Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Home Birth??

Since the last reader inquired about home birth, I've been giving this idea some thought. This is not something that I've done before but I'm starting to consider the idea of doing a few maybe. I would have to talk to my malpractice insurance company and my back up obstetrician and see if these are things that they would cover. One of the problems is if I have a patient at home and at the hospital in labor at the same time. I think the situation would depend on the time and the risk involved in any particular pregnancy. I still believe it is safer in most situations I'm delivering in, to be in the hospital. That being said, most low risk pregnancies that deliver at home (approximately 90%) are free of complications. However, that 10% or so still makes me a little nervous. To date, I have had no intrapartum fetal deaths, still births, major maternal complications, etc. and I'd really like to keep that record. Of course I've had hemorrhages and other more minor complications, but they've all been fairly treatable because I've had help for the baby and medications, etc. right there in the hospital with extra staff available to assist. That being said, I do believe in a women's right to choose her birth experience and that she has intuition about her own abilities and situation, and if home birth is something she is adamant about, maybe I should look into this? I'm just wondering how many patients or readers out there in the Weber County area would genuinely be interested in home birth if I offered this to certain patients who met a certain criteria?...ie very low risk! Please send me your thoughts, I'd be interested:)

9 comments:

Kit said...

I would love it! right after I talked to you about this, the Standard Examiner ran a story about a woman who does home births here in Ogden and is thinking about opening a birthing center like they have in Provo. I think even if you didn't feel comfortable about home births, Ogden needs a birthing center like the bella natal suites. Comfy (BIG) beds, kitchen, and laundry right there. It's basically a home away from home. And your not stuck in a crappy hospital bed with crappy hospital food.
thanks for considering this option.
Kit

Abby said...

No home birth for me. I'm a little more modern and although I do not enjoy the hospital, it's better having nurses take care of me than my husband....if you know what I mean! I respect those who would consider it, but it is just not for me!

Mrs. Olsen said...

I am from Logan and have specifically been searching for birthing suites under a CNM in Ogden. From these comments I'm guessing no such thing exists in Ogden either? They don't exist in Cache Valley and I'm worried about the drive to SLC because my last labor was about 5 hours.

Unknown said...

I am very interested in a home birth, and though i am moving to West Jordan, my parents still live in Ogden and if there is a CNM that will do home births (or any birth out of hospital) I would jump on it in a heartbeat.

I gave birth to my son at Ogden Regional almost 2 years ago, and though my doctor was great, I feel like I didn't know him all that well. The hospital nurses were nice enough, but were not supportive of my desire to have a natural birth. Based on my experience, when my next child is born, I will not be going to a hospital unless it is an absolute emergency.

sharla said...

I am about to have my fourth child and had seriously considered doing a home birth or birthing center. However, I did not find the resources I needed, so I have opted yet again to use Davis Hospital, which is basically just up the street for us. I need something close by because my labors are quite short 3-5 hours at the most and don't want to stress about driving an hour or more to reach the birth center. I would love the opportunity to try a home birth or a birthing center if one were close by, such as in Ogden. So I say, go for it! Widen your horizons and try some home births, or if you are up to it, start a birth center! I think it would make many future mothers happy. =)

G family said...

I have been searching for a CNM that would do homebirths in this area! Before we moved here, my last 2 babies were home waterbirths and they were the most amazing and personal birthing experiences I've had so far. I've also had a freestanding birth center birth which was great (although I still prefer home)and I would gladly go to a birth center again rather than a hospital. I think natural birthing options are really being explored by more and more informed families and I truly feel there is a need in this area.

Sophie said...

I am highly interested in home births.

Amy T. said...

I can't believe there are so few home or birth center choices here in Ogden. I've had all four of my babies at home in the water, and cannot really consider any other option. I'd probably not qualify as what you'd consider low enough of a risk, however, as I'm already 37 and not yet pregnant.

It would be very tempting to ask someone like you to help me birth at home, as my insurance would pay for everything, but I think you lack some of the confidence in the process that women depend upon to make a home birth successful. Honestly, I'd be afraid that you'd be afraid and looking for "red flags" that would allow you to back out of the process.

I guess I'll just have to plan on the travel time it will take for my midwife in Payson to get here and pay for it out of pocket. It would be worth it for me to avoid debilitating fear.

Samantha said...

Even though I'm way late to this commenting party, I think it would be great if you offered home birth options for those that you felt were low risk enough. I think you are a great midwife and really enjoyed my last two birth experiences (both with you), but I can't deny that I would really Love a home birth if I ever have another baby. :)