Childbirth: Home or Hospital Delivery?
By coffeechat
@coffeechat (1961)
New Zealand
January 17, 2007 9:36pm CST
I have two children and pregnant with our third. With our two older boys, we were residing in the Philippines then and the option of home birth was definitely out. I mean, nobody who I know even mentioned home birth, even more so the concept of a midwife as your lead maternity care. It was an obstretician and hospital birth all together.
Now, we are residing in New Zealand and expecting our third child in May. In general, your lead maternity care is a midwife - they are very professional and as good as any obstretician, in fact, even better in many ways. Also, you are given the choice whether you want to deliver at home or in the hospital though they encourage the concept of home birth.
So now, I only have a few months more to go to choose whether I should go for home birth or hospital delivery. I know that both have there pros and cons. If it is home birth there are also several options such as:
1. Water Delivery
2. Regular Delivery (which is lying down, sitting or standing)
3. Regular Delivery with medical intervention such as episiotomy, pain killers and all that.
What are your suggestions in this matter? What was your experience if any? Which one would you recommend? What do you think is best? What are your views?
FYI, I had a normal delivery for the two older boys.
1 person likes this
3 responses
@princeworthy (1909)
• United States
2 Mar 07
I would love to have a home birth, but since I have had a miscarriage I would be considered high-risk and I am sure it would not be allowed. If you had a normal delivery and this is something that you really want to do, I would go for it. I would also take into consideration how far the hospital is in case you have emergancy problems with you or the baby. I wish you luck in whatever you choose and I hope you enjoy your new little one.
@totalearnings (1603)
• India
2 Mar 07
hi cofeechat. first let me congratulate you on your expected third baby. our both kids were born in hospital. the hospital was very near to our home so as advised by the doctor she had delivered in the hospital and was happy with the post natal care provided to her. midwives are no doubt experts in helping you deliver the baby with ease, and also well aquainted with great techniques which obstrecians dont. i can say that because i have seen many midwives in the village my in-laws live. they just do everything so expertisedly. but are you sure there are midwives available in new zealand who can attend you at home during the final days before delivery and to give post natal help? if yes then you can opt at home.
@coffeechat (1961)
• New Zealand
4 Mar 07
Here in NZ, many women have midwives as their lead maternity care given the scarcity of doctors. Many midwives do both hospital and home birth and I'm lucky to have found one who does both.
I would like to give home birth a go this time but we shall see how it goes 2 months from now. Many women who I have spoken to said that the procedures midwives perform during delivery are the same for both hospital and home birth.
Thanks for your insight on this one.
I am just curious to know the opinions and suggestions of others in the community. As you probably have read, this is my first time dealing with a midwife and the concept of home birth. lol
@totalearnings (1603)
• India
29 Mar 07
glad that you got one to help your deliver at home. may god shover strength upon you for a healthy baby. good luck
@aryangentleman (1122)
• India
24 Feb 07
I dont know if I am qualified to speak in this matter or not but my view is one should give birth to her child where the safe delivery can take place. If one is comfertable at home and its going to be a normal delivery then one can go for home delivery I guess.
