Homebirth vs. Hospital Birth - Leslie

This is one of those topics that is really hard for me to start and get into because there is so much to think about and consider when choosing where to give birth that I tend to jump around from point to point and back.  Bear with me here.

The first thing I'm going to say is DO YOUR RESEARCH!  I cannot stress this enough.  Do not make such an important decision based on what other people feel is best for them.  Read, research, consider, use common sense, and make the decision for yourself.

That being said, I planned a home birth and my prenatal appointments were with a home birth midwife, but I ended up having a c-section in the hospital.

When I got pregnant, I searched our area for home birth midwives.  I found one that was about 20 min. from where I live and contacted them.  I scheduled an appointment at 6 weeks to meet the midwives (there were actually two) and took Fiance and my mother along with me to ask questions.  I ended up really liking both of them and chose them as my prenatal caregivers.  Each appointment they would listen to the heartbeat, do fundal height, feel the baby, take blood pressure, ask what I'd been eating, etc.  Pretty much what you do at a regular doctor appointment.  However, they also asked how I'd been feeling, they always asked Fiance how my moods had been, any questions or concerns.  The difference between seeing them and seeing a doctor was that there wasn't only a short time for everything.  They actually wanted to sit and talk with you and make sure everything was going well.

I opted out of sonograms completely (and cervical checks), though some people still chose to have them, and got my blood drawn for the normal pregnancy tests that they do.  When I went into labor, I called the midwife and she came down to check how I was.  Still slow and steady and not much going on.  When labor really started to pick up, they set up the birth tub and I sat in it for a while which felt amazing.  I labored like that for three days.  Slow.  Progressing but not quickly.  My water never even broke.  On the fourth day (crazy, I know), labor was getting really intense.  I hadn't slept hardly at all in the past three days and was really tired.  She checked dilation and I was still only a seven, but when she checked my blood pressure it had gone up.  We talked and decided it was time to head to the hospital and see what was up.  The nurses and obgyn on call were all really nice.   I signed for a c-section since labor wasn't progressing and had A at 11:48 that night.

The reason my labor wasn't progressing was because A's umbilical cord was wrapped like a harness around her body.  It wasn't cutting off any blood flow, and neither her or I were in any danger from it whatsoever, but it was keeping her from moving down into the birth canal as she should have been and pushing labor along.

My main reasons for not choosing a hospital birth in the beginning are hospital interventions (pitocin, which they would have pushed at me, threats of a c-section, breaking of water bag, no food, constant cervical checks, etc.)  They don't let you eat, which is so dangerous.  Your body is working hard.  You NEED nutrition from food, not from an IV.  If they don't want me to eat, that's too bad.  Breaking the water bag and constant cervical checks are putting you at great risk for infection.  Using Pitocin puts you at risk for needing a c-section.  The pitocin makes contractions harder and more difficult to deal with which leads to most women opting to get an epidural.  The epidural, in turn, makes you more comfortable, but it also slows the contractions and slows down labor, which means you need more pitocin to speed things up and this cycle often puts the baby in distress and leads to an emergency c-section.  I was not okay with having a doctor threatening me with a c-section and pitocin if my labor didn't hurry up.

I also didn't want to give birth in a hospital because home is so much more comfortable.  You can listen to your body instead of listening to what others tell you that you NEED to be doing or what NEEDS to be happening.  Thankfully the hospital didn't argue with me when I told them no eye cream, no circumcision (if A had turned out to be a boy, since we didn't find out beforehand), and no vaccinations.  The only thing we consented to was the newborn heel stick, and the only thing they ever took her out of our room for was the newborn hearing test.

However, I did plan for the possibility of going to the hospital if something did happen, and I was okay with it when we did have to go because I wasn't going into the whole thing with the notion that I was having a home birth no matter what came up.  We needed to go, and we did.  She was born very healthy and was perfect.  I would have much rather been at home, but in the end it all turned out well.

Just keep in mind that whichever way you choose to go, that there are NO guarantees.  Being in a hospital does not ensure a good outcome.  Yes, there are medical professionals there to help in an emergency, but sometimes those same people can push you INTO that emergency with things and time constraints that are unnecessary.  Always take the time to make sure your doctors and nurses are there for YOU and YOUR WISHES, not your money.  Don't ever let someone tell you that they know your body and your intuition better than you.

