Unassisted Homebirth?

Question

I'm considering an unassisted home birth. Because i've had a c-section and the law in the state I live in (AR), I cant have a midwife, and that is a little nerve racking. Has anyone done it before? Even though a midwife cant be there, could a doula? Any info would be great, thanks!

Answer 1

ooo, that's probably not the best idea. Especially with a VBAC. . . the risks are too great to try this at home. I would not recommend it - and normally I am an advocate for safe home birthing for low-risk women (who also live within 5 minutes of a hospital should complications develop).

Answer 2

This is not an answer to the question, but rather a response to all of the people who have responded with so much negativity.
Having an unassisted birth after a c-section is not unheard of. There is even a term for it: UBAC - Unassisted Birth After Cesarean. There are a lot of people who have UBACs and they have successful births and healthy babies.

To the person who wrote this:
"there was a reason you needed the C sec in the first place "

Most likely not. So many doctors these days are looking for any reason to slice open a woman during labor. They have some pretty lame excuses too - like not wanting to work overtime, labor taking "too long" (even if it's only been a few hours) or the baby not being positioned "properly"...there are many, many other lame excuses as well. None of them are valid excuses for a c-section. A lot of doctors are going to do what is convenient for them - not the patient. Just because a doctor says a c-section is necessary does not mean that it is. And they will lie and try to use fear tactics to convince you of otherwise.
To everyone: Please do your own research before trusting your doctor. Especially if it involves pregnancy/birth/labor.

And to the person who wrote this:

"Not to mention, you will not be able to get a birth certificate for that baby with out some sort of professional witness."

That is not true. The laws vary in different states, but none of them involve needing to have a professional witness at the birth. At least I am assuming that's what you meant by 'professional witness'. Sometimes it can be difficult to obtain a birth certificate for an unassisted birth, but it is not impossible.

Good luck!

Answer 3

A doula might be able to be present.

This was exactly what I had planned to do until I developed another medical complication which makes a repeat c-section the best option for me. You and partner should take an infant CPR class and then join a Yahoo group of other unassisted childbirth moms to get directed to other helpful things. They can also help you with stuff such as filing the birth certificate.

There are some states where filing an out-of-hospital birth certificate took an act of God (as though birth wasn't enough), so recommend calling an ambulance after the birth and going to the hospital anyway. Not what you want, but at least you can birth without unwanted interventions.

Of course, your alternative, if it exists in your state, is to find a hospital that allows VBAC and ask the nurses there to recommend a doctor who does VBAC.

Answer 4

To give you an honest opinion I do not think you should do an unassisted birth. There are times when if you needed a c-section before the actual incision could tear during a vbac or you could possibly go back into needing a c-section there are too many risk involved, however if you want to have a natural birth you can arange that in the hospital tell them what you do and do not want. If you do not want to be strapped to a bed then let them know that up front if you do not want pain meds or whatever let them know that as well and u can still have a doula in with you assisting you. But you will ne in a hospital being monitored just in case the need for ER arrise. But there are often times that a vbac is not sucessful and you do not wnat to be in a situation that you are in need of an ER and you cant get medical attn in time. I would research it more and weigh your options before you make a definite decision.

Congrats and good luck.

Answer 5

VBAC homebirth..unassisted...not so good of an idea!!! ESPECIALLY since you are attemping a VBAC! Too many things can go wrong...and you may end up needing another section, being at home will be too risky. I am usually supportative of home birthing, but I have seen and heardof too many thins going wrong, and a homebrith VBAC is crazy in my book. If you want more of a natural birth experince, you can try a "Birthing center". They allow some of hte more 'unconventional' ways of laboring, where as, hospitals have you lay flat on your back, etc. They are like a home setting, almost like a hotel room, with a bed, bathroom, windows, chairs, etc. This is more liek a 'home experience' and will also provide you with medical care immediately if you need it. If you talk to your doula, they shoudl know some in your area, and what hospitals are good for giving you the freedom to labor and deliver how YOU want to, no how the docs want to.

And do not forget...anythign they do to you at the hospital, you have the right ro refuse. You can rfuse an IV, you can refuse vacuum/forceps, episiotomy, epidural, you can refuse to deliver on your back, you can even refuse internal exams. This is abotu you and YOUR birthing experience, so do not let the doctors change yor expectations, and make it a tradtional experience if it is not what you want.

But yeah...look into other means besides a home birth!

Good luck.

Answer 6

listen,

I am not a freak,

I have had 3 natural births and frankly I wonder why we pay the doctors, all they do is catch it. right

But After a C section, ??

please be smart about this, there was a reason you needed the C sec in the first place

Remember they CUT you muscles when you have a Csection

that being said, try for a Natural, but don't risk your life and especially your unborn babies life

frankly it seems a little un natural for you to insist on something that isn't recommended, and illeagal

Do things the best way for your baby,
and your family,

I hope you think about this, and I hope that if you do decide to make your own rules, I pray your Baby is safe and healthy and does not need any medical assistance

I hope that if he does, that you are atleast able to make it to the hospital in time to prevent any long term damage.

At least a Midwife would be able to tell you , help you, educate you, inform you properly, and protect your little baby

If it can't be done , then I would go to the hospital and call it a day

put your baby first not your desires

good luck

meg

Mother to 3 boys and PG again

Answer 7

Are you crazy? With a vaginal birth after c-section you are at increased risk for a uterine rupture which would most likely kill you and your baby. You can certainly opt for a vaginal birth, but do it in the presence of a medical professional who can monitor you for any complications. After having had a c-section, you should give birth in an environment where you have fast access to an OR in case of the need for a repeat c-section. Many OB/GYN doctors are electing not to perform VBAC's these days because of the increased risk of malpractice suits if something should go wrong. Obstetrics is already considered to be a high risk field by the medical liability insurance companies.

Answer 8

DON'T do it. Research the laws more, you need a midwife... you are not qualified to do this by yourself, talk to midwives, ask many of them in your area if they're willing to take you. some don't, but there is a reason for it, VBACs are generally safer than a repeat C, but there is a lot to take into consideration, an unassisted birth is usually not a good idea for anyone, but NEVER a good idea for a VBAC.

find a midwife in your area... in your state anywhere to find out what you need.
http://www.mana.org/index.html

Doula's are not medically trained, they're birthing coaches, not medical professionals. Most midwives are also registered nurses or physicians assistants who have real medical training. Doula's are great, don't get me wrong, but they are not what you need.

Answer 9

I know someone personally who did that. She got along fine. Her first C-sec was because of failure to progress. In other words, they thought her labor was too long. If you try for that, educate yourself! Read every book you can and know the signs that something is going wrong. Don't hestitate to go to the hospital if something is going wrong. Look for the book, Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way. You can keep track of your blood pressure at home and even listen to the baby's heartbeat.

Answer 10

I think its a pretty selfish irresponsible way to do it. At LEAST, the very very least, get a midwife. If you cant have a midwife, find a doctor thats open to more alternative birthing methods. They ARE out there.

You know, there are so many women on here that would give their right arm to be pregnant right now, including myself. And to hear someone be so irresponsible about the birthing process as to not have any medical supervision, even just watching from the sidelines, just breaks my heart.

Please rethink this. Find an alternative. Think of your baby