Childbirth: unnecessary interventions

Randie - posted on 09/08/2011

Although I do agree that the way hospitals do things are mostly all wrong and really dumb!

Randie - posted on 09/08/2011

I just had my baby girl at a hospital but with my doctors permission I was allowed to stay at home for as long as possible. I was told to come into L&D either when my water breaks or when my contractions were close together and very intense (like 4 minutes apart). My water broke when my contractions were 3 minutes apart, and that's when we decided to go in, but I was already at the hospital, we were walking around outside by the hospital pond when my water broke.

Anyway not all hospital births are horrible if you don't want any intervention. My preferences were: No epideral or other drugs, no pitocin, no inducing, no breaking my water, no fetal monitor, no episiotomy, no IV, lots of privacy, I wanted to stay home as long as possible, I wanted to be able to go potty or get out of bed if i needed to, I wanted to be able to drink water, I wanted 3 people in there with me while pushing, I wanted to video tape the pushing stage, I wanted my husband to cut the cord, and I wanted to wait to cut the cord until it stopped pulsing.

I got everything I wanted except for two things. I had to have an IV drip, which I didn't mind since I could still get out of bed and go potty you just have to take it with you. And we also didn't get to wait for the cord to stop pulsing but that was only because the doctor didn't make it in time (he was only a couple minutes late, since my labor went really fast). The nurses were uncomfortable with making that decision without the doctor. Which I understand.

It's important to remember that choosing your doctor and hospital is like choosing a restaurant...if that particular restaurant serves chinese food then you cant just change there menu because you want mexican food. What you do is you choose a different restaurant right??

It's unfair to pick a hospital and then get pissed off because they won't change there rules for you. That's how they do things. It was your choice to have your baby there! That's why it's important to interview your doctor and hospital before picking. Find out which place is going to let you do all the things that are important to you. If they don't then find somewhere else. A better choice would be to find a birthing center. Though not everyone has this option. Just be aware that you chose the place, they didn't force you to choose them. So I say there rules should not be changed if that's how they are comfortable with doing things.

Jessica - posted on 08/17/2011

You could so sue that first place. That is so... appalling. They told me not to scream and you know what I did? I threatened to punch the nurse, yelled to get me one who wanted her teeth, and screamed that maybe if they had stopped sending me home, I would not have been awake and in labor this long, then I screamed everything they were doing wrong(they actually were doing these things wrong), restrained myself from strangling my husband(my ears hurt) who would shut up about his own little discomfort(you fucking ass hole. I am having a BABY here!) screamed at the nu2rse to fuck herself(among other things) screamed asking for a nurse who had kids(because she didn't have any and had never done this) and used an extensively "colorful" vocabulary that would probably make my parents(a bad joke about the navy and sailors) and all their friends from the service, very proud(or scared, I am not normally loud or angry, so not completely sure). And their were STILL things I didn't catch at the time, that they did wrong(not that I was pleasant about any of it anyway), that I was in too much pain to notice. Sarah. I am glad you had your children safe, and your second one sounds like a wonderful birth. ^.^ hehehe.... I was really kinda trying to make people laugh with my delivery room bitchiness... but not sure if it will. I mean... I was really like that. Hope it makes you laugh too. with that experience under your belt, it helps to have a little humor about the delivery. I find mine in that I became an "evil" bitch in a LOT of pain who gained a mouth that actually said a few profanities a five year maternity ward nurse hadn't heard put together yet. Apparently, that long fuse some of us, may or may not have, that stops us from being angry all the time and keeps us "patient" goes buh bye when we are giving birth. LOL

