What kind of Birth do you plan on having/have had?

Ricki Lake is on the Rachael Ray show promoting her documentary 'the business of being born' and it got me thinking -

What kind of birth do you anticipate having/have had?

In the hospital?
At home?
Water Birth?
Silent Birth? (Katie Holmes did this)
Other? (I'm sure there are other ways that I don't know about)

As a doctor, I definitely believe in modern medicine and will absolutely give birth in the hospital.

What are your thoughts?

I'd like to give birth in a hospital with a obstetrician and mid-wife present. Hospital just in case something goes wrong, mid-wife to have the more personal attention and care women deserve when giving birth

I had our daughter at a great hospital with a doctor and nurses. And I begged for an epidural (and got it). 'Natural' birth is not for me.

I felt very strongly about having her at a top notch hospital rather than a local or county one JUST IN CASE something went wrong. We had her at Mass General (we were living in Boston at the time) and the care was phenomenal. I also had all my prenatal care done there.

in a hopsital

not sure which hospitals are the best for delivering... im so clueless

DH and I are TTC in one month!! I wanted to go to midwifery school for years but decided against it because of high malpractice insurance rates and because the only way I would be able to practice the way I want to would be to move to the west coast, which was not an option.

I currently see a midwife and I plan on delivering at Yale New Haven's Birthing center by a midwife. It's the best of both world's because god forbid something goes wrong I can go accross the street to the hospital for any type of emergency.

I am a firm believer that if a woman is knowledgeable about the birthing process and truly understands what her body is doing and that what she is feeling is normal and is surrounded by people who support her she can labor and birth naturally.

I've shadowed a lot of midwives who practice this belief and it is the most amazing experience to see a woman in full control of her body give birth.

I want to walk around during labor no IV's, eat and drink as I please. Be surrounded by as many or as little people as I want and deliver in the position that is most comfortable to me, NOT what is convinient for a DR. I want my baby to be alert and awake and not doped up my medication and start nursing right away. And, I want to go home when I say i'm ready not the Dr. even if its only 3 hours after giving birth.

I feel that every woman should have the birth experience that THEY WANT, not what society tells them is normal. I know many woman don't share my belief and that is fine, but each woman should have a choice to do what is right for herself and her baby!


Ok, I'll get off my soapbox now....I guess you all know one of my passions now huh!!

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Posted by FullersBride

DH and I are TTC in one month!! I wanted to go to midwifery school for years but decided against it because of high malpractice insurance rates and because the only way I would be able to practice the way I want to would be to move to the west coast, which was not an option.

I currently see a midwife and I plan on delivering at Yale New Haven's Birthing center by a midwife. It's the best of both world's because god forbid something goes wrong I can go accross the street to the hospital for any type of emergency.

I am a firm believer that if a woman is knowledgeable about the birthing process and truly understands what her body is doing and that what she is feeling is normal and is surrounded by people who support her she can labor and birth naturally.

I've shadowed a lot of midwives who practice this belief and it is the most amazing experience to see a woman in full control of her body give birth.

I want to walk around during labor no IV's, eat and drink as I please. Be surrounded by as many or as little people as I want and deliver in the position that is most comfortable to me, NOT what is convinient for a DR. I want my baby to be alert and awake and not doped up my medication and start nursing right away. And, I want to go home when I say i'm ready not the Dr. even if its only 3 hours after giving birth.

I feel that every woman should have the birth experience that THEY WANT, not what society tells them is normal. I know many woman don't share my belief and that is fine, but each woman should have a choice to do what is right for herself and her baby!


Ok, I'll get off my soapbox now....I guess you all know one of my passions now huh!!

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Hiya! It's completely up to you and you're entitiled to whatever environment you desire for yourself and your baby but one thing that I think you should consider is actually being IN the hospital and not across the street from one. Thing can go wrong in a matter of seconds (and I'm speaking from personal experience - I've witnessed sooooooo many births during my OB/GYN rotation) and you should be IN a facility that can take care of whatever problems should arise.

