Hospital vs home birth?

[wishingonastar]

Does anyone actually know anyone whos baby has died during a homebirth? I don't but I do know of a few hospital births. Obviously you have to take into consideration that way more people hospital birth and home birth and that people who have high risk pregnancies and preterms are born in hospital too, but still

I personally know of one baby dying in home birth but none in hospital, but ask others and I'm sure responses will vary!

 

[aliss]

Mine almost died as a result of overintervention at the hospital (and yes, the OBGYN even admitted this to me).

I guess to each their own. We must all choose what risks we want to take, whether it's pregnancy, labour, or for many years to come, but as long as we make our own informed choices they should be respected.

Birth: A History by Tina Cassidy is a good book to read for anyone. The concept of home birth in modern western society has been so twisted, it's shocking. Most people have misconceptions purely due to a lack of knowledge. Many overinterventions in hospitals occur due to the mother's lack of knowledge (I had no clue what I was agreeing to, in hindsight I should have stood up for myself).

I don't wish to be cheesy but yes, "knowledge is power"

 

[wishingonastar]

I recurring theme in this thread seems to be about 'risk'. Is HB riskier than Hospital birth? What is the risk of rupture with VBAC? And so on.

It is worth remembering that risk is a very personal thing. Some people's small risk is another person's too high a risk. Personal circumstances and experiences play a huge part in that. Because people choose the hospital birth path as they feel it is less risky does not mean that they live their lives in fear as has been suggested. It means they have weighed up the choices and feel that one way is too high a risk for them. It is worth remembering that when you stats like 1 in 100 or 1 in 1000 then someone has to be that 1- when you have been that 1 you will do anything you can to never be that 1 again. And that may well mean choosing a medicalised birth that other people see as unnecessary.

Excellent, well written post

 

[moomin_troll]

first off i do think afew people on this thread need to look up the word "condescending" because to me giving actual fact isnt being condescending at all, its stating fact.

me and my mum almost died because the hospital didnt listen to my mum and didnt do what was needed. we are both very lucky to be alive. i do believe she would of been seen faster if she was transfered from a HB to hospital as they might of actualty listened to her. my mum wanted to birth in hospital because she wanted to be next to the drugs and that was right for her.

with my first i wanted to be in hospital, looking back i really wish i had gone to a different hospital as the one i was in was awful and things were done that there was no need for making me lose faith in my body.

its great when people have a positive birth be that at home or in hospital. but personaly after my first experience i really wouldnt take a doctors or mws word over anything anymore...id rather no all the facts myself

 

[Fruitymeli]

personally i want a home birth because i was left alone 99% of the time after my c section they never even gave me pain killers till the next day and when i asked for food i was totally ignored , my mum took me home the next day because she was shocked i put in a complaint
if i need another c section fine but i wont be sitting round like i dont exsist

 

[Ashley8806]

Hospital birth any day. If things were to go wrong and they needed to get the baby out right away, I would hate to risk not getting to the hospital in time, where if you're there, you're there already. That's just my opinion, but I couldn't do home birth anyway. I know some places will let you VBAC at home, but I wouldn't even consider it considering the risk of uterine rupture and only having 3 minutes to get baby out at the most.

^^ This is the perfect example of why those of us who have researched birth extensively enough to be confident in home birthing (and those who have done the same but still feel hospital is their comfort zone) want to share that information. Risk of uterine rupture for a VBAC is actually incredibly small, so there's not much risk to consider at all. And the risk increases with certain interventions, such as augmenting labour, which is only available to be used in hospital.

If people want to birth in hospital, that's fine with me. But it does irk me to hear, "oh, I'd love to homebirth, but...." or "I can't home birth because...." when those reasons are inaccurate because it spreads misinformation to women who are doing their research and trying to make a decision best for them.

For your information, I CAN'T birth at home because they DON'T ALLOW IT here for a VBAC. I did not once run anyone down for doing home births, so I don't appreciate you talking down to me because of my opinion in the matter, which is what this thread was started for. I have done my research, and looked into it, but is NOT AN OPTION HERE. And if it was, I don't think I would choose it, but not because I am running down anyone who does home births or feel any differently to them, that is MY OPINION that I am entitled to and my choice.

