[constanceschofield]

I have been asked for infomation on having a natural birth. Not sure where they will be birthing- I have suggested homebirth.

What infomation would you give?

I have a Kitzinger book (New Pregnancy and Birth Book)- it's a bit dated (10yrs), but better than other stuff out there. I've suggested "Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering"...I have a few stats and studies on the use of syntocinion, epidurals, ARM and other interventions and what can happen when they are used.

I also recommended a doula or an independent midwife.

Um, what else...I think that's all I can up with...I know there is heaps more stuff. Anyway, she's asked for more info...any suggestions that I can pass on?

[ickydog2006]

I did not have a natural birth but a lot of my friends have. They recommend having a lot of options at hand. Birthing ball, birthing tub, midwife definitely (and a doula, especially if the midwife is very busy and may not be there for the beginning of labor), they can teach the husband different massage techniques and where to put pressure on the back. Also, be near a hospital. Things can, and do happen. My friend lost her baby three weeks ago through home birth. The midwife was extremely experienced and said we need to go to the hospital now, but it was 45 minutes away, and by the time they got there it was too late. I'd say definitely weigh the risks, and if you are far from the hospital I definitely wouldn't recommend it. I would caution not to do a home birth because you want the experience, do it because you think it is healthier for the baby. Things do happen, and be prepared for the worst, even if it probably won't happen.

My first birth nearly led to my death due to uncontrollable bleeding. Completely not predictable. I had a textbook pregnancy with good prenatal care. I had no drugs or epidural, but as soon as I delivered the bleeding started and took emergency intervention to control and save my life. If I had been at home, I would have died.

I know most births don't go that way. I know most home births are wonderful experiences. But it only took one truly horrible experience to sell me on being in a hospital with emergency services available. I cannot imagine not having been around for the last 23 years of my son's life, not mention the births and lives of my subsequent two sons. Too, too, too much risk for me. The thought scares the dickens out of me actually.

[BlueInanna]

I had pretty good experiences with homebirths, I had 3. The tub for water birth is great, the birthing ball/balance ball helps so much with the contraction pain. It wasn't easy by any means, but I'm very glad I did it. Having a doula and hospital nearby are very good ideas.

[Yoda]

My son was in fetal distress with low heart rate, low glucose, meconium staining when he was born because the umbilical cord was twice wrapped around his neck. I labored at home for twelve hours not knowing he was in distress. I was dilated 9cm when I arrived at the hospital so I delivered him before they could get the OR folks there for an emergency c section. So yeah as others said, if you are going to do home delivery be close to a hospital.

[Travelinglady]

I chose to go to a hospital and to have an obstetrician deliver my babies because I was up in age and didn't want to take any chances.

Some folks recommend that the woman massage down below the birth area, to make the skin more supple and perhaps easier to stretch. I had to have an episiotomy (sp?), where the doc cuts down there to make more room for the baby to get out. Still, he barely squeezed through, since I am a small person. And he was only a bit over 5 pounds (born a month early).

I was able to get through with just a local where the doctor cut me. Otherwise, no drugs. It helped a lot when my husband rubbed my back. Some ladies might like something to press on in their hands. I also had some ice popsicles to eat while in labor. And I asked for an IV, since I tend to get weak after a long while without food.

My second child was a big guy--over 7 lbs at a month early, with a big head! So, not surprisingly, I had to have a c-section. But that was fine. It isn't anything to be ashamed about. It's generally done for the safety of the baby and/or mother.

Hope some of this stuff will be useful!

[LylaJean]

I am actually in my eighth month of pregnancy with a little girl, my first, and have been planning a home birth since before I found out I was pregnant. There are many, many variables that play into this and it requires a lot of thought and planning, much more than if you were pursuing a typical hospital birth. I recommend watching "Pregnant in America" and also "The Business of Being Born", both eye opening to the current health care system. Also, any of Ina May Gaskin's books are great. There aren't as many options to pregnant women as you would think. With health care laws as they are now, women, midwives, and doulas seeking alternative birthing strategies kind of have their hands tied. If you're in the US, a birthing center will hopefully try harder than a hospital will to work with you on having a natural childbirth, but they have to follow protocol or they risk insurance problems just like a hospital will, so in many cases you'll be required after a certain period of time to allow pitocin at least. This usually leads to further medical intervention. You also won't be allowed to have a water birth in any situations unless you are at home with a licensed midwife, although some birthing centers will allow you to use a birthing tub for pain management through much of your labor.