Sarah - posted on 08/17/2011

I have two children both boys and both born vaginally, but that is about where the similarities in their births end.
My first was a hopital birth where in the end I felt like a prisioner being forced to undergo procedures and treatments I did not want and specifically spoke to my doctor about in detail. Talking to my doctor about my labor wishes was a complete waste of my time and breath as my doctor did not show up at my delivery- a nurse from the office delivered him.
I was hooked to wires could not walk, eat, drink, or even roll over and was told to keep my contraction pains quiet so that I would not disrupt other persons in the labor and delivery wing. Apparently they wanted to convince the other mothers that labor should not hurt?!
Anyway after hours of internal monitoring with little progressions- who progresses laying there prone? I was told that pitocin I did not want was absolutely necessary. They were threatening me with c-section if I did not progress faster and after almost three hours of pitocin nasty contractions with no way to ease or comfort the pain I opted for the epi. 12 Hours later and after being invaded by at least a dozen hospital staff reaching into my privates to check my progress they told me to push. I hadn't gone off the epi yet so I could not feel the pushing I was doing and after almost three hours of pushing they started whispering (loudly) about taking the baby. I wept and cried and bore down harder hoping to save myself from being cut open. At one point they called upstairs to the operating room saying they were going to bring me up, but I kept pushing not feeling what I was doing and so scared for what might happen. I delivered my son vaginally after 22 hours of painful fear soaked labor. He was taken immediately from me and was given all of the chemicals I has spoken to my doctor about foregoing. Four days later I FINALLY was allowed to leave the hospital with my son.
My second son's delivery was like the light where my first's was the dark. I hired myself a midwife, who never did a vaginal exam- she said there was no reason anyone should be gropping around in there unless it made me feel better. When I went into labor the stress of getting where I had to be never happened because I was already right there. My first born son was asleep in his room and my husband and I watched T.V. on the couch for the first hour of contractions- I hadn't told him yet, but my contractions were about 5-7 minutes apart. I remember him complaining of a sore muscle in his back from us playing 18 holes of frisbee golf that morning turning to him and saying "well, I have been in labor for over an hour now, so I win!" We called the midwife who said she was surprised I sounded so calm and call her back when I was not so calm. (We thought we had hours) My water broke an hour later (called the midwife again and she said she was on her way- we still thought we had time =) ) and 40 minutes and three pushes later I was holding my son on my bathroom floor. My midwife arrived 5 minutes later to do the weighing in and clean up stuff and a few hours later with a full belly and a happy smile I went to bed in my own bed snuggled in with my husband. I woke up the next morning with my newborn tucked under one arm and my son bouncing in to meet this new little creature. Bliss!!
If we ever have another we are staying home again and hopefully it will be as joyous and miraculous and NORMAL!

Jessica - posted on 08/09/2011

I am jealous of all of you. Rowan was 52 hours of screaming, and no sleep only to end up with an emergency c section... and rohan was off and on for two weeks... and then BAM after 23 hours of screaming my head off after a 43 hour scream fest the week before, when they stopped my labor, I panicked and said "just cut me open!" turns out if I hadn't of done that we would both be dead. I was tearing open and he wrapped the cord around himself. In other words, maybe my instincts made me fear for other reasons. anyway long story short. long labors ending in emergency c-sections....yep. I am jealous at your 4 hour delivery and your twenty minute delivery.

Emma - posted on 08/09/2011

LOL Laura
I get that a lot. I have what i found out later is called a silent Labour . I just don't feel it in till just before its time to push.

Laura Zoey - posted on 08/09/2011

Wow Emma I'm so jealous!

20 min?

Eric I was in painful active labor over 24 hours!

Fierna iwas in painful active labor 4 hours.

Eric I got the epidural because I was absolutely exhausted and in so much pain for over a day.

Fierna was at home so no option of drugs but the amount of pain is indescribable. I can't express how much that hurt. ..

