Birthing options?

Question

I want to know (from other mama's experiences!) about alternatives to the standard "hospital birth". I do not want to give birth in a hospital, for fear that they will try to cut me open, try to give me medication, or try to otherwise prevent me from having a 100% natural childbirth.

How can I be SURE that my desires for a natural childbirth will be respected? I understand, if there are complications threatening the health of me or my child, that doctor's intervention would be necessary. But, I do NOT see justifying a Cesarean because I'm "taking too long" to give birth or something.

If this isn't possible, what are my options, and how do I go about getting them set in motion? For example, how would I go about having a safe home birth? Or, can I birth in a hospital, with no doctors in the room? Etc. Please help me, I feel that my intense fear of hospitals would complicate the birth, and end up causing a VERY stressful situation for me and my baby!

Thank you.

I am indeed expecting...

Due November 27, I am trying to get my ducks in a row now, so that I'll be better prepared when he's born in four months!

Answer 1

There are a few different options you can consider.

The first would be to see if there are midwives who attend hospital births in your area. Maybe you would be more comfortable in a hospital if you were attended by a midwife instead of an OB? The midwife would have a doctor that she works with who you would hopefully meet ahead of time. Then, the midwife would attend you in labor and the doctor would only be called if you had complications.

Another option would be for you to look for a freestanding birth center. My middle child was born in a freestanding BC. A freestanding BC is very "homey" and comfortable.....the one I birthed in reminded me of a little bed and breakfast. It was run by a group of midwives and there was a doc who backed them up. You saw the midwives during your pregnancy and never had to see the doc. The doc did check your file twice during the pregnancy to sign off on it and approve that you were healthy enough to birth outside of a hospital. All medical equipment in the birth center is hidden away out of sight. (They had oxygen, fetal monitor, vaccum extractor, etc. but it is never seen unless you need it.) They had a huge bathroom off the birthing suite with a big labor tub in it and a shower. My daughter was born in the big tub with music playing and candles burning. If you were to have complications during labor or be "risked out" of a birth center birth before labor, then the doctor who works with the MW would take over your care.

Or you could decide to have a homebirth. My third was born at home. There are certified nurse midwives who do homebirths and there are also certified practicing midwives and lay midwives. These different titles reflect different levels of training and licensure. Different states have different laws reguarding midwifery care. If you are unsure how to find a midwife, search online or try calling your local La Leche League if there is one near you. They may be able to give you some names to contact.

My third was born at home in a rented birth tub in our kitchen. I spent a lot of my labor in front of our fireplace (it was February) enjoying the warmth of the fire. My midwives massaged my back and were with me every step of the way. I also had a doula present. The midwives were very hands off for my birth. I remember laughing with the midwives and crying with joy while in the tub pushing and listening to Sting sing "We'll Be Together Tonight" because it was so perfect. My midwife stood outside the tub and helped me squat by supporting me under the arms while my husband actually got in the tub with me and he was the one who caught the baby and placed her in my arms. It was amazing and romantic and overwhelming. We got to cuddle on the sofabed in front of the fireplace with our newborn immediately afterwards. We didn't have to go anywhere. And one thing people who ask about homebirth always wonder....you DO NOT have to clean up the mess. The midwives will clean up any mess that was made before they leave and the house will look just like it did before they came. Midwives will also most likely do at least one home visit, maybe more, after the baby is born.

Another option is an unassisted homebirth with just you and daddy present. I know a couple of people who have done this.

Hope this helps you decide!

EDITED TO ADD:
OK....now that I've read other answers I have to add some stuff! LOL!

Yes, if you have a hospital birth, definatly write a birth plan and discuss it with your caregiver. They DO NOT "have" to sign it though. They will discuss it with you and tell you if they agree or disagree with what you have written. They may suggest changes to what you have requested. THEN, after any changes they suggest are made, they will sign it and place it in your file. THEN.....IF your caregiver is on call the nurses and everyone at the hospital must follow your signed birthplan as it is "doctor's orders." BUT......what if your caregiver isn't on call??????

I can tell you from personal experience.....if your doc isn't on call then your birthplan means NOTHING. You are under the care of the on call doc. My OB signed off on my birthplan for my first birth. The guy who was on call said "NO!" to everything without even SEEING me! I was dealing fine with labor and baby and I were both healthy. There was NO reason for the "routine" interventions he wanted and his refusal to honor my wishes. I fired his butt WHILE I WAS IN LABOR and had a resident who agreed with my birthplan catch the baby. SO......even if you have a birthplan....be prepared to FIGHT for it to be honored.

