Any homebirthin/unassisted birth Mama's here:)?

[DoulaMama]

I was told by my doula when I was having a vbac with DD2 that it was "illegal" for me to give birth anywhere but a hospital because I had a section with #1.....so I never really considered it. I don't live far from a hospital, but my doctor here (who only does Gyn, no OB anymore so I go to the midwives at a hospital practice....they are considered the best where I live, and I did have a great vbac with one) told me that I could "accidentally" have one at home but she wouldn't recommend it as she's seen some bad things happen a couple of times. I don't think I could get a midwife to come deliver at my house anyway....they have a birth center now, but I can't go there. Boooo!!!!

OMG! Illegal. Ummm....no. Maybe for a midwife to attend you it would be illegal but when it comes to where you have your baby it's not illegal in any State to have a homebirth. Can I ask what State you're in? I also think it's terrible that they won't take you in the birth center...ugh. What you would need to do is look for an unregistered midwife-they are underground and if you look hard enough you can find one that will most likely come to your home- if that's really what you want Or your Dr. is right..you could just have an unassisted birth. It's all up to what you want. The risk is there no matter where or with whom you give birth...life is risky and you have more chance in dying in a car crash on your way to the hospital than dying in childbirth at home. The Dr. has seen some bad things but I can imagine that there are many births that went perfectly that he'd have no idea about......they would have never known about the couples that have zero issues...like myself who had nothing go wrong. You just need to be educated, healthy and confident If you want more info on birth options in your area I can find some info for you Let me know!

[DoulaMama]

I had both my boys in the hospital... because of my anemia, I did bleed more with DS2. I would have loved a homebirth the worst part about have more then child is being away from your older kids for a few days... I should look into if I can do a home birth with #3 so I don't have to sleep on the hospital bed every again, hell on a lady after birthing.

Anemia- I have many ideas/supps that you can take to help you with this I also have anemia and have had two kids at home- both with zero bleeding issues because of the supps I took throughout my pregnancy. I kept tabs on my iron levels though the entire pregnancy and with my last baby and I had 3 tblsp of blood come with my placenta and that's it! Homebirth Rocks! I would totally look into it...but I'm very biased...LOL

[LolaInLove]

OMG! Illegal. Ummm....no. Maybe for a midwife to attend you it would be illegal but when it comes to where you have your baby it's not illegal in any State to have a homebirth. Can I ask what State you're in? I also think it's terrible that they won't take you in the birth center...ugh. What you would need to do is look for an unregistered midwife-they are underground and if you look hard enough you can find one that will most likely come to your home- if that's really what you want Or your Dr. is right..you could just have an unassisted birth. It's all up to what you want. The risk is there no matter where or with whom you give birth...life is risky and you have more chance in dying in a car crash on your way to the hospital than dying in childbirth at home. The Dr. has seen some bad things but I can imagine that there are many births that went perfectly that he'd have no idea about......they would have never known about the couples that have zero issues...like myself who had nothing go wrong. You just need to be educated, healthy and confident If you want more info on birth options in your area I can find some info for you Let me know!

THANK YOU for your advice! I kinda thought that was mularky, but my state (South Carolina) is not the most progressive sometimes. I'd love to have a midwife come out and assist if the baby and I are healthy and well, and just cry oops, we didn't make it in time. What happens when you do that? Are you supposed to bring your baby in to the doctor the next day or something? I have been reading about natural birth....and honestly, I had a good experience with DD2's vbac- I got to 9cm naturally, but having labored hard core for 14 hours (yea- with no meds at all, it took me that long!), and I was TERRIFIED of the ring of fire so I caved and got an epidural and rested for a bit before I had her. So, I'm not really opposed to having another one of those, but I would also love the homebirth experience. Everytime I read about you ladies' experiences, with getting to climb into your own bed immediately and have the family there, I want that. Plus, this is my last baby, and I am one of those "bucket list" kind of people, so I'd love to have the experience and know I did it. Any advice would be awesome, DoulaMama!!!!