Emma - posted on 08/09/2011

My doctor only got to the birthing room just in time to catch both my kids. I wanted an epidural with my first child as i was scared it was going to hurt but there was just no time to get one.
Both my kids where born 100% naturally without any intervention or drugs ether during or after.
Both where born in hospital as it is cheaper than a home birth hear.
Both my kids where born in under 20 mins that's from first labor pain to holding them.
I think alot of what i was told was fear mongering to get me to agree to unnecessary procedures that are only needed in case of emergency. The hospital had to refund me money after both of my kids where born.
I had to pay in full upfront as i don't have medical aid and had my kids in a privet hospital. I revived more than a 50% refund with my daughter and a 70% with my son. as i checked us out of hospital 12 hours after having him

Sarah - posted on 06/22/2011

Yeah Frances, jaundice is very normal! In varying degrees of severity. My daughter had it and her (no idea how to spell this word) billyrubin? number thing was 117. She was quite yellow but did not require the lights, i just had to spend most of the day sitting by the window with her so she was in the sunlight.
It was no big deal, and usually they don't need the lights :)

Wow that's crazy Stephanie! I can't believe they treat you like that! I would sue!
.

Jessica - posted on 06/22/2011

If they had just explained the vitamin k thing then we could have avoided the whole big thing (both hard, eventful and emergency c section births), so they would have been at risk. My first, Rowan, had no jaundice and my second, Rohan, had it. They had to put him under the lamp for a little while. He was also four weeks early (but not considered premee) early so... yeah. An; My country does so many illegal things it isn't even funny. If you are lucky enough to not know this, than you are blessed. they threatened to "commit" me for my "lack of judgment" because I DO have a mental condition (which in no way, shape or form effects that but a lot of very ignorant people will believe it does... but it is PTSD and OCD... I mean COME on... but yeah. either way they were gonna do it.) and nope. No form was signed, in fact all forms were signed LATER except with my second they made sure if I signed it first. I had already caused a ruckus ONCE...

Frances - posted on 06/22/2011

I did not think jaundice was a normal occurrence. I had one baby that had some jaundice at one week old, but it cleared up without treatment. My other three kids never had any at all.

Laura Zoey - posted on 06/22/2011

No Fierna didn't have eye ointment or vitamin k, in USA the vitamin k is an injection! Poor babies get the hep b shot and the vit k shot hours after birth here.

Sarah - posted on 06/22/2011

Interesting! :)
So Fierna didn't have the vitamin K Laura?
I wonder why in Aus it's an oral dose and in US it's eye drops?
That's interesting Frances! How?
I'm not too surprised, most babies develop jaundice!

Frances - posted on 06/22/2011

Did you know the vitamin K shot can cause jaundice?

Laura Zoey - posted on 06/22/2011

Ok I researched this extensively in preparation for my second baby,
Vitamin k shot or drops is to prevent a lethal internal bleeding condition that is extremely rare, but as I said, is lethal.
The risks are minuscule if you have a natural untraumatic birth and leave the cord unclamped for a while.
Breastfeeding also gives the baby vitamin k so if you plan on using formula, or if the birth is 'traumatic' ie forcepts, vacuum, c section, then I'd say the vitamin k is a good idea.
Eye ointment is to prevent blindness from vaginal stds, if you have any risk for a vaginal condition these are a good idea, I and my husband were both virgins upon marrying so I'm not at risk.
Hepatitis b shot is for hepatitis which is a sexualy transmitted disease, but babies don't have sex so it's really lungless to give them this shot, the reason they do it is to hopefully eradicate a whole country of hep b by vaccinating all babies upon birth. Good concept but no thanks for my baby.

Sarah - posted on 06/22/2011

Wow Stephanie that sounds totally illegal! You have to sign a consent form for every procedure done in hospital! Even if it's only Vitamin K!
It's just a preventative thing. Generally there is no need for it. Vitamin K is developed after a few days and i think it helps blood clot? So if your baby had a bleed they could bleed out. I might be totally wrong about all that actually! :/ I'm sleepy lol
I know my daughter had to have it because she was vomiting and pooing blood and i was sure it was mine but was all for the Vitamin K just in case! Generally in natural births and low risk births, healthy full term babies etc. It is very unlikely that the Vitamin K is even slightly necessary. The odds are if they were trying to keep you in hospital until you agreed to it, your baby would have developed it naturally and the drops would be totally pointless!

