I have had three deliveries at a hospital and I am currently tossing around the idea of a home birth. Has anyone had a home delivery and would like to share your experience? Would you do it again?

My last experience at the hospital was ok but I didn't like my nurse. She was rough and inconsiderate.

Thanks Heather

I love the idea of a home birth, my husband has two aunts that are OB nurses and I would love for them to deliver our baby (if we ever get pregnant) at our home. The only draw backs are my age and the fact we live so far from town. If anything went wrong medical treatment for myself or the baby would not be available right away. I guess I have the satisfaction that if we ever do get pregnant, one of the aunts can be in labor and delivery with me and I won't have to worry about grouchy over worked nurses.

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Mary

So true. I had easy labor and deliveries and am counting and praying that my next will be as smooth. I just like the idea of being at home holding AND keeping my baby with me immediatly and having the option of my older children and family being there with me. This will be our last child and I want it extra special and meaningful if you now what I mean.

How old are the children you have at home? I think that would make a big difference to me. When I had my last child (almost 17 years ago) I stayed in the hospital for a week - due to some complications, but also because the Doctor felt I needed the rest before going home to three small children. My other two were 3 and 4. Have you thought about a birthing center? When the youngest was born my Doctor ran a beautiful birthing center, where the nurses I had grown to love from appointments also attended. You also have your baby with you all of the time, unless a medical problem prohibits and you usually go home within about 8 hours after birth. Actually the birthing centers rooms were nicer then my own home so it would have been like staying in a 5 star hotel. I might not have wanted to leave Keep us informed of what you decide to do.

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Mary

I am surprised. It seems like not too many woman are into home birth anymore?

I don't know if this is available in all areas but there are birthing clinics where you have all of the advantages of a hospital but the room is very homey and not like a hospital delivery room at all.

Are birthing clinics cheaper than hospitals?

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Don't waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long, and in the end, it's only with yourself.

I actually contacted a Midwife and she said that her services are quite a bit cheaper than an OB doctor. I am assuming that the same would be said for a birthing clinic. I did some research and it seems to me that hospitals are more expensive (they are known for tacking on irrational little fees here and there..or they do where I live) .

Ladies I know this thread is old, but........You can always hire a Doula and make a birthing plan. In a birthing plan, your Doula will list all of your preferences and the docs have to follow it (or stay close to it). Such as:

Mother wishes to keep baby with her for first 3 hours.
Don't give the baby bath/shots/anything until 5 hours after birth.
Mother prefers to have the ability to walk around, bath, shower during labor.
Mother does not want pain medications.
Etc.

Anything the mother wishes can be put into the birth plan. If you have a nurse you don't like, the mother has every right to ask for a different nurse. Don't be shy, this is your labor and birth of your child that you will remember for the rest of your life. That way you can have the birth that you want, but in an extra safe setting of a hospital. Talk about these things and anyothers with your doc. at a prenatal visit to see how well they work with you if you have a birth plan.

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