Sorry if this topic has been done to death. I've been working since June in OB, focusing mainly on L&D. I have two children of my own, the first one was a fast and uneventful hospital birth, the second was a homebirth (acynclitic and OP, so labor was VERY long and difficult - if I had been in a hospital, I'm pretty sure I would have been sectioned, but all turned out well in the end).
I'm facing the prospect of perhaps having one more in a couple years. I had previously thought that any other children would also be born at home. But now that I've been working in L&D and getting a glimpse of all the potential emergencies and behind-the-scenes things that could go wrong, I'm seriously questioning the safety of homebirth. I guess you could say I'm having a crisis of faith that birth is a natural process that doesn't HAVE to be managed in order to have a good outcome.
Anyway, I was just wondering if other L&D nurses, knowing what they know, would ever opt for a homebirth for their own.
There is no way you know that such a baby will not fit through your pelvis. I have seen very tiny women (under 5 feet) deliver 10 pounders without a tear.
Does height actually come into play when determining CPD? Because my mom is 5 feet tall and was able to birth all 5 of us naturally. However, I am virtually the same height and had to have a c-section for CPD and for other reasons. I have a VERY narrow pelvic outlet, but my mom is real "hippy".
I work with a woman who is about 5'10" and she also had to have a c-section due to the baby's enormous head!! No amount of pushing would have ever gotten that huge noggin out :)
Also, what about women with deformed pelvises? Wouldn't they know in advance if there is a high chance for a c-section?
Well, thank you, it's comforting! It may sound stupid for me to say this, but when I do have children I want to have them lady partslly. Knowing that women smaller than me can push out 10# babies would make me feel somewhat of a failure if I couldn't do the same. Does that make sense?!
:balloons:
I can understand you thinking you would be a failure if you couldn't push out a baby lady partslly, but all in all the end result is a healthy baby! I had to have a c-section, so I do understand the "feeling like a failure" bit. But, I got over it really quick when the baby was discovered to have a the cord wrapped tightly around his little neck 3 times!
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
I just wanted to thank everyone for the thoughtful discussion. I'm still not sure what I would do, if I should ever find myself in the situation. My biggest concern is having as few interventions as possible and having my wishes honored (provided they don't interfere with my/baby's wellbeing).
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Well, thank you, it's comforting! It may sound stupid for me to say this, but when I do have children I want to have them lady partslly. Knowing that women smaller than me can push out 10# babies would make me feel somewhat of a failure if I couldn't do the same. Does that make sense?!
:balloons:
I agree; please, NO COMPARING. You will do what your body is capable of. I hate when women fill mothers-to-be heads with horror stories/war stories etc. It scares the be-jeebers out of them, or makes them think they will be failures if they don't "perform" as "admirably" as they did.
Stay away from BABY STORY and other Maternity "reality shows" too------
Just self-educate, find a care provider you trust and trust your body. Your intuition is an amazing thing. If you do not trust the ones providing your care, your wellbeing is compromised. Start talking to friends, neighbors, others about who provides the best prenatal care and birthing experiences and go from there. If you are low-risk, (meaning you don't have a very bad medical history or lots of problems), I strongly recommend seeking the care of a qualified, experienced midwife.
Women's bodies are AMAAAAZING things; they do so much for so many in the span of our lives. Do NOT sell yours short----and do NOT compare your experiences/"performance" with others. The goal is safe, healthy, emotionally-satisfied mom and baby. That really is your bottom line. If someone tries to tell you "war stories" , politely pass and seek not to worry about what your experience may be. Trust you can do what your body is truly capable of and let your faith take care of the rest. That is my best advice to any expectant or future-expectant mommy.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
I just wanted to thank everyone for the thoughtful discussion. I'm still not sure what I would do, if I should ever find myself in the situation. My biggest concern is having as few interventions as possible and having my wishes honored (provided they don't interfere with my/baby's wellbeing).
A well-worded (but short) birth plan is a good start.
Finding someone to care for you whose values mirror yours, another.