Jessica - posted on 06/21/2011

No waiver was mentioned. When I tried to stop them and ask questions I was told that my baby wasn't leaving the hospital without it, and If I tried they would call the authorities. This was with Rohan. Same hospital with Rowan and they just came in and did it when I was asleep... which got BIG yelling and nurse calling and so on and so forthe. This? Same thing. They tried to take him out of the room to do it. This is one part I don't get. WTF is so important about it?! NOBODY offered me a good reason for it so WHY?! I am entitled to know WFT they are DOING to my kid!!!

Sarah - posted on 06/21/2011

My baby never had eye drips! She had vitamin K orally. Melbourne, Australia.

Laura Zoey - posted on 06/21/2011

Unfortunately you have to request the waiver, or physically stop them. They do just do it with no warning, policy. They can't 'make you' but they can do it without warning which is bull!

Jessica - posted on 06/21/2011

no waiver, no "this is what we are doing", they just came in and did whatever... I was pissed. Arizona.

Laura Zoey - posted on 06/21/2011

I signed a waiver, I'm in Wisconsin.

Amy - posted on 06/21/2011

i signed a waiver. i'm in ohio. ?

Frances - posted on 06/21/2011

I have heard that in some states they will not let you take the baby home unless he has the eye drops and the vitamin K shot. Is this true? In Indiana I was able to sign a waiver and avoid it.

Keri - posted on 06/21/2011

I had midwives deliver all of my children, all of them in the hospital, for me I am just too paranoid of all the possiblities, that could go wrong that I feel "safer" in the hospital setting for the just in cases...I do very strongly agree with that movie, however for me its better for my sanity to deliver in a hospital. I also feel that since I had midwives it was helpful to not get some of the modern stuff. With my last delivery, she let me go as long as I needed to without doing anything extra to help my little guy come out, I feel that if I had a doctor I would have had an emergency C-section, as he just didnt want to come down, she didnt break my water or anything, she let it all happen as naturally as possible especially considering I wanted an epidural, which was only my second one, because I wanted to do childbirth all natural, but when my fifth came I was over that lol, I didnt need to be superwoman anymore! and he hurt like the dickens! All my other labors and deliveries were very much tolerable, but not him, I attribute this to him being a boy, he's 2 and still causes me trouble!

Frances - posted on 05/15/2011

My first one needed to be suctioned out and had oxygen. Some midwives have oxygen on hand and can do those things.

Christina - posted on 05/15/2011

I had two doctor deliveries and two midwife deliveries. All in hospitals. Three of my four children needed life saving measures when they were born.

Jennifer - posted on 05/03/2011

if i could go back i would have had a home birth my labor an delivery was very easy it hurt but i had not a single drug no i v nothing actually if i had waited at home 10-15 more mins my son would have been born either in the car or at home. and i totally disagree wit inducin labor i have seen them do it on tv just because they want to have the baby sooner but 1 thign i learned bout being pregnant is tht wen the bbyu is ready the bby will come

Laura Zoey - posted on 05/03/2011

Don't tell them before being admitted, and then refuse when they go to put it on. It is NOT law and they can not force it on you physically. And I think that you could sue if they tried to discharge you while in labor.
I highly doubt there's any possible way for the hospital to force you to have an iv or a monitoring belt on. It's just not law, they have no right to force it on someone!

Frances - posted on 05/03/2011

Invisible Pink RN on yahoo answers says that most hospitals will actually refuse to admit you unless you agree to their interventions such as a HEP lock and an electronic monitor. I never had either with any of my births, but I went to a birth center because I insisted upon not having those things.

Laura Zoey - posted on 04/12/2011

I watched it too, great movie! I loved the birth scenes, so beautiful. And my son Eric who is just 2 watched with me and he was quite interested in the births, he said baby out? And pointed to my belly. I think he understands I have a baby in here and it will come out like the ones on the movie did. And it was nice he got to see the moms breastfeeding newborns, since he is still bf now Im glad he seemed to understand babies need boobs too!

Amy - posted on 04/12/2011

I watched it on netflix instantly. Just came up as something I may want to see and watched it. I do think every pregnant woman should watch it.