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Posted by EverlovingEv

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Posted by FullersBride

DH and I are TTC in one month!! I wanted to go to midwifery school for years but decided against it because of high malpractice insurance rates and because the only way I would be able to practice the way I want to would be to move to the west coast, which was not an option.

I currently see a midwife and I plan on delivering at Yale New Haven's Birthing center by a midwife. It's the best of both world's because god forbid something goes wrong I can go accross the street to the hospital for any type of emergency.

I am a firm believer that if a woman is knowledgeable about the birthing process and truly understands what her body is doing and that what she is feeling is normal and is surrounded by people who support her she can labor and birth naturally.

I've shadowed a lot of midwives who practice this belief and it is the most amazing experience to see a woman in full control of her body give birth.

I want to walk around during labor no IV's, eat and drink as I please. Be surrounded by as many or as little people as I want and deliver in the position that is most comfortable to me, NOT what is convinient for a DR. I want my baby to be alert and awake and not doped up my medication and start nursing right away. And, I want to go home when I say i'm ready not the Dr. even if its only 3 hours after giving birth.

I feel that every woman should have the birth experience that THEY WANT, not what society tells them is normal. I know many woman don't share my belief and that is fine, but each woman should have a choice to do what is right for herself and her baby!


Ok, I'll get off my soapbox now....I guess you all know one of my passions now huh!!

---

Hiya! It's completely up to you and you're entitiled to whatever environment you desire for yourself and your baby but one thing that I think you should consider is actually being IN the hospital and not across the street from one. Thing can go wrong in a matter of seconds (and I'm speaking from personal experience - I've witnessed sooooooo many births during my OB/GYN rotation) and you should be IN a facility that can take care of whatever problems should arise.

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Thanks for the suggestion!!

I actually use to be in the medical field and I did a lot of rotations in L&D and have delivered a few babies myself!! Yale's birthing center has some of the best national statistics for best outcome of mom and baby. If something does go wrong they can get you into the OR for a c-section in under 4 minutes(they have a special OR and crew ready for birthing center births)!! I've actually worked in a few MAJOR hospitals in the area, I will mention no names, and even with the OR being down the hall many times it takes longer.
It's all a matter of opinion and comfort level. THings can go wrong at a home birth, a birthing center birth or in a hospital. You can never prepare for everything and even the best Dr's and fascilities can't prepare for everything.

It's just not for me!!!

i was 10 days over due so they pretty much told me to head to the hospital for them to induce me

ok---NERVE WRACKING.

they induced me but an hour & 1/2 into it, gave me an emergency c section b/c he had the chord around his neck.

Im glad they did b/c I couldnt take the pain...

the recovery wasnt that bad.

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Posted by FullersBride

I am a firm believer that if a woman is knowledgeable about the birthing process and truly understands what her body is doing and that what she is feeling is normal and is surrounded by people who support her she can labor and birth naturally.

I've shadowed a lot of midwives who practice this belief and it is the most amazing experience to see a woman in full control of her body give birth.

I want to walk around during labor no IV's, eat and drink as I please. Be surrounded by as many or as little people as I want and deliver in the position that is most comfortable to me, NOT what is convinient for a DR. I want my baby to be alert and awake and not doped up my medication and start nursing right away. And, I want to go home when I say i'm ready not the Dr. even if its only 3 hours after giving birth.

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I admire your passion and please do not get offended, but having given birth, I have to tell you something... you are NOT in control of your body. At all. That baby is. You have no control. You just have to sit there & go along for the ride.

Also, I don't agree that babies born while the mother is on an epidural come out 'doped up.' Mine was as alert as could be. She was noisy & looking around & we nursed immediately. As did all of my girlfriends. You won't really be 'nursing' right away anyhow as your milk does not come in for a day or two. S o even if the epidural DID get in your breastmilk (which it does not), the baby would not drink it.