Midwives who attend births outside the hospital are trained to look for conditions that would risk you out. Like I said before, your file is usually reviewed by a doctor ahead of time to make sure you look healthy enough for a homebirth. If ANYTHING looks bad, you get risked out. They aren't going to risk you, your baby and their malpractice insurance! Midwives are educated and responsible caregivers. They have backup plans for hospital transfers if they are needed.

Situations typically DO NOT occur where you need a c/s THIS INSTANT. Things build up and progress. AND without lots of interventions you're less likely to need a c/s anyway. The ACOG guideline for a c/s when moms are already at the hospital in labor is "30 minutes, decision to incision." So that means 30 mins from the time they decide you need a c/s to the time they cut you open. If you live within 30 minutes of a hospital, you can make it within that guideline if the midwife has a hospital transfer plan in place.

ONE MORE THING:

hotmamma - Babies ARE NOT BORN with jaundice. Jaundice develops AFTER birth based on how their liver is working and how they are eating and eliminating. In most cases it occurs because your baby's liver isn't mature enough to metabolize a molecule called bilirubin, which normally forms when the body recycles old or damaged red blood cells. Infant jaundice usually isn't a cause for alarm.....the levels need to get quite high and still be rising before it is truely a concern. Most infants don't develop jaundice until their second or third day of life, which would be AFTER they would go home from the hospital. This is why FOLLOW UP CARE is important AFTER the birth.

AND.....to quote.....
"If there wasn't such a thing as modern medicine, there wouldn't be such a thing as healthy pregnancies, or healthy births."
What an UNTRUE blanket statement!
So, before the evolution of modern medicine NO mothers had healthy pregnancies and NO mothers had healthy births and NO mothers had healthy babies? If that were true, what a sad state the human race would be! As a matter of fact.....we would be EXTINCT.

If "Modern medicine" is so great, why does the USA have the SECOND WORST NEWBORN DEATH RATE IN THE MODERN WORLD?????
http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/parenting/05/08/mothers.index/index.html
While countries where midwifery care and often homebirth is the norm have BETTER outcomes than the USA?
Newborn mortality is 2.5 times higher in the United States than in Finland, Iceland or Norway! I believe midwifery care is still considered the norm in those places!

~ The countries with the lowest mortality and morbidity rates are those countries where midwifery is an integral part of maternity care and where homebirth is commonly practiced.
~Worldwide, midwives attend 80% of all births, compared to 5% in the US.
~22 countries where out of hospital birth and midwives are the norm and that have lower infant mortality rates than the US: Japen, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong, Netherlands, France, Ireland, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Scotland, Australia, Northern Ireland, Spain, England, and Wales, Belgium, Austria, Italy.
~The World Health Organization reccommends including the use of midwives as autonomous health care providers.

Answer 2

You should look up Mid wife's in your area... they are non - medical people that have specialized training in non medical intervention. They may have birthing centers in your area too.. They are kind of like hotels. Really nice. They let you go at your pace.. scream if you want to, have family around, whatever you want.
The most important thing is to have a birthing plan..
and always remember.. if you HAVE to go to the hospital.. YOU are in charge.. they can pressure you all they want.. but if you say nope, I am not doing that they can not force you to.. no matter what.
There are so many birthing methods, the list is endless...and from everyone I know.. it's better to create your own plan.. and for your midwife to be on the same page with you. YOU know your body better then anyone..

Congratulations on being a MAMA!!