I would say the most important thing for her is to research, research, research. And don't wait. If she pursues a home birth, she needs to find her midwife, now. A good midwife wants to be your prenatal care through your entire pregnancy, and if they are going to do a home birth you will need to do things throughout your pregnancy to ensure you are as low risk as possible. A good midwife will also refuse to work with you for your own safety if she has any concerns about your delivery, and if one says no, do not go find another that says yes. My midwife won't do a home delivery for anyone who is overweight or who gains over 60 pounds during the pregnancy, no multiples, no preterm babies, no high blood pressure, no protein in urine, etc. She also requires you to attend childbirth classes and relaxation classes with her, you have to have a hospital within 15 minutes of your home that has an OB on staff 24/7, and she gives you a huge list of emergency supplies you have to stock your house with before the birth. We also will be setting up a birthing tub, and I take prenatal yoga and do plenty of exercising to ensure that I'm as healthy as possible. Kegels, kegels, kegels!! She's brilliant and I'm 100% confident in her skills and knowledge, but I'm still realistic about the possibility of needing/wanting to go to the hospital, and so we have a backup plan and have toured the hospital and also reviewed their procedures. If she is really serious about wanting to have a natural birth, knowledge is the only way to go. PM me if you have any other questions, not that I'm an expert but I'm definitely in the researching phase of this.

[mirieri]

Advice for a natural birth? Don't do it.

I'd rather get shot. With a gun. Right in my leg.

We invented those drugs for a reason.

[lynn P.]

Since things can go wrong, I agree with some other posters, to have the birth in the hospital...but you can specify you don't want drugs unless you ask for it. Both my girls came early by 7 weeks and I didn't have any drugs at all. The pain for the 2nd one was starting to get a little bad and I asked for the shot but as soon as I sat up, the baby starting coming, so I didn't get it. So I had a natural birth twice but in the hospital. At one point with my 2nd one, they couldn't hear her heartbeat and had to reposition me, therefore I'm glad I was in the hospital. I don't know if its because my babies were small but the pain was tolerable and I've had worse headaches and stomach aches lol. I'm not sure what's the definition of a "natural birth" - to me its birth with no meds and a "home birth" is no meds and no doctors.

[(JD)]

I wouldn't personally recommend a home birth... while I had two natural births, one of them had the cord wrapped around his neck...it was the quick thinking quick handed doctor that kept him from being "hung" from that last big push!

I heartedly recommend Lamaze lessons...and hypnotherapy to deal with the pain issues. Lamaze will teach you the rhythms and breathing and calming necessary... and the hypnotherapy can help you not feel the pains, but only "pressure" as the contractions become what may be normally unbearable without drugs.


If you must have an epi, doing at the last you can hold out...that way there's a possibility that none of the drug will enter the baby.

[Harley47]

As far as it is in my future, I pray my wife doesn't ask for a home birth...I'd be terrified.

To be fair, I've a pretty good track record of being vastly overprotective of those close to me, but still.

Anywho, I think being near a hospital is a great idea. I myself don't know much about home births, but I thought I'd suggest you go to Youtube (stay with me here ) and ask around. Crazy as that sounds, there's plenty of videos of home births floating around there. You can ask what they did to prepare.

Either way, give my congratulations to whomever you're asking for.

My aunt has had four children - all hospital born and when i asked her whether she ever considered home birthing she said she simply didn't want to take the risk. When she had her last little boy she had unusually strong contractions - she was in absolute agony and said that there was no way she could have gone through all that at home. I can certainly see the attraction of a home birth - its quieter, no medical staff flapping about and if you're going to undergo that much pain you at least want to be in familiar surroundings - well i know i would. I think in the end though id be too scared - even being close to a hospital wouldn't be enough for me personally but each to their own and im all for the right to choose, ive known friends who felt pressured by their doctors to birth in a hospital which is just so unfair - all i can suggest is that the person you know speaks to as many people as she can, talk to those who have undergone both types of birth and get as much information as possible. After all knowledge is power. All the best