I know some people are against using 'drugs' during birth but many studies show that the child is not affected.

JMO

I had both of my boys with NO drugs, worked out till I was 8 1/2 months. Both births were VERY quick!! One 20 minutes, and the other I think 39. But both were 2 or 3 pushes. That ring of fire is a killa. My gawd . But because we don't plan on having another child anytime soon, I had an IUD ( Mirena ) implanted in my uterus. It lasts for 5 years, and I can have it removed whenever I want. The on and off period thing stinks, but it's better than an accident that we can't afford at this time.

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Posted by carolinebr

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Posted by FullersBride

I am a firm believer that if a woman is knowledgeable about the birthing process and truly understands what her body is doing and that what she is feeling is normal and is surrounded by people who support her she can labor and birth naturally.

I've shadowed a lot of midwives who practice this belief and it is the most amazing experience to see a woman in full control of her body give birth.

I want to walk around during labor no IV's, eat and drink as I please. Be surrounded by as many or as little people as I want and deliver in the position that is most comfortable to me, NOT what is convinient for a DR. I want my baby to be alert and awake and not doped up my medication and start nursing right away. And, I want to go home when I say i'm ready not the Dr. even if its only 3 hours after giving birth.

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I admire your passion and please do not get offended, but having given birth, I have to tell you something... you are NOT in control of your body. At all. That baby is. You have no control. You just have to sit there & go along for the ride.

Also, I don't agree that babies born while the mother is on an epidural come out 'doped up.' Mine was as alert as could be. She was noisy & looking around & we nursed immediately. As did all of my girlfriends. You won't really be 'nursing' right away anyhow as your milk does not come in for a day or two. S o even if the epidural DID get in your breastmilk (which it does not), the baby would not drink it.

I know some people are against using 'drugs' during birth but many studies show that the child is not affected.

JMO

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I wasn't referring to the epiduaral as being doped up, that has no affect on the baby. I'm not even totally against it. I understand that even with my beliefs I may not be able to handle it and may ask for one! I'm ok with that. I just want to be in an enviroment that encourages me to do what I feel and not be pressured either way! I was speaking in terms of demerol which is still widely used and does pass though the placenta and affects the baby!


Unfortunately I've been behind the scenes and have witnessed Dr's pressuring the nurses to increase pitocin and speed up a delivery because they have plans that night. Or Dr.s who have to lay golf in the morning and tell the woman she HAS to have a c-section because 12 hours is too long to labor, which is unrealistic!!

I'm passionate about this because I've seen teh other side and I don't want that!

the quickest and most painless way

i am TERRIFIED of the day i will have to give birth - i think i can handle a pregnancy but the whole birth process just doesnt seem like my thing

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Posted by werock0709

I had both of my boys with NO drugs, worked out till I was 8 1/2 months. Both births were VERY quick!! One 20 minutes, and the other I think 39. But both were 2 or 3 pushes. That ring of fire is a killa. My gawd .

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Choking on my Chex Mix

are you SERIOUS??? Next time I have to give birth, I want to be YOU!!!

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Posted by FullersBride

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Posted by carolinebr

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Posted by FullersBride

I am a firm believer that if a woman is knowledgeable about the birthing process and truly understands what her body is doing and that what she is feeling is normal and is surrounded by people who support her she can labor and birth naturally.

I've shadowed a lot of midwives who practice this belief and it is the most amazing experience to see a woman in full control of her body give birth.

I want to walk around during labor no IV's, eat and drink as I please. Be surrounded by as many or as little people as I want and deliver in the position that is most comfortable to me, NOT what is convinient for a DR. I want my baby to be alert and awake and not doped up my medication and start nursing right away. And, I want to go home when I say i'm ready not the Dr. even if its only 3 hours after giving birth.

---

I admire your passion and please do not get offended, but having given birth, I have to tell you something... you are NOT in control of your body. At all. That baby is. You have no control. You just have to sit there & go along for the ride.