Randie - posted on 04/12/2011

yeah I finally was able to watch The Business of Being Born. I really liked it! I think that EVERY pregnant women should watch this movie! You can get it from your public library, that's where I rented mine. Just wondering if anybody knows any other good movies to watch or books to read on this topic...

Laura Zoey - posted on 04/12/2011

I think if at least your dr/ midwife is in agreement with you you should be ok with warding off policies from the nurses. If you are going to be fighting your dr as well as the nurses, then it would be so stressful.And like I said before, if i have to fight my dr for any request, how could I trust her in an emergency? Or if something happens I am not prepared for. If I had a great relationship with my dr or midwife who delivered at a hospital then I'd be ok with delivering there. But I'm my case I'm just too 'extreme' to find a practitioner who agrees with me and delivers in the hospital. And I'm kind of a push over sometimes...... :)

Frances - posted on 04/12/2011

I don't think I could relax in an atmosphere where my husband and I are constantly on guard against unnecessary interventions. I did hear of a case where the hospital called the police to throw out the doula because she was advocating for natural birth.

Amy - posted on 04/12/2011

I would just like to say...you CAN deny the IV, monitoring...etc. Business of Being born was an awesome movie. I had my son in the hospital and after he was born a nurse comes over and just tra la says "i'm going to put pitocin in your drip" I was like, you do that and I'm ripping this iv out. Why do I need it?" "helps your uterus shrink" no thanks, nursing does that.

Although some hospitals are horrid, it's up to US to know our rights and what we can refuse. I prefer to have at hospital in case something is wrong. but I can refuse to be checked in, or even refuse to have them check for dilation. I can just say, feels like i'm ready to push, let's go.

I am actually starting to look up ALL tests done to baby after birth as well to see what things they do that I don't feel are necessary.
Spoiler**
Even on business of being born, the midwife knew something was wrong and they took the gal to the hospital. Baby and momma health was always top priority.

Billie Jo - posted on 04/12/2011

I have never been to a doctor in my life. My relgion we dont doctor we just fully rely on God, we have mid wives from our church that will come to our home. I'm not against doctors don't get me wrong and I don't even judge people for going so please don't jump to conclusions. I was born at home and I've never had a shot in my life. I've never been so sick to where I can't call upon God to heal me. He made me, he can heal me. It's just faith believing. I had my son at home no drugs what so ever. He was 9lbs and very healthy, again he has never had a shot in his life. Even if I did go to hospitals and everything I believe I would choose a midwife from a birthing clinic to come to my house. It's so much more private and very relaxing. Just think, if your at home you don't have to worry about packing a bag, no having to get into a car if your in labor (I'm sure thats painful lol) you can see your baby anytime you want and no worries about your baby getting mixed up, or stolen from a hospital!

Billie Jo - posted on 04/12/2011

I have never been to a doctor in my life. My relgion we dont doctor we just fully rely on God, we have mid wives from our church that will come to our home. I'm not against doctors don't get me wrong and I don't even judge people for going so please don't jump to conclusions. I was born at home and I've never had a shot in my life. I've never been so sick to where I can't call upon God to heal me. He made me, he can heal me. It's just faith believing. I had my son at home no drugs what so ever. He was 9lbs and very healthy, again he has never had a shot in his life. Even if I did go to hospitals and everything I believe I would choose a midwife from a birthing clinic to come to my house. It's so much more private and very relaxing. Just think, if your at home you don't have to worry about packing a bag, no having to get into a car if your in labor (I'm sure thats painful lol) you can see your baby anytime you want and no worries about your baby getting mixed up, or stolen from a hospital!

