has anyone had a non intervention birth at a hospital?

Question

I really wish I can do a home birth with a midwife but the only thing that's stopping me is the cost, whereas the hospital/ob route is 100% covered by my (tricare) insurance. we cant afford to pay out of pocket :-( but after reading a lot about the "natural" route, and watching "the buisness of being born", I'm scared to give birth in the hospital. I have not met my OB yet, my first appointment is in 2 weeks so I'm not sure if she is pro natural or not. I really do not want to be induced, I dont want pitocin, I dont want epidural, and I definitely dont want a c section and studies show that pitocin and epidural increase c section rates.. 
after I have my first appointment I'm going to go to the hospital and ask about their birth procedures. but I really dont want them to make me lay on my back and I do not want to push on my back. would hospitals be willing to let me move around, maybe use a birthing ball or tub, and push in whatever position is comfortable? has anyone done the whole natural route at a hospital before? I dont want to be connected to any machines or IV either!! and afterwards I want the skin to skin and delayed cord clamping as well

Answer

I keep seeing lots and lots of concerns on this app about the staff not honoring your wishes when giving birth in the hospital.  Obviously, everyone’s experience is going to be extremely different based on location, health, insurance coverage, doctors, etc.  But I gave birth in the hospital and not once did I feel forced into anything at any point.  The nurses constantly reiterated that it was my birth and that they would do whatever I chose to do.  For example, I had an epidural and they wanted to start pitocin about an hour after it was placed (3 hours after I arrived at the hospital).  I expressed that I wanted to use an exercise ball between my legs instead and was able to do this for 6 hours before I decided it was time for pitocin.  I spoke with my doctor at my 36 week check about delayed clamping and he did this at my birth without even having to ask about it again (my hospital and doctors have a 2 minute max for delayed clamping, so I knew this head of time since we talked about it in the office).  And immediate skin-to-skin is highly regarded and encouraged where I live.  I would be surprised to hear that there are hospitals not promoting the immediate bonding with all the benefits research is showing.  However, my son came out pretty blue and not crying at all, so I had to wait about 5 minutes before skin-to-skin since he had to be bagged.  As soon as he pinked up and was assessed, he was in my arms.  I think the most important thing here is to do your research, find the hospital that has everything you want.  Talk to your doctor about your wishes ahead of time and to the nurses about your plan in the moment.  And advocate for yourself.  Don’t let anyone force you to do something you aren’t comfortable with.

Answer

The hospital I was at has a natural birthing suite. I didn’t use it because I had to be induced for medical reasons, but it is available. As a nurse, I always recommend an in-hospital birth simply because things can go wrong and god-forbid they do, I would want the staff available to save me and/or my baby. I’m all for natural birth if you can do it, but things change quickly during labor, so be open to options should things change

Answer

also, to add. you do not have to do anything at a hospital. you can refuse treatments, IVs, monitoring, etc. but just know this will be placed in your record that you refused in case anything goes not as planned. they can cover their butts for why you weren't being monitored, etc. they will likely encourage you to get an IV, be on the monitor and that and may refuse to start an induction method if you refuse monitoring but they cannot force anything on you.

Answer

You can use a Certified Nurse Midwife and it will be covered, that's what I did. I chose my hospital and care based on low intervention rates and had all the same desires as you. It is possible even at a hospital!

Answer

Most hospitals require an IV in case something goes wrong (I.e. you hemorrhage), but the rest of it is almost always your call. 
You will be induced if you don’t go into labor by 42 weeks, but at that point your risks of intrauterine fetal demise are high enough that a csection wouldn’t be the worst outcome. 
Also plan for the birth you want, but leave room so you aren’t disappointed if things don’t work out the way you want. Sometimes c sections are necessary, but most OBs don’t want to cut you open any more than you want to be cut and many hospitals are actually “docked” if the percentage of csection vs vaginal deliveries is too high.

Answer

I'm an Army wife and a registered nurse. With my last birth, I researched hospitals with the lowest c- section rates and went with a certified nurse midwife at that hospital. I prepared a careful birth plan, hired a doula, and made sure that both she and my husband  were able to advocate for me. We ended up with a wonderful birth, with me having as I chose and catching my son myself. I've seen so many births go horribly wrong when I worked L & D, so I applaud you for educating yourself and planning for a natural birth. With the US so far behind in evidence- based birthing practices, it's so important for us mommies to advocate for change. Good luck with your prep and I wish you a beautiful, healthy birth!

Answer

The hospital I’m giving birth at has “at home” suites in their hospitals. This is where you go in and you’re not hooked up to anything. It’s set up like a house, has a bed and a couch. No IV’s and all natural. They come in to monitor you and baby and will only intervene if they HAVE to but this is for both of your safety. They also have birthing tubs in the room so it’s kinda like being at home but in a controlled environment. See if your hospital offers something similar.

Answer

Just call the hospital/OB and ask if they have adopted the the World Health Organization's new recommendations for labor/delivery. Their recommendations pretty much cover everything you're wanting.

Answer

can you look into a birthing center? Tricare standard usually pays for a big portion as long as they are in network

Answer

Definitely talk with your ob and the hospital where you’re planning to deliver. Most will accommodate most of what you want. My ob is very pro-epidural. But she didn’t care if I had one or not. With both of my babies, the on-call doctor has delivered. I’ve never actually had my ob deliver. I’ve gone into labor over night or on the weekend. With my second baby, I didn’t have an epidural. Nobody cared. They did give me fluids and had me on a baby monitor. I didn’t mind.  I had serious back labor so I just laid face down in the bed and then raised up onto all fours during each contraction. I got up and went to the bathroom when I needed to. I pushed laying on my back. It was efficient and fine. Every labor is different. Every doctor is different. Nurses and doctors will do their best to accommodate your wishes. Try to be calm and laid back if possible, and make sure your husband is ready to back you up on what you want.

has anyone had a non intervention birth at a hospital?

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