Stone Posted April 6, 2005 Posted April 6, 2005 To save on hospital bills I am considering having my baby at home. Has anyone here done this or know someone who has?
tiki Posted April 6, 2005 Posted April 6, 2005 No. I don't think you should have your baby at home just because of the bills?!? Call the hospital and talk to someone about financial hardship. See what they recommend.
IhavenoFREAKINclue Posted April 6, 2005 Posted April 6, 2005 I dont see why you can't have a home birth. People do it all the time and those mid-wives know what their doing. Plus you can go to YOUR fridge and grab a beer when your done!
Author Stone Posted April 6, 2005 Author Posted April 6, 2005 I live 100 yards away from a hospital so in case of an emergency I am pretty close, Might as well be on the grounds. I talked to a mid- wife today and she says Home Births are actually less painful because you are in your "own" enviorment & you can have the baby in the bathtub!! LMAO ofcourse she is selling her services I see it on the "baby story" all the time but I don't know how comfortable I am having the baby there either I don't think my neighbors will appreicate it I am a LOUD screamer
tiki Posted April 6, 2005 Posted April 6, 2005 Then go for it!!! Aren't you in an apartment complex? Imagine a mother explaining all the screaming to her kid...lol
Debster Posted April 6, 2005 Posted April 6, 2005 My sister (middle child) was born at home. However, that was partly because my mom's first pregnancy was very easy, she was young, they were anticipating no complications and my dad is also a doctor. If I remember correctly, you have a child already. How was that pregancy?
tiki Posted April 6, 2005 Posted April 6, 2005 Chances are, you'll be birthing at night, or close to a full moon. I'd totally go for it if you have a mid-wife. I'd just let my neighbors know. Do your parents live closeby?
Debster Posted April 6, 2005 Posted April 6, 2005 Also, I should note that you might not want to have it at home as it can get very messy/bloody and you'll have to toss out the sheets!!
Author Stone Posted April 6, 2005 Author Posted April 6, 2005 LOL I'll buy birthing sheets. My pregnancy with my son went OK I was induced but I didn't have any pain meds.
SoleMate Posted April 7, 2005 Posted April 7, 2005 I had a planned home birth with a midwife and I would never give birth any other way again. Not only is a planned home birth easier on the mother, studies show that it is actually MUCH safer than a planned hospital birth. This is because many hospital birth procedures have to do with medical tradition and staff convenience, NOT the safety of mother and baby.
Author Stone Posted April 7, 2005 Author Posted April 7, 2005 WOW thanks Soulmate, I assume that there is little to be given as far as pain relief? When did you take the baby to see a doctor? or did the doctor come see you?
SoleMate Posted May 3, 2005 Posted May 3, 2005 I've been away for a while, computer acting funny.... The midwife does a well baby exam, just as a doctor would do. I believe we took the baby in to the pediatrician when she was about 4 days old, for routine care/shots, on the midwife's recommendation. A CNM (certified nurse midwife) can be totally responsible for mother and baby care throughout the pregnancy and birth. She will monitor you (actually more closely and accurately than a doctor would), and if something develops which means MD care is advisable, she will recommend that you start seeing an MD - either instead of or in addition to her. It may be helpful if you can find a CNM who has a pre-established relationship with a backup OBGYN to ease this kind of handoff.
RecordProducer Posted May 3, 2005 Posted May 3, 2005 If you only knew how serious it is to give birth and how risky for your and the baby's life it may be, it wouldn't even cross your mind. I absolutely am against this way of saving money! Even princess Diana refused to deliver her sons in the palace which has been a tradition for many centuries before she opposed to it as she was aware of the risks in terms of health and life. I had a C section. The majority of women who were at the same department with me started labor naturally, but after hours of pain and suffering the doctors decided that it's getting dangerous and they should perform C section urgently to save both the mother's and baby's lives. You never know what kind of complications can arise and a full hospital equipment will be necessary. E.g. one of my kids was re-animated right after birth. It was a matter of seconds that saved his life. Had I born him at home, he wouldn't have made it. Not to mention that if I were not able to get to the hospital, I would have been dead as C section was the only option for me to survive. Giving birth is not a joke. Do you want to risk your life and die and leave your baby without a mother? Do you want your baby to NOT get the care it may need right after birth and stay mentally ill for the rest of its life? Please, deliver your baby in a decent hospital! Sell your car if necessary, borrow money, whatever, just don't do this foolish thing. It doesn't matter how many women have done it at home. It's a natural process, but many women and babies have died in it.
Debster Posted May 3, 2005 Posted May 3, 2005 I think I answered this before that I haven't heard anything bad, and now I have to take that back. I now know of two people personally who had midwives carried full term and ther babies were born dead. I have also heard horrible stories about registered midwives (I was doing my own research as we're trying to get pregnant) and there have been cases where the midwife should have handed it over to a doctor and didn't. My father is a pediatric pathologist and just last week he warned my husband and I against getting a midwife as he has had to do the autopsies on the babies and their deaths could have been prevented if the moms were induced or had a c-section. I'm not trying to scare you, but please, be careful.
