I'm looking into birthing options for my first child and want to consider natural or even unassisted home birth. Have you had any experience with this, either personally or through a friend or family member?
Was it a first birth? Was it done in a hospital or birthing center, or at home after a previous birth in a hospital, or vice versa? How did you (or the mom) feel before, during, after? Were you (was she) attended by a mid-wife if at home? Did you (she) have any problems with having the hospital staff honor your (her) wishes regarding preps, exams, drugs, induction, etc?
Any experience you have or have heard about would be helpful.
Thanks!
2007-01-26 03:36:59 · 9 answers · asked by Woz 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Thanks for your answers already, ladies, you've been a huge help! It's gonna be a real decision choosing a best answer on this one!!
2007-01-26 06:13:59 · update #1
I had a midwife attended, completely natural, hospital birth, and it was terrific. I was so worried that they wouldn't respect my wishes, and would try to force some weird intervention on me, but they didn't. This was my first birth. My sister in law had a midwife attended home birth, and my oldest sister had both her kids at home.
I would highly recommend if you have a hospital birth that you hire a doula. They will ensure your wishes are honored, without you having to worry about it. I chose not to even allow them to put an IV starter in. I only allowed them to monitor me for the first 15 minutes and then I was unhooked and moving around through the rest of my birth. The bed allowed me to push in a supported squat which was really nice for me, and my midwife sat on the floor to catch my baby.
Also throughout my care I opted out of several regular test like the glucose test (because I refused to fast, and don't believe that any pregnant woman should be asked to fast). Also, I opted out of a few different blood tests, and just in general focused my care around my diet, and general well being and growth of my baby.
Good for you for considering what is best for you and for desiring to bring your baby into this world in a peaceful and loving way. It sounds like you are off to a great start in being a mom!
2007-01-26 04:16:18 · answer #1 · answered by Alisha B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The best advice is be prepared to be flexible. Your birth experience almost certainly WON'T go exactly how you plan it!
For example, I planned to have a water birth at home, attended by two NHS midwives. I had ordered the birthing pool (but fortunately not yet paid for it!). I went into labour 5 weeks early and had my baby at my local hospital. However, I did have a totally natural, unmedicated birth. I read a lot beforehand about natural and unassisted birth, and attended NCT antenatal classes. The last class was the day before I went into labour - talk about great timing! Personally, I did not find labour to be painful. Hard work and uncomfortable, but not painful. I did not need any stitches and bounced out of bed full of energy the next day. We had to stay in hospital just over a week because my preemie had a few minor health issues, totally fine now.
I wish you an enjoyable birth experience!
2007-01-26 05:22:00 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's wonderful to see that you are considering a homebirth. I can't say enough good about it! I had both of my children at home with lay-midwives. (not the kind that have to answer to a doctor) My babies were large at 9 lbs and 10 lbs. The midwives are so good, that even with larger babies, with large heads I might add, I had no difficulties. Giving birth is a natural process, not a disease. Hospitals have their place, and should be used for emergencies/high risk births, however I do not believe they are the proper place for a normal natural birth. My midwives were very knowledgable and had meetings we attended while pregnant, where they explained all the possible things that could go wrong and what they would do in that case. ALL of those things could be solved at home, or you had plenty of time to get to a hospital if need be. Most problems, I'm sad to say are actually caused by things that they do in the hospital. We have one of the highest infant mortality rates in the USA. Countries that have most of their babies at home with midwives, however, have some of the lowest infant and maternal mortality rates... if that tells you anything. Many people think that having their babies in hospitals is safer for them, when actually the opposite is true. there are more deaths and major harm done to babies in hospitals, than you will ever have to worry about at home.
I loved my homebirth experiences. So many people say that they could not handle the pain of a natural birth, but I will tell you, I do NOT handle pain well in general. However, even though it hurt, I got through it just fine. The support of the midwives was a wonderful bonus. They would always explain to me so well, what I would be feeling next. After my second baby, I literally felt like I hadn't even had a baby, was not sore, and felt wonderful. I was in the comfort of my own home and it was so relaxing. :) Plus I knew exactly was was done to my baby, and did not have to worry about someone taking my baby away from me. When you sign in to a hospital, you are actually legally giving the "care" of your baby up to the hospital. They can actually take your baby into the other room, do tests, inccluding a spinal tap, and legally never have to tell you about it. It's sad really, that it has gotten so out of hand.
