No choice but to homebirth...

[Lizzeh]

I really hope homebirths are as good as I've been hearing, because I may not have any other option.
A hospital birth would have my preference, I'd be loathe to give birth in my own bed. Sure the midwife and the ladies that come and help after the birth will have it cleaned up in no time, but I don't want to associate my bed with all that. I'm probably being completely silly.
As it is, health insurance here doesn't cover hospital births without medical indication, which I'm not expecting because so far we're doing pretty well.
The stupid thing is just; my husband is a medicine student and makes no money yet, and I'm a student as well, but with a modest income. However, I'm a housekeeper for elderly people, so I have no income during my pregnancy leave. I'm saving up for that, but I suppose to cut the costs trying a homebirth would be a good idea.
In the Netherlands the only difference between a homebirth and a hospital birth is the location. A gynacologist míght be available quicker in a hospital, but if all goes well the midwife will do the birth alone. There are a lot of restrictions around pain medication- you can't have any from anyone but an anaesthesist without practically dying for it, here, so that's not the difference between hospital and home either.
The thought just makes me so... squeamish.

 

[barbarap]

Hello,
Even though I'll try a natural birth at a birth centre instead of a hospital I have to admit that it's nice to actually have the choice.
Since you seem to be stuck with a homebirth maybe you can start looking into ways to cope with the pain naturally (e.g. hypnobirthing, yoga).
Best of luck
B.

 

[Lizzeh]

The pain won't be the issue, almost everybody here goes without meds. I guess I'd just feel more comfortable anywhere but home.
Thankfully my husband will be doing his gyn/ob interns around that time, so he can double check on us.

 

[kiwimama]

You don't have to use your bed to birth on remember. You could use your bath, or the kitchen or the lounge room - anywhere you want really!
Such a bonus that your hubby is a doctor in training, your birth will probably be a great learning experience for him, learning how to take care of a woman from the emotional support side of things, instead of all the medical side.

 

[thomas520]

Hello,
Even though I'll try a natural birth at a birth centre instead of a hospital I have to admit that it's nice to actually have the choice.
Since you seem to be stuck with a homebirth maybe you can start looking into ways to cope with the pain naturally (e.g. hypnobirthing, yoga).
Best of luck
B.

yeah,I think so !good luck !

 

[Lizzeh]

Good idea, kiwimama! I am curious to see how it would be when you actually have gravity to work with you when giving birth. I'll talk to my midwife about the options ^^
We do have a very small appartment; the kitchen and the bathroom are probably not an option space-wise but we'll work something out I guess.

 

[calm]

Would be better to have a choice I agree. Its strange how different views on childbirth are in different countries, good luck X

 

[Lizzeh]

The Dutch are quite Spartan, I'm afraid! The other day a national celebrity got told off by medical specialists in the media because she'd mentioned how great an epidural had worked for her in an interview

 

[freckleonear]

As Kiwimama said there's no need to use your bed. I gave birth on my sitting room floor leaning on the sofa. It was the opposite of negative associations though, it was an amazing experience and I was so proud of the very spot where my daughter was born! I actually cried a teeny bit when we moved next door leaving her birth spot behind us.

 

[Jenniflower]

Maybe you could look into a birthing stool as well for another option without having to be on your bed. Maybe think about your bath as well because it keep everything contained. You mentioned having a small apartment but would a birthing pool be an option? We have a small flat as well but managed to measure it out and we can squeeze one in our dining room with an extra long hose to fill it up. Only issue is emptying it but DH says he'll take it bucket by bucket. hahaha. Then again a birthing pool may not be an option in general in the Netherlands?