On the other hand, a home birth with a great midwife can't ensure a good outcome either.  Make sure you take the time to make sure your midwife cares about you and your health, but also that they know what they are talking about as well.  Talk to other clients of theirs and find out how many births they've done and their successes AND failures.  It all goes back to doing your own research, and always research BOTH sides of a topic.  Don't only read things that agree with you.  That's counterproductive.  There are good things about a home birth and good things about a hospital birth.  Nine times out of ten, the best can be brought out of either side if the right people are doing the job.

I could go on this topic forever.  I hope I explained my thoughts well and didn't get too confusing.  If you have any comments or questions, leave them below.  As always, suggestions can be sent to us at thecaseofthemissingcheerios@gmail.com.


A couple of good reads:
http://www.birthresourcenetwork.org/resources/54-pitocin-the-whole-story-

http://www.parenting.com/blogs/show-and-tell/melanie-parentingcom/study-pitocin-use-doesn-t-help-avoid-c-sections

Home Birth vs. Hospital Birth~priddymomma

Hey all!  This week, we are discussing home birth vs. hospital birth. 

I’ll just come out and say it:  I’m way too paranoid to have a home birth.  I’m a worrier, and being a worrier, I worry.  I couldn’t help being scared that something might happen where I would need to have a doctor on hand and wouldn’t be able to get to the hospital in time.  Or whatever. 

I think a good deal of women who chose a home birth do so to be more comfortable.  That is an extremely important factor to consider.  Believe you me, being in labor and actually delivering is WAY easier if you are not freaking out and are relaxed.  A familiar environment can go a long way towards easing your pain and discomfort.

I didn’t have a doula or midwife, because I love my OB-GYN.  I wouldn’t trade him for the world.  In fact, he brought ME into this world!  Same dude.  He’s getting up there in years, but he is an expert and has delivered over one hundred babies.  He made me feel comfortable any time he walked in the room, and he was encouraging and caring.  He’s the only doctor I’ve ever had that I felt actually listened to me and saw me as a real person.  He never dismissed anything that I thought was important, and he had a friendly manner that made him seem like a family member and not just a doctor.  I send him a Christmas card each year.  I like him that much.  Having someone you are extremely comfortable around and feel you can trust is so very important. 

I chose to deliver Cheerio Champ at a hospital.  He was my first child, I wanted my OB-GYN to be there, and I didn’t know quite what to expect.  You never do.  You can read all the pregnancy and birth books, take classes, you name it.  It doesn’t matter.  Each and every pregnancy and birth is different.  I’m glad to have been in the hospital.  As it turns out, I have an inherited mutation that causes the placenta to be twice its normal size, and the umbilical cord to be twice its usual length.  As a result, Cheerio Champ had the cord wrapped around his neck twice.  There were no major problems, but I was glad to have been there just in case.  I needed more help than he did.  I felt like I had been hit by a truck afterwards.  (And this from someone who has a high tolerance for pain. )

I chose to deliver Princess Cheerio at the same hospital, with the same OB-GYN.  She was my second, but again, each and every pregnancy and birth is different.  I knew now that I had this mutation deal, so that was a small concern.  I had to be induced, as it turned out.  My pelvis was too narrow to deliver a child much heavier than the one I was currently carrying, and I really didn’t like the idea of a C-section.  As a result, I was induced on my due date.  The labor with induction was really intense, so I ended up requesting an epidural (again, glad for the hospital).  Princess Cheerio turned out to be bigger than they thought.  She ended up stuck.  They had to rip this child out of me.  Now, when I say “rip”, I mean I felt like she was ripped out, not that there was a literal tearing sound (though if there had been, I probably would have missed it over the screaming.  Mine.  Not the babe’s).  They used the vacuum to pop her out of there, and it was the single most painful thing of my life.  She was 9 lbs, 8 ½ oz….a pound and a half bigger than they thought she was going to be!  I was extremely glad to be in the hospital for that one, not only for the delivery, but for the care they gave me afterwards.  I chose to go home as early as possible to get back home to my son, whom my mother was staying with. 

