Home Birth?

Jen - posted on 10/24/2011

i had a home birth with my baby, it wasnt planned she just flew out but i definately felt more relaxed cause i had familiar things around me

Gaynor - posted on 02/28/2010

hiya. i always wanted a home birth but was scared in case sumthing went wrong. but my daughter ad otha ideas as we didnt av time to get to the hospital so i ad er at home n the midwives that came were fantastic even ran me a bath after. was nice was able to stay in my own bed all mornin n got up wen i was ready not like hospitals wen they send u home afta a few hours. I wud recommend a home birth to ne1 but its got to b betta planned as mine wasnt. hope this helps. Gud luck hope all goes well in wot ever u decide. xxxx

Kassandra - posted on 02/19/2010

I had all three of my children at home. Home is where I felt most comfortable. I looked into a neighborhood birth center because my insurance would cover that and not a home birth but I went with home birth. For me it seemed too much like giving birth in a hotel room. I had friends that felt more comfortable there however- and some who feel most comfortable in a hospital. It should be entirely up to the person giving birth. If you are low-risk, home birth is as safe (or possibly safer if you include unnecessary interventions).

I love that every one who came into my home was someone I hired; they worked for me. They were guests in my home. You don't get that in a hospital or even a birth center. You need to look into how your midwife practices, with midwife groups you may not know who is going to be at your birth. For me it was very important that I knew and had gotten to know the person who would be assisting me. In a hospital with an Ob- the majority of the time will be spent with a random nurse, someone you may or may not like... something to consider!

Iridescent - posted on 02/19/2010

Do whatever you are comfortable with and have a way to plan for an emergency (phone nearby at least). Also research the laws where you live; in Minnesota home birth (intentional) is generally illegal, as are most midwives, and anybody that assists is charged with a crime as well (including the husband).

http://minnesotabirth.com/pregnancy-and-...

Marie - posted on 02/19/2010

I am about to have my 5th child and this time I am having him at home. I will also have a doula or an assistant because my hubby is not so eager about having the baby at home. I dislike hospitals and doctors and the nurses that do not listen to my needs or my requests. Like no meds or no inducing or I am breastfeeding and I do not want to give my babies bottles. Doctors seem to push inductions and meds and my advice is to know your body. Meet with a doctor to tell you whether or not you are a low risk pregnancy and if it is your first think about how fit you are and how scared you are about having a baby. It seems like the more relaxed you are the easier your muscles can relax and let that little baby come out. I have the best midwife! Plus I have been able to even have my check ups at home. There is a movie on Netflix called the Business of Being Born. Check it out. It will be interesting for you to see what happens to the lady that chose to have her baby at home. What we want does not always happen. Good luck and blessings.

Becky - posted on 02/18/2010

I'd love to have a home birth, but my husband is too paranoid and says no way! My second was almost an unassisted home birth! My labor was only 3 1/2 hours long and by the time I woke my husband up and said it was time to go, we made it to the hospital with less than 20 minutes to spare. I delivered in the clothes I came in with, because they didn't even have time to get a gown on me! It was wonderful. Labor was so much more pleasant at home - I moved around, sat in my comfortable recliner, had my distractions, and I didn't have to be away from my oldest son too long.

If you have an uncomplicated pregnancy, I'd say go for it! Midwives do have medical training and are trained to assess and respond to emergencies and know when to send you to the hospital, so even if things do take a wrong turn, your midwife is going to know how to handle it. Some research indicates that midwife assisted home birth is just as safe, or maybe even safer, than a hospital birth with an OB. Doctors tend to engage in too many unnecessary interventions, and once you intervene in one way, it just seems to snowball from there. So I say, all natural, at home with a midwife is a great way to go! Just wish I could somehow convince my husband of that!

Helen - posted on 02/18/2010

Ive had 2 homebirths, and planning my next 1 for late may. I wouldnt have it any other way, our son who was 8 when our daughter was born wanted to be there straight after she was born and he was, hubby had to wake him up as she was born at 1.45 am. Such a wonderful experience, just felt so relaxed and in control of everything that was happening with my body. Good luck

Sheree - posted on 02/18/2010

I would love to have a home birth, but at the end of my first pregnancy I ended up being a risky one, not high risk, but i had to have continual monitoring so I dont think they would allow me to have a home birth :( My first labour was only 2.5 hours, so if its going to be that quick or quicker next time around, i'd love to do it in the comfort of my own home.

Lianne - posted on 02/18/2010

i personally wouldnt have a home birth incase of complications i had to have a emergancy c-section who knows wot would of happend if i was at home.
but thats just my opinion.

Kelly - posted on 02/18/2010

TLC had a really great program on this. The other moms have been great about highlighting the pluses, but you also have to know the minuses before you can make an informed decision. As an RN I advocate hospitals, but I can also see how being at home would be awesome. I'd see if you can check out the program TLC had. It was called something like Homebirthing or something. Can't recall! Just be sure and get all the facts, and whatever feels right for you and your family, then that's what you should do! Best of luck!

Yvonne - posted on 02/18/2010

i had mine at home and wouldnt have it any other way!!