I never once said you could or couldn't birth at home or hospital. Re-read the post. I was using your post as an example of misinformation. Without drugs (as you say you won't have anyway), risk of uterine rupture in a VBAC is very, very small. Yet, to read your post you would think it was such a big risk. That's all I'm getting at. Facts are one thing and worth correcting if misreported so that others have the correct information to be able to make informed choices. Opinions are another thing entirely, and I definitely feel you should birth where you're most comfortable.

There was no misinformation in my post. They don't induce anyone doing a vbac or allow any drugs whatsoever here, the risk is 1-3% of uterine rupture, I'm on the higher end of the risk and that just isn't something I would take the chance of not being close by an operating room for. I did make an informed choice. Just because things are different where you are than where I am, doesn't mean I don't know my information. I have researched my options VERY heavily, had consultations with 3 different OB's, and found one that suits me the best. Of all 3 of the consultations, including one that has midwife services available that wouldn't see me because I am higher risk, all have said the same thing - therefore I don't feel I misinformed anyone or mislead anyone. I know of 2 people personally who have had VBAC at home, one with 1 previous csection and 1 with 2 previous csections, who ruptured at home and one lost their baby and the other's baby survived but it was very close and the baby was in the hospital for 3+ weeks after. Therefore, these are my choices, if you don't like it, good for you, but no need to try to make me feel stupid for it.

 

[MandaAnda]

I never said you were going to have induction drugs. You said: "I wouldn't even consider it considering the risk of uterine rupture," which makes it sound like a huge risk. As you've just said, the risk is quite small, and that's what I wanted people to know. I would hate for a woman who is trying to decide between the two to read your comment and think, "Oh, dear. There's a risk of uterine rupture with VBAC! I'd better not home birth" without also being informed that it's a relatively small risk that she may weight up differently had she known.

The difference in practice in the countries never came into my comment. I know things vary state to state in the US as far as what is "allowed" as far as midwife care goes.

And I wasn't trying to make you feel stupid. I was trying to make sure the facts were obvious, not misinformation. Also, for what it's worth, no one can make you feel anything - you do that yourself.

 

[Ashley8806]

I know the differences in practice never came up in your comment, but there are obviously differences as i was stating. and as i stated before, nothing in my post was 'misinformation'. just because you think the risk is low, it is still there and as i stated before it is something that i personally wouldnt risk, never tried telling anyone not to try it. if a woman wants to vbac at home more power to them. there is just no one that will allow it here and i wouldnt choose it personally. end of story.

 

[missmayhem]

what happened 50 odd years ago, even more


every mum had her baby at home, the older kids were upstairs......


as an elderly friend said to me one day if they all had home births now a day half these unwanted teenage pregnancies wouldn't happen........


i think it would mean we were a lot more educated on child birth before we had to experience it for ourselves....

 

[famof6]

I am in US and have had 4 hospital births.It is really sad to read some of these hospital experiences.I had a great experience with all of my childrens births.None of them had assissted births and the longest labor was 8hrs.So I have nothing bad to say about it.As far as being neglected or ignored in a hospital that is far from what I had.The nurses stay on top of you constantly monitoring you and checking on you.Sometimes I did wish they would go away and leave me alone but I know they were only doing their job.I just spent 24 hrs in L&D because they thought I was going in to preterm labor.I had the same great care that I had 9 years ago at my DD's birth and that just assured me that a hospital is the right place for me.

Homebirth I don't know anything about them really.I have read other peoples stories and watched them on TV.I have not done any research on them.I don't even know if they are available in my area.I do think if that is what someone wants to do then good for them.I don't think any woman would go into one without doing their research and making the best choice for themself and their baby.

 

[Sherileigh]

Does anyone actually know anyone whos baby has died during a homebirth? I don't but I do know of a few hospital births. Obviously you have to take into consideration that way more people hospital birth and home birth and that people who have high risk pregnancies and preterms are born in hospital too, but still

Since you asked yes. One of the nurses that helped deliver my son, she was pregnant at the time. She had a homebirth and the baby passed away. I don't know the details as I didn't feel comfortable asking her.