Laura Zoey - posted on 04/12/2011

It's actually pretty common for women to not get the birth they want even when it's vaginal. Many times women get alot of tinge they never wanted because the dr will 'suggestive sell' drugs or breaking waters or other stuff they never wanted but when you are in labor and hurting and vulnerable some drs will take advantage of that to try to get you to do things their way.
The drs like to have thighs go fast, so they push inductions with heavy pitocin to get you in labor hard and fast. Then if you don't dilate fast enough they try to say baby is in distress etc we should do a c section. The drs get the extra money from the surgery and they also get to get the birth over and done with very fast. And mom ends up feeling like her birth went all wrong and sometimes really fight depression afterwords because the events went all wrong. Little things add up too, like I wanted no drugs, but they encouraged me to sit in bed with the monitors on my belly, so I ended up not walking around. Waing helps you progress faster and helps deal with pain. So I ended up not being able to tolerate the pain, and got the drugs. I didn't know I should have refused the monitoring and been walking to avoid drugs, but now I want to avoid all those domino effect stuff and be able to trust my body enough to follow my needs and birth normally.

Sarah - posted on 04/12/2011

crazyyyy!
I thought you got to choose how you birthed?
I had a c-section so obviously i didnt get a choice lol
but i really thought natural births went your way!
No wonder you are so keen for a home birth! I can't imagine giving birth the way some bastard doctor is telling me to!!
And to screw something into my UNBORN childs HEAD? Without telling me????!!!!! I think i would sue! That is awful! :(

Laura Zoey - posted on 04/12/2011

Idk if it was 'necessary' but I highly doubt it! They had me pushing on my back, which is literally a cause of baby's having heart rate drops. So they should have had me roll onto my side! That would fix the problem, not just monitor problem. They claimed it was just a precaution. And if it had been a simply sticky thing that would have been fine! But a damn screw!

Sarah - posted on 04/12/2011

Holy shit! Was it necessary? Did he neeeed to be that closely monitored?
That's just awful!!!! They didn't even tell you!
Well i'm angry now! Hopefully your home birth goes a million times better! :)

Laura Zoey - posted on 04/12/2011

The screw is for more specific monitoring of the baby's heartbeat. They were all concerned his rate was dropping so they wanted more accurite reading on his heart. But seriously warn me before you screw some metal into my fetus! Still makes my bp rise thinking of it. I mean how did he feel as he's already being smushed out of me, now some sharp pain in his skull? Yup don't trust that dr anymore!

Randie - posted on 04/11/2011

I love the home birth idea! Especially because after having the baby you can recover in your own space. Surrounded by your own stuff. You can rest in your own comfy bed! Go to the bathroom and take a shower in your own bathroom. That would be ideal! But for most women I feel like the best thing to do is to have your baby in the hospital but with a midwife or doula...This way you have all the benefits of a hospital but you also have someone there with you who knows best how to deliver a baby, and therefore not allow anything to happen that she knows is not necessary. That seems like the best option right? But for those of you who want a home birth...I really think it is an AMAZING privilege to be able to give birth in your own home, as long as you are certain your in good hands and a hospital is close by. Just in case

Elizabeth - posted on 04/10/2011

I totally would have a home birth. Wanted it with my first, but the hubs was scared. I'm trying to convince him the second time around :)

Sarah - posted on 04/10/2011

Laura, your home birth sounds like it will be wonderful!! :)
Although i've already said i wouldn't go for a home birth, yours sounds virtually risk free, especially since a hosp is so close by if needed!
I want a birth like that! lol :)

I have honestly never heard of a 'screw in' fetal monitor! WTF! why do they do that?!!!!
I probably sound stupid asking, but i did a lot of research when i was pregnant and that is one thing i never ever ever heard of! Why do they do that? It sounds awful and totally unnecessary!

Frances - posted on 04/09/2011

They should have explained to you what the internal monitor was. I know I was told all about it in prenatal class. I did not like the risks associated with the electronic fetal monitor and I was not going to agree to one. It is known to triple the c-sec rate without improving the infant mortality rate. I did not want to be another statistic. I agree with you; it would be very stressful to be birthing in a hospital where they are pressuring you go get things you don't want. I can't relax in that atmosphere.

