Would you have a home birth, given the following..?

Question

-- good midwife
-- supportive husband
-- nobody else to interfere
-- nice home w/large tub, & 2-person shower...
-- good health
-- hospital nearby

But

-- 1st pregnancy
-- possibly limited tolerance for pain

I'm still not clear on just what midwives are licensed to prescribe here (Ontario), but the only thing that appeals to me about a hospital is being able to lounge in bed for a couple of days afterwards while other people bring me meals and tidy up. It seems a post-partum doula would solve the latter problem, though.

Comments?

"The legislation of midwifery has brought midwives into the mainstream of health care with...hospital privileges, rights to prescribe medications commonly needed during pregnancy and birth, and rights to order blood work and ultrasounds for their own clients" -- Wikipedia

And: in my experience, apropos of a miscarriage, you can also be in the hospital and have a frustrating time getting adequate pain relief. Waking up from surgery and waiting and feeling like you should apologise for pointing out that you're in hell is not something I'm dying to repeat.

Answer 1

Definitely. I'm considering that right now for my third, and possibly, and unassisted one. Actually, all the monitors they use, the ultrasounds, etc., can cause the exact problems that people worry about. It's sad, but babies die during birth in the hospital, too, and in countries where homebirths are the norm, their mortality rates are lower than our hospital birth mortality rates. Food for thought, definitely. And, I've heard many women say that when they're at home the need for meds is much lower because the stress isn't there, and knowing that the epidural isn't waiting around the corner helps you tolerate more. Plus being allowed to change positions during the birth helps tremendously. You're right a post-partum doula or just a caring neighbor can help with those things, and you'd get a lot more rest at home. I had two c-sections, and trust me, you don't get rest in the hospital at all. I couldn't WAIT to get home! Good luck to you whatever you decide, it can and does work beautifully!

Answer 2

Yes! I most definitely would. I have never heard anyone regret a home birth, but I can't tell you how many hospital birth horror stories I've heard. I would also hire a good birth doula. A doula will meet with you once or twice before you give birth to discuss your birth plan. They are trained to know many pain coping techiniques, and will be with you as early in your labor as you want.

With that formula, you can't go wrong. If you breastfeed, you can lounge in bed as long as you like. And as you pointed out, a post partum doula will help.

Answer 3

Ive had 2 home births and hope to have this baby at home however my 1st 2 babies were born at hospital if you have the support of a good midwife then talk to her it may sound silly but i didn't feel the pain that bad at home i used gas & air towards the end and loved the experience of having the babies at home.
noone knows how the pain of labour will affect you till it starts so even if you do decide to have the baby at home keep an open mind that you may change your mind at the last minute and want to go to hospital

Answer 4

home birth too many bugs in hospital ,and we used to all have them where ever we where at the time ,we never used to have all this fuss,nature do it all for you ,and we are built to with stand the pain and this is the most natural thing in the world ,i had my daughter with no painkillers yes it hurt ,but its not the kind of hurt that you think of if you was to fall flat on your face its a controlled hurt ,and when it starts ,you just go winth the flow ,its a great thing ,to have no drugs if you can help it ,if you are strong,as you will feel so great afterwards ,once you have had a rest ,you will suddenly burst into life and want to be doing everything ,when as after drugs ,you will feel like s,,,for ages ,and if anything was to go wrong the hospital as you said is near by ,childbirth is the one thing that makes us stronger and more powerful than any man ,hehehehe ,yep i would deffinately have a home birth ,its also better for you to be in control,and in surroundings where you feel comfortable ,good luck ,

Answer 5

I would not have a home birth. What if something went really wrong during labor or pushing. Even though you are near a hospital it may be too long still for the life of your baby. I have seen too many people come through the ER after trying a home delivery. You can go to the hospital and have minimal interventions too you know.

Answer 6

i think most midwives that do home deliveries dont prescribe any medication....they have you do it a naturale...so if you dont know if you can take the pain, i would rethink having a home birth...not to mention a midwife will not come with all the monitors they have at the hospital....god forbid the delivery starts getting hard, all they will have is a hand held heartbeat monitor...doesnt seem worth the risk to me

Answer 7

Sounds like an ideal way to go! Sitting in the tub during your labor eases most women's pain and it is an easier transition for your baby from fluid to water. Congrats and good luck!!!

Answer 8

i prefer to stay at a hospital it just that everything is their and you don't have to worry and you only stay in hospital for 2 days if every thing goes well so good luck

Answer 9

i was born at home.... and my mom didnt have complications even i am a breach baby.....

Answer 10

Go to a hospital................please