Home Birth

Ashley - posted on 07/03/2009

it's def not for me. i wouldnt even consider it but i also cant handle pain. i want to know that when i get to the hospital the epidural is there! i am high risk anyways so even if i wanted to it wouldnt be an option!

Shelly - posted on 07/03/2009

I have several friends that had home births and absolutely treasured the experience. I personally didn't, because I'm a big chicken. I like the idea of having an epidural and not feeling the pain of childbirth!!LOL!! But, if you are willing to endure the pain, and have no health risks, I say more power to you!! I have been told that it is a relaxing, wonder feeling to be in the comfort of your own home with the support of your family.

Nicole - posted on 07/03/2009

I want a homebirth for my next baby. I would have had one with Phoebe, but all of the midwives in my area were booked. Pregnancy needs to stop being viewed as an illness and treated like the natural process that it is. There needs to be tons more support for midwives. It would drastically reduce healthcare costs too.

Rhionna - posted on 07/03/2009

I planned a home birth with my third baby as I really wanted to have a water birth. Having planned water births with my older boys and not being able to as there is only one pool at my local hospital and it was in use both times! I bought a pool and it was inflated ready, but when my waters broke there was meconium in them so had to go to hospital so they could monitor her better. I wasn't contracting at this point either so had to be put on a drip and couldn't get out of bed - exactly what I didn't want, but my little girl arrived safe and well and that is what is important!

As much as I wanted to have a home water birth, the health and safety of me and my baby had to come first!

Betty - posted on 07/02/2009

A friend of mine did a home birth and said it was wonderfull. I'm not sure if I would do that myself but if health care takes a nose dive like I think it will than I would for sure.

Minnie - posted on 07/02/2009

Quoting Kate:

In the US, in many states, midwives are not allowed to practice legally. Women can technically still have home births because there are no laws about where they can birth or with whom, but the midwives could be arrested for "practicing medicine without a license." They are considered to be completely untrained and useless and should you have to transfer to a hospital, they are ignored and treated like any other untrained labor coach. Of course this is not true, my senior midwife has been delivering babies for over 30 years and has delivered over 900 of them! She knows way more than most OBs today! But alas...yes, it is technically illegal here.

Have you read the book Pushed, by Jennifer Block?  It's really insightful.  I love that book.

Minnie - posted on 07/02/2009

Well, I birthed at my midwife's office. It's called the Birth Cottage. A home away from home, with no more equipment than my midwife would bring to my own home. So I personally consider it a home birth, I just didn't have to get my own floors dirty, lol.

I loved it soooo much. Got to wallow around in a big tub for four hours. It was the most wonderfully amazing experience of my life.

I definitely think there should be more support for homebirth. Shame on the states that make it illegal.

Lynette - posted on 07/02/2009

i had my son at home he now 12 it was more relaxing feeling .we bonded straight away and we very close he looks like me poor kid lol .he very loving and shareing .i wish i had my 1st 2 kids at home they 18 and 22 .i wanted my my youngest at home but hubby dint after my son was born i had to go to hospital because of after birth and same thing happen with my youngest daughter stange i was great on my 1st two but i know on i made a good choice to have him at home he so loving like most boys a mammy boy no matter wot age he is x lynette

Tamara - posted on 07/02/2009

I'd love to have one. Heck, I've love to have a birth center birth, anything to avoid that damned hospital. Unfortunately, I won't be able to. (VBAC)

Cathy - posted on 07/02/2009

If a person of low risk chooses a homebirth, they should be able to have trained midwives present incase of complications without fear of legal action. I would never of had a homebirth if I had to go it alone. Freebirthing is in my opinion madness!

Sarah - posted on 07/02/2009

Hospital all the way for me! lol!
I know a few people who have had a home birth tho and they said it was great!!
I think so long as it's an uncomplicated birth it would be great, but i knew i would want pain relief and in the end both my births were complicated (one ended in C-section) so i was glad i already in the hospital!!
However, i think it's good that the option is there (in the UK at least) and if you're comfortable with it then you should go for it! :)

Libby - posted on 07/02/2009

I do however believe that if a person chooses to have a planned at home birth that it should be with someone who is trained to do so (midwife, etc.) I watched a show yesterday where this woman and her mom did her first at home birth and then she wanted her husband to do the next one with her. She didn't see a doctor and did all of her prenatal care at home. She thought she knew enough from doing research on the internet. When it came down to it she didn't know that she was pregnant with twins and that they were both breech. It could've been a serious situation for both of her babies. But I definetly feel that someone who has experience should be present.

Libby - posted on 07/02/2009

Quoting Kate:

Home Birth

Have you had one? Would you ever?

Even if you wouldn't/not sure, do you think there should be more support for home birth midwives and do you think this is a viable option for birth?

No, I have not had one.  I cannot because I am high risk.  I don't know what you mean by "should there be more support".  Do you mean more support in supporting this decision or more support for people who choose this option (meaning more midwives, etc.)?  It's obviously a viable birth option if people are already choosing it.

Jenifer - posted on 07/02/2009

Home birth isn't something I'm interested in - I had a wonderful birth experience in a hospital with a CNM - but I completely agree that women need more options when it comes to birthing. There's no reason that home births and midwifery should be outlawed the way it is in some states. I think taking away that option actually puts women at greater risk because they may end up with a midwife without the appropriate training, or in a hospital situation where they aren't able to advocate for themselves.

Cathy - posted on 07/02/2009

Thats terrible ... I'm glad I live in the UK. Nearly everyone is under midwivery led care in the UK and only high risk pregnancy will an OB get involved. Birth isn't a medical condition and shouldn't be treated as such.

Kate - posted on 07/02/2009

In the US, in many states, midwives are not allowed to practice legally. Women can technically still have home births because there are no laws about where they can birth or with whom, but the midwives could be arrested for "practicing medicine without a license." They are considered to be completely untrained and useless and should you have to transfer to a hospital, they are ignored and treated like any other untrained labor coach. Of course this is not true, my senior midwife has been delivering babies for over 30 years and has delivered over 900 of them! She knows way more than most OBs today! But alas...yes, it is technically illegal here.

Cathy - posted on 07/02/2009

Where is homebirth illegal? I'm shocked! I had midwifery led care throughout my second pregnancy and they actively encouraged me to have a home birth. Being at home made me feel a lot more comfortable and relaxed ... but I did miss the pain relief!

Kate - posted on 07/02/2009

We are planning to have our second child at home (in a few weeks). After all the unnecessary interventions we faced in the hospital last time, we needed something better. I very much wish there was more support for home birth midwives! It should not be illegal!

Jana - posted on 07/02/2009

I am pregnant with my 3rd baby. Baby number 1 was born in a hospital, Baby number 2 was born at a Birth center, and I debated whether or not to have this baby at home. 2 of my sisters have had home births. And my mother-in-law had all 13 of her children at home. I have decided that I will have baby number 3 at the birth center only because I would like to have a water birth. But if I have more children in the future then I will probably have one or more of them at home.

Jana - posted on 07/02/2009

I am pregnant with my 3rd baby. Baby number 1 was born in a hospital, Baby number 2 was born at a Birth center, and I debated whether or not to have this baby at home. 2 of my sisters have had home births. And my mother-in-law had all 13 of her children at home. I have decided that I will have baby number 3 at the birth center only because I would like to have a water birth. But if I have more children in the future then I will probably have one or more of them at home.