2007-01-26 04:45:38 · answer #3 · answered by Mommyof2 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi....
Congratulations on your pregnancy and your thoughts of having a 'natural' birthing experience!
I had natural and medication free experiences for both my sons. I think its a really good idea to decide on a birth plan well in advance and hopefully your partner will support this - it should be something you can work out together. My partner and I both really wanted a hospital birth - just in case there was an emergency I thought it would be best for the baby's sake to be at a hospital. I thought having my baby, a first baby at that, at home and away from trhe hospital was really putting my baby and I both at an unnecessary medical risk.
During my labor, the hospital staff was very supportive of my decision to go med-free. I had also talke d to my dr. about it before hand and she was very supportive as well. There were a few moments when I probably would have taken anything I was offered - I just wanted the pain to go away - but that is when your partner will really be of the best help to you. My partner reminded me of our birth plan, kept encouraging me that I could do it....and I did !
The pain of childbirth....yes, it is painful...but it is also temporary. If it is really important to you, you can do it the way YOU want it. This is your birth plan, its not like you can go back and chnage it once its done. Do it the way YOU want it so you will have no regrets. Good luck!
2007-01-26 04:45:37 · answer #4 · answered by catcrazy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had natural births with two of my three kids. It was at a hospital and they were very supportive with my needs and requests. They were my first and third births. I would suggest having assistance no matter where you choose to have the baby! They know what to do if something goes wrong! I felt immediatley better after I had the baby! The contractions get bad when you are in active labor and the baby is moving down into the birth canal. Just breath and bring something for you to focus on!
2007-01-26 03:51:34 · answer #5 · answered by jacksonblonde 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was undecided on our birth plan for our first. We had a birthing class scheduled that gave you some ideas on how to focus through the pain and avoid drugs. But then my son came almost 6 weeks early. So I had drugs to stop the contractions and of course, I was in the hospital. We never did get to that class, it was the Saturday I was discharged after having baby. I was so scared because I did not know what was going to happen to the baby and I did not know what kind of pain to expect. After the dr. determined that the drugs were not stopping my labor they took me off the drugs and asked if I needed anything for pain. I told them not yet. About 10 minutes before I started pushing I asked for something and the nurse said that if I really wanted it she would get something but it would not kick in until after delivery and I had been doing so good handling the pain. I told her ok, no drugs as long as she kept coaching me. I was really lucky there was a nursing student also taking care of me so I got basically 2 nurses instead of one. They were so nice telling me how good I was doing and helping me not freak out. We are planning to have another baby and we are going to deliver in the hospital again (because I have 1 preemie, this pregnancy will be considered high-risk) and I will have no drugs again. The pain is bad, but for me, it was only really bad at the very end. It was not as bad as I thought it would be. I would definately recommend for women to really try to do a natural birth but not beat themselves up if they just can't. It's not the delivery that makes you a good mom, it's what happens after that. Good luck and congratuations!
2007-01-26 04:27:47 · answer #6 · answered by justagirl 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I watched the medical profession do so much damage interfering in my sister's deliveries that I wanted to keep away from them as much as possible. I went to the hospital with my first born 17 minutes before he was delivered, because my doc said not to come in until the pain was too bad. The hospital couldn't even take my son from me, because we arrived too late to sign in. It was great.
Second birth, had a mid-wife, delivered at the hospital. All our wishes were respected.
I felt powerful, strong, in control, happy, and every once in a while it occured to me that I might not live through it.
(In fact, 100 years ago, I would not have survived the second birth because a river of blood flowed from me and couldn't be staunched. I ended up on pictocin after the delivery! Horribly painful.)
2007-01-26 03:46:35 · answer #7 · answered by t jefferson 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well being this is your first, most midwives.or ob dr would probably advise you to at least consider a birthing center or hospital just because you don't know how or what to expect, and if you would need assistance in the birthing process. most women have no problems , but would you want to be that 1 in 100 ? good luck. (from a mother of 4)
2007-01-26 03:45:00 · answer #8 · answered by KIMMY 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i had a drug free labour with my baby in hospitsal my birthing plan was respected and luckily it went to plan when i have another baby i will be having it at home i wouldnt recommend having no midwife there just incase something went wrong good luck it hurts like hell but if u put your mind 2 it u can do it without drugs but if you need them that doesnt matter as long as u get the baby out safely good luck
2007-01-26 03:49:11 · answer #9 · answered by gem 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