Comments on: Home Or Hospital: The Natural Birth Debate http://www.wbur.org/2009/12/11/mass-midwives WBUR is Boston's NPR News Station, featuring NPR news and programs such as Car Talk, On Point, Here & Now, Only A Game and Radio Boston. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:31:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jennifer http://www.wbur.org/2009/12/11/mass-midwives/comment-page-1#comment-6263 Jennifer Sat, 26 Dec 2009 14:26:44 +0000 http://www.wbur.org/?p=13100#comment-6263 What many may not realize is that most things that compromise the mother and baby during labor are due to all the medical interventions. If the mom is left to her own devices and she's had a normal, low risk pregnancy, it's rare that a sudden emergency will arise. What many may not realize is that most things that compromise the mother and baby during labor are due to all the medical interventions. If the mom is left
to her own devices and she’s had a normal, low risk pregnancy, it’s rare that a sudden emergency will arise.

]]> By: Jenn Riedy http://www.wbur.org/2009/12/11/mass-midwives/comment-page-1#comment-5715 Jenn Riedy Tue, 15 Dec 2009 05:46:41 +0000 http://www.wbur.org/?p=13100#comment-5715 I chose to have homebirths with 3 of my 5 children. The first 2 were born in the hospital because that is what "everyone" does. I had *good* births in the hospital. But I didn't need any of the high tech interventions that the hospital had to offer, so essentially, the hospital became an EXTREMELY expensive hotel for me. I live close to the hospital, and can transfer quickly if something goes wrong during a homebirth. Despite what many people believe, being *in* a hospital does not guaruntee that care will be immediately available if something goes wrong. I'm a doula, and attended a birth where a cesarean was called supposedly for suspected uterine rupture (VBAC labor obviously). The "decision to incision" time was about 40 minutes, because that is how long it took to assemble the OR team. Fortunately nothing was actually wrong in that case (the fetal monitor was picking up the mom's heart beat, something we tried to tell the OB, but he ignored us). But I know another baby, born in another hospital, who is profoundly handicapped--blind, deaf, can't even swallow--most likely because the "on call" neonatologist is not "in house" in the hospital he was born in, but rather sleeps in a nearby hotel. I believe that had that baby been born at home, he might not have been so compromised because it would have been more likely that his umbillical cord would not have been immediately severed at birth, cutting off his oxygen. I chose to have homebirths with 3 of my 5 children. The first 2 were born in the hospital because that is what “everyone” does.

I had *good* births in the hospital. But I didn’t need any of the high tech interventions that the hospital had to offer, so essentially, the hospital became an EXTREMELY expensive hotel for me. I live close to the hospital, and can transfer quickly if something goes wrong during a homebirth.

Despite what many people believe, being *in* a hospital does not guaruntee that care will be immediately available if something goes wrong. I’m a doula, and attended a birth where a cesarean was called supposedly for suspected uterine rupture (VBAC labor obviously). The “decision to incision” time was about 40 minutes, because that is how long it took to assemble the OR team. Fortunately nothing was actually wrong in that case (the fetal monitor was picking up the mom’s heart beat, something we tried to tell the OB, but he ignored us). But I know another baby, born in another hospital, who is profoundly handicapped–blind, deaf, can’t even swallow–most likely because the “on call” neonatologist is not “in house” in the hospital he was born in, but rather sleeps in a nearby hotel. I believe that had that baby been born at home, he might not have been so compromised because it would have been more likely that his umbillical cord would not have been immediately severed at birth, cutting off his oxygen.

]]> By: Liz http://www.wbur.org/2009/12/11/mass-midwives/comment-page-1#comment-5673 Liz Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:25:34 +0000 http://www.wbur.org/?p=13100#comment-5673 In response to Prudence, I will never have another child in a hospital after the terrible experience I had under OB care. I ended up with a c-section that no one can say was necessary. I experienced physical pain for many months, couldn't breastfeed successfully, and had no post-partum support from my doctor. I despise obstetrics now and would much rather take my chances at home than in the hospital. The only way I'll ever set foot in the hospital again is in a body bag. In response to Prudence, I will never have another child in a hospital after the terrible experience I had under OB care. I ended up with a c-section that no one can say was necessary. I experienced physical pain for many months, couldn’t breastfeed successfully, and had no post-partum support from my doctor.

I despise obstetrics now and would much rather take my chances at home than in the hospital. The only way I’ll ever set foot in the hospital again is in a body bag.

]]> By: Prudence Horne http://www.wbur.org/2009/12/11/mass-midwives/comment-page-1#comment-5639 Prudence Horne Sun, 13 Dec 2009 20:29:54 +0000 http://www.wbur.org/?p=13100#comment-5639 Who knows what complications can occurr during delivery. Why take such a chance for you baby and the mother, where a hosptal has a staff that can immediately meet such a crisis is any should occur. If all is okay, then the mother and baby can come home the next day. Why take a chance for the future of your baby? Who knows what complications can occurr
during delivery. Why take such a chance
for you baby and the mother, where a hosptal
has a staff that can immediately meet such a
crisis is any should occur.
If all is okay, then the mother and baby
can come home the next day.

Why take a chance for the future of your baby?

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