Answer 3

Sugar, write a birthing plan, and discuss it with your doctor before hand.. They have to sign it, and abide by it. You have options. They will tell you what protocol is... and you work from there. Really if there's no signs of fetal distress, or other complications with you, they have no right to operate you. They are also liable, so make sure whenever they advise you to sign something, think twice before signing it. Ask lots of questions, when it's not clear with you. It would help to have another adult with their heads screwed on right to be able to make those decisions for you, or to give you the consent. In this case, you can hire a duola a little before you actually give birth and make sure she and you have are on the same page on this issue. The doctors can't force you to have an operation and if you have a problem with their decision there's always people you can consult. Make sure you get familiar with the birthing place, if you're going to have it in the hospital and be familiar with the personnel there, cuz your life will be in their hands for a while.
There's also the option to give birth at home, many do that, with a midwife... Actually a midwife is even a better relationship, you get to really know them in advance and discuss your options and decisions. Midwifes usually listen a lot more than doctors. Doctors don't take a whole lot of time to listen... many don't... Unless you have a good OB doc that really listens. If you're not over the term and you have no distress or other complications there's no way they can make you have a cesarean... Keep that in mind.. There's another thing.. if anyone makes you feel uncomfortable you can refuse their assistance. I wish I knew that when I gave birth to my 3'rd child. The other times I had a very good time with the nurses, but the third time around there was a nurse that totally hated me for some reason. I couldn't prove it, but she hurt me physically really bad... I won't go into details. My mother-in-law is a nurse and so is one of my sisters-in-law... and they told me I should have refused the assistence from her, you do have that right... Don't let them tell you there's nobody else on the floor and such, cuz they always have a reserve team that can come in and fill in.. okay? It goes the same with doctors, if you don't feel safe with the doctor, ask for another. All doctors have to do internship before actually have a practice. In that period of tiem they get to assist births too... and know how to administer care in case they need to. Besides, there's always doctors in the ER... and you would be an emergency in that state.. So be free to refuse if you are not comfortable.
Usually OB doctors love their job, so that's the good news... they do that becasue they enjoy it. Soem are a little more impersonal than others, but if you want to know for sure, do a little research and find out about the doctor that's going to assist you as much as you can. Moms that had him as a doctor will give you the 411 on the guy/ gal.
Anyway... there's a sample birth plan you can get off the Internet, and it will actually print it for you all you have to do is sign it and have it signed. You can find it on www.babycenter.com, actually I give you the exact page... http://www.babycenter.com/calculators/birthplan/
so you can just fill it in, and print it ... easy job...
Ok, I hope I aleviated some of your anxiety... please drink some milk, and remember the hormones mess with your mind... I used to be very paranoid with my first child... It's normal, but don't let it overwhelm you. You'll be surprised how much a walk will actually lift your spirits! Try that. Ask lots of questions... Even dumb ones... Better feel safe than anxious. Okay, love?
Ok, I hope it helps, and congrats!

Answer 4

you could get yourself a midwife and discuss the option of a home birth, or even with going to the hospital the doctors will not give you medication unless u give them your permission. The only way if you went into labor they would have you get a c section would be A. the baby is way to big for your birthing canal or B. you or the baby are having complications. I had to be induced because i physically couldnt dilate past 3 cm

Answer 5

Talk to your doc, it is possible to go to a hospital with your own birthing plan and have everyone follow it. I highly recommend a doula to help you with your natural birth and making sure your wishes regarding the birth of YOUR child are met. I am planning my natural birth right now, so I've been researching a lot too. My favorite option is a birthing center with a midwife and a doula. If you go to a birthing center you can know for sure your birthing plan will be followed. At a hospital, there is no guarantee. Make sure either you or your partner (doula if you have none) is with the baby at all times to ensure your wishes are followed at a hospital. I am so happy to hear about others who want to experience the birth of their babies! Kudos to you!

I cannot express the importance of a birthing plan with you. I made mine from a combination of examples I found on several sites. Check out the sites here:
http://www.birthplan.com/
http://birthplan.com/aolplan.htm


Check out these sites I found very helpful:
www.dona.org (check out the books here too)
www.thediaperlady.com

Feel free to message me if you want to talk about this more. I am planning to start my family so I have been researching so much about natural birth and attachment parenting and would love to be able to chat with some like minded people.

Answer 6

with my 1st baby, I was in a public hospital and the midwife broke my water and left room. She only came in every few hrs. she stayed in when I was close though to deliver the baby. It was great as I just wanted to be alone with my husband.
2nd time round I was in a private hospital so had obs there as well as midwives pretty much all way through.
As for the other things you don't want, you should be able to fill in a birth plan and hand it to them before birth. I had to fill out a form when I went private saying when I wanted and didn't want (excluding problems where they had no choice). I said no pain meds and they respected that. When I asked for them they asked me if I was sure and gave me time to think about it. In the end I didn't get any. Make sure you have someone in the room with you to reinforce your wishes incase you are unable to.
I guess it depends on the hospital and baby's and your situation.

All the best!!!

Answer 7

I would never sacrifice my life, nor my unborn childrens' lives, and not give birth in a hospital!!

If something were to happen, every minute counts. You would still have to wait for an ambulance, wait to be driven to the hospital - and then be treated. Instead, I would rather choose to be right there in a hospital, where surgery is right down the hall.

