Home Birth or Hospital??

Dyana - posted on 11/10/2009

hi there, i am currently pregnant with my second child who i am considering having a home birth with, number 1 was a hospital birth, was a very quick and hassle free labour. in my opinion, if going through with a home birth, you have to be 100% prepared and accept the fact that you may have to go to hospital. i mean if your midwife says "we need to go to hospital" you go- no debating and saying no i want this i want that...as thats when things can go wrong... i think its great that you know what you want "no c-section" but you really do need to be open to anything, coz at the end of the day its the babies safety that matters, and if you refuse a c section, when it may be necessary- youd never forgive yourself if something happened....

Amy - posted on 11/10/2009

I would never consider a home birth, there is too many chances for things to go wrong. I really didn't/don't want a c-section so with my first I went with a family dr since they can't preform c-sections (well most can't, you need to be certified to preform a c-section). I was Strep B Positive and needed to be hooked up to an IV, I was in labor for about 24 hours, and pushing for several hours, they ended up using a vacuum to help get the baby out (the entire staff was in my room to watch!).

I think that since you have such a great dr that is pro-VB that you'll be safe, and from what I read midwives and doulas drastically decrease the chance of a c-section.

The thing that really makes me want to be at the hospital is this, if something goes wrong and I'm at home, how could I forgive myself?

My sister in law is pro VB and refused to take any pain meds, she wanted to deliver naturally, and she did. She delivered a breach baby, with no pain meds. She didn't want to deliver at home in case something went wrong.

As for a water delivery, some hospitals do have the option. Where I live I didn't see any that did, but the hospital I had my son at had a hot tub in each birthing room.

Arika - posted on 11/08/2009

Personally I am pro hospital. There are so many things that could go wrong I would rather already be where I can get the best help. Afterall how would u feel if ur child died due to complications that could have been avoided if u were at the hospital. Not only is it risky for ur baby but ur self as well. I am def for vbacs I would like to have one myself but it comes with greater risk. Personally I would go to the hosp. but ultimatley its ur choice.

Amanda - posted on 11/08/2009

I agree with Kassandra. I am pregnant with my second baby and I am going to have this one, just like I did with my first, at a hospital. I think a home birth would be really cool, but you do have to think of what will be best for you and the baby. If there are any complications, how quickly could an ambulance get there and get you to the hospital. I had a great experience with having my son at a hospital. A c-section is usually only done if absolutely necessary. I wouldn't say to not have a home birth, especially if you are close to a hospital that in case you do need to be taken there you can get there quickly. Also just because your sisters had complications doesn't mean you will.

Katelin - posted on 11/08/2009

This is my first pregnancy, I'm 2 days away from being 40 weeks.. when I first heard about home-birthing I thought the ladies that did it were totally crazy! Since then my opinion has changed and I was actually considering it for a bit myself. A couple things changed my mind - two of those being that I found a hospital I'm really comfortable with and if I were to give birth at home and have an emergency, the nearest hospital is about 30 minutes away. I have no idea how long it would take an ambulance to get to me OR if they could even find my house!

Sorry that didn't really answer your questions, I hope you find what you're looking for!

Kassandra - posted on 10/28/2009

I personally would only deliver in a hospital, just because anything can go wrong in a heartbeat. If you want to deliver at home think of things like, what if the cord is wrapped around babies neck, or if baby is born and having trouble breathing? What would your plan be ? How quick could an ambulance be there? How far is the hospital? C sections are being done alot less often nowdays, but usually if you need one it is because of a life or death situation. And also if your sisters had trouble during births you very well could too.