Birth Centers - I need help!

[georgina]

I had my first child in a hospital and my next 2 in a birthing center with nurse/midwives. I did find it much easier to relax in the birthing center. I could use the jacuzzi, walk around during the labor, and we got to go home 10-12 hours after the birth. I'm sure they will tell you all about their hospital transfer procedures, what medications they have available, and how emergencies would be handled. I would ask what the percentages are for transfer to the hospital in non-emergency and emergency situations. Midwives are trained to screen for high-risk situations that would prevent delivery at the birth center. I loved going there for all my prenatal visits too; it was so warm and homey.

 

[Nancy]

I had mine in a hospital..I think a lot of the experience in a hospital is in how the doctor handles it. My doctor was very low key, very calm and let things progress...no drugs, no IV's nothing...it was all however I wanted.

and by the time # 3 rolled around I wanted to stay there for 1 week, not come home super fast...I felt like I was on vacation!

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

There's a great book called Baby Catcher written by a woman who worked as a midwife. Maybe if you read about some other people's experiences with birthing centers, it will help you come up with questions!

 

[GoofItUp]

There's a great book called Baby Catcher written by a woman who worked as a midwife. Maybe if you read about some other people's experiences with birthing centers, it will help you come up with questions!

Thanks, Poly Princess! I will get that book right away!

And thanks to all the others for the information. Another reason we haven't said anything to anyone we know is that I want to have my decisions made about where I'm having the baby before hand. That way it can be "we're having a baby, here's how we're doing it, and if you don't like it I encourage you to have your own baby your own way!"

 

[princesspumpkin]

Congratulations! First, having experience as an OB nurse for almost 20 years, I can say that please remember that things can happen that are unexpected. Many of my first time moms have absolutely no idea how they would feel before, during and after birth. Having a plan is great - being open minded about deviations to the plan "if necessary" is good, too! At my hospital, we have traditional delivery rooms (with patients being able to get an epidural very quickly, if requested) as well as birthing suites (with jacuzzi and midwives). Many have written 'birth plans" while they were pregnant. Once they deliver, many times those 'birth plans" go out the window. Women (and partners) don't realize how they will feel afterwards, and even though they thought that they wanted to go home in 8-12 hours after the birth, sometimes it's hard getting them out of the bed within that time period (let alone out of the hospital). Their birth plan says that they don't want to be separated from the baby, but once they finish with the intial bonding, they request that the baby remain in the nursery while they get some rest. My point is, anything can (and does) happen during childbirth. Going into with a plan is great - remembering that the baby is in charge is the key and that everyone is working towards one goal - the safe birth of a child.