hospital or birthcenter?

Question

Hello girls! What are uor thoughts and experiences about hospital and birthcenter?
I'm waiting baby #1, so I'm still confused about this decision!

Answer

I wanted a natural birth, so I really debated this decision for a while. In the end we chose the hospital because all birth centers in my area were over an hour away.

I ended up going into labor at 34 weeks and my daughter needed intensive care for 12 days, so I am super glad it ended up being the hospital. I was also super happy with how my birth plan wishes were respected by the nurses. It was a great labor experience (despite the premature birth). I'd chose hospital again.

Answer

Sometimes emergencies arise out of nowhere. Myself and 2 of my friends had low risk pregnancies and then emergencies  come up at the birth, my friends placenta spontaneously detached during labor, my friends son had his cord around his neck. Even though these things aren't common they do happen. Even though I hate hospitals I want to be there with a surgeon present. Yes they can transfer you,  but the drive time isn't the only delay....they have to admit you, get an on call OB and anesthesiologist, reserve an OR, prep you for surgery etc.  To me the risk isn't worth it. I had my babies at the hospital and then requested an early discharge so I could go home next day.

Answer

I had my first 2 in a hospital. With my daughter, I was induced at 41 weeks. It was a long process. I got an epidural when I was like 4-5 cm and hated that I couldn't get out of bed. I was in labor for 40 hours before I started pushing.

With my son, my water broke. I swore I wasn't getting an epidural. They put me on pitocin at 7am after being in labor for 12+ hours with little progress. I made it to 7cm (was checked at like 2pm) then while my husband was home letting the dogs out and checking the garden (he thought it was going to be a while yet), the resident and one of the nurses kept telling me I needed an epidural since i was in a lot of pain (but i was breathing and moaning through my contractions and managing without) and I felt so pressured that I just gave in. They never checked me again before the epidural (this was 5pm) and so for all I know, I could have been almost to 10cm. Immediately after the epidural was placed and before it fully started working, I felt the urge to push. I was checked and I was 10. I was so mad because I wanted to do it without the epidural. I wanted to be able to get up and walk and shower and to care for my son buy no, I had to wait a few hours before it wore off.

This time, I'm going to a birth center. I plan to have a water birth and absolutely no pain meds. I want to have this baby and to be able to get up and take care of it right after. And to shower as soon as possible after having baby. Plus I really don't want to be stuck in the hospital for 2 days before being able to go home

Answer

I personally will be going to a hospital.  In case there are complications I want to have all the doctors on hand ready to go.

With that being said, I plan on having a natural birth with water labor.  While that is more the birthing centers speciality, I'd still rather be in the hospital.

Find out what is important to you.  I have a super relaxed OB who is open to doing things natural the way I want.  Talk to your practitioner and see what how their opinions align with your own.

Answer

I was going to go to a birth center because you don't have to stay there days after you've given birth, but they said it takes 15 minutes to transfer you to the nearest hospital, which wouldn't be a problem, but my niece's mom had a uncomplicated pregnancy/labor and when she was born she had to go to the NICU immediately because she wasn't breathing correctly.  so I'm terrified that could happen to my baby and what if 15 minutes is too long?!

hospital or birthcenter?

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