Home birth

[monkeybug]

I tend to deliver to early to be induced. The hospital won't allow inductions before 39 weeks, my last two were born at 38 weeks and 37 weeks. Otherwise, I think that would be perfect.

Oh bummer!
I'm kind of scared about the whole induction thing, but I'm glad it won't (hopefully) be the panicked rush to drop off the kids, get out the door, and then pray that the Dr. makes it in time! People always say "your so lucky" when they hear you have fast labors, and I know that in a way I am, but I don't feel lucky when I can't have pain meds, and the nurse is saying over and over that she hasn't delivered a baby in 10 years and is completely freaking out! I soooooo hope that I get to experience pain meds. this time around!!
Anyways, I feel your pain! It's a scary thing to think that you may not make it to the hospital in time. Honestly if I were in your shoes I think I would just call for an ambulance as soon as I felt regular contractions. If you have early babies, you'll want them to be born in the hospital just in case, and it's better to get to the hospital via ambulance and find out you would have had plenty of time if you had driven, than to try and drive and have a premature baby on the way to the hospital!

 

[SCHBR'smom]

Oh bummer!
I'm kind of scared about the whole induction thing, but I'm glad it won't (hopefully) be the panicked rush to drop off the kids, get out the door, and then pray that the Dr. makes it in time! People always say "your so lucky" when they hear you have fast labors, and I know that in a way I am, but I don't feel lucky when I can't have pain meds, and the nurse is saying over and over that she hasn't delivered a baby in 10 years and is completely freaking out! I soooooo hope that I get to experience pain meds. this time around!!
Anyways, I feel your pain! It's a scary thing to think that you may not make it to the hospital in time. Honestly if I were in your shoes I think I would just call for an ambulance as soon as I felt regular contractions. If you have early babies, you'll want them to be born in the hospital just in case, and it's better to get to the hospital via ambulance and find out you would have had plenty of time if you had driven, than to try and drive and have a premature baby on the way to the hospital!

I ended up in an ambulance with the last one. I arrived at the hospital with 28 minutes to get fluids and push.

 

[SCHBR'smom]

CONGRATULATIONS, KERRIE!!!! ​

Thanks, Kar!

 

[RadioNate]

This is my opinion only. If this is something you want to do the only way I'd consider it is with a trained nurse/midwife. A doula is there to comfort and support you, there is no real medical training there. I fully support midwifes and trust their training. A CNM or CPM would be ideal (again my opinion.)

I had an extremely jaundice 37 week-er, who had 32 weeks was still breech and one with the cord wrapped so tightly that during contractions his heart rate was dropping to 35bpm. He was literally pried out at 8cm because that was faster than the c-section prep.

So, for me, home birth is a terrifying option.

3 stories
My best friend from HS went with a hospital midwife and ended up hemorrhaging during delivery. Had she not been in the hospital, she would have died. It was her 1st pregnancy and she's had 2 others. I'd think your risk for something like this is low but I would something I'd assess before making a firm decision.
My cousin wanted a home birth and her DH said no. She ended up with a uterine hematoma and required emergency surgery after the birth.
My other cousin (there are 8 girls!) did have an unintentional home birth. The hospital sent her home. She had the baby in the bathroom, alone. There were no complications. In fact, my old bosses wife too had their 3rd child that way. These were all unplanned and ok but I can see how you'd like to avoid that.

Oh and to add a 4th story. A mom at our bus stop had her 4th baby in the car on the side of the road. The ambulance met them there to help. Baby and mom were fine and it does make a great story.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I've been fortunate to have 5 complication free deliveries. If I have another quick delivery (the last 3 ranged from 2-4 hours), by the time DH gets home from work (45 min drive) and then gets me to the hospital (another 45 min drive), I might end up looking at a car delivery on the side of the road. Not exactly ideal. DH was paranoid that was going to happen last time. I made it with 28 min to spare. And, DH was already with me, no waiting for him to get home first. If I have any complications, we'd call an ambulance in any scenario. I honestly don't know if it is my thing or not. I never thought I would consider it, but it is really starting to seem like good idea. I think I just need more information to make an appropriate decision.

If you want a home birth, go for it, it's your family's decision.

But, personally, I would never feel comfortable with it. I know that the huge majority of home births go fine with no complications. But, what if there was a complication and the baby was in danger, or died. I, personally, would never be able to for give myself. My third was born with the cord around her neck and we had some scarey moments right after her birth. But thankfully, the hosptial staff stepped in and everything was fine and she's a thriving 9 year old now.

Also wanted to mention, we have 4 kids and my first labor has 7 hours, second labor 4 hours and thrid labor was about 2 1/2 hours. So, I was a bit worried with my 4th. I was also afraid of not making it to the hospital, but guess what? I labored 6 hours with her. You just never know . . .

 

[iwrbnd]

My DH used to deliver babies until he was paying more in malpractice than he was making but that's a whole other story! Anyway, he wasn't necessarily against home births he would just say "Delivering babies is actually very easy...as long as everything goes as planned!" I tend to be the definition of Murphey's Law so it wouldn't work for me. (Plus I wanted the epidural as soon as the pregnancy test came back positive!) Good luck to you, though! Chances are in your favor that everything will go well!

