Freebirthing

[Whitneylauren]

I was watching the Discovery Health channel last night and they had a program on about freebirthing. Apparently women are now choosing on delivering their babies at home without help from any type of professionals. Personally I do not agree with that option because major harm can be done to both the baby and the mom if something goes wrong. However, I was wondering if anyone here was planning on that option or has already had a freebirth-

[Avanaar]

I read thru, and out of all the posts, I agree with Mumita's the most.

If I could have any birth I wanted, it would be a water birth at home or a birthing center with a midwife and my husband by my side.  But I'm not going to be stupid and not *research* things or have a back up plan just in case things don't go as I pictured them in my mind.  

Like Mumita said, women have been giving birth for thousands of years.  Sure, the death rates for mothers and babies during childbirth were a lot worse then than they are now.  But even in the Medieval times, they had midwives to help women give birth.  It wasn't until the 20th century that doctors started playing a huge part in childbirth.

All in all, I think as long as you have someone *trained* to help you with childbirth, then you are fine.  It doesn't matter whether it's a doctor, midwife, or voodoo queen.  As long as they have a certificate stating that they went to school for this, I have no problem with it.  

But if you're choosing to pop that baby out with just you, hubby, and God watching ... you better pray to Him that nothing happens to you or the baby.  And you better be darn well ready to take responsibility if something does go wrong.

[AnitaRFrith]

These are links to the show.  its on youtube.  watch them in order.  These are the only ones that I can find.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CQdLoeNFCs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZJE-3BvlF0&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLVvnjcbLq8

[LittleMissBeatz]

I mean I think I'm crazy because I want to go natural but "freebirthing" THAT IS RIDICULOUSLY CRAZY I'd be scared sh*tless that something would go wrong, and where I live it would take too much time for help to get there!! I'd really freak LOL

[Jame0223]

I saw this too and I thought these women were kind of crazy! I would be too afraid of not having someone around to help me if something were to go wrong...I couldn't handle it and I would just...want to be with trained professionals...I mean...what if the cord got wrapped around the neck...I couldn't live with myself.

The only thing that makes this acceptable to me is that people have obviously done this before...I mean for 1000s of years when hospitals did not exist...people gave birth in dirt fields...so I mean...yeah..I don't know what I mean but hopefully you get it lol.

But definately not for me! I will be at the hospital asap when i deliver!

[ashiepooh]

LauraB78 -  Hahaha I know you were trying to offend anything, I just wanted to state that I wasn't.  It actually made me laugh because I just pictured something really funny with it!  =)  They are hoping they catch me by the time I get to 5  or 7 cm dialated, so I can be at the hospital for it!  

GRose -  Yeah my doctor even thought I was a little weird, when I said I wanted him taking classes...  And when he ask why...I had to go on to tell him how my husband acted with my first one!!!  LMAO  He went pale..freaked out, complete shock...I had to walk around and get my phone call the doctors, the ambulance, omg....AHAHA  It was hilarious though!

[GRose]

Gosh, this reminds me of a girl I knew. She didn't tell her mother who she lived with that she was pregnant, never got prenatal care, or any baby supplies. Well ,she went into labor when she was home alone and had the baby in her mothers bathroom, she then cut the umbilical cord which of course caused blood to spray all over the room because she did not clamp it first. She called a friend to come and pick her up and she took the baby to the hospital. The nurses thought she was a nut job. Her mom and sister came home and saw all the blood in the bathroom and FREAKED of course.
Why do people think that they can take childbirth into their own hands, this is your baby we are talking about.
I even think having a midwife at home is a little risky, what if something goes wrong, like you need an emergency c-section?
Ashiepooh- I understand your situation that you may not have a choice but at least your husband is taking classes so that he is prepared and educated. I hope you make it to the hospital :)

[martikadragoon]

I saw that too, I think that the chick who delivered at home here in the states was an idiot. She didn't even do research beforehand and didn't have ANY prenatal care whatsoever. That's just idiotic. I think birthing at home by yourself is ok, as long as you've had prenatal care thruout to rule out serious stuff like a breech baby. AND you aught to do some research on things like when the d*mn placenta is supposed to come out and how....
She didn't and I think she's a blithering idiot. lol.

I keep myself WAY too well informed on things.. If something medical related happens in my home (or at a friends) I'm the one who cares for them if it doesn't require the hospital or doctor OR if we are too far away and it's fairly serious. (like when my brother cut his leg open I cared for it until we got him to the hospital) and when a friends little brother electricuted himself enough to cause a bad flash burn on his hand. (it just hurt like heck, it didn't do any major damage.)

[LauraB78]

=)

I wasnt trying to be AT ALL offensive to anyone..

I am personally just not a big fan of pain.. I AM In favor of ANYTHING safe to relieve the pain and I am a firm believer in Doctors, and the fact that you should have one deliver your child! (well, when possible.. You are a such a high risk!!) I would probably camp out at the hospital if I were you! ; )

Good luck to us ALL no matter WHAT our personal birth plans are!

[AnitaRFrith]

I saw that show about a month ago an it was nuts.  They asked one mother, " What if some thing was to go wronge?".  She then said , " If anything gose wrong I can only blaim myself" .  It was just stupid.  I would NEVER do that.  I'm high risk so I want to be in a hospital, WITH DRUGS, when my baby comes. LOL.  There are too many things that could go wronge.  Not only were they having the babies at home with no medical help they NEVER saw a Dr while they were pregnant.  They just used fetal dopplers an measured themselfs at home.  In some places you can go to jail for doing this.  So people are doing it " under ground".  Anita

[Mumita]

Well I wouldn't mind having a midwife help me at a birthing center because eventhough its "natural" birth, she is still trained to deal with emergencies.  I would NEVER do it alone unless I end up giving birth in the car while going towards the hospital.  I think its dangerous and a risk to your life.

I understand that millions of women have given birth alone, but throughout history there have been midwives or women that assist in birth that knew how to move a baby that was breach etc.  Regardless before modern medicine millions of women used to die in childbirth and millions of babies have died during childbirth.  I do not want too much medical intervention but I would definitely want them there to help if there are complications.

[ashiepooh]

Haha you crack me up!  I don't get epidurals because it would be pointless for me.  No worries though, it doesn't offend me when you say that!  LOL

[ashiepooh]

You know, I think having someone there at the home who knows what their doing is better than nothing.  But with this baby, I may be delivering at home if they don't catch me before I'm dialated to 7 cm. (I'm expected to go in under 10 minutes this time) I dialate fast, and silently, no contractions!  I also have early babies.  But I am 30 seconds from 2 fire stations, so my doctor told me, if my water breaks at home to call them, so they can help deliver, and they will bring me in afterwards!

My husband is also, taking classes on how to deliver because we honestly think it'll be at home, and there is no way to stop me!  So I will atleast be prepared.  But I would rather be in a hospital for it, because your right, some could go wrong for both!  =)

[LauraB78]

Ummm..

HE LL NO!! I think that is crazy.. I also think "natural" labor (NO drugs) is crazy, but those are just my personal opinions! =)

I am due on 1/18/09 and plan on an epidural at a hospital! =P