Also, I don't agree that babies born while the mother is on an epidural come out 'doped up.' Mine was as alert as could be. She was noisy & looking around & we nursed immediately. As did all of my girlfriends. You won't really be 'nursing' right away anyhow as your milk does not come in for a day or two. S o even if the epidural DID get in your breastmilk (which it does not), the baby would not drink it.

I know some people are against using 'drugs' during birth but many studies show that the child is not affected.

JMO

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I wasn't referring to the epiduaral as being doped up, that has no affect on the baby. I'm not even totally against it. I understand that even with my beliefs I may not be able to handle it and may ask for one! I'm ok with that. I just want to be in an enviroment that encourages me to do what I feel and not be pressured either way! I was speaking in terms of demerol which is still widely used and does pass though the placenta and affects the baby!


Unfortunately I've been behind the scenes and have witnessed Dr's pressuring the nurses to increase pitocin and speed up a delivery because they have plans that night. Or Dr.s who have to lay golf in the morning and tell the woman she HAS to have a c-section because 12 hours is too long to labor, which is unrealistic!!

I'm passionate about this because I've seen teh other side and I don't want that!

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That's awesome I love your passion!!

99% of births can be accessed whether they are high risk or not way before a women gives birth. Many mothers to be already know whether they need to be in a hospital and the ones that don't whom choose to be in birthing centers, well like you said can be in the OR within 4 minutes.

And yes some doctors do induce normal births with drugs because they want to end their shift. Its either the women goes home, which is scary when your having contractions, or you give birth when they tell you to.

Everyone has their choice which is a great thing. I personally am not brave enough to give birth at a birthing center for a few reasons, but will have a midwife present at my hospital birth.

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Posted by FullersBride

Unfortunately I've been behind the scenes and have witnessed Dr's pressuring the nurses to increase pitocin and speed up a delivery because they have plans that night. Or Dr.s who have to lay golf in the morning and tell the woman she HAS to have a c-section because 12 hours is too long to labor, which is unrealistic!!

I'm passionate about this because I've seen teh other side and I don't want that!

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Sweetie, using this as a reason to avoid hospitals seems silly to me. I've been on the other side as well and I've seen amazingly devoted doctors that spend countless hours with their patients. I think that if you develop a good report with your doctor over the 9 months you're seeing them- you have nothing to worry about. I know that if I were an obstetrician and my patient was in labor, I'd NEVER leave her side because I know what an exhausting, frightening and painful process it can be. I'd make sure that my patient was completely comfortable and was aware of her progress and every decision I was making. With that said - I know I'm not alone and I know plenty of doctors that are the way I just described. Just because you've witnessed someone act differently doesn't mean that all doctors will act that way.

As you can see, I'm very passionate about my profession.

i want to give birth in a hospital where there are trained professionals who do this all the time.
Can u imagine somethign were to go wrong and and u needed to have emergency operation... u cant exactly do that at home.
in a hospital for me!!!

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Posted by FullersBride

DH and I are TTC in one month!! I wanted to go to midwifery school for years but decided against it because of high malpractice insurance rates and because the only way I would be able to practice the way I want to would be to move to the west coast, which was not an option.

I currently see a midwife and I plan on delivering at Yale New Haven's Birthing center by a midwife. It's the best of both world's because god forbid something goes wrong I can go accross the street to the hospital for any type of emergency.

I am a firm believer that if a woman is knowledgeable about the birthing process and truly understands what her body is doing and that what she is feeling is normal and is surrounded by people who support her she can labor and birth naturally.

I've shadowed a lot of midwives who practice this belief and it is the most amazing experience to see a woman in full control of her body give birth.

I want to walk around during labor no IV's, eat and drink as I please. Be surrounded by as many or as little people as I want and deliver in the position that is most comfortable to me, NOT what is convinient for a DR. I want my baby to be alert and awake and not doped up my medication and start nursing right away. And, I want to go home when I say i'm ready not the Dr. even if its only 3 hours after giving birth.

