I'm not one much to make lists, its just not in me too much so I apologize in advance for the lack of bullet points. I just know a few of you have been interested in the fact that I am planning to have a home birth this time around. So I wanted to give you more information about it.
So you all know that making this actual decision was a hard one, not so much the home birthing aspect itself, I totally labor all that I can at home anyway, so why not just take the plunge to staying at home for actual birthing too. Since I really don't like to be intervened with in birth unless needed, this seemed like a good option for me.
So what's it been like? Pre-natal care has definitely differed. Appointments are 1-2 hours and encompass the whole of my life at the time. It's been good for me, especially this time because I've had a lot to work through and she has been able to help me do that by talking with me giving me suggestions to work on and even lending books to read.
In the appointments, I actually do my own urine analysis, before this was probably done by the nurse, but now I know exactly what was being checked and check it myself. I also get to opt out of something if I don't want to do it without backlash. One day we even skipped taking BP because she knew I was fine, but I was just being paranoid about it instead of seeing it as something helpful. I think this has been good and at the same time trying to me because well, it makes me have to trust God more and not the establishment.
Different HB midwives do different things, it depends on different state regulations and such and what they feel is important. The one I have models her care more on the European midwife standard of care, so she does test for Strep B, but will not do an IV for drugs at birth but a wash instead. She doesn't however test for gestational diabetes because it has never been an issue for her patients as long as diet is monitored. She will however refer you to an office if you want that type of testing.
Ultrasounds are also not required. It's an odd thing to tell a person that no I don't have any US pictures of my baby yet, but really I feel like for myself they are expensive under our insurance and last time when I got them with my first I felt very pressured to get them so that I could then consider abortion if something wasn't right. This wasn't going to be the outcome, so hubby and I decided unless necessary we would skip them from there on out. I know for a lot of folks ultrasounds mean reassurance and connection with baby and I am glad for that, I just haven't felt the need for that this time around.
I guess one major difference is that you really see a person as your care provider instead of a title. This can come with ups and downs, because maybe you have slightly different personalities and disagree a little or maybe you gain a friend. But also its made me have to remember that their is a person there that has a life, that isn't perfect and well that's okay. It doesn't mean that she isn't a professional about her work, she is, but there are definitely differences to having a one man shop versus an office to call where someone else does a lot of the interacting work for you and you just have to follow protocol.
So this all I know about HB at the moment. The midwife I have actually now has an apprentice too, so I'm interested to see what having her there as well brings to the table. There is approximately 6.5 weeks to go. It's bound to get more interesting from here on out
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