https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 07 May 2026 17:08:27 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/home-birth-experiences-good-and-bad#post-1689224 Mon, 09 Jun 2014 14:17:13 +0000 Snowdrop 1689224@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: yes I'm in England.<br /> @Happygal: I do keep thinking about all the positive hospital stories I've heard but then when I think of being in hospital I feel really scared, silly because I'm not scared of birth.<br /> @septca: That's a really good point about all the equipment... I am definitely leaning towards BC, I think I might get DH to watch 1 bornevery minute with me to suss out the different options (if he will agree to it)! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/home-birth-experiences-good-and-bad#post-1688218 Mon, 09 Jun 2014 08:25:05 +0000 septca 1688218@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it's great that you are starting to think about this early. That will give you plenty of time to weigh the pros and cons of each option and come to a well thought out, well researched decision!</p> <p>I had the same 3 options because I really wanted to see a MW for my prenatal care and L&amp;D. Unfortunately, this is not as common in the US, but we are getting better! :grin: </p> <p>I ultimately delivered in a hospital with a hospital-based MW practice. Neither my husband or I felt comfortable with a home birth, and we chose the hospital-based practice because I wanted access to all the great hospital ultrasound and testing equipment. Ultimately, I am glad I was in a hospital because I had some postpartum complications that were scary, but a non-issue in a hospital. I would have been fine in a birth center (birth center MWs have access to all types of equipment and medicines), but I would have had to transfer to the hospital postpartum for my blood transfusion. :sad: Overall, it was just easier to be in one place.</p> <p>BUT, given all your options, it seems like a birth center might be a really good middle ground option? BCs have direct-line access to hospitals and OBs, so you could probably transfer more quickly and easily from a BC than from home if you needed to (which you likely won't). Plus, a BC is already equipped with tubs and birthing supplies. To me, having to equip my home would be a hassle that probably wouldn't be worth it to have a home birth. BCs also usually let you go home soon after the birth, which is kind of a plus in my book... I hated having to be in the hospital for 48 hours after delivery. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/home-birth-experiences-good-and-bad#post-1688127 Mon, 09 Jun 2014 07:44:56 +0000 Happygal 1688127@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That is a lot to consider at 6 weeks! But it's great that you have choices and she's making sure you consider them.</p> <p>I've given this a lot of thought in the past. After being in the hospital 3 different times with sisters during L &amp; D, there were a lot of things I witnessed that I wasn't crazy about, and I started thinking about delivering at home. I won't though, and here's why:</p> <p>My sister is a labor and delivery nurse. The majority of time, things go well. But when things go seriously wrong, it often happens very, very quickly, sometimes without any warning. I want to be in the hospital for those reasons.</p> <p>I would feel this intense need for my house to be in immaculate order and it would be stressful.</p> <p>If things were rough, I wouldn't want to have those memories in my house. </p> <p>My friends who have had positive hospital experiences really liked all the support they could get from the staff during their stay. </p> <p>Good luck making your decision! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/home-birth-experiences-good-and-bad#post-1688122 Mon, 09 Jun 2014 07:39:51 +0000 Foodnerd81 1688122@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Snowdrop: you are in England, right? Our options here in the US are similar but different, so hopefully UK bees can home in. I didn't really consider a home birth at all, but chose a birth center within a hospital, with a midwife practice. Very happy with my experience, but the hospital did have only private delivery and recovery rooms, which was important to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/home-birth-experiences-good-and-bad#post-1688068 Mon, 09 Jun 2014 07:12:11 +0000 Snowdrop 1688068@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just been asked by my midwife to start thinking about where I'd like to have the baby (crazy at 6weeks)!</p> <p>The options are home, birth centre or labour ward.</p> <p>The idea of a labour ward scares me, I really don't trust junior doctors and don't like the idea of seeing multiple midwives.<br /> I'd ideally like a home birth but DH thinks it is dangerous, obviously his opinion matters to me.<br /> We live ten minutes from the hospital if the traffic is good.<br /> What factors did you consider and what were your experiences? </p>