Get The Bump digital magazine >

tools: Pregnancy Calendar | Baby Namer | Gender Chart | How Big is Baby?

community

all boards


birth clubs


nest boards


my blog

my photos

my boards


200+ Easy Weeknight Meals!

Green living: Eco-friendly tips & tricks!

< Previous topic | Next topic >

All Boards > Natural Birth

Sort:
12-14-2012 at 11:57 AM
dreadiemam...
Not Ranked
Joined on 10-31-2012
665 Posts
15,129 Points
dreadiemama is not online. Last active: 05-11-2013, 8:38 AMBronze

intro: I might be crazy but...

Hey ladies!

I haven't been much of a lurker, lol, but I'll post on here anyways. Nothing like diving right in, right?

I'm due with my 1st in July and as crazy as it sounds I'm actually looking forward to the birthing process. My mom and my sister both had their kids all natural med free. My sister did the bradley method and absolutely loved it!

Plus, I'm deathly afraid of needles,big pharma companies, and have a lot of other fears that make me super weird. O.o I'm not sure if I should have said that.

Anyways, both H and I really, really, really want a homebirth but after investigating it further it might not be the best option for us. We live about 40 minutes away from the nearest hospital and could only find one midwife to even consider it our area. 

Well, yesterday I was searching birthing centers and found a holistic maternity ward/birthing center about 57 miles (hour and a half according to google) from me. It seemed perfect: waterbirthing, aromatherapy, private rooms that look like living space, and awesome reviews on the staff. 

The only problem? it's 57 miles from me. I wouldn't mind travelling that far just for the birth but for all of my prenatal appointments, urgh. Is it super crazy to see an OB around here for the first 2 trimesters and then switch to one of the midwives that the hospital offers later on?

I'm torn. I know it's a small sacrifice for a center that I think I wold feel comfortable in. Normal hospitals always freak me out. 
photo ttgl_zps49ec0de7.jpg 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-14-2012 at 12:07 PM
BreanneL24
Not Ranked
Joined on 08-16-2011
3,072 Posts
42,081 Points
BreanneL24 is online. Last active: 05-19-2013, 12:52 PMSilver
I see a homebirth MW and her office is 1 hour and 15 minutes away from me, even more if I get stuck in ATL traffic. I travel there because that is what it takes to get the care I want/need. If I were you, I'd suck it up and drive the distance. You'll want to get to know your MW's througout your pregnancy...it is a really awesome relationship!
Married to the love of my life 8/14/09
Our sweet little Easton was born at home 3/15/12
Suprise BFP! 09/20/12 natural m/c 10/09/12
BFP! 12/1/12
BabyFruit Ticker
 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-14-2012 at 12:22 PM
bekkabrat
Not Ranked
Joined on 10-02-2012
50 Posts
972 Points
bekkabrat is not online. Last active: 03-02-2013, 2:59 PMNewbie

BreanneL24:
I see a homebirth MW and her office is 1 hour and 15 minutes away from me, even more if I get stuck in ATL traffic. I travel there because that is what it takes to get the care I want/need. If I were you, I'd suck it up and drive the distance. You'll want to get to know your MW's througout your pregnancy...it is a really awesome relationship!

 

Well said! I drive to a birth center an hour from me, easily two hours if we get stuck in D.C. traffic. But I would hate the instability of switching providers late in the game. By this point in my pregnancy, I feel completely comfortable with the birth center and with all the midwives on the team and I wouldn't trade that for a shorter drive. I know when I am in labor there, I will be at ease and they know me and will know how to support me in the best way and we will be able to work closely as a team to bring this LO into a warm cozy environment. Totally worth all the hours we've spent in the car to/from appointments!
 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-14-2012 at 12:45 PM
julyjennif...
Not Ranked
Joined on 12-03-2003
Minnesota
1,367 Posts
843 Points
julyjennifer is not online. Last active: 05-16-2013, 9:53 PMBronze

I don't think you're crazy to look forward to birthing, I felt that way too.

Keep in mind that the prenatal appointments are usually less frequent during the first and second trimesters.  I don't remember exactly, but I think there was just one in late first tri and then after that it was once a month until later on in the pg.  So even if you have a ways to drive, it's not like you're going every other week until 3rd tri anyway.
Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Natural miscarriage on 12-27-09 at 11.5 weeks. Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-14-2012 at 1:04 PM
starshinea...
Not Ranked
Joined on 04-19-2007
1,142 Posts
21,511 Points
starshineamator is not online. Last active: 05-18-2013, 1:21 PMBronze

Speak to the midwifes at the birthing center that you'd be switching to. I know my midwife said that they prefer you to transfer to them by a certain time (x amount of weeks- of course with this pregnancy brain I can't remember for the life of me how many they said!). You should also go there in person for a tour and to meet the staff. They will give you lots of information and answer any questions you have about the process and beyond. They will give you the best idea of how reasonable it is to wait and switch later on. 

