Hi I am new here. I had my daughter when I was 18 and am getting ready to have a little boy (who we will name Brenden) in August. I was just wondering if anyone ever had a home birth. What did you enjoy about it most? Why did you decide to have one? Who attended the birth? I just thought it would be fun to hear other people's stories.
hi and welcome,
my name is lauren and im a 21 year old om to emily who is three. i had a hospital birth but next time id like to try a homebirth.
make sure you read over the stickies and anouncement.
I had a hospital birth because I was on state health insurance and couldn't afford a midwife.
we're going to the birthing center this time. nobody around here does home births at the moment. i'm very much looking foreward to freedom of movement and not being pressed with too many interventions.
for number three i'd love to to try it at home.
I had 3 hospital births, but 2 of them were planned homebirths. My midwives would have been present (one primary midwife, one back-up....after the birth the primary would have tended to me and the back-up would have tended to the baby). I originally chose homebirth because my first birth experience (in hospital) was not fun, I didn't like being told what to do when my body was naturally doing what it was supposed to. I also didn't like the idea of being confined to a hospital bed/room...or dealing with the nurses during recovery. My first birth was completely natural, and since I knew I could do it...I wanted to avoid all medical interventions, and that's much easier to do when you aren't in the hospital.
I ended up delivering my 2nd baby in the hospital because during the pregnancy, she had a heart arythmia (sp?) and we had to consult an OB/GYN who told me I had to deliver at hospital. My midwives still encouraged me to think about homebirth, if it was what I really wanted...because they were sure it was a problem with the placenta and not the fetus. As it turned out, they were right. But, I chose the hospital route just in case. With my 3rd I ended up going to the hospital because I went into labour before we had everything prepared.
I had a hospital birth but with a midwife. I was lucky enough to find midwives that take state insurance. With the midwife at the hospital I felt very comfortable. She didnt try to press anything onto me and let me do what I wanted. My labor was quick but I'm glad I had her, she was very calming and since things went so well, if I ever have another, I might try home birth.
I had a homebirth. It was wonderful. PM me if you have any Q's or just want to talk about it!
I had a planned home birth that turned into a hospital birth (severe pre-eclampsia) and a planned hospital birth (I wasn't comfortable with a home VBAC).
For healthy women, the outcome stats are as good or better for home births, and there's a lot to be said for being in your own space, where everyone else is the invited guest and you are in charge.
Thanks everyone for your reponses. I am really considering a homebirth. Actually we already met with a midwife who is a very wonderful Christian woman. We are very comfortable around her. My husband said he would hire her as a doula if we decided to deliver in a hospital. But all the hospital tours i have been on....i wasnt comfortable with. I am afraid to deliver in a hospital because of my last experience with my daughter. They have so many routines and rules. Pitocin, Epidural, who have to push while laying on your back. That is so not how God met labor to go. I think its funny how everybody says it is unsafe but statistics prove otherwise. I have no fear of a homebirth, in fact i have a peace in my heart about it. And i know God will protect me and my son and give us a competent (sp?) midwife. He is in control after all! NE how thanks for your replies! wink
Does the midwife you've chosen have hospital priviledges? Because in most places, you can have the midwife deliver your baby, no doctor's or nurses involved, right in the hospital or birthing centre.
is there any reson you might need a hospital? you can check with you midwife's backup physician if you decide to go that rout. the backup for my birthing center midwives is great and lets women squat and such.
i totally support homebirth and think it's the BEST option for women who feel as comfortable as you do.
have you considered going unassisted?
I had two hospital births. Both went well with no complications. :)
To answer everyone's questions. No the midwife we picked out does not have hospital privleges. It would be a home birth. I have no fear of a home birth, so I am comfortable. I mean of course I understand something could go wrong but I know my midwife and God would handle it....and we live just a few mins. away from a hospital. And also there hasnt really been anything medically wrong with this pregnancy, so i could deliver at home if I wanted.
I also had a homebirth although it was not planned. Was an incredible experience and want to do it that way again with baby #2. You can also pm me with any questions you may have. My birth story is on here somewhere.
i prefer hospital that the only i've had
i have only had a hospital birth but i really want to try a home birth especially after reading how much of a great bonding experience it can be. good luck with everything.
I have only had a hospital birth, and it was ok, I guess... I found the post-partum stuff to be the worst actually. I think it was the Nurses... I'd have a great one, and then one that I could REALLY do without.... I was also threatened into an epidural I didn't want...
Next time around, I'll either go to our local hospital, instead of the city one... or have a homebirth.... either way I want a Doula!
I'm just not sure about homebirth in my area because I am quite far from a small hospital, and REALLY far from a major hospital.
Good Luck with whatever you decide!
I had a homebirth adn it was one of the best experiences of my life.
I know I already replied to this thread but I just can't agree more. My homebirth was such a positive, empowering, life-affirming experience. I would encourage anyone with a healthy pregnancy to try one.