Has anyone ever had a home birth or used a birthing center? Any advice?

Question

I’m considering a water birth or a birthing center. Would love to hear your experiences and any advice!! 😊

Answer

I gave birth in the water at home 6 weeks ago! I'm so glad I did. I saw the same two midwives throughout the entire pregnancy, so I got to know them really well. They educated us on every aspect of pregnancy, and I gave informed consent for everything. My appointments are an hour long and I could ask all the questions I had, and the midwives also asked about my mental health, our relationship, family support, etc. It wasn't just about pregnancy, it was about me as a person and us as a couple embarking on a terrifying and exciting journey. Labor and birth were so so hard, but so empowering. I labored for 42 hours before I started pushing. My doula was there for 30+ hours of that, one midwife came around hour 22, and the other midwife came about 8 hours before I gave birth. My chiropractor also came over twice to adjust me and do acupuncture to encourage baby into the right position. My team was beyond supportive and not once did I regret my decision! Getting in the tub felt wonderful and once I had pushed her out, a midwife just gave her a little push towards my arms and she basically swam to me and I pulled her out of the water - so cool! After I had delivered the placenta, they helped me into bed (my own bed!) with baby and my husband, the doula heated up some soup and brought it to us, and the midwives cleaned everything up and then checked me and baby. They gave us some basic instructions and left about 4 hours after birth. They came back at 24 hours and 3 days, and then we also had appointments at 2 weeks and 6 weeks. Please feel free to message me with any questions you have! I highly recommend home birth. 🙂

Answer

We had our baby at a birthing center. It was amazing and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. I’m also considering having a home birth with our second as well.

Answer

Second baby at a birthing center. It was a much better experience than my first at a hospital. Both unmedicated and no complications. I was so happy to be able to have the baby and go home 7 hours later.

Answer

Do it! I had both of my babies in water at a freestanding birth center. It was literally across the street from a hospital so if something went wrong I was right there. But I can't say enough good things about the experience. Especially the care and focus you get from the midwives. They don't rush you through appointments. Mine challenged me to come with more/better questions at the next appointment! You won't regret going to a birth center.

Answer

Recovery can't be beat with a home birth!! In January 2019 I gave birth to be daughter in my bathtub.  It was ah-mazing. Im due in September and fully plan on another water birth.  We call my daughter our little mermaid.

Answer

I delivered my second at a birth center and it was seriously the best experience of my life lol. I highly recommend at least looking into one!

Answer

I live in Canada and didn’t have the option of a birthing centre, but my midwives did offer either home or hospital birth with only them attending. It was my first, so I was really worried about things going wrong and I decided on the hospital to ease my fears.
My midwives were the absolute BEST!! They made home visits to check me in early labour, and I was able to have early discharge from the hospital 4 hours after I had my son so I really felt like I had all the benefits of a birthing centre. If you can, I highly recommend it.
I didn’t have any monitors on me, I walked for the first couple hours there, and I was able to be in the tub for as long as I wanted. Unfortunately I did end up needing some interventions because I was in labour for 52 hours and my body was just so tired, but for that reason I was really happy to have the ob there that my midwife could consult with.

Answer

I had a great pregnancy and had perfect blood pressure etc. My son had to be born using forceps and needed oxygen when he was born after swallowing meconium. Also cord was wrapped 3x. I tore bad because of forceps and was stitched up (very well) by my OBGYN. Thankfully my son is totally fine because they got him breathing very quick! 
If you are really set on it, maybe one attached to a hospital? I had thought about a birthing center, and am glad I chose a hospital. Chances are, everything would be fine-but if it isn’t, you’ll want a hospital. 
Don’t mean to be a Debbie downer, just something to think seriously about!

Answer

Do it! My second baby (10 weeks pp) I had a water birth at a birthing center!
If I had a other baby I would consider a home birth for sure. 
It took the option of an epidural away so I only used gas and air - the birth was quick (2 hours) and I found the water relaxing. 
The midwifes were more.... Attentive at the center 👍
Surprisingly the baby comes out clean but you do not 😂 the only negative was I floated while doing the last pushes and that was hard work... And getting out of the water wasn't easy either but I would still do a water birth again.

Answer

Yes. I loved my home birth! It was with my second baby. I had him in the water and it was super fast (5 hours) and smooth and recovery was amazing compared to my first hospital birth. I'd highly recommend a home birth to anyone low risk!

Has anyone ever had a home birth or used a birthing center? Any advice?

Let's Glow!

The Top Baby Tracker App: Embrace New Beginnings with Tender Care

The Top Fertility Tracker App: Your Path to Achieving Pregnancy

The Top Pregnancy App: Nurturing Your Journey to Motherhood

The Top Period Tracker for Empowering Your Menstrual Health Journey