 

[Ashley8806]

I am in US and have had 4 hospital births.It is really sad to read some of these hospital experiences.I had a great experience with all of my childrens births.None of them had assissted births and the longest labor was 8hrs.So I have nothing bad to say about it.As far as being neglected or ignored in a hospital that is far from what I had.The nurses stay on top of you constantly monitoring you and checking on you.Sometimes I did wish they would go away and leave me alone but I know they were only doing their job.I just spent 24 hrs in L&D because they thought I was going in to preterm labor.I had the same great care that I had 9 years ago at my DD's birth and that just assured me that a hospital is the right place for me.

I completley agree My hospital experience was amazing, I cried when I went home because I wanted to go back there

 

[indy and lara]

And here we go with risk, risk, risk again. I really do not think that you can ever convince someone that something is a low risk when they are facing the consequences and you are not. Some 'risks' are not worth taking.

 

[Sherileigh]

And here we go with risk, risk, risk again. I really do not think that you can ever convince someone that something is a low risk when they are facing the consequences and you are not. Some 'risks' are not worth taking.

Totally agree with this post and your last one. We're all different and have different comfort levels. Can't figure out why on earth these topics get so heated. Some people want homebirth , some want hospital, really who cares? As long as we're all happy with our choices and have healthy babies that's all that matters.

 

[cosmicgirlxxx]

And here we go with risk, risk, risk again. I really do not think that you can ever convince someone that something is a low risk when they are facing the consequences and you are not. Some 'risks' are not worth taking.

No risk is worth taking when it comes to lo, all we can do is try our best to reduce the risks as advised.
It's individual choice, no one should have to defend their choice.
As long as lo is delivered safely does it matter if you have a section, vontouse, water birth or assisted hb?

 

[Snuffy]

And here we go with risk, risk, risk again. I really do not think that you can ever convince someone that something is a low risk when they are facing the consequences and you are not. Some 'risks' are not worth taking.

I think it is easy to play fast and loose with other people's risks and sniff at their concerns. It's a bit different when it's you though.

 

[indy and lara]

I agree wholeheartedly with the last few posts. Baby safely home is all that should ever matter. All births are different and things which are acceptable to some are not to others and this goes or all aspects of pregnancy and parenthood. If you are comfortable having a HB then good on you, if you are happy having a hospital birth, good on you too.

 

[PeanutBean]

And here we go with risk, risk, risk again. I really do not think that you can ever convince someone that something is a low risk when they are facing the consequences and you are not. Some 'risks' are not worth taking.

No risk is worth taking when it comes to lo, all we can do is try our best to reduce the risks as advised.
It's individual choice, no one should have to defend their choice.
As long as lo is delivered safely does it matter if you have a section, vontouse, water birth or assisted hb?

For a lot of women yes, it really does matter. A traumatic birth can trigger PND which can have a knock-on effect not only for mum but for baby too. Births with interventions can permanently damage mums, even render it possible they won't be able to have more children. It's hard enough facing such issues with a birth that genuinely required intervention but when it becomes apparent it was all unnecessary it becomes a very bitter pill to swallow.

Neglecting the mother's experience of birth is one of the reasons our maternity services are so shonky.

Threads like this serve a very good purpose however heated they get. Look at us all getting riled about birth, it's awesome that we care so much. It's fantastic that we can so easily get together and talk, fight, share info etc instead of it being hidden behind closed hospital doors.

 

[LittleBoo]

I think if women are comfortable with the idea, then there's no problem, end of the day it's her birth. I wanted a home birth really, really badly. But my OH watched Baby Hospital with me and pleaded for me to just go to hospital instead, just in case. Which is fair enough, his sister died shortly after birth, I'm sure seeing that program made him think of that and the dangers of childbirth. That's not to say people who chose homebirth are taking unecessary risk, just that some are comfortable trusting their bodies to do it alone, some are more comfortable 'just in case' being in hospital.

 

[cosmicgirlxxx]

I agree partly with your point. We all have a plan in our minds, how we would ideally like our birth experience to go but this is real life so if it doesn't go exactly to plan shouldn't the take home message be that as long as ladies have a healthy lo we haven't gone far wrong?