Need input/advice about where to have baby

pr1madona · #1 March 15th, 2010, 01:35 PM

I am having trouble deciding whether to have my baby at the same hospital I had DD at, or at the local birth center. I had a great non-medicated, natural birth last time. The midwife was great, spoke up on my behalf when the nurse tried to hang the Pit for after the birth, and everything went great. My birth plan was followed, I didn't have to "fight" for anything, DD was kept in my room constantly for everything. (They didn't even have a nursery, all babies stay with mom. If mom needs a break, then the nurses hold the baby at the nurses station. Doctors do all procedures/exams in the room). I had found out about the birth center when I was around 6-7months pregnant, and even met with the midwife, but DH felt more comfortable with a hospital in the slight chance something went wrong. I always thought if we had more children I would use the birth center and maybe have a water birth.
This pregnancy, I have been going to the birth center, but also have had a couple appts. with my OB/Gyn practice, since I ended up getting a script for Zofran from them. I just can't decide now if I want to try the birth center, or use the OB/midwife practice I used last time. For some reason, I seem to feel more comfortable with them than at the birthing center, which I can't figure out for the life of me. I am completely pro-natural childbirth and my entire pregnancy/birth philosophy fits in with the views of the midwives at the birth center. I figure it's getting to the point where I should make up my mind and stick with one or the other. I don't know if it's just the fear of the unknown that's making me uncomfortable, since it would be my first baby in an out of hospital setting or what.
Pros for the hospital birth are that I'd get to stay overnight so I'd feel more comfortable knowing baby and me are fine, plus I'd get the break from everything at my house. And the hospital provides a lot of newborn stuff. Cons are there is 1 OB at the practice I don't know if I'm comfortable with. The others 2 and the midiwfe are all very pro natural birth with no interventions unless medically necessary. If I go with the birth center, I'd go home after a few hours.
Sorry this is so long, but does anyone have any advice to share??

noworries · #2 March 15th, 2010, 01:39 PM

Go with what feels right to you. I also had a great natural birth in the hospital with my daughter and am planning the same with this one (although I would prefer a birth center but I have a high risk label now and DH is more comfortable at hospital and I didn't want to fight him this time). I personally want to go home as soon as possible after having baby though. You need to feel comfortable so go with what makes you comfortable.

MamaAnna · #3 March 15th, 2010, 01:44 PM

I would go with what feels right. You need to be comfortable and confident, as much as possible anyways, when the time comes. It could be that your past experience provides you the reassurance you need while the birthing center may make you more nervous since it's a new place, new policies, etc. I know even if we were on the opposite end of the state unless it were an absolute emergency I'd get back to the hospital I delivered my youngest at somehow. There's just no way I'd feel comfortable delivering somewhere else.

mshah · #4 March 15th, 2010, 02:51 PM

Personally, I'd go with the same place you had your last one. It worked well for you, and your experience seemed to have been exactly what you wanted. I like to stick with what I know has worked for me in the past. Which is probably why I always order the same thing on the menu at restaurants every time. Bad analogy. Sorry.

pr1madona · #5 March 15th, 2010, 03:30 PM

I guess my main concerns with the hospital is that there isn't a tub to labor in and getting the 1 OB that I don't feel comfortable with. But I have a feeling if I go with the birth center and go home after a few hours, I'll feel pressure to be up doing stuff at my house instead of resting. And I'll probably worry something's wrong with the baby all the time. Maybe I'll go take a tour of the hospital again and see if anything's changed since I had dd.

~Devon~ · #6 March 15th, 2010, 03:34 PM

Why do you have to go home after a few hours? That doesn't sound right. If that is the case then I'd go for the hospital. I would love to use a birth center and have a water birth but there aren't any near me and I'm bummed.
Check more into the policies of the birth center then make your decision based off of that. Good luck!

Trish36 · #7 March 15th, 2010, 03:43 PM

I've had all 3 of my kids at the same hospital, even though I was induced I trust in the hospital and dr.s there and feel totally comfortable. This time I am going with a midwife and she only delivers at a different hospital. So it's going to be a new setting for me too and I do feel a bit nervous about that. Not the actual birth but the care from the dr.s and nurses there.
I also will be going home after about 6 hours, if my birth is uncomplicated. I actually am looking forward to that. Really don't need to spend the night at the hospital in an uncomfortable bed where DH has to be in the room with me to watch the baby and I get woken up every hour or so. The midwife will come to my house to check on the baby instead.
I think you should try the birthing center. If you want a water birth.....go for it. You know they are pro natural birth and I'm sure that if anything was to not be so perfect, they wouldn't just send you home after the delivery. You should maybe ask about that to see what happens if there are complications. Will they transfer you and baby to the hospital? Good luck deciding.

TeresaSuperMama · #8 March 15th, 2010, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pr1madona

I guess my main concerns with the hospital is that there isn't a tub to labor in and getting the 1 OB that I don't feel comfortable with. But I have a feeling if I go with the birth center and go home after a few hours, I'll feel pressure to be up doing stuff at my house instead of resting. And I'll probably worry something's wrong with the baby all the time. Maybe I'll go take a tour of the hospital again and see if anything's changed since I had dd.

That right there would make me lean towards the birthing center. I would love to be able to labor in the tub and that in and of itself would make me choose the birthing center.

M-n-MsMama0510 · #9 March 15th, 2010, 05:17 PM

Sounds like you've already made up your mind

You feel more comfortable at the hospital (huge!) and so does your SO... You like the rest you get staying the night there too. Good Luck on whatever you decide tho!! I personally would go with the Hospital you can have the best of both worlds... All natural & emergency care just incase.

pr1madona · #10 March 15th, 2010, 07:30 PM

I do seem to be leaning toward the hospital. I have a huge Jacuzzi tub in my bathroom that I could labor in. This tub is like 7 ft long. It's soooo comfy:-) I'm not expecting a long labor anyways. My last I got to the hospital at 4:30am, was 4cm and had her at 8:30am. That was with her being turned weird and part of my cervix having to manually be lifted over her head. So this time they are thinking should be quick, if I can get her to position well:-)

MamaAnna · #11 March 16th, 2010, 02:42 AM

That sounds like a good plan. I don't think I'd be able to labor at home with all the kids, but I'd definitely make an effort if I had a jacuzzi!

mshah · #12 March 16th, 2010, 08:12 AM

I was thinking your best option seems to be to labor your tub at home as well (although be careful, apparently it can slow your labor considerably and usually it is recommended to enter the tub shortly before delivery. Don't want you to then have to be given drugs at the hospital to get your labor going again, and then be given an epidural due to the excess pain that caused!). I'm doing a birth center and a water birth, and was excited that I have to leave 4-6 hours after the birth. However, you seem to be really worried about having to go home so quickly. While this is my first, I imagine your peace of mind after the birth is crucial to your regaining strength and healing.

amhk · #13 March 16th, 2010, 08:21 AM

It sounds like the hospital has the best of both worlds. I know it may be a matter of wanting to stick with what you know (I am very much like that), but it may also be your gut instinct. If the hospital has a huge jacuzzi tub, then it sounds perfect! Also, when you say you are afraid of getting the OB you are not comfortable with, does that mean he/she would be the only one on duty? At my hospital, they always have one OB and one midwife on duty for delivering babies, so I will get the midwife as I want, unless there is some major complication.

mommy2eden · #14 March 16th, 2010, 09:06 AM

I would say go with your gut. What does your DH feel comfortable with?

I personally would want the time in the hospital to just be without the distractions of home. But some women love going home right away. Either way, it should be something you are 100% comfortable with.