On the side of home birth advocates, I will say that my hospital bill was fairly expensive with Princess Cheerio.  I still haven’t paid it off a year later (though I’m down to $42!  Hurray!).  I’d much rather pay for all that care and not have needed it than have needed it and it not been there when it counted the most. 

If you are thinking about having, or have already had, a home birth, kudos!  You are a much braver woman than I, and I wish you the best!  I have seen some amazing footage and photos of home births, and it does seem to be much more intimate.  I just can’t get around the what-ifs.  Just remember that it is ultimately up to you to decide what is in the best interest for yourself and for your child.  And the job doesn’t end with birth!  In fact, it never does.  :)

And a special p.s. to those women Tori mentioned in her post that had “super easy pregnancies”:  I hate you.  That is all. 

Bitches.

How did you make your decision?  Was there one factor that weighed more heavily than any of the others?  Let us know!  Join in on Saturday for Leslie’s opinions on the topic at hand, and I will catch you next week!

Homebirth vs. Hospital Birth

Where you are going to deliver your child is extremely important. Decisions have to be based on personal beliefs, what your own wishes are, and most importantly the needs of your baby.
I know women who have delivered at home, and women that choose hospital birth.

My personal recommendation, is you make your decision based on your pregnancy and the amount of care you wish to have. Put your babies needs over your own, and factor in everything. No pregnancy is alike. If your pregnancy is difficult you may strongly consider a hospital birth just to be on the safe side. If your pregnancy has been a piece of cake (I do know a few women who have had super easy pregnancies believe it or not) then you could opt to take the home birth route if you desire, of course ensuring that medical assistance will be there as well. (again just to be on the safe side).

Personally, I only slightly considered home birth. At first it sounded appealing because I didn't need to leave the comforts of my own home. I could deliver in our own home, no need to worry about hospitals or anything like that. But as I did more research I realized it just wasn't that easy. If there are complications you have to go to a hospital anyway. And once your baby is in the world every second matters in your babies (and yours) health. I was just too afraid to risk it and I immediately tossed that notion aside. I wanted to be in a hospital setting where everything was there at the ready just in case I needed it. I had slightly difficult pregnancies (both of them) which both involved a lot of bed rest so now way was I going to chance anything.

But only you can decide what is best for you and each option has it's pros and cons. Here's a few:

Homebirth

PROS

• low cost
• delivering in a familiar setting
• using your own bathroom/shower
• sleeping in your own bed, eating your own food
• cultural or religious concerns
• more control over birthing process

CONS

• if you develop a pregnancy complication such as preeclampsia, preterm labor, or anemia
• have had a tricky pregnancy with complications along the way
• your vitals and the babies are only monitored periodically instead of continuously
• your baby could show signs of distress needing more medical attention than can be offered at that specific time, delaying help
• labor doesn't progress
• there may be complications in delivering baby or placenta
• you or the baby may end up having to be moved to the hospital anyway if more attention and care is needed

Hopsital

PROS

• Mother and baby are continuously monitored
• If something goes wrong there is medical attention there and ready
• Pain medication if you need it
• Mother and baby can be monitored after delivery to ensure good health recovery
• Free baby products to use while your staying (most hospitals that I know of supply you with a paci (if you choose to use one), diapers, wipes, etc.
• If a problem arises there are always other obstetricians, nurses, doctors, etc that can lend a helping hand if need be.
• If an emergency C section should need to be performed you are right there and they will get you ready

CONS

• costly
• your in an unfamiliar setting
• hospital clothes and foods
• less control

But in all honesty the pros far outweigh the cons to me when it comes to hospital birth.

Now I'm not downing any who have chosen the homebirth method. If you chose it and made it successfully through, congrats to you! We all have to consider our options, but the main thing is to research them thoroughly before making a decision. And always be prepared. Because pregnancy and delivery are tricky. Anything can change at any given time and we must always be prepared. Just make sure you have good medical help no matter what you choose, and always consider what is best for your baby over your wants and desires.