Do you choose a 'natural' birth or regular hospital birth?

Question

I like the idea of a birth center better where you have the freedom to move around, or be in water.
If any of you have had experiences with both, can you tell me which was better?
A hospital birth just seems cold and scary to me.

Answer 1

I actually had one hospital birth with my first and my last 2 I went to a birthing center, Set up an interview with the Midwife at the birthing center. She will help to put your hubby's mind at ease.

She'll explain how much more detailed and personal the care of a MW is than a doctor.

She'll explain how they check to make sure the mother isn't high risk before letting them birth there. (A doctor who works with the midwives will most likely have to check your chart once or twice during your pregnancy and sign off to allow you to birth there. You might even be required to have at least one appointment with the doctor.) They won't let you birth in the BC before you are a certain amount along...usually 37 weeks is the minimum.

She'll explain about transfer procedures to the hospital.

She'll explain about the back-up physician in case you get "risked out" of the midwives care.

She'll answer any questions either of you have.

It's difficult, because it's best if you two can come to an agreement since the baby belongs to both of you. BUT your husband also has to understand that 1. it's your body and 2. you wouldn't do anything to risk the baby's health or your health either.
My first was born in a hospital
My second and third was born in a freestanding birth center. My hubby was pretty comfortable with that.
Make an appointment and get him to go with you just to check it out. Sometimes birth centers also have tours for prospective clients.

EDITED TO ADD:
Also, the midwife can explain to him what medications and equipment they have available there for use. For example, I could have had antibiotics at the BC for my GBS+ condition, but my labor was too fast. It made no difference if I was in a hospital or a BC. I had a shot of pitocen after the birth at the BC because my uterus wasn't firming up well. My daughter who was born at the BC had to have oxygen blown in her face as she was slow getting started breathing. We didn't need it, but out BC even had a vacuum extractor and I think forceps. Midwives can do an episiotomy if necessary, but most will try to avoid it and have very low epis. rates.

The other thing she may explain is the "30 minutes decision to incision" guideline of the ACOG. Basically, it says that even in the hospital the guideline for a c/s is 30 minutes from the decision to have one to the incision. If the BC is that close to the hospital, you would have no problem being within that guideline.

He should also know that the midwives will monitor you with a doppler or a fetoscope intermittently throughout labor and that they may even have an electronic fetal monitor available if needed.

Also.....
"natural birthing centers" in some hospitals is that many of them are still tied up with red tape hospital rules that make a natural birth more difficult.

Answer 2

I have to agree that a birth center seems like a great option if there is one available to you. Have you chosen a Dr. yet? If so, does he/she work out of both? You can have a mostly natural birth in a hospital too, but a lot depends on what your Dr. will and will not agree to. If your Dr. is accomodating and you can work things out with him or her, then that could be an option. Talk to your Dr. about what is important to you as far as mobility, IVs, procedures, etc.... and find a Doctor that is best for you. The rest will fall into place. Really, the Doctor is probably more important than the place. I had births all in hospital and wore my own clothes (no hospital gown), stayed up and around, didn't have an IV, only had 30 minutes of monitoring when I was admitted and was able to hold the baby immediately. The birth itself was a little glaring and covered with blue sheets isn't quite what I wanted, but it was still more natural than being hooked up to blinking lights and tubes all day, which is how my first birth went. Bottom line: choose a Doctor very wisely, research a LOT and talk to the Doctor a lot and get it ALL in writing with his/her signature attached to it all. Good luck!

Answer 3

You are right, a hospital birth is a little cold. I had a completely natural, unmedicated birth, but we did it in the hospital. We had a doctor who ruptured my membranes at 40 weeks against my will. The nurses repeatedly asked me if I wanted an epidural, making it a little aggravating. EVERYTHING you put into your body goes straight to the baby within minutes. If I could change it, I would have used a midwife and a birthing center, but it was still the most beautiful experience of my life. Of course it was the most pain I've ever felt, but it was so rewarding. Going through labor and birthing without medication made me feel like I earned my daughter somehow. If your insurance will cover a midwife and birthing center go for it. Read up on natural birth, take childbirth classes, and get a labor coach (I could not have done it without mine!!!)

DO NOT let anyone discourage you, it is your child and your body. When I was pregnant everyone I told that I was going all natural would say that they tried that too, but ended up getting the epidural. If these women would educate themselves about the risks and learn how to handle the pain, they would have been successful. There is a time and a place for medication, but I believe it is when it is medically necessary (ceserean, etc.) Good luck and congrats!!

Answer 4

With my first, I figured that I might as well have a pain free birth rather than a painful birth. I was so stupid! My baby ended up having lots of side effects from the pain meds and was unable to nurse properly for weeks. it was a very hard process for both of us, and in the end, I caused myself far more pain than I saved myself. With my second child, I went all natural. I wanted a water birth, but my baby's shoulder was stuck so I had to get out of the tub so the midwife could manuever her out. Even after being taken away from me for no good reason and not being allowed to nurse for 24 hours, my second child latched on perfectly the first time, and is still nursing. With my third, I plan on a natural water birth again. I wouldn't choose another epidural. It's so not worth it.