[DoulaMama]

THANK YOU for your advice! I kinda thought that was mularky, but my state (South Carolina) is not the most progressive sometimes. I'd love to have a midwife come out and assist if the baby and I are healthy and well, and just cry oops, we didn't make it in time. What happens when you do that? Are you supposed to bring your baby in to the doctor the next day or something?
Well...if the midwife was seeing you throughout the pregnancy for prenatals etc, she would be doing your PP care as well. No one would need to see the Dr. for health purposes other than a PKU test for baby. I would not get near the hospital because they will want to admit you and baby because you had an "unsanitary" home birth...sigh. I don't know all the details of how you could do it...but I do know many women that have their babies off the grid, in the States and although they sometimes have to jump through hoops for registering the births...it's all very smooth. Sometimes women lie about where they had the baby, they tell their Dr. that they had a homebirth across State lines(where it's legal for midwives to work) and that they would like to bring the baby for a visit. Pretty laid back...especially if your Dr. is supportive and doesn't freak out about it.
I have been reading about natural birth....and honestly, I had a good experience with DD2's vbac- I got to 9cm naturally, but having labored hard core for 14 hours (yea- with no meds at all, it took me that long!), and I was TERRIFIED of the ring of fire so I caved and got an epidural and rested for a bit before I had her. So, I'm not really opposed to having another one of those, but I would also love the homebirth experience.
Now that you've had one baby vaginally, the ring of fire may not be anything like the first one. And also-the ring of fire isn't as scary as what it's made out to be The fear that was in your head may have made the labour last longer as well- a woman emotional state plays a huge role during birth. As for me, I didn't feel any pain when I pushed out my third....no stretching pain at all which is most likely because your body remembers from the last time. Also- technically your second baby was your first birth...your second vaginal birth will be most likely be much faster and pushing will be much quicker and easier All I can say is there is nothing like reaching down and catching your own baby. Feeling your baby and your body through the entire experience....it's incredible
Everytime I read about you ladies' experiences, with getting to climb into your own bed immediately and have the family there, I want that. Plus, this is my last baby, and I am one of those "bucket list" kind of people, so I'd love to have the experience and know I did it. Any advice would be awesome, DoulaMama!!!! If you PM me your location in SC I will be able to get more info for you I'm going to talk to a very prominent woman in the birth industry in regards to midwives, and hopefully she'll be able to give me some info It may take a day or 2 to gather all the info...just bear with me... LOL Take Care and talk soon!!

[atomic sagebrush]

A caveat to that is that CMQ had her unassisted homebirth and they made her get DNA tested to prove that she was really her son's mother - since no gov't official was a witness, I guess they were implying she could have kidnapped a kid and was trying to pass it off as her own.

[DoulaMama]

A caveat to that is that CMQ had her unassisted homebirth and they made her get DNA tested to prove that she was really her son's mother - since no gov't official was a witness, I guess they were implying she could have kidnapped a kid and was trying to pass it off as her own.

It's ridiculous....here in Alberta you need to have a friend/neighbor/husband/chiro/ND etc sign a proof of pregnancy, proof of live birth, and proof of address. You then send in the info and voila...baby is registered. Why they make it so hard for women to have the births they want is beyond me! Birth should not be in the hands of the government/officials/Dr's/Midwives. It belongs to the parents/Mama's. Off my soap box....

[nicnee1976]

DS2, my first home birth also came out with his hand by his head and totally wrapped up in the cord, but he was not hard to push out. In fact I only realised I had delivered his head because the midwife was calling for cord scissors!! I did tear though.
My midwives at both home births also cleaned up, ran me a bath, helped me in and out of it and stayed for a couple of hours to make sure we were OK. You don't get that attentive service in hospital!! We did make sure they got plenty of tea, coffee and biscuits though, maybe that is why they stayed so long!!

[Betty Draper]

I had a waterbirth with #2 but it was at the birthing center part of a hospital and I was still forced to go through triage (during transition) to be allowed into the waterbirth room. The car ride and triage were horrible. I would be birthing at home if #3 was a singleton. I'll be lucky if I get a vaginal delivery this time b/c it is multiples . . . I loathe pregnancy but LOVE giving birth naturally.

[kaseybaby]

I just want to applaud all you ladies. I wanted a home birth but wound up with a c-section. I desperately want a v-bac for number 2, but I can't have a home birth. I can't even go into a birthing center. I have made peace with it, but I am secretly jealous of all of you ladies

[DoulaMama]

I just want to applaud all you ladies. I wanted a home birth but wound up with a c-section. I desperately want a v-bac for number 2, but I can't have a home birth. I can't even go into a birthing center. I have made peace with it, but I am secretly jealous of all of you ladies

Why can't you? I know many women who have had HBAC's my best friend being one of them If you really want it, it's not impossible to find a care provider who would attend an HBAC. Let me know if you want info...I know some great resources for finding midwives that would attend you. Hugs~