Positive experiences - hospital birth

[Matryoshka]

I'm after some positive experiences about hospital births.... possibly that an INTERVENTION FREE birth is possible in a hospital.... by this i mean NO inductions/forceps/meds/ etc.

I've ummed and aahhhdd about where to go for this birth and there just doesn't seem to be the perfect option for us. We are not comfortable with the idea of homebirthing even though in theory it sounds great, i just don't think the logistics would work. So we'd decided to go back to the birth centre... but its now 1 hour away, and the more i think about it the more the distance bothers me. I was in labour in the car last time and it was terrible and that was only for about half an hour, this is longer, further and nothing on the way should we need to stop. I think the anxiety i feel about the long car trip may have a negative effect on my state of mind when in labour. So i'm now considering the local hospital... the thought makes me shudder as i loathe hospitals and can't believe i'm considering birthing in one. The way the system works i'll be allocated a "doctor" eeeeek..... But i wonder if i can just stipulate i don't want anyone around until the end (by then i didn't really care last time) and of course have a birth plan outlining my preferences. I was able to articulate exactly what i did and didn't want last time, i don't seem to become submissive in birth. The proximity to our home is so comforting but i just feel like having gone to a birth centre last time that going to a hospital is a step backwards... not that i think i am elite... just that there i'm aware of the increased risk of intervention and not keen on that.

I feel really confused....

[BellyBelly]

What about a Doula or Private Midwife, who can accompany you to the birth centre/hospital? I'd do whatever is least anxiety provoking for you and will allow your body to relax and open. Where do you feel safe and with who?

[Trillian]

I would go with what Kelly suggested. You had such a great experience last time at the birth centre.

For the record though, three of my hospital births were great (my second one was the best and my favourite), admittedly Alisters was pretty rough towards the end but I had no peth or drugs except gas and I've never had an instrument birth. I never had anything forced on me that I didn't want and my wishes were respected.

[Matryoshka]

I feel safe birthing somewhere within 15 mins of our home for these reasons:

1) can get there quickly and easily
2) Know that DS is nearby (am anxious about being away from him)

I'm not sure about the Doula or midwife, in DS birth i didn't want anyone there except Dh. But after transition i didn't care and the midwife who was there i didn't like much, in fact she annoyed me. So in that case yes it would be nicer to have someone i like. So what can a doula or midwife do in a public hospital? also what if i didn't want them in the room?

[Matryoshka]

Thats good to hear Sherie! see i guess what bothers me is when i couldn't push my DS out after two hours i was telling her to get some tongs and pull him out! (i don't know if i'd become delirious????) she said they didn't have any utensils because it was a bc they don't use forceps and i'm so glad... because it made me keep trying. Whereas what if i ask for that at a hospital, i'm sure they would oblige...

Do you think i'm making a big deal of the distance to the birth centre??

[Smoke Jaguar]

I was just thinking that, Kell, and then I scrolled down to see your trusty response!
Ourlux, by all accounts, you can leave your birth plan in the hands of your doula and you can get on with the birth in your own way.
If you haven't read the thread here where Kelly was the doula in that birth and the adversity that was faced with a happy ending, I'd recommend it as reading. Kelly, are you able to link it? I'm afraid DS will wake if I go looking for it now!
I know you can do it, Ourlux, no matter where you are

[StrawberryMumma]

Hey Ourlux!

Hospital births are not ALL bad!! Really!! Maybe some interventions are more likely to happen if you are in a hospital but that doesn't mean that they will happen.

Like you say, having the hospital so close by is a FANTASTIC thing! We live right near the hossy that I had DD at and because it was so close we stayed home while I was in labour, and then only went to hossy right before she was ready to come. This was just brilliant! And when I was at the hossy, I said what I wanted/ didn't want and I was very in control. And in the end I got a beautiful drug free, calm and positive labour and delivery. TBH, I haven't had a labour in a birth centre before but I wouldn't think that it would have been much different to what happened anyway.

