Having a baby: hospital, home birth or birth center?

Panama Girl · #1 11-15-2008, 05:24 PM

Since I'm going to be an aunt in the spring (again, but this time it's my sister so it's emotionally closer than my brother's kids), I've been reading up on childbirth alternatives. I want to give M. the best advice possible - as well as prepare for when Chris and I can finally contribute to the world's increasing overpopulation

For you ladies who have had children, what were your experiences, and what would you recommend? (Sorry, guys, your input is appreciated but kinda... irrelevant. No hard feelings?)

Tattude4Life · #2 11-15-2008, 05:31 PM

Hmmm ... having had three children "naturally" myself, be prepared to be unprepared. Seriously. The birth of each of my children were distinctly different. Not easier, not harder, just different, regardless of time in labor or pushing. Try to stay focused; it helps to think of a subject BEFORE you go into labor (lol). If you're allowed, have music ... I, personally, wanted something that I could sing along to, but to each her own. I always wanted to have a birth in water but never did. I wish I had gotten a midwife and had one of my children at home in the tub ... or someplace in water because I've heard so many wonderful testimonials about water birthing. I mean, ewww, yeah, I guess hangin out with afterbirth and blood on your skin wouldn't be a sweet escape (lol) but the birth process HURTS!! Having said that, I don't regret having natural childbirths; perhaps that's why my labors lasted between 2.5-5.5 hours total. Anyway, the water would definitely give you a break plus you could get a shower immediately afterwards. Childbirth is such a unique and blessed experience. It's amazing ... you're giving LIFE. How incredible?!!

Best of luck to your sister ... and eventually you!!

hockey · #3 11-15-2008, 05:35 PM

Hospital...... but I had two emergency C-sections. My daughter was in bad shape and spent her first 3 weeks in the neo-natal unit. We didn't think she was going to make it. My son was also at a high risk and needed two be delivered in an emergency situation as well.

If I opted for anything other than a well equipped hospital, I doubt my daughter would be here and as healthy as she is now. Her situation was discovered during delivery and could not have been predicted during the pregnancy. So even a seemly good pregnancy can take a bad turn during delivery and you are going to wish you were in a hospital if it does.

Hope this doesn't scare the crap out of you....

paulusa302 · #4 11-15-2008, 05:37 PM

Hi Tattude4Life. I was born at home but with todays birthing complications I would suggest doing it in a hospital. They have DRUGS there too! LOL

Zeke · #5 11-15-2008, 05:58 PM

I knew somebody who was having a baby and her 'religion' frowned upon hospitals..
..idiots..

and when her daughter was born.. there were some serious issues...

the baby almost died because she wasnt at the hospital quick enough..

re-cap.. no hospital.. CALLED AN AMBULANCE..
still ended up at the hospital that she is morally against..
and her poor daughter had to pay the price for the parents stupidity..

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kittykat · #6 11-15-2008, 06:26 PM

.I haven't had a baby yet, but being in the room for both nieces and nephews, there needed to be an emergency c section,so i would say hospital where they can monitor the baby and mom and ensure both are happy and healthy

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Tracy · #7 11-15-2008, 06:51 PM

Both of my children were born in the hospital and like Hockey's story....(although I was fortunate enough not to have it be as serious as hers) both of my children had complications during delivery that made me very grateful that I was at a hospital. My first child was vaginally delivered, my second was an emergency CSection. However, what you may want to consider is that I am sure there are many places like The Birth Center
where you have all the benefits of the hot tub/shower, the midwife, etc but if there's a problem, its an extremely short trip to the hospital.
I personally wanted no parts of that for one reason....

drugs...give 'em to me and give me lots of 'em!

terri · #8 11-15-2008, 09:23 PM

For me, the only choice is a hospital because I also had 2 c-sections. The first one resulted after 24 hours of labor because my son was just too big. I had a miserable and traumatic experience the first time around and was pretty anxious for the second. The second one was scheduled and routine, but given other risk factors, it was the safest option for me.

That being said, I've heard great things about The Birth Center.

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Decent · #9 11-16-2008, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tracy

Both of my children were born in the hospital and like Hockey's story....(although I was fortunate enough not to have it be as serious as hers) both of my children had complications during delivery that made me very grateful that I was at a hospital. My first child was vaginally delivered, my second was an emergency CSection. However, what you may want to consider is that I am sure there are many places like The Birth Center
where you have all the benefits of the hot tub/shower, the midwife, etc but if there's a problem, its an extremely short trip to the hospital.
I personally wanted no parts of that for one reason....

drugs...give 'em to me and give me lots of 'em!

I wonder what would have happened to me like 200 years ago if I'd had to given birth back then. I wouldnt have made it, kinda scary ya know? It's awesome that now there's things like c-sections and incubators etc, but I still wish I'd been able to do it naturally.

The Birth Center site says theyre half a block from St Francis Hospital. I'd do something like if I could have a baby naturally and the Dr didnt forsee any problems. It looks like a really nice place.

hockey · #10 11-16-2008, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Decent

I wonder what would have happened to me like 200 years ago if I'd had to given birth back then. I wouldnt have made it, kinda scary ya know? It's awesome that now there's things like c-sections and incubators etc, but I still wish I'd been able to do it naturally.

The Birth Center site says theyre half a block from St Francis Hospital. I'd do something like if I could have a baby naturally and the Dr didnt forsee any problems. It looks like a really nice place.

Me too, Decent. My doc actually told me that I would have died and so would our daughter if this was a couple hundred years ago.

My blood pressure crashed during my first C-section. My husband thought that I died and that our daughter, who was blue and not breathing when they whisked her out of the room, was dead too. It was only a few seconds before he was told otherwise but it seemed a lot longer and he'll never forget it.

Sadly, I was not told whether I had a boy or a girl until hours later when I regained consciousness. When I came to, I thought I had a son bc the nurse was talking to me about names and she first asked if I had a boy named picked out when I crashed. It was the last thing I remembered.

So much can go wrong. I wouldn't risk a delivery outside a hospital unless you are on your 3rd or 4th child and know what to expect and what your body can handle.

Having a baby: hospital, home birth or birth center?

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