I completely understand being freaked out by needles/doctors/hospitals/etc., because I'm the same way. You're not alone! =) 
Daisypath Anniversary tickers BabyFruit Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-14-2012 at 2:04 PM
Jdawnl
Not Ranked
Joined on 10-07-2012
168 Posts
3,096 Points
Jdawnl is not online. Last active: 05-18-2013, 9:42 PMNewbie

We are birthing with a MW at a birthing center, 55 miles away. (granted, we live in rural KS, so it is only an hour drive, unless you get stuck behind a tractor ;) 

Anyhow, it is TOTALLY worth it, to me, to have my prenatal appts with the person who is delivering my baby. Bonus, I adore my MW! :)

Good luck with your decision, I would definitely call your MW and that way you can calculate just how many appts you actually will be attending. It may be less than you think! :)
Pregnancy Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-14-2012 at 2:53 PM
BLPL101
Not Ranked
Joined on 07-29-2011
4,498 Posts
46,791 Points
BLPL101 is not online. Last active: 05-19-2013, 10:10 AMSilver
I'm at least an hour (or more depending on traffic) to see my midwife. I would never purposely go with an OB knowing that I was planning on switching in my 3rd trimester. You only go once a month anyway until the end so it's NBD to me.
Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-14-2012 at 7:26 PM
Celyn
Not Ranked
Joined on 12-09-2004
San Francisco Bay Area
6,748 Posts
3,024 Points
Celyn is not online. Last active: 05-18-2013, 10:01 PMGold
I delivered 75 miles at a hospital from home the first time.  I'm used to commuting an hour in each direction, so to the drive for appointments didn't bother me much.

NorCalMOMS bio* NorCalBOTB* babywearingBIO
Harmony Doula
 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-15-2012 at 12:43 PM
JCWhitey
Not Ranked
Joined on 02-09-2011
1,473 Posts
28,051 Points
JCWhitey is not online. Last active: 05-19-2013, 12:31 PMBronze

Hey!  Good to see you over here, too.  :)

We're still trying to figure out where we're going to be living when I give birth, but whether we are where we are now or where we are hoping to be there is at least a 60 mile drive in my future for L&D.  If we stay in CA it's actually a 90 miles drive!  But worth it, IMO.

I do plan to do my prenatal care here in town with a hospital midwife group and then start going to appointments at the Birth Center when I'm in my third trimester.  It's not ideal, but they said this was do-able and the birth center encouraged it since 90 miles worth of gas each month for an appointment can really add up. 

Janine & Cody | Georgetown, Grand Cayman | Feb. 28th, 2012

Surprise BFP | Baby Due Late July/Early August 2013

Pregnancy Ticker

I believe in a lot of things. I believe in fresh tennis balls, the healing power of bunnies, and that the novels of Susan Sontag are something I'll never read. In fact, I don't even know who Susan Sontag is. What is she... like... a painter? I believe in Crystal Lite because I believe in ME. I believe in the movies of Val Kilmer, though these days it ain't so easy. I believe in Darren Sproles, the word "dabble", the first season of "Silk Stockings", and big, warm, moist, gooey chocolate chip cookies that melt in your mouth and all over your face. 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-15-2012 at 12:49 PM
mystrana
Not Ranked
Joined on 07-16-2010
1,020 Posts
19,262 Points
mystrana is not online. Last active: 04-18-2013, 11:43 AMBronze
Birthing centers are pretty good options! I'd be nervous for a home birth with the nearest hospital being 40 minutes away too, so I'd definitely go to the birthing center...the drive is a bit of a pain, but not insurmountable.

As others have said, during the first two trimesters you really only go in like once a month, which isn't bad. And it's best to get to know your care provider(s) so that you can form trust with them. That's like the biggest thing to me; I'm not a huge fan of doctors, but I did deliver with an Obgyn that I trust and it makes the difference.
Sometimes, I'm hilarious.  
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
Hot Topics

New dad or dad-to-be? Chat with other dads here!
Visit the Dads & Dads-to-be board

Need baby shower inspiration? Get ideas here!
Visit the Baby Showers board

Chat with other crafty moms here!
Visit the Crafty Moms board

search boards

choose another board

most active posters
sunlavende...
922 posts
BayleighPa...
905 posts
kamakaziar...
485 posts
minicheezb...
426 posts
sheacox
395 posts
Nest Cayla
356 posts
*Mrs*Rohrb...
245 posts
Love4Labs3...
219 posts
jertie
109 posts
KimberHill...
68 posts

connect with these online bumpies
mnbv9502! msspeedymarie
jbatch PippaLee33
Cheenomae mmkerr
CTGirl30 StfneTm
L&R70707 KariCT
gimmietimmies Jerzeygirl973
nancy30005 Cashingn2
RibbitGrl930 MeganWorden
veruca5839 StellaMakes3
KittyKatMom ordinary1
melissa11902 b00300408
demelzacat mferolitomartinez
culechick GABARCH
dhaueisen Pashing
LexiLupin fuzzylogic
From The Nest Boards:
"Female friend too close for comfort?"
cate1st on Relationships

"Do your single friends not 'get' it?"
Rwilsonny on Family Matters