to and there's no set standards which they expect, they encourage you to do what you feel is right and prefer people to not be in the bed as they like gravity to help you out.

Xx

 

[Heidi]

i only discovered this time round that my hospital have birthing mattresses that go on the floor thinks its part of their home from home type rooms.

 

[anita665]

It really depends on the room at the hospital. At the hospital I had my first at some rooms just had beds and not much room or anywhere else comfortable for giving birth. Other rooms were larger and had a sofa too.

As a PP said, they will try their best to get you up on the bed and often on your back too.

I've had a home birth and it was a great experience. Much more relaxed and natural. I'm planning one again this time too. Everyone worries about something going wrong but mostly they're able to deal with anything thrown at them.

 

[shane002]

Questions to ask the head labor & delivery nurse.

 

[NaturalMomma]

It really depends on the hospital policy. Only flat on the back is allowed in the hospitals here.

Husbands are usually hesitant to a homebirth. But I will say that Dh and I loved our homebirth so much we're planning another one A hospital cannot compare to a homebirth no matter how friendly and supportive they are. It's not your home and it's likely smaller than your home.

Do you know why you had 6 miscarriages? If you don't have a medical reason for having them then you wouldn't risk out of homebirth. There is a risk assesment first before you'd have a homebirth, so that should put your DH a little at ease.

And no husband wants to see their wife in pain, and the surroundings you're in really help. Being in pain in a hospital where it's unfamiliar and interventions are more likely to occur can make it worse. Being at home and being able to take a shower, bath, be in your own space, bedroom and so on is a lot different. A Doula can really help a husband who is nervous about his wife being in pain.

 

[Blah11]

Ive had both and much much preferred my homebirth but I still enjoyed my hospital one. It was much more medical though and i was monitored loads (this was my first baby so might be diff if it was my 2nd and i wasnt so nervous!) so stayed pretty much on the bed and gave birth on the bed and on my back as i felt like I couldnt move with the back labour. My son was also back to back but loads easier and i stayed upright throughout the entire labour.
I'd try and avoid the bed at all costs.

 

[XJessicaX]

My first hospital birth was awful but thank GOODNESS I had been in hospital. Could have lost my daughter if I hadnt been.

2nd birth was also hospital birth but I enjoyed it sooooo much more! It was just good timing though! Boxing day, the ward was virtually empty! I had the biggest room with en-suite toilet and shower room. Comfortable reclining chair which my husband flumped in. The midwife just popped her head around the door occasionally and then brought me a TENS machine, a birthing ball and a birthing stool as I had mentioned I wanted a more natural labour. My midwife was lovely! It was a bloody quick labour though, only was in the room a few hours and my LO was out. I ended up giving birth on the bed on my side (that hadnt been the plan) as I dilated entirely in about 30 minutes and the contractions were so strong I couldnt actually move lol!

 

[SophiaEli]

I have just had a hospital childbirth (the 1st experience ever). I could walk around the room taking any desired pose and sit on a fitball while in early contractions but they checked the progress on the bed and when it came time to push they made me lie on a special bed, though I would prefer doing it in an upright position - next time if there is next time I will definitely try that technique. For when lying my back suffered desperately!