Answer 5

Yeah, it seemed like that to me, too, when I was reading all the natural childbirth books before I had my first.

I wanted a natural birth in the birthing centre of the hospital. They have pools, sofas, music, lighting, etc, and even room for your family to come in and relax. But in my hospital it is booked up REALLY fast... ie you have to book it immediately when you find out you're pregnant (eg 6-8 weeks).

In Australia there is a lack of medical staff, and I didn't get much attention from them in the first hospital (first child). But seeing it doesn't cost anything (public health system) I'm not really complaining. And I had good experiences all the other times ... warm and friendly staff, very comfortable surroundings.

When all is said and done, giving birth in the hospital was still an amazing and exhilarating experience... (even the caesarian, which was unavoidable for me - my placenta grew over the out hole, lol). I never did get a completely natural birth, but I'm not particularly sad about that. They were all pretty amazing and sharing kinds of experiences to me.

I had my Mum, husband and sister-in-law with me for the first baby, which gave them an experience they treasure. However, I felt a bit silly with them all there. I liked it better with just my husband the rest of the times. He is always so amazed and appreciative and full of love for the efforts I put in to bring another soul into the world.

Good luck. Don't worry. I can't compare any home birth experience of my own, but I found the hospital reassuring, and warm and friendly, too.

Answer 6

Here the family birthing centers are part of the hospital. You can have the water birth, or anything you may want. And still know that if you decide you want an epidural you can have it, and if something goes wrong, and you need an emergency c-section, then your right there.
They also take you on a tour of the family birthing center here before you have the baby.

Answer 7

You know, talk to the hospital, you can have the best of both worlds. When I labored (in the hospital) I was able to walk around, take a bath, labor in lots of postitions, even have a light snack and drinks. The room was very home-like and not at all like a "normal" hospital room. I had the bonus of the medical staff if something went wrong. I had no meds, no interventions and a great experience. Call the hospital, talk to your doctor, take a tour. Do lots of looking around before you decide. I am at 35 weeks with my third baby and our hospital is going to let my friend catch the baby (barring some strange and unforseen issue). I love my hospital and my doctor, I couldn't imagine having a baby anywhere else.

Answer 8

Welcome to our Sanctuary : Normal Birthing.

This is a Category which exists - always HAS on Earth - and the definition is now necessary in order to obtain the correct information. It was created for Women with your disposition.

Soon, you will be informed by people who are truly qualified to advise you. Either, AS PROVED, in the medical Literature you birth normally or with Procedures. One does not mix things up here :drugs, forceps, epis...etc.
If you disagree, then write to Ina May who has 30 years experience and is to be believed since she has published and lectured. So Natural is just that. Normal. Let Women keep their assumptions. That is dangerous for others.

For example: you have been misled on this page, by someone in particular whose contradictions are ludicrous, but who is not on e-mail, unfortunately & may need some other outlet than pretending...
When dealing with Natural/ Normal Birthing, one must put oneself in the Hands of Assistants who have integrity and experience in what they believe and practice. Not anybody can claim to be a Classical Midwife.
Ina May Gaskin is a Midwife of note, who runs a Birthcentre with other Midwives - and Doctors when needed. It caters for ALL pregnancies. So already, there is THE Difference. You see:
When you put yourself AND the Life of your NewBorn in the Hands of People who can GUARANTEE no procedures in 95% - yes - that's the Facts, published since 2003 - well, you don't NEED to ask whether you will be able to Birth normally or not.
In 95% of cases, you will be like everybody else: normal.
Your Pregnancy will also be less fearful with People who are inclined to see it as 'normal'. Check the facts out yourself.

The problem is Bad Faith:
Women who say they : ( doesn't mention her Water-Births here)
"prefers Epis", on one Question, yet on another "likes Water Births," but also does "Land" Births (?)- says "likes" a lot of things and "prefers" procedures also, - therefore, you cannot trust 'anyone' so at odds, when you are dealing with Normal Birth. It doesn't compromise its tastes so lightly.

This is a Category for Women like you, and now that Older Men have joined us, Chemists and other Scientists, you will be able to get the proper and reliable information.
Ruth Lubic is 80 years old and has been involved in Normal Birthing all her Life; we are hoping for those Doyennes of Women to guard our Feminine World with suggestions and facts.

Answer 9

I had two hospital births and they were fine. I had an epadural and watched TV until it was time to push.

If you want the natural birth center then go for it, I am sure it would be nice too.

Answer 10

I had a hospital birth but i had a midwife and a doula and i had the freedom to move around and i also was able to get in the shower and a jucuzzi tub so it wasnt bad at all....