I feel that every woman should have the birth experience that THEY WANT, not what society tells them is normal. I know many woman don't share my belief and that is fine, but each woman should have a choice to do what is right for herself and her baby!


Ok, I'll get off my soapbox now....I guess you all know one of my passions now huh!!

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I have the same passions. I wanted to have as natural a birth as possible. Don't get me started on all of the horrible things that happened to me during my DDs birth. I was 18 & I was treated very poorly by some of the nurses & the on-call doctor. They were teasing me because I wanted to go natural. I was in labor for 18 hours with the pitocin cranked all the way up before I gave in & had some pain meds... I didn't have an epidural until I was going in for my 'emergency' c-section. The doctor even found a way to keep my husband (then boyfriend) from coming into the OR by telling him that he wasn't legally allowed. I found out later that it was all BS. So my husband missed the birth of our little girl. I still can't talk about it without crying. I am thankful that I had my mothere there with me because I was terrified during the section, but nothing will ever make up for the fact that my husband wasn't there to share that moment with me because some jack@ss had to pick on me for being young & unmarried.

Anyway, we are TTC now. As soon as I get pregnant I will be finding a midwife. I am going to try for a VBAC, no exceptions. My first c-section was because I was taking too long for the hospital's liking. There were no other reasons for the c-section & that makes my blood boil. I would prefer to deliver in a birthing center, and if that is not possible, I will consider a home birth. I refuse to go through what I went through with my daughter again. I do not believe that birth is a medical emergency. I understand that things can go wrong & in those cases it's wonderful that medical interventions are available, but the fact that medical interventions are forced upon us for no reason makes me sick. Our bodies were made to do this.

I will stay home as long as possible when I go into labor. I do not want an epidural (it was AWFUL when I had it before the c-section) & I would prefer not to have any pain meds at all.

This is something I am very passionate about as well & I have wished for a few years that I could become a midwife.

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Posted by EverlovingEv

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Posted by FullersBride

Unfortunately I've been behind the scenes and have witnessed Dr's pressuring the nurses to increase pitocin and speed up a delivery because they have plans that night. Or Dr.s who have to lay golf in the morning and tell the woman she HAS to have a c-section because 12 hours is too long to labor, which is unrealistic!!

I'm passionate about this because I've seen teh other side and I don't want that!

---

Sweetie, using this as a reason to avoid hospitals seems silly to me. I've been on the other side as well and I've seen amazingly devoted doctors that spend countless hours with their patients. I think that if you develop a good report with your doctor over the 9 months you're seeing them- you have nothing to worry about. I know that if I were an obstetrician and my patient was in labor, I'd NEVER leave her side because I know what an exhausting, frightening and painful process it can be. I'd make sure that my patient was completely comfortable and was aware of her progress and every decision I was making. With that said - I know I'm not alone and I know plenty of doctors that are the way I just described. Just because you've witnessed someone act differently doesn't mean that all doctors will act that way.

As you can see, I'm very passionate about my profession.

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I'm so glad you are a passinate Dr and WOuld stay by your patients at all times!!!We need more Dr.'s like you!! BRAVO!!!

We have a difference in philosophy about birthing practices. You are trained as a Dr. and so you believe that philosphy. If you do some research and read about the nursing and nursing midwife philosophy it is different and that is what I believe in.

It's like comparing two religions and traying to decide who's is the 'true' one and there is no answer. Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs and practices and should be respected for what they believe in. I wouldn't try to change you philosphies so please don't try to change mine or make mine seem any less important by calling it silly!

You asked about how we wanted to deliver and experience childbirth and I wrote what I wanted for myself. I never said this is the way all women should have it, but what I wanted out of MY experience!!!

I find it hurtful and insulting that you think My reasoning for what i want is silly! I find that to be a very Ignorant statement. I never attacked anyone views on here so whay attack mine?