homebirther working in hospital birthing unit?

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

I recently had a home birth and now am on maternity leave. I am contemplating transferring to the birthing unit in the hospital I work at. Will I be looked down among the birth unit coworkers for having a home birth yet working in the hospital birthing unit? Or what if I have another child and have another home birth while working there. I'd like to be a nurse-midwife possibly, but would first like to get my feet wet birthing unit first. Let me know what you think. Is this odd? Has anyone else done this?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

I'm a homebirther (and not shy about the fact) who is an L&D nurse. The charge nurse usually assigns me the hynobirthing, birthplanning, natural birthers, knowing that I'll take good care of them.

I have not felt anything negative from my coworkers when they learn I'm a homebirther. On the contrary, the attitude I get is one of interest and (often) admiration.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks so much for your response! Now I can rest easy. I am in the process of applying for a job on a birthing unit. I am on maternity leave for a few more weeks. Is it ok to mention during my interview that I had a home birth (and how it may effect my outlook) or that I am just coming off the maternity leave from it?

I feel that I would be an asset in the ways that you mentioned because I did have a home birth. I would be good with taking care of people who want to divert a little from the norm and have a more holistic birth, vs more medical.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

IMO it depends on the unit. I was an L & D nurse and in school to be a CNM when I had my first homebirth and I was not treated well by my co-workers. They were constantly telling me horror stories, etc. But that was also a bad unit with bad practices and outcomes that reflected it.

The hospital where I did my CNM clinicals did not think it odd at all- probably due to the fact that they had a great transfer relationship with one of the CNMs who did homebirths in the area. I wouldn't mention it in the interview since you don't know how it will be perceived.

I am planning my second homebirth now (fourth baby) and am starting a new job next week. I know my co-workers well (worked there as an RN) and although they are very nice will not be sharing that I am planning a homebirth because of the legal issues in my current state. I am just telling them I am seeing a CNM about 2 hours away. I am the ony CNM practicing in my area so it is reasonable I would drive to get CNM care.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

As long as you don't have a huge chip on your shoulder about hospital birth you should be fine. The hospital's birthing philosophy may not perfectly match your own, but you're an employee of the hospital so you may have to be prepared to do some interventions you're not comfortable with or consider unnecessary. You are the patient advocate, on the one hand, but you do have to recognize your place.

Regarding bringing up your own birth experiences, I wouldn't do that, and in general steer clear of offering any personal information during a job interview. You never know how the interviewer will take it. Also, you may not want to let on during an interview that you have a baby at home... they may pass you over in favor of someone who seems less "tied down" in their eyes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac.

Congrats CEG on the new job!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
Is it ok to mention during my interview that I had a home birth (and how it may effect my outlook) or that I am just coming off the maternity leave from it?.

I probably would not.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment