Those of you who have delivered in a Birth Center, pain free or at home, how did it go?

Question

I am seriously considering delivering at the best start birth center in San Diego, they have the water birth option and lots of stools, balls and aids to help, I am still a little worried that if all does not go to plan I am not at the hospital however I love the idea of having more control when delivering my child and not being confined to a bed unable to walk or eat or push (if they gave me an epidural). The absolute lack of pain medication is a little scary as I have never done this before but not having that option is also somewhat empowering. I don't know anyone who has gone completely natural before so I would be interested in your stories or advice.

Answer 1

I have two children. Both born in a public hospital and both had to be induced with the oxytocin drip as my waters broke but I failed to go into labour naturally. I was very disappointed that they had to be induced however no other intervention was needed and no pain meds either. My first was a water birth. The only people present were My mum, husband and the midwife. I thoroughly recomend the water birth. I laboured for a total of 4hr45min and did not tear, just a slight graze, so no stitches. With my second I could not have a water birth as they were no longer allowed at that particular hospital because the only had standard baths and no birthing tanks. I spent some time in the shower but then moved back to the bed and delivered in a sitting position. I chose this because things were happening very quickly and I wanted them to slow down slightly. This time I laboured for just under 4 hours. I used the same hospital each time. They offered the bed, with a bar they could put accross to support you if you chose to squat, fit balls, been bags, recliner chair a seat in the shower, etc and the choice was completely mine. I preffered the waterbirth and recomend it to anyone who is considering it as an option.

Answer 2

Well, our hospital has huge birthing suites.........they are really nice.....homey looking rooms with big TV's, soft lights, music players, comfy furniture, private bathrooms. The have the Jacuzzis, birthing balls, and a bunch of other things on the unit. The are all about the mother's choice in labor. they have you try whatever position you want (I did squatting for a while, and pulling against a bar). They let you get up and walk around, have Popsicles (well, 1 anyway) and they are super nice and supportive the whole time.

It was wonderful.......especially because I was still in a hospital where I knew I would be fine if anything went wrong. I wanted to go natural, but I had the Stadol IV.......the first dose was wonderful. I had a nice nap, and did not feel much. Then the pain came back. I had another dose, and it did not do a darn thing. I had an epidural, and regretted it SO bad. I went completely numb on the one side, I could still feel the contractions, and he punctured me 3 times to get it in. The thought the baby would be out fast when I started to push and they turned the epidural off. I pushed for 2 hours!! So I felt it. And it hurt. And when they say the head hurts the most, they are NOT kidding. I actually screamed.........not trying to scare you, just trying to be honest.

I will NEVER have another epidural again as long as I live. I am very sure about that. as for the options, is there a hospital nearby that has nice birthing suites that allow you to explore your options??

Answer 3

The best way to make things less stressful and scary is to educate yourself. I was scared and stressed the first time around, so things were really bad for me. I had an epidural with the first one. I was scared because I couldn't feel my legs, and I couldn't move them, so I felt trapped, and sort of suffocated. With my youngest baby, I had read all the books so I knew all the possible outcomes, so I didn't panic this time around. I delivered her without an epidurla, she was my largest. My first was 8lb 4 oz, and my youngest was 10 lb 6 oz. Beleive it or not, the whole breathing thing works. When the pain got pretty severe at around 10 cm, I started kinda hazing in and out, the nurse walked over leaned right in my face and held out her finger and told me to blow out the candle, I started doing that, and it really helped with the pain, the pushing, and my awareness of the whole thing. I will never do the epidural thing again, even if I need a ceserean, I will insist that I be unconscious. I still have back problems because of the spot where the needle was inserted. Congrats and good luck!

Answer 4

Allowed ONE POPSICLE -- oh, good grief. Yeah, stay out of hospitals.

I wondered about the 'absolute lack of pain relief,' and went to their site.

"We do not have an epidural service, but we use the same pain medications hospitals use in labor. We only give them if a client asks for them."

http://www.beststartbirthcenter.com/faq.htm#If%20you%20do%20not%20have%20epidurals%20here,%20how%20do%20you%20help%20with%20the%20pain?

Less scary, perhaps?

I have no first-hand experience _yet_, but highly recommend "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth."

http://www.hencigoer.com/betterbirth/

It'll probably give you a lot of confidence in what you're thinking of doing. It's not rabidly anti-hospital, just a lot of useful information. Education is extremely 'empowering,' I find. Good luck!

Answer 5

I had 2 natural and one with a epidural and if I ever had to do it again it would be all NATURAL ALL THE WAY!