 

[rszdtrvl]

I had a homebirth 13 years ago. Well, not at my home, but the midwife's home.

It was honestly one of the most wonderful experiences of my life.

My son was brought into the world in a Queen size bed, lights dimmed, candles lit, and the John Tesh "Romantic Christmas" cd playing the background (he was born Dec. 9).

My MIL was in awe at how peaceful and calm the birth was. She didn't want me to have a midwife because she was a hospital person. I used the same midwife my mother used to deliver her last 2 children.

Immediately after birth, I was able to go into a nice hot bath, and give my son his first bath, as well as relax.

It was amazing. I highly recommend it.

 

[sunshine girl]

Congrats on your pregnancy!

Speaking for myself only, I wouldn't choose a home birth. There are so many things that can go wrong, I would very much want to be in the hospital should one of those rare problems occur, for me or my baby.

I get that a lot of people have had absolutely wonderful home birth experiences, without complications. And that is great! It sounds lovely. I just couldn't take that unnecessary risk. Couldn't forgive myself if something went wrong that required immediate, serious medical care.

A good friend of mine recently gave birth (in a hospital) and there were very severe, totally unexpected complications requiring life support for the baby.

And one example is this story I stumbled upon while reading about the Masters golf tournament. It's story about Phil Mickelson's wife Amy and the birth of their 3rd child, Evan - severe complications requiring the immediate help of a hospital staff: www.augusta.com/masters/stories/040305/pre_3580049.shtml. I know that's just one story out of a zillion, and I don't mean to be an alarmist, but it's enough for me...

It's a personal choice! Whatever you choose, good luck, and congrats again!

 

[Robinrs]

After having 2 VERY complicated births I wouldn't do it without a very skilled team of medical persons within seconds from me.

 

[MommyPoppins]

I had my last baby at a free standing birth center. Would have loved a homebirth, but we are an hour to a hospital. Anyway, it was the best experience in my LIFE.

Check out http://www.diaperswappers.com

It's a cloth diapering forum, but there are a lot of homebirthers there. Lots of good info.

Good luck

 

[pilesoflaundry]

Congrats!!

I wanted to have the last one at home but hubby was a little bit freaked out about the idea and considering he was my coach it would have probably put me in a bad mood for birthing so I didn't.

 

[mariezp]

Congratulations, Kerrie!

 

[VillageMama]

I will be induced before my due date and give birth in the hospital as this is the safest option given my quick labor history.

Oh honey, that's what I thought. My fourth birth was 45 minutes from my first contraction till the baby was in my arms.

So for #5, we decided it would be "safest" to induce me at the hospital at 39 weeks. My midwife broke my water but I never went into labor. I was hoping to avoid Pitocin... I didn't think I'd need it because I would deliver quickly.

Sixteen hours later I started on Pitocin, had an epidural, there was meconium, baby had to be resuscitated at birth. It was not a good experience for either of us.

This time around I would rather deliver in the car than be induced. At least if you are progressing that quickly, things are usually going quite smoothly.

Two things stop me from planning a home birth... 1) We live 45 minutes away from the hospital, out in the country. 2) Unlike a hospital, we don't have an unlimited supply of hot water. I tend to labor whilst in the shower. That would only give me about 20 minutes here at home!

Best wishes for a smooth birth to all expecting DISers!

 

[pperfectmom]

This time around I would rather deliver in the car than be induced.

Heck, I'd rather deliver in the middle of Times Square than to be induced ever again. If I was going to have another child I would definitely consider a homebirth, but no more kids in our future. Good luck with whatever you choose OP.

 

[C.Ann]

Dson-in-law's cousin had a home birth (water birth).. It was her first (she's in her mid 30's) and although it was an extremely long and extremely hard birth, all turned out fine..

Congrats! Hope you're able to make a decision that you think is the most comfortable and safe for you and your baby..

 

[Freyja]

Congrats on your pregnancy! How wonderful that you are expecting your sixth
I say "Go for it". I really wanted a homebirth for my 5th, but the laws here forbig midwives to assist in homebirths if the woman has had a c-section before. I had a wonderful, unmedicated waterbirth in hospital instead. My DH was in the tub with me and delivered our son while the midwife took pictures for us

 

[MommyPoppins]

I am usually quite pro homebirth and very anti hospital for a normal healthy pregnancy. But I also wanted to add that since this is your 6th and I just had my 6th..that you need to consider the possibility of heavy bleeding. I had very heavy bleeding that took them a bit to control after my last baby(in the birth center) they handled it very professionally and I was fine. But I would never want to deliver at home so far from the hospital and especially without a midwife.

If I was you I would find a midwife close to your home and make sure she has handled bleeding before and has the medications to control it. Also if you were to go into labor at home and were afraid you couldn't make it somewhere or your midwife couldn't make it I would call 911 and make sure they know it's your 6th baby and you could have bleeding. Better safe than sorry. That was always our plan, to call 911 if we couldn't make it to the hospital(with my first 5 births or to the birth center with my last one). I also have very quick labors. I labor for days and days without anything to "count" and then BAM baby. lol.