SoleMate Posted May 4, 2005 Posted May 4, 2005 Well, for anyone who wants ill-informed, unsubstantiated anecdotes, there are some right above.
HoldOn Posted May 4, 2005 Posted May 4, 2005 Home birth can be a safe option for 90% of mothers, with appropriate prenatal care and attendant personnel. Wow. 90%. Call me unimpressed! I'd hate to be the one in ten where there is a problem I know that every mother for thousands of years has given birth at home, however, many of them died! Natural isn't always best. What if something is wrong when the baby is born? And god forbid something happens, but your 5 minutes away from the hospital instead of in the hospital. You'll regret it then and think -- if only I had gone to a hospital to have my baby, maybe everything would have been okay.
faux Posted May 4, 2005 Posted May 4, 2005 I suppose one would have to decide if a child born in a hospital would be in a safer environment than a child birthed in one's own home. If one thinks a hospital is a safer place to have a child, and can provide better services to ensure that the child remains healthy, it would be unethical to have a home birth in order to save money at the possible risk of the child. If one is convinced that home births are equally as safe, perhaps better in ways, then the choice would be acceptable. I do not know myself the benefits and problems associated with hospital, or home births. I would recommend that one seek professional advice from persons specializing in the two differing areas.
SoleMate Posted May 4, 2005 Posted May 4, 2005 Wow. 90%. Call me unimpressed! I'd hate to be the one in ten where there is a problem You misunderstood the quote. It does NOT mean that 10% of women having home births have trouble. It means that 90% of women can be shown in advance to be good candidates for safe homebirth. The other 10% have diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, premature labor, etc. and are not candidates for home birth. Folks...anyone there make decisions based on data and facts, as opposed to ill-informed superstitions? If so, please speak up now.
Debster Posted May 4, 2005 Posted May 4, 2005 SoleMate, Well, for anyone who wants ill-informed, unsubstantiated anecdotes, there are some right above. I find your comment insulting. These are not ill-informed, unsubstantiated anecdotes. Do you know what a pediatric pathologist is? If not, then I suggest you research it before claiming that they are ill-informed, unsubstantiated anecdotes. If you do know what a pediatric pathologist is but believe that you know better, then I'd like to hear what your medical qualifications are. My father's are MBBS, DPhil (Oxon), FRCP©. In addition, he has been published in peer-reviewed journals, was a president of the society, testified in court cases surrounding infant death, wrote a textbook, was a professor at two medical universities in Canada, and a Rhodes Scholar. Here's a link to their society. http://www.spponline.org/ And a study done in the US by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. http://www.acog.org/from_home/publications/press_releases/nr07-31-02-3.cfm
Author Stone Posted May 5, 2005 Author Posted May 5, 2005 I am still undecided, we did FIANLLY get insurance just as soon as I was getting used to the home birth idea, The mid wife I see already also does home births and said that I would be a great canidate so far, I delivered my son in 4 hours naturally and labor was fine, I only had to be induced because he was past due. My mom works for a peiditrician and he said he would love to attend the birth, I have 6-8 weeks to decide so we'll see. thanks for all the replies each one helps alot.
Bettyb1802 Posted May 6, 2005 Posted May 6, 2005 I don't know if it's different here in England but if you've had one easy hospital birth they try to get you to have home births with your next to free up the hospital beds! My 3rd child was a home birth and it was ok. Wasn't lovely coz it really hurt, but it was nice being at home and just getting on with things. Just make sure the bed is well protected if you do go for it!!
Pocky Posted May 6, 2005 Posted May 6, 2005 Originally posted by Stone I talked to a mid- wife today and she says Home Births are actually less painful because you are in your "own" enviorment & you can have the baby in the bathtub!! LMAO ofcourse she is selling her services I see it on the "baby story" all the time but I don't know how comfortable I am having the baby there either I don't think my neighbors will appreicate it I am a LOUD screamer I've seen many many stories on TLC about women that have home births. If you have no current concerns by your doctor then I don't see any reason for having the birth at home. From what I understand it's better for the baby and the mother.
RecordProducer Posted May 6, 2005 Posted May 6, 2005 Debster. your dad has some impressive education and professional background. How can you people encourage Stone to have a home birth when it's not your baby we're talking about? Objectively if the baby needs re-animation right after birth (like one of my kids), it might die. It's a matter of seconds not minutes. Plus, how comfortable is the idea of running fast in the middle of the delivery and driving for 5 min like crazy to the hospital (if something goes wrong)? Or if the baby needs additional special care, you take it all bloody and messy quickly to the hospital? When I was in the hospital, some woman had a lack of iron so the doctors recommended blood transfusion. Another woman, a pharmacist, convinced her that she would feel much better if she takes the transfusion. So she did. A few days later, the pharmacist had the same problem and was also recommended to receive blood transfusion and SHE REFUSED! She was probably afraid of AIDS or whatever, but she made the other (uneducated) woman do it and when it knocked on her door she was afraid for her own ass. It's easy to speak for other people and encourage them to do risky things and rely on 90%-good-result statistics. But for yourself, you wouldn't risk one bit, if it were your own baby, I am sure.