Anyway, I think my point is that yes, a hospital birth can be intervention free. And living near your hossy means you can stay home and labour in your own comfort until very late and this is a great thing! (as long as bub doesn't have other plans lol)..

All the best matey

[Trillian]

Ourlux, your not being fussy about the distance. I have 1hr to travel and its not ideal, but out here its what you have to put up with sadly. I think you would find though that if you had a repeat of DS's birth where you were pushing for ages (which I don't think you will be this time because you've BTDT) and were asking for the tongs again that yeah, maybe they would get them out, but if they didn't think there was a need for it, they wont just because a delirious birthing woman asks them too .

If you have a birth plan and go through it with them, then they will be mindful of that when the time comes and not force anything on you that you were adamant you didn't want. And if you had a doula or a midwife with you, she would leave if you asked her to, they are there to support you but they also understand that you may need to do it with only your DH too.

[Matryoshka]

Thanks for the responses!

So in regards to the Dr i get assigned... the way it works is have all my visits with him at a surgery next to the hospital then they "call him when its time to deliver the baby" How do i tell them i don't want him there for the birth because a) I BIRTH my own baby and b) i'm not keen on having an unnecessary man there.

[BellyBelly]

I'll find it for you

Thats the great thing about a doula - you will meet her first and feel a connection with her and like her, as will your partner I have never been asked to leave a birth, even in some births where I felt they wanted privacy, they asked me to stay more Its really comforting and reassuring I think knowing something is a sure thing and someone is on your team no matter what.

[BellyBelly]

Here tis: I don't understand...

Remember, a doula belives YOU can BIRTH your own baby and she will not take offense if you ask her to leave. If you choose wisely though you'll probably love your doula and want her there anyway

[Trillian]

Ourlux, you would more than likely see midwives for your pg care and the Dr only a few times is my understanding of it, but I'm not 100% on the details. but essentially yes, you are in the care of the midwives for the duration of the labour and then they usually call the Dr when it's 'head on view' (in my cases anyway, except for the last two - #3 because I was starting to have some trouble and #4 because he was already in the hospital, so they were there earlier). I suppose you could request that he not be present in the room unless absolutely needed.

[Matryoshka]

Okay i've read the posted thread... So if a private midwife can't treat you in a hospital are you only taking them for support? and is it still $2000-$4000 just for them to come to the hospital?

Sherie, we live in an area where the population outnumbers the medical care and there is only one dr surgery that takes pregnant women, its next to the hospital where you birth and the procedure is you are allocated your own Ob, who you have appointments with during the pregnancy - you never meet the midwives until just before the birth. Then you're right, when you're in labour the ring the Ob and he comes accross from the surgery.

Not very appealing hey! but its really close to my home and that makes me feel comfortable and safe. But the male Dr and their use of language like "deliver" negates that somewhat.

I'm just wondering how much better a doula/midwife would make the hospital experience if they can't treat you? they can only say things in an advocacy way.... not questioning it but can't my husband just stand up for what i want?? would they listen to what a doula/pm says over what my husband says?

[BellyBelly]

Have you read my birth support page? It really says it all

https://www.bellybelly.com.au/birth-support

[Lucy]

Ourlux.....

With both Olivia and Lexie's birth I had no intervention or meds or drugs. Totally au natrel.........
(Charlie was induced, but aside from that I had no subsequent intervention of meds of pain relief etc)

For all 3 of my births (in a hospital) I had a short but clear birth plan.

During labour with Olivia I had one VE. With Lexie I had none. (Can't recall with Charlie....probably a few, but not enough to **** me off!)

All 3 births were brilliant.

Maybe I just got lucky, I dunno.

But it CAN be done.

[Rachel]

I delievered in the public hospital system, no intervention, on all fours, in the shower. It was absolutely fantastic, the midwives were brilliant and i hope to do it that way again next time. Good luck with your decision..i couldn't have coped with an hour long car trip when i was in labour!