Rise in home births - could you have a home birth?

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Permalink Reply by Vanessa on March 10, 2010 at 9:06am

Absolutely not. Too many horror stories I've heard personally. One of my friends' kids is fighting for her life right now because she aspirated meconium during her home birth, and the midwife didn't know it. I've heard of other friends being rushed to the ER because their blood pressure (albeit high) wasn't monitored properly, etc. Not to mention I LOVE epidurals. Haha.

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Permalink Reply by Ally on March 10, 2010 at 1:15pm

NEVER!! I not only want the safest setting for my child to be delivered, in case of problems, but I'm also with you Vanessa...I want DRUGS!!! I don't want to feel anything! HA!

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Permalink Reply by Dena Capley on March 10, 2010 at 7:11pm

I have had five home births. I am due April 29th and am looking forward to another home birth.
My first birth was at the Women's Pavilion in Northport with Dr Edwards. And it was a positive experience.

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Permalink Reply by Ally on March 11, 2010 at 8:25am

Wow Dena! That's good to know that it has been such a good experience for you! And congrats on your next little one!

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Permalink Reply by Dena Capley on March 11, 2010 at 6:49pm

Thanks a bunch, Ally. It's not something a person goes into without much prayer. I don't take God's grace for granted. I rely on him and not my own confidence.

Ally said:

Wow Dena! That's good to know that it has been such a good experience for you! And congrats on your next little one!

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Permalink Reply by Sarah M on March 11, 2010 at 10:42pm

Home birth is something I would consider if the legal situation in Alabama were different. From everything I have read about it there are actually better outcomes from HB than hospital births in healthy low risk pregnancies. Also, in industrialized countries where home birth is still the norm they actually have lower infant mortality rates than we do here in the US. I think it is important to have a skilled and experienced midwife that would be able to handle emergency situations. I would never deliver a baby at home without a midwife, which I think is also gaining popularity.

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Permalink Reply by Dena Capley on June 7, 2010 at 11:50pm

Micaiah was born on May 3rd. Our "homebirth" ended up at the hospital this time. Dr Edwards was there to deliver. That was really neat. He got to meet my oldest daughter whom he delivered 23 years earlier and my other children as well. Once again, it was a pleasant experience. (After I got the Epidural)

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Permalink Reply by Alina Coryell on June 23, 2010 at 6:40pm

I would LOVE to try a home birth in an uncomplicated pregnancy. Unfortunately, Alabama is one of the most regressive states in the country when it comes to birthing choices and options. Midwives are not allowed to attend home births, from what I've been led to understand. In fact, I've heard that a midwife can be arrested if she attends a home birth in her professional midwifing function.

If I can't have a midwife or experienced birthing professional attending my labor at home, I would rather not do it. So the Alabama legislature keeps a number of women like myself from having home births. It makes me sad because I love living here.

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Permalink Reply by Heather Milam on July 3, 2010 at 4:52pm

Several of my friends have had home births. I "attended" one through a web connection last year and it was amazing. If I wasn't high risk I would absolutely consider a home birth. A well trained midwife with emergency back up connections (easy access to a doctor and hospital) would be very important. I'm new to Alabama and didn't know midwives were so restricted. That is truly a shame!

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