Anyone else planning or looking into a homebirth?

I've had four and am looking foward to a fifth in June.

I am planning on a home birth as long as the midwife gives me the okay (pre-existing medical conditions are cause for concern, but I may still be okay to do it). I go to meet her on Tuesday -- hooray!!!

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Come back and post after you talk to her! Is this your first baby? When are you due?

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Kelly, wife to my own personal superman for 16.5 years.

Mama to:
dd 9
dd 7
ds 5
ds 2
bun baking 'til late June (edd 21st)

I'm 27 and our first is due Nov. 4th. We've been ttc since October, and are definitely excited about the wee one!

I take it that since you've opted for several homebirths, you're an advocate of the idea. I'm REALLY hoping I get the okay.

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Well, congratulations!

I think I'm more of an advocate for doctors (and nurses) getting their mitts out of the birth process. I believe most women need support and encouragement, not intervention. I also believe a lot of women are trusting in doctors more than in themselves and are therefore scared to do anything without a doctor present and are made to fear a lot that they shouldn't fear. Being fearful or not trusting in the natural process of birth causes stress which leads to more pain and more intervention. My births have been very low in pain and I totally believe it's because I'm able to relax and not respond by tensing up.

At this point in time, I believe the safest place for a normal delivery is at home. I hope that someday soon the U.S. can improve on their hospital care and women will become more educated.

There is definately a time when medical intervention is needed, but I think it must kill doctors to stand and watch (much less support the woman) without trying to "manage" a normal delivery.

Okay, that got a little long

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Kelly, wife to my own personal superman for 16.5 years.

Mama to:
dd 9
dd 7
ds 5
ds 2
bun baking 'til late June (edd 21st)

this is something i've heard quite a lot, and it makes sense. hospitals are stressful places!! homebirth definitlely makes sense. i've found some good info on it in this <a HREF="http://www.gurgle.co.uk/subjects/36266/Third_trimester/default.aspx">third trimester </a> section but does anyone have other info they can direct me to??

Sorry I haven't checked in here for awhile.

I could not get your link to work.

The first thing I ever read on homebirth was a book by Sheila Kitzinger titled "Homebirth". It had wonderful information and statistics in it. That was over 12 years ago, though. I do not currently research the topic, but I'm sure you can just use a search engine and find plenty. If you're currently pg, you can search to find homebirth midwives in your area. If you need help finding one, lmk.

Sorry I can't be of more help. It's not something I have looked into since making my decision so many years ago. I am continually shocked and disappointed by the things I read on the pregnancy forums, though (re: current medical care for pgcy).

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Kelly, wife to my own personal superman for 16.5 years.

Mama to:
dd 9
dd 7
ds 5
ds 2
bun baking 'til late June (edd 21st)

I wanted to add that any statistics can be deceiving. You really need to look at low-risk hospital births compared to low-risk planned homebirths attended by a qualified midwife.

Developed countries that have higher homebirth rates that the U.S. also have much lower infant and maternal mortality rates.

You will find higher mortality rates for home births where lay midwives and direct-entry midwives are in attendance. Personally, I would always use a Certified Nurse Midwife and ask many questions in an interview. Reading about homebirths can help you generate a list of questions.

I also believe it's in the woman's and baby's best interest to have an experienced midwife present. I don't think it's a good idea to have an unassisted homebirth (just the mom and father/SO) when there are so many options available.

HTH!

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Kelly, wife to my own personal superman for 16.5 years.

Mama to:
dd 9
dd 7
ds 5
ds 2
bun baking 'til late June (edd 21st)