HokeyReligions Posted May 6, 2005 Posted May 6, 2005 Originally posted by Stone To save on hospital bills I am considering having my baby at home. Has anyone here done this or know someone who has? I did not "pass" the assessment for home birth -- or I would have done so (although, after having met the Epi-Man during the first birth I don't think I'd want to do it again w/o him! ) Originally posted by RecordProducer If you only knew how serious it is to give birth and how risky for your and the baby's life it may be, it wouldn't even cross your mind. I absolutely am against this way of saving money! Even princess Diana refused to deliver her sons in the palace which has been a tradition for many centuries before she opposed to it as she was aware of the risks in terms of health and life. I had a C section. The majority of women who were at the same department with me started labor naturally, but after hours of pain and suffering the doctors decided that it's getting dangerous and they should perform C section urgently to save both the mother's and baby's lives. You never know what kind of complications can arise and a full hospital equipment will be necessary. E.g. one of my kids was re-animated right after birth. It was a matter of seconds that saved his life. Had I born him at home, he wouldn't have made it. Not to mention that if I were not able to get to the hospital, I would have been dead as C section was the only option for me to survive. Giving birth is not a joke. Do you want to risk your life and die and leave your baby without a mother? Do you want your baby to NOT get the care it may need right after birth and stay mentally ill for the rest of its life? Please, deliver your baby in a decent hospital! Sell your car if necessary, borrow money, whatever, just don't do this foolish thing. It doesn't matter how many women have done it at home. It's a natural process, but many women and babies have died in it. Oh, I think Stone fully understands the risks & knows its not a joke. Why try to scare her? Originally posted by Stone I am still undecided, we did FIANLLY get insurance just as soon as I was getting used to the home birth idea, The mid wife I see already also does home births and said that I would be a great canidate so far, I delivered my son in 4 hours naturally and labor was fine, I only had to be induced because he was past due. My mom works for a peiditrician and he said he would love to attend the birth, I have 6-8 weeks to decide so we'll see. thanks for all the replies each one helps alot. That would be great if your mom's pediatrician could attend and that you are so close to a hospital. It would make you all feel better. My former boss's daughter had her baby at home with a licensed mid-wife and she said she wouldn't do it any other way either. Emotionally it was far less stress on her, which made her birth easier and more enjoyable. I remember her telling her mother that she felt like she really experienced the miracle and it wasn't clouded by industrial sights and sounds that precluded her enjoyment. I thought her description was beautiful and I could see her emotion as she talked about it. She did the research on the pro's and con's and did what she thought was best for her. There are pro's and con's to hospital births too. One woman who gave birth the same time I did lost her baby due to an infection he picked up in the hospital! Originally posted by RecordProducer Debster. your dad has some impressive education and professional background. How can you people encourage Stone to have a home birth when it's not your baby we're talking about? Objectively if the baby needs re-animation right after birth (like one of my kids), it might die. It's a matter of seconds not minutes. Plus, how comfortable is the idea of running fast in the middle of the delivery and driving for 5 min like crazy to the hospital (if something goes wrong)? Or if the baby needs additional special care, you take it all bloody and messy quickly to the hospital? When I was in the hospital, some woman had a lack of iron so the doctors recommended blood transfusion. Another woman, a pharmacist, convinced her that she would feel much better if she takes the transfusion. So she did. A few days later, the pharmacist had the same problem and was also recommended to receive blood transfusion and SHE REFUSED! She was probably afraid of AIDS or whatever, but she made the other (uneducated) woman do it and when it knocked on her door she was afraid for her own ass. It's easy to speak for other people and encourage them to do risky things and rely on 90%-good-result statistics. But for yourself, you wouldn't risk one bit, if it were your own baby, I am sure. If the baby needs medical during or after the birth a qualified midwife can administer different levels of medical care and alert help if needed. Also, being that close to the hospital they may participate in an "alert" procedure where they will know when Stone goes into labor and will be appraised at different points as to her progress. IF there is a problem they can respond rapidly--including sending the appropriate medical equipment/drugs/personnel to Stone. ---That is something you might want to check into Stone. Not all hospitals do this--but some do. Its really no more than a board where they write down the progress and have your medical history file so they know what they may be dealing with should an emergency arise and not have to spend time looking for it. A good mid-wife will work with hospitals. If I were a good candidate I would opt for the home delivery.
Recommended Posts