Jennifer - posted on 02/18/2010

Two of my children were hospital births and two of them were home births. I loved having my children at home. It's not for everyone, but it's definately worth checking into. Find a midwife in your area and make an appointment. The midwife will most likely ask about your previous pregnancies and births to determine if you are a good candidate for a home birth. A good midwife will also make sure that you are prepared for a hospital birth in case it becomes necessary. They will give you a list of supplies you will need, and a paper to fill out emergency information and phone numbers to leave by the phone. If you have any questions about having a baby at home, send me a message. I would be more than happy to share my experiences with you.

Melissa - posted on 02/18/2010

I'd do it. Homebirth has huge pluses! My daughter was a planned homebirth. I actually ended up having a c section because she was a footling breech, and we lived over a hour away from a hospital, I decided I didn't want to chance it. I have been to both births at the hospital and at home, I'd never consider a hospital birth with my next child, unless we have another footling breech. The other option which I think is great is birthing centers, if you have one in your area I'd totally check it out if you're concerned about a homebirth at all. Some really good books are, Spiritual Midwifery, and Birthing From Within. Plus there's lots of homebirth videos out there. I would meet with more then one homebirth midwife though. They can be VERY different. good things to ask about are what they do to help prevent tearing, and things like that during birth. Some don't do anything, some want you to have a crockpot of wet warming washcloths and warm olive oil. Some do blood tests through a doctor, and other medical stuff, some don't. I do recommend that you have a back up doctor, meet with a doctor before, tell them your plans ask if they're willing to meet at the hospital if you need them. Some homebirth midwives have back up doctors. There's a lot of benefits to having a homebirth midwife, it is really important that you feel confidant in that midwife though! So meet more then one please. We had two one in CO and when we moved home to MI we had another, let's just say I wish we had stayed in CO. I didn't get the birth that I had "wanted" but I chose a homebirth because I thought that was the best birth, and safest birth for us. I wasn't disappointed with my birth though, I had a healthy, beautiful baby, it turned out she had her cord wrapped around her neck three times and once under her armpits, so a c-section was the best and safest birth for my daughter. The next one will hopefully end up being a homebirth... Sorry to ramble, I think if you're interested in a homebirth, go for it.

Elizabeth - posted on 02/18/2010

I think it would be great to have a baby at home. I was in labor at home for most of my daughters birth (not intentionally had to get someone to take my son) and it was more relaxing and the pain didn't seem as bad because you are able to move more. I had to go to the hospital because I have other health problems but if able to make the choice I would have had my babies at home and my husband has even been trained to deliver babies because of his job. With my first I did not have a very good experience at the hospital at all and with the second it was better because I switched hospitals and doctors. I don't think I would do a water birth though. That just scares me a lot. But I would definitely chose to have a baby at home.

Amanda - posted on 02/18/2010

My sister-in-law had her son at home with a midwife present to assist. She loved the entire experience and still glows when she speaks of it. Her pregnancy was textbook, though, so if you have any risks or concerns with your next pregnancy you may want to stick with the hospital just in case there's any risk to you or the baby. Even in that instance you could always labor at home as long as you feel comfortable before going to the hospital. I labored at home with my son and by the time I decided to go to the hospital I was already at 9 cm! It was a wonderful, fast labor without much time in the birthing room. And most hospitals will allow you to check out the same day or early the next day as long as you and the baby are both doing well.

Fiona - posted on 02/18/2010

Hi Im due in jus less than 5 wks and I'm planning a home/water birth, my first was an induction so of course I had to be in hospital it went as good as it could but seen as this one was proly gana be our last i wanted to try a home birth, i have had nothing but praise about it, i feel so calm an relaxed about having this one at home, I've read alot of home birth stories on http://www.homebirth.org.nz/ and talked to other women that have had home births. Get a midwife that has had experience in home birthing and she will be able to guide, support and encourage you thru this decision if you feel it's right for you. Good Luck

Kate - posted on 02/18/2010

I personally have not, simply because I have had such great hospital experiences with my Midwives and OB. However, I have 2 friends who HAVE with a midwife present, and had a very positive experience!!! They talk about how nice it was to be in control of their environment and the labor experience, and how much more peaceful it was. (not that labor is, uh, peaceful the whole time...) Both had a licensed nurse midwife present, one also had a registered Doula to assist. Both had inflatable pools/tubs for laboring. One had medical complications that were unknown at the time and the whole birth still went great AND the Baby is fine! (and now 5 years old, my friend has had 2 more home births since then!) I would recommend you start by contacting midwives and inquiring. Also, consider if the cause of the stress was hospital policy or procedures, and talk to your doc and the L&D staff to see what they would be willing to accommodate for next time IF you decide to have your next baby there with them. (Don't tell them you're considering a home birth, you will most likely get VERY negative comments.)



Good Luck!

Alison - posted on 02/18/2010

If the idea of having your child at home is less stressful than the hospital, I definitely think you should go for it. I'm thinking you should find yourself a midwife as quick as you can and ask her for some recommended reading.



Good luck!