If something would happen to me, the 5 children that I already have would not have a mother. Not to mention my unborn twins.

As natural as childbirth is, there can be complications. Too many women have to have emergency c-sections, to save not only their lives, but the lives of their unborn children. C-sections can be required for more than just breech babies!

Not to mention all the things that can be found out about when a child is born. Some are born with jaundice. Others are born with heart or lung problems. To not give birth in a hospital, every single second that you're not giving that child medical treatment, could be every single second that could save his life, or letting him die.

If there wasn't such a thing as modern medicine, there wouldn't be such a thing as healthy pregnancies, or healthy births. Hospitals now have specific specialties - everything from preemies, to children, to hearts, to cancer. Everything.

And to not take advantage of medicine and all of its worth - is not only risking your own life and health, but risking your child's.

Me, personally - my children mean everything to me. I wouldn't want my children that I have already given birth to, to be motherless. And I definitely wouldn't risk my unborn twins boys' lives. For anything.

Answer 8

you've been given some really good advice already about mid wives. one thing to remember is that if you do have a child in the hospital they will try to get you to fill out a waver form ahead of time that gives them permission to do what they feel are or could be necessary procedures if you sign this you give them permission to give pitocin, iv drugs, episiodmy and what ever else they deem necessary so if you sign such a paper make sure you clearly state what you agree to and what you don't agree to. studies have shown that women do not need c-section at the rate they are going on in this country. about 25% of all babies (1/4) are born via c-section studies suggest only about 8% are truly necessary and even less are absolute emergencies. it is extremely rare that babies are too big to fit through the birth canal. usually this is because of pelvic injuries but docs use it as a common excuse for c-sections. a great place to find some information and talk to women with your same concerns and who have had children naturally in hospital and at home or in birthing centers look up http://www.mothering.com/discussions/forumdisplay.php?f=20
also a home birth with midwifes would depend on where you are. home birth midwifes are illegal in some states such as Georgia and i believe Nebraska... some women in these states have elected to have their children alone at home there are places where you can read about this http://www.mothering.com/discussions/forumdisplay.php?f=306 or http://www.unassistedchildbirth.com/
don't let people bully you with their beliefs and fears around birth, it is a natural process that million of women for millions of years have made it though with out lots of unneccissary intervention... remember it is your body not theirs. some things to remember to avoid a c-section, avoid an epidural, avoid laying flat on your back (it cuts down on proper blood flow as the main artery running through the body is pressed on by the babies weight and your own), move around, avoid pitocin (tends to result in epidoral due to very painful contractions), dont go directly to the hospital when labor starts. first babies tend to take a while and a new study has shown women who go directly to the hospital end up with a c-section at higher rates the longer they are their in labor, dont let anyone examine you or insert things in the vagina after water has broken because you are then bound by the hospital rule of devlierying with in 24 hours due to infeciton risk, (if nothing is placed in their the risk of infection is very small )have some one that knows what you want and supports you present, above all listen to yourself if you truely think things are fine they probably are if you truely think somethings wrong then get help, also ask doctors about their c-section rate and their episodmy rate (something that is ussally not nessissary but some docs do as standard practice) also check out the hospitals rates for certain producres... good luck i hope you get the birth you want and the medical system in this coutnry doesnt mess that up on you.

Answer 9

Some hospitals have birthing swimming pools/tubs..I might ask your Dr or Midwife in the event that they present water births..if now not I advise watching for Birthing Centers or Midwifes inyour discipline who receive your coverage..Now I have no idea what you imply approximately considering the fact that fuel an air..however in the event you wish a usual beginning, whether or not it is in water or in a medical institution mattress..I advise wathching "The Business of Being Born" and I regularly advise you watching up data on "The Bradley Method". Good Luck!

Answer 10

I would look into a midwife or a doula. I understand you wanting a natural labor, but they take babies that are"taking too long" for a reason. My second got caught on my pelvic bone(her head was already out) My doctor had to reach up and pull her arm out to make the room. I am so glad I had a doctor with the knowledge and ability to get her out.

Yes, your wants and needs are important, but your babies are #1. Good luck to you.

Answer 11

I agree with the Mid-wife. I had one with my second child and they believe in natural births with out drugs unless medically necessary do to and emergency. I don't know if they do home births but its something you can check into.
GOOD LUCK

Don't change your beliefs because someone else doesn't agree with you choice of giving birth. Mid-Wife's are well trained and highly recommended.