Obviously, this post isn’t going to be applicable to everyone but hey, maybe it will interest you! I loved reading things like this long before homebirth was ever even a possibility for me. Oh yes, there was a time when there was no way I would have a homebirth. The theme of the pregnancy with my oldest was “Yes, I am getting that epidural the minute I get into the hospital!” and I was perfectly fine with that! I’m all for birthing in whatever way that you feel is best for you and your baby!
I’d like to begin with a little backstory on myself and my births. People often ask me how I ended up having three hospital births before I opted for a homebirth and I’d like to address that because it is a legitimate question!
My first birth was a hospital induction due to low fluid at 37 weeks and 5 days. I was given Cervidil (intended to soften your cervix) and Ambien and told it would be a long while before I was in labor. A couple of hours later, I woke up to contractions and was told I was in labor already. I spent that whole day loopy because of the Ambien, hallucinating that “people were coming to get me”. I got a couple of epidural doses and couldn’t feel anything when it came time to push so I almost ended up with a c-section but they used forceps instead.
After my first birth, I got terrible back spasms at the site of the epidural for over a year. This made me decide to “try to go naturally”. I didn’t do any preparing and as I mentioned in my birth preparation post, I dragged through the labor and they finished my epidural less than two minutes before it was time to push, after having my legs tingle and an anesthesiologist panic a bit. I was determined to avoid the epidural with my next.
We chose a birth center for my next baby but they had strict rules about appointments and I lost the baby before they ever even allowed me to make an appointment. When I became pregnant again, we chose a different and closer birth center. The pregnancy went beautifully, they let me do so many things my own way.
I came in for an appointment and it was determined that I was 6 centimeters dilated. They sent me downstairs to the birth rooms to labor and I requested that they break my water as it’s always made my labors go so much faster. They agreed and off I sent my children to a babysitter. Suddenly, the midwife decided that she changed her mind. She told me to come back when labor was more regular. My husband was working over an hour away and all of the birth center midwives were on vacation that weekend (just my luck!) so after considering our options, my husband and I decided to just go to the hospital. We knew that they wouldn’t likely just send me home at 6 cms. They broke my water and using HypnoBirthing with my awesome husband, I gave birth to my daughter naturally four hours later and she was caught by a nurse. We never even met an OB until afterward.
That was it, after our hands-off natural delivery and exhausting all of our birth center options, we decided to look into homebirth with our fourth. It was the first time we really considered such a thing. I met with midwives with my long list of questions, which finally brings me to my homebirth midwife interview!
This is my exact question list, as it pertained to me at the time. Tailor your list to your own needs and preferences but I’m sharing mine to give you an idea.
WHAT TO ASK YOUR POTENTIAL HOMEBIRTH MIDWIFE
My husband was a wonderful Hypnobirthing partner during my previous delivery and I would like him to remain my primary partner as he is very in-tune with my needs and he does know my breathing techniques, visualizations, massage preferences, and musical selection. Does this work for you?
I am undecided as to whether or not to have a waterbirth but I would like the option of laboring in the tub. Please tell me more about this option.
We are considering the possibility of laboring elsewhere and is this possible? *I was referring to a hotel, which we did not do.
How many ultrasounds do you suggest and for when? We do at least want to opt for the routine anatomy scan mid-pregnancy.
I have been diagnosed with gallstones and my attacks are much worse during pregnancy however, I am rather against the removal. I feel that the gallbladder is more necessary to proper production of the human body than is currently assumed and I would like not to deal with digestive problems. Can you advise me on your opinion and if there are natural ways that you an advise to deal with this? *I finally had it removed last December as natural remedies and cleanses did nothing for me!
If something were to happen during delivery, what is the protocol? What problems are you qualified to fix without hospital transfer? How often has a transfer been needed?
What kind of risks/problems, such as pre-eclampsia, would necessitate my delivery at a hospital? Can a breech baby be delivered in the home?
A homebirth manager with a different company informed me that homebirth should actually be covered by most insurances but the average representative is unaware of this and speaking thoroughly with a supervisor may get me better answers. Is there any truth to this?
I decline the eye ointment but I do like the Vitamin K and Hepatitis B shots as precautionary. I am a vaccinating mother. Will you be doing these or are they done by Baby’s pediatrician? *We did opt out of the Erythromycin and later chose not to do Vitamin K (and oral Vitamin K with another) and delayed Hepatitis B until much later.
My first and last child were mildly jaundiced but not severely enough to require bilirubin lights. What is the process in this instance with testing and treatment and does it require a hospital transfer post-partum?
I will miss but one and only thing about a hospital. There is no free stuff, such as diapers, correct?
I don’t need any internal exams at any point. Is this okay?
I decline the glucose test completely. Is that going to be alright?
How long do you stay after delivery? When/how often are post-partum appointments?
While I doubt that it will happen, is it alright if a birth photographer is present?
How does the birth certificate and social security go with a homebirth?
If you have any questions, feel free to ask! Do you have any questions that you suggest?
