Home Birth or at a Freestanding Birth Center

Alright so I've been reading up and researching and I really want to either do a home birth or give birth at a freestanding birth center. I had my 16 week check up today and brought it up with the midwife who saw me today (my regular midwife is in seattle or something) she made me feel HORRIBLE about even thinking about doing a homebirth and immediately brought up her horror story experience where she almost died from hemorraging and directly told me that by choosing to do a homebirth I would be putting my child in danger. It made me so upset with her and then she told me that I was being one sided and wasn't reading up on the other side of things but I am reading everything not just one perspective. And besides even if I was being one-sided about things so was she she kept trying to scare and pressure me into birthing at a hospital. It really frustrated me.She also tried telling me that midwifes who attend homebirths are dangerous and don't know what they're doing and proceeded to tell me some more horror stories. But thats only if you don't find the right midwife with good credentials you know? There are plenty of midwives that are perfectly capable and certified to attend a home birth. Sorry for the mini rant anyways. My question is is have any of you done homebirths and how was your experience? What about a hospital birth would you do it again or what would you change? Do midwifes or freestanding birthcenters accept state insurance? If not on average how much does it cost or how much did it cost you? I'm trying to research this and was wanting your guys' opinions input. My problem is is that I live about 2 hours away from the closest freestanding birth center and as far as I know there are no midwives in my area that are certified to attend a homebirth. Thanks for the help and sorry this is so long.

[baby1forme]

I am sure she wasnt trying to be mean. But she probably could have said things a little more tactfully. It is true though that there can be complications with a home birth and if something went wrong how far away from a hospital are you that you could get to one quickly?? And how would you get there?? I have always felt it was safer to have a baby at a hospital for the fact that if something went wrong and not only with the delivery but afterwards they would have the equipment there to handle the situation at hand more efficiently. I know a girl who had her baby at a birthing center and come to find out after she had her baby that the midwife didnt even have a up to date license and that it had expired. Its something to think about and I know I didnt really answer any of your questions but I would do a lot of research before deciding to go that route. Also as far as them taking insurance you would have to talk to the particular midwife or birthing center to see how much they charged. You should be able to call them and just get a price. Then again it may change if something where to not go as planned. Good luck to you with your decision making.

[kaalaharvey]

I want a home birth but I like my doctor so I'm staying in the hospital. Look up this movie, the business of being born. Ot will clear up so much for you. If you decide to be at a hospital, make sure you have a birth plan so that things can go the way you want them to. Don't listen to that lady. She shouldn't even be a mid wife if she's being like that. Mid wives are technically the right person to deliver the baby and help you through it. Docs are mainly for if there are complications. Anyways good luck!

[isntsure]

I live in a relatively small city so both hospitals in my city are only 10-15mins away tops. We have our own car and would be able to get there. I also read that midwives doing a homebirth will look for possible signs of complications and will transfer you before something happens. They'll also do that during pregnancy if they feel that the woman should be seen by a doctor. I just got off the phone with a wonderful woman and I'm going to call my possible new midwife asap tomorrow (who is actually also a doctor! so awesome :) ). I'm really excited to talk to her. Thanks for your reply and support :) I am reading and researching a lot though. At the moment I'm reading Your Best Birth By Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein. I've also done a lot of internet research and will continue to read more books on the subject. If you know of any please recommend them to me :) I would love to read them.

[isntsure]

Oh my gosh you must be a mind reader lol. I've been wanting to watch that movie since I found out about it (a couple of days ago) and just got a trial for netflix so I'm going to watch it hopefully tonight :) Regarding that midwife I know right? I was wondering why on earth she was so opposed to homebirth if shes been a midwife for over 30 years and knows all of the benefits of it. Either way at the end of the day I'm going to ignore what she said. I saw a HUGE rainbow later on after that appointment today and it made me feel better and gave me hope to look into homebirths regardless of her negativity :)

[FreshLove]

I've done lots of research on home birth as well and if you are low risk with a qualified midwife, it is JUST AS SAFE as a hospital and there are lower intervention rates and better outcomes for mother and child. A lot of midwives have things to deal with hemorrhaging but if it's serious they transfer you immediately. What bothers me is that people just assume hospitals are the safest option for all women and don't do an ounce of research. They just assume because of the technologies it is better. For some women it is (twins, breech, placenta previa, etc.) but my point is...NO MATTER WHERE A WOMAN GIVES BIRTH, SHE NEEDS TO RESEARCH FIRST! There will always be risks to giving birth, it's an unpredictable and complex event; choose the place you are most comfortable with :) As far as home or freestanding birth center, there are technically no differences between them (facility wise). They same equipment at a freestanding center is the same a certified midwife brings with her to a home birth. Some women feel more comfortable in the birth center environment because it "feels" more professional and like a good mix between hospital and home.

[FreshLove]

Oh, and in Iowa (not sure about other states) a lot of Midwives do accept insurance and even without they run $4000- $5000 total.

