What is the general opinion on Unassisted/Unattended Childbirth?

Question

And before you all start to ream me, take a moment to educate yourself here: http://unassistedchildbirth.com/uc/

You really should read the birth stories on that website, too.
Just curious of opinions. I'm having an unattended birth at my home regardless. :)

Answer 1

Hey PregnantKai, good for you!

I think that a uc is the most desirable way to have a baby IF there are no conditions to suggest a more medicated birthing model. It's not about "breaking a record" or anything like that, just trusting in your body to know what to do, and believing that you can handle it.

My cousin just had a lotus birth, and said it was the most exhilirated and fragile she's ever felt at the same time. Thrilling!

The vast majority of women have uncomplicated births, and I'm sure you've analzyed the risks and benefits of a uc; so good luck and happy mothering!

Answer 2

I know people who have had unassisted births. Some were planned and some were not.

I think that if you have a healthy pregnancy, are educated about birth, are prepared with the items you might need for the birth (pads or towels for any mess, cord clamp, suction bulb for clearing baby's nasal passage, etc.) and have a backup plan if something doesn't feel right during or after the baby arrives, then GO FOR IT if it is what makes you feel the most comfortable.

Answer 3

I wanted a midwife and a homebirth. I got a midwife, and the entire group of them were idiots much to my chagrin, but I had to have a hospital birth - all three times - because, first two times hubby said no way. The final time there were minor complications. I felt better being in a hospital the last time though.

As for my personal feelings, well women did it for thousands of years. Get registered with the ambulance service. I respect a mother's need for calm, familiarity, and privacy during this time of her life. I wish I could've had that...

Answer 4

I guess it all depends on the woman I had so much trouble with my first he was sunny side up and we were on the verge of c-section when he just decided to come on outand my second was twins so there was no way I would have done it at home. My first twin was head down and ready to come out but the 2nd was transverse and Iw ould have never gotten her out she would have died I had to have a c-section, so I guess if you think your baby is in the right position and you can do it go for it but if you have the slighest bit of trouble the head to the hospital cause it could be yours or your childs life and nothing is worth that to me. My only fear is that something would go terribly wrong cause anyhting can happen and you could bleed to death but good luck to you. Just have some thing on reserve for the just in case.

Answer 5

My own opinion... My first son had the cord wrapped around his neck and had to be pulled out within seconds to save him. My second was normal birth, although had a hernia they found afterwards. My daughter also had the cord around her neck and was born so fast that the doctor didn't even have his gloves on, but was able to remove the cord quickly upon birth. And my last son (yeah, mother of four), wouldn't fit between my hips and I was in labor forever. Guess if nothing else, even though most births are normal, I prefer knowing I have someone there in case something goes wrong, or I'd never forgive myself. Had too many close calls and love my kids too much to take chances.

Answer 6

I wish you luck with your birth. I know of some people that have opted to have their babies at home, either unattended or with a midwife.

You asked, now I'll tell. Just know that I'm not "reaming" you, I'm telling you my story and how I feel.

I am against it. I had a textbook pregnancy. Everything went according to plan with no complications at all. Not even morning sickness. I gained 25 pounds, just like the doc thought I should do.

I started labor on time and it was going along smoothly also. I got to the hospital and I was 7 cm dialted...I couldn't be happier and the nurses were saying what a great job I did at home.

I finally made it to 10cm and began to push. My baby was not coming down. I pushed for about 3 hours and he just wouldn't come down. They hooked me up to a fetal monitor and found out that when I had a contraction, the baby's heart rate would go down. With each contraction it took longer and longer for his heart rate to recover. They called the doc and he broke my water and there was meconium in it (the baby was in distress and had a bowel movement in me!). The doc said he wanted to see how the baby would do now that the water was broken.

Well, the very next contraction, his heart tones went down to 22 and did not come back up! Of course the called an emergency c/section and they put my head lower than my feet to relieve the pressure off the baby by the birth canal.

From the time they said to do the c/section until he was born was 13 minutes! That's how quickly they got me prepared, got me to surgery and put me under, and then cut me and got my baby out! Thank goodness it was that quick.

As it turns out, the cord was around his neck, twice and had a knot! Every time I would push or my body did it on it's own, it was chocking him!!

To this day, (21 years later) he hates things around his neck. He laughs about it at times and tells me, "gee mom, just think how smart I would have been if all those brain cells didn't get destroyed when I was born!" (he's a straight A student!).

I also worked 7 years in Labor & Delivery and saw too many things go wrong at the last minute to ever promote home delivery..whether assisted or unassisted. There is just not enough time to get to the hospital if something goes wrong. I will not even promote a birth at a hospital that does not have a neonatology department that has a doctor in house 24/7. There are some that say they have it but the doctor is not there 24/7. They say he/she can get there within 20 minutes. That's not good enough. There is too much that can go on in 20 minutes.

There are a lot of hospitals or birthing centers that are set up very much like home; however, they have all the emergency things that you need right down the hall. Sure it's not exactly like being at home (many will allow whoever you want to be in delivery with you too), but to me it's worth sacrificing a little bit of "creature" comforts of home to have the emergency care there in case I need it. What was important to me was the welfare of my baby and of myself and to make sure we had everything we needed in times of trouble.

If we didn't have any trouble, it would have been wonderful still. I didn't have to worry about any messes to clean up (nor did any of my family). I got to have my baby with me all the time after I got out of recovery and I got all my meals made and brought to me in bed! I didn't have to worry about anything except taking care of my new baby and trying to get some sleep!

I wish you luck and pray everything will be ok.

Answer 7

My opinion is do what is right for you but have a couple back up plans should something happen. It never hurts to be prepared but do what is right for you.

There are all kinds of ideas of what is right and wrong only you can know what is right for you. If you can have a midwife's number on hand should something out of the ordinary happen.

Answer 8

i do no longer see something incorrect with it. it extremely is in contrast to they gave a crotch shot. dwelling house start is a good looking and remarkable adventure that if greater human beings had a real wisdom of, might make pointless c-sections a element of the previous. i think of that different youthful adult males and females human beings might probable be extremely grossed out approximately it yet oh properly, possibly it is going to provide them incentive to maintain it for marriage or a minimum of use risk-free practices.

Answer 9

It's your baby, have it the way you want to. Personally, I never had any interest in delivering at home. But, as a mom who had two unplanned c-sections, I highly recommend that you have a back-up plan in case something goes wrong. Both of my kids were positioned face-up which made it nearly impossible for me to deliver naturally. In the case of my daughter, her heart rate started to drop while I was pushing, so I was very glad to have professionals around to take care of both of us. Good Luck!

Answer 10

I would think that you would want a professional standing by, okay, you don't want a Dr., but, what happens if the baby needs one? Don't get me wrong, I hope noone's baby ever does, but, unfortunately, all too often they do. Will you be able to live with yourself, if the worse happened and you were left wondering if only? Hey, like I said go for it on your own. Baby can't make that choice, better be safe than sorry.