Homebirth...what's your opinion?

September 28, 2003

HI CheriB,

Before I go into my response if I may properly

introduce myself. My name is Yoki and I have been

lurking for some few weeks now trying to get the gist

of the group. I live in the Caribbean and have five

beautiful children and a wonderful fiance soon to be

husband! Here I grew up on using the bush and plant

first before going ot he doctor for treatment. Fell

off that upbringing when I had mine and was nicely

reminded of it when my father pointed out how often I

was carrying my children to the doctor.

Hoep to learn all that I can about the herbs used

stateside and around the world and will just sit back

for the most part and read with fascination at the

info.

For the homebirthing...CheriB I would suggest getting

a good midwife and checking out the hospital just too

see what they offer. I have been lucky to have a few

good doctors deliver a few of my children, save the

last one. And for those that think being in a hospital

will GUARANTEE that IF anything happens it will will

be ok...let me be the first to say NO!

My last daughter was born in the hospital and I felt

had she been born at home or probably anywhere else

she would not have had such a harrowing experience. To

make a VERY long story short, my child was not

delivered by my doctor or even by a midwife, but by

GRAVITY! Because of a nurse that decided SHE was the

one having the child and not me insisted on moving me

in mid contraction and OUT came my child and FELL on

the hospital floor! Yes...you read it correctly she

fell on the hospital room floor without the aid or

intervention of anyone. And of course the nurse stood

there with her mouth open and my child is still

writhing on the floor. That was three years ago, but I

have a healthy, happy, beautiful ( with no deformities

or obvious damages) little toddler. Thank God for

that.

So to say to be near a hospital just in case doesn't

necessarily mean anything. Especially not to me. But

what I still do suggest is to find a midwife that you

feel comfortable with and get her opinion. If she is

as good as her credentials are, then she will know

whether you will need medical help or whether you

should have the child in the hospital. It all depends

on how you are progressing along your pregnancy.

But most of all....ENJOY IT!!

Congratlations

Yoki Hanley

September 29, 2003

I have friends and a neice that had their babies at home and did just great, the only thing I would want is to be near a hospital just in case, I live way out in the boonies so I`m not sure I would want to have a baby this far out just in case of trouble. A good midwife is a must if you do decide to have it at home.

Sandra

Welllll...hosptial experiences can be rough, that's true. And midwives can be easier. But complications can happen they can't handle. Childbirth can be very rough on the body and I personally like being in a hospital in case somethng goes wrong. I read 10% of women sitll die from labor in US hospitals today! And that's just during labor, not from complications afterwards. BUT if this is your 4th you have a less chance of complications as well. I would find someone I trusted if you go the midwife route and decide from there.

September 29, 2003

Cheri and Angel, my personal experiences (unfortunately) have all been in hospitals. Joey had to be taken by c-section. His head was almost 15-inches in diameter and didn't fit through my pelvis. Benjamin was a vaginal birth, but he was 5 1/2 weeks early and needed special care. Alyssa decided it would be fun to "accessorize" with her umbilical cord around her neck and flip over so her butt was coming out first! Then I started hemorraging and she was taken by c-section.

I dearly wish I had had the opportunity to have them at home though, and hope you both research thoroughly before making a final decision. There are lots of options today in having a baby.

Janet

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shaul

herbal remedies

Saturday, September 27, 2003 10:43 PM

Re: [herbal remedies] Re: Homebirth...what's your opinion?

I have had two kids, I had prenatal care with a midwife and the midwife had hospital privileges. The first one was late and his heart rate went down, I was induced , and eventually had to have a c-section because his head would not turn and my blood pressure was going up. So anyway I was glad that I had access to the hospital. The second one came three weeks early and with just about 5 hours of labor, not a bit of trouble. Still had him in the hospital, he I guess had the cord wrapped around his neck but the midwife was able to take care of that. I went home the next day. The hospital was happy to honor all my wishes in the stuff that they normally do to infants.

Rhonda

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Wayne and Sandra

herbal remedies

Sunday, September 28, 2003 4:57 PM

Re: [herbal remedies] Re: Homebirth...what's your opinion?

I really agree with Greg, sometimes you can find midwives that deliver at a hospital check that out, there are more options then just a dr or having a baby at home I would really do lots of research.

Sandra

Federal Law requires that we warn you of the following: 1. Natural methods can sometimes backfire. 2. If you are pregnant, consult your physician before using any natural remedy. 3. The Constitution guarantees you the right to be your own physician and toprescribe for your own health. We are not medical doctors although MDs are welcome to post here as long as they behave themselves. Any opinions put forth by the list members are exactly that, and any person following the advice of anyone posting here does so at their own risk. It is up to you to educate yourself. By accepting advice or products from list members, you are agreeing to be fully responsible for your own health, and hold the List Owner and members free of any liability. Dr. Ian ShillingtonDoctor of NaturopathyDr.IanShillington

September 30, 2003

Dear Angel,

Nothing wrong with a home birth as long as you have a good support group, and also a good midwife. A Doula as part of your support group can also be helpful.

Another way to go is with a birthing center run by midwives. These can be great.

This is what Valorie and I did with Bryan when he was born. Birthing centers are almost always connected to a hospital (within a block or three)who are willing to let them use their facilities in case of an emergency. Also, usually the hospital is willing to let the midwife run things up to a point. If a cesarean is indicated, then and only then will the MD takes over. However, the Midwife will usually take you to the limit (safely) before that happens.

Most Doctors and RN's (not all) will try to get you to go the fastest, easiest route for them, and will promote a cesarean long before it is needed, where a midwife will not do this (at least this has been my experience).

My favorite all around method is Bradley, but I'd love to see a LeBoyer before I move on LOL ;o)

Love,

Doc

Ian "Doc" Shillington N.D.505-772-5889Dr.IanShillington

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Anjeweleyes

herbal remedies

Saturday, September 27, 2003 4:24 PM

[herbal remedies] Homebirth...what's your opinion?

Hello,

I was wondering what you think about homebirth and why?

What experiences have you had?

I'm looking for the good, bad and ugly...and everything in between.

Alot of research I've done, either web sites, books (I've spent more on books just about birth than on getting ready for baby and this is my fourth!...and I have to rebuy everything, my baby is six years old), other groups, and talking to people go something like this:

If they are for it, you won't find hardly anyone to say a negative word.

If they are against it, you won't find a good word about it.

It has been hard to find good, solid research on this without thinking something must have been left out. Some books will even TELL YOU "all the negatives have been left out"....what the heck is that?

I really believe in order to make an informed decision here, I need to know everything I can...

So, if you have time and don't mind....lay it on me...

Thanks,

Angel