Your best best is a CNM if you are birthing in a hospital. Look for a place that features a Birthing Center w/ amenities like birthing tubs/pools, birth balls and private suites.
Those are my nuggets of best advice. OH and HAVE A DOULA!!!! Another way to cut down on interventions/medication needs, it's been shown in studies. Having a doula is really a great way to go!
But I think you know all that don't you? You also know clearly communicating your wishes w/your primary care provider and OB staff from early-on is critical, too. I think you stand an excellent chance of having the birth you envision, just by being clear on what you expect and what your wishes are, and having an advocate on your side to help out when the going gets "tough".
No way for me personally. I think w/ an educated, experienced care provider, a good backup plan and a pt. who has had a healthy uneventful antenatal course it should be a choice. Liability being what it is today. I would not personally participate in a homebirth in a professional capacity.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
A well-worded (but short) birth plan is a good start.
Finding someone to care for you whose values mirror yours, another.
Your best best is a CNM if you are birthing in a hospital. Look for a place that features a Birthing Center w/ amenities like birthing tubs/pools, birth balls and private suites.
CNMs don't have privileges at our hospital. So an OB is my only option. But I'm already scoping out potential candidates among the OB staff, should the need arise.
Yes, I had already thought about a doula. I had a doula with my other hospital birth, and it was because of her gentle encouragement that I was able to do it med-free, as I wanted.
Anyway, I was just wondering if other L&D nurses, knowing what they know, would ever opt for a homebirth for their own.
Have and would again. :)
I did the research. After I started in L&D, I had my doubts, especially after experiencing shoulder dystocias, triple nuchal cords, thick meconium.......But, in the end, I knew the research was right. Homebirth is safe and viable option for low risk women.
Homebirth: Been there, done that, have the placenta buried under the tree to prove it. :rotfl:
I have had one wonderful hospital experience and one great homebirth. Very different experiences, both very satisfying. In an interesting counterpoint to those nurses who wouldn't homebirth because of what they've seen, I decided to homebirth in part because of what I've seen in the hospital. But you guys know my story, so I won't pontificate any further.
Definitely! I am pregnant with #2 right now and have a CPM and am planning for a home waterbirth. I had DD in the hospital, after planning on a birth center birth with a CNM. I had high blood pressures, but no signs of pre-e, so I am hoping this time I have no blood pressure problems. It wasn't bad, but being stapped into the bed made my previously easy labor much harder, luckily I made it through with no interventions and had a pretty okay hospital birth.
As much as I like my old CNM, her practice is way too busy and it is practically like seeing a physician. They are just too busy to spend the time with you. My CPM comes to my house, spends at least an hour here talking to me about proper nutrition, etc. I know that she really knows me and I trust her completely.
I know there are some risks to homebirth, but I also know the risks of delivering with an OB or even just in a hospital setting. I choose my set of risks as well as the benefits to the care of a homebirth midwife and delivery at home.
Klone, good luck deciding what to do! I hope you find a decision that you are at peace with!!
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
CNMs don't have privileges at our hospital. So an OB is my only option. But I'm already scoping out potential candidates among the OB staff, should the need arise.
Yes, I had already thought about a doula. I had a doula with my other hospital birth, and it was because of her gentle encouragement that I was able to do it med-free, as I wanted.
maybe it would be worthwhile to seek out midwives someplace else, and perhaps, pay the bill???
Just a thought. That was what my sister had to do, to get the midwifery care and experience she so desperately wanted.
TweetiePieRN
582 Posts
Does height actually come into play when determining CPD? Because my mom is 5 feet tall and was able to birth all 5 of us naturally. However, I am virtually the same height and had to have a c-section for CPD and for other reasons. I have a VERY narrow pelvic outlet, but my mom is real "hippy".
I work with a woman who is about 5'10" and she also had to have a c-section due to the baby's enormous head!! No amount of pushing would have ever gotten that huge noggin out :)
Also, what about women with deformed pelvises? Wouldn't they know in advance if there is a high chance for a c-section?