Which would you pick?...

[daddiesgift]

A water home birth you had to pay for or a free water birth at birthing center BUT had to drive 2.5 hours to get to that birthing center?

We are ttc #3 now. Our insurance will only cover a midwife birth if its in a birthing center. Where we are going to be living only has a center 2.5 hours away. So it would be free there, but at home Id pay 2,300-3,000 dollars. I do really want a home birth next time but Im not sure my OH will go for it since we'd have to pay for it

 

[MindUtopia]

What happens if you plan for the home birth, but something pops up very last minute meaning you might need to go into hospital? Would you still have to pay for the home birth midwife anyway?

It's such a personal thing. Me, I'd probably go for the home birth ($2000-3000 is actually quite a good deal for a home birth midwife in the U.S., my friends have paid around $5000). But it depends on your financial situation. I don't think you should put yourself in debt, if you could have a more affordable birth in a birth center you like. But that's a long way to drive if you tend to be someone who has short labours. Any chance you could relocate to be closer towards the end of your pregnancy? Do you have any friends or family nearby there?

Also, are you sure that in fact all your maternity care really would be free with insurance? Most insurances pay something like 80-90%, but you could still get stuck with a bill for certain things, especially if they aren't covered. Insurance companies are very sneaky like that.

So personally, I'd go for the home birth, but I also just know that I wouldn't want to drive that far in labour. I was in active labour about 2 hours after my waters went and I don't think I would have wanted to do that in a car. But if you are someone who usually has a long slow buildup to labour, it might be something that's more doable.

(Btw, I love that you co-slept and formula fed. I do the same. Wanted to BF and we tried for 10 weeks, but for a number of reasons we had a lot of problems and my milk just dried up one day. It's hard being someone who is formula feeding when you otherwise do natural parenting - co-sleeping, babywearing, etc. I feel like I always stand out for being different...anyway, just had to add that! ).

 

[daddiesgift]

Well thats kind of it..my OH is in the military so for the most part our care is free no matter what. BUT it has to be by military doctors. Our insurance ONLY covers the use of a certain kind of certified midwife. So if I want to not see military doctors I just need a referral. Not too hard to get. So while there is other places closer to me that have midwifes at birthing centers the one that is 2.5 hours away is the ONLY one my insurance will pay completely for because it has these certain kind of certified midwives The other birthing centers close do not.

As far as something coming up at home there is a normal hospital, well a few in the town we are moving so that wouldnt be an issue. Im not sure if she would still charge or not? Good thing to ask! I thought it was fairly cheap as well. It is a discount if you pay before 36 weeks in full.

My pregnancies and births have been fairly normal for the most part. Nothing concerning during birth. From the time I arrived at birth center with #1 and hospital with #2 till birth it was about 7 hours.

Thanks! It is hard to do everything the "natural" way besides breast feed. A lot of people dont understand that. I had many problems with both boys, #1 mostly, then with #2 when the first couple issues arrived I just felt anxiety and like I was just going to relive what I did with my first so I gave up right then. I hope to try and hopefully be successful with #3. We will see!

 

[berniegroves]

We are going to be paying £3000 for a private midwife at home. So that would obviously be my preference.
I just wouldn't be comfortable with a 2.5 hour drive to a birthing centre. Most women's labours get faster and so I'd be scared of delivering in the car. Also what if the car broke down etc? I think that journey would make me too anxious. But that's just me.
Also I hated the car journey to the hospital last time, it was only 25 minutes but was so uncomfortable!

I think labour is a massive thing to go through and you want to be as comfortable and happy as possible. So decide what you'd be happiest with.

In the UK private midwives don't refund you if you end up going to hospital, as they will have done work with you in advance (check ups etc) and will go with you to the hospital as a birthing partner etc. but it may be different in the US.

X

 

[daddiesgift]

Well I spoke to my husband and showed him a bunch of home birth "facts" and he feels more comfortable with me having baby at home, but hes still a tad nervous. Understandable. I keep thinking as well its just TOO long in the car. Even if theres no way Ill pop the baby out in the car it just sounds way to uncomfortable.

 

[BunnyN]

We paid for an independent MW and it was a fantastic experience. We did it because where we live it was our ONLY alternative to a very medicalised hospital birth but I would choose to do the same again in the future even if I had other choices. I felt like paying a specific MW put me more in charge of my own care as well as making it more personal (she knew my name, my problems, took time to discuss things, and really cared about me and the baby, none of which I had from the doctors I started off with). Of course I found an available MW I really liked which can be a challenge in some areas.

 

[Jencocoa]

I agree it is personal choice. For me, I'd go with free, but perhaps that's because I am poorish, lol. Good luck!

 

[daddiesgift]

Oh dont get me wrong, we're poor

The home birth midwife said you can pay monthly till paid off so that would be roughly a little over $200 a month till birth. I think we could do it! As long as we dont incur any more bills! Im also not even pregnant Long story about that but we are moving next year for 6 months and Im trying to give birth in that 6 months. So We are ttc now. So say I get pregnant here and seek care here then half my care there ect it would again be discounted because Im not seeking all care there.