[stacey10]

if you have done your research and its still what you want, then go for it, there are plenty of home births that progress smoothly the same as hospital births, just as there are plenty of horror stories about both as well, when you give birth there is alsways a risk no matter where your giving birth, the only difference is, if something were to go wrong, you would need to be transfered to hospital, there are many countires like nz where homebirth is just a popular if not more than a hospital birth and they do not have any higher incidence of things going wron, you just need to be prepared to go to hospital if things dont look like they're progressing as they should, for me personally, I would choose the birth center, unfortunatley you woill probably get alot more reactions like the one you got from the midwife, just keep looking until you find one that is accepting of how you feel you want your birth and where you want to birth, good luck

[isntsure]

Thats what I was wanting to tell the midwife but for some reason she was just so against it and came off as very judgemental towards me for wanting to possibly do a home birth. I also brought up the fact that I did not like how every time I come to the clinic for an appointment I have to wait for about an hour just to see someone whos rushing to get me out of there. I'll want to ask questions and I can tell that they can't stand to be in the room for more than five minutes. I'm thinking to myself "So its ok for me to wait for hours on end but god forbid you have to sit down and be here with me for more than five minutes are you kidding me??". The midwife came off like she was being understanding and was apologetic for that but then SHE was in a rush to get out the door. She literally could not say bye quick enough the door was already open for her to leave while she said by in record timing. Thats another huge reason why I just want to see a midwife with a midwife they actually listen to you and genuinely care (there can be bad midwifes out there too but thats why you gotta shop around right?). I tried explaining that to her but it was just pointless :P So I found another midwife the other day and have made up my that I'm going to do a homebirth and not go to that clinic anymore. Considering that its MUCH less to hire a midwife who does a homebirth than it is to even give birth at a hospital. At a hospital they'll charge you $13.000 just for the birth whereas a midwife will do your prenatal care birth and postnatal care for just a fraction of that price (the one I'm going to hire only charges about $3.200 for everything and even does the well child check ups for free and gives vaccines for free) and the midwife will be much more patient attentive understanding and loving towards you than a doctor or hospital would (in my opinion). I'm glad I decided not to feel or be pressured by the clinic or that midwife and to make the decision that I find to be the best and what I'm most comfortable with. Sorry this response was so long lol. Can you tell I'm passionate about the subject? lol. :)

[isntsure]

Yeah I've decided to go with planning a homebirth. I will of course transfer to a hospital if its in the best interest of our baby and me but if not I don't see the reason to go. Despite what the midwife told me about how low my city's hospital's Cesarean rate is and all this other stuff thats great but if I don't feel comfortable with whos helping me give birth and the environment I'll be in when I do then why would I continue to stay with that careprovider? It just doesn't make sense to me. I don't want to feel like I'm the problem or that I'm being judged etc etc wherever I'm at and whos with me you know? So even though the hospital seems like it lines up with what I want I just would feel more comfortable at home with people that I trust and feel safe with. Plus theres a ton of benefits to homebirth so thats even more reason for me to do a homebirth so thats what I'm going for :) As for the reactions I really hope that I don't continue to get those negative comments. But if I do I'll just either stop sharing my birth plan with people or stick up for myself (I don't know how I'll feel so we'll see how I react). My mom is on board with natural birth and knows people who have done it so I know that at least shes on board. My boyfriend is also supportive in whatever decision I make about giving birth. I haven't told her about my plan to do a homebirth yet but I'm going to. I'm hoping that she's still just as supportive because if not then she doesn't have to be a part of the birth if she doesn't agree with it. Haven't you done natural births before stacey10? I can't remember and sorry if its too personal of a question but I just was wondering so that way maybe you could give me advice and tips and share your experience(s) with me. Thanks for commenting :)

[sorenr]

Just wanted to share with some positive people...I'm planning a home birth and had my 36wk appt yesterday at the hospital rather than with the midwife. I had a scan done to check baby's growth (I feel really lucky cos in the uk we normally only get 2 scans at 12 and 20wks) and also to check that baby is in the optimum position for delivery. The scan confirmed that baby is head down, in fact his head is right down and in my pelvis already and all growth measurements are between normal limits. I then saw a midwife who did my normal antenatal checks and she drew some blood. I then had a chat with a consultant obstetrician who went through with me the problems that may arise during a home birth. She was happy that I understood any risk factors and explained that she was not allowed to recommend it, however she saw no reason that I should have any trouble taking into account my history with my previous births and the scan results that they took.  My midwife will provide 24hr on call cover from 5days before my due date (again to avoid potential risks) so the last hurdle I have to face is the results of my blood test. If my haemaglobin levels are even slightly low then I will not be allowed to remain at home due to any of the risks which this can cause like excessive bleeding.
I am lucky however that because I am in the uk, even if they stop me from delivering at home I will be in hospital with just midwives unless a problem actually does arise, then the consultants would be on hand, so the chances are that I should have a natural delivery regardless.
Just thought this may help anyone feeling nervous about the risks of home delivery, the professionals will not even entertain the idea unless everything with mum and baby is perfect.  If at any point durinmg my labour my midwife is unhappy then we will immediately transfer to hospital (its not far away). I will happily transfer myself to hospital if I do not dilate quickly like I did with my last birth (4hrs start to finish) I dont want to exhaust myself during dilation and have no energy left for pushing so would rather have access to pethidine for some pain relief to help me if it is a long process.
Happy delivering ladies, however you choose to do it!!

[isntsure]

Thanks for sharing :) Its nice to know that there are other people opting for homebirths. I hope your blood test comes back A-OK :) And that you have a wonderful labor and delivery experience :)