Laura Zoey - posted on 04/09/2011

I knew that almost everything I wanted in labor and delivery and recovery was against the obgyn and the hospitals policies. So I knew I could still get the birth I wanted, because I don't want anything illegal. But I would have to fight for everything I wanted. And all that fighting would be stressful. And I felt I didn't trust my obgyn or the hospital to make choices for me. So if something went wrong that I wasn't prepared for, I couldn't trust that the people caring for me would make the decision I would be ok with.
Like my obgyn said she wanted an internal monitor on erics head while I pushed, I said sure why not. Later I found out it was a SCREW they screwed into his head! My baby had a puncture wound before he was even born! I never would have agreed to that if I'd known what it was, but I trusted her and now regret it. So that's another reason I'm going with a home birth with a midwife I trust and who agrees with me on the rings I'm wanting for labor birth and recovery.

Jessica - posted on 04/09/2011

Frances, denying moms food while in labor is actually what causes a lot of stress. while eating too much is bad, they CAUSE a lot of c-sections that way with longer births. It shortens the time your body can deal with it if you take away the fuel to deal. Laura, you have no medical problems, a previous pregnancy/birth so you won't freak out as much as a first timer, and minimal possibility of complications, plus in the event of that tiny chance of complication you are very close to a hospital. You are a midwifes dream patient. In America they do a lot of things and follow a lot of myths they shouldn't... but they are, at-least, trying... most of the time. Sometimes it is less safe in a hospital. My doctor yelled at me for being unable to take muscle relaxants to stop labor (or any reason) because the routine stuff couldn't be used. Doctors get angry if you don't fit in their box or if you refuse even ONE thing you want to do. So, it all depends on the person, and what nurse/doctor you have. My doctor hated treating a midwife because I don't fall for the bullshit some doctors tell you to get you to except their way to do things.

Laura Zoey - posted on 04/09/2011

As for the original topic.

Every unnecessary intervention is necessary for some women at some times. What makes it unnecessary is the fact that most drs and hospitals prefer to do preventative treatment just in case when mom might not even have a real need for the procedure.

So mom A might really need a blood pressure cuff on becuse she has been spiking high levels.

So the dr might say I might as well put mom B on a cuff too just in case.

Also there's the balancing of patients. They like to do continuous monitoring so the nurse can sit at her desk and watch 5,6 moms contractions at once. This saves the nurses time so they think it's best.

Laura Zoey - posted on 04/09/2011

I'm having a homeborth in 3 or so weeks!
Obviously I feel in my situation it's safe.
It's not safe for every women, and not for every pregnancy.
Each time it's a whole new set of reasons to do it at a hospital or at home and I'd weigh each pregnancy pros and cons before deciding to birth at home.
Personally I feel safe because
I'm 22 years old, I have had a vaginal birth before with a 8lb baby. I had no preterm labor, I had no complications with the first baby. I had no bleeding, no blood pressure problems, no urine complications, no issues.
This time around I also have no bp problems, no sugar problems, nothing wrong at all.
I gained a good amount first time and this time as well.I eat well and exercise enough.
I have a hard time standing up for what I want so a pushy dr or nurse will end up making me compromise my wished before I tel them to back off. I have a very attached son who is two and I will not be able to leave him overnight to birth my baby. I nt him to be able to be with me as much as he and I want in labor and birth.
I want to be able to have my whole family together when baby is born and not have to spend nights at the hospital.
I hate how much the hospital woke me up in the night to check vitals, I needed sleep and they would just keep coming in and waking me to 'check me out'
I plan on bed sharing with the baby and hospitals in America are all hyped up on the myths that bed sharing is deadly.
There's more too, but the majority of things is I'm healthy normal woman who happens to be having a baby. I'm not sick, I won't plan on becoming sick. Birth is a natural part of the reproductive cycle, it's not a disease. And when mom is in need of a hospital they do great and I fully support hospitals when necessary. But this time, I don't need the hospital in the forseeable future. And if I do it's 7 minutes away.
Also I guess my relationship with God makes me feel saf. I trust him to keep me safe as long as I do my best to stay safe. And I know he will help me know if I'm in trouble.