I was planning a homebirth when I was pregnant with Butterball. We had already shelled out the 4K out of pocket to pay for the midwife. The birthing center where I had my appointments was beautifully decorated, with scented candles burning and rooms that looked like they came out of a decorating catalogue. My husband complained that it was oozing with estrogen; I was so excited.
When I went into sudden premature labor and my baby was born two hours later, all of those plans were dashed. My worst nightmare had happened: a hospital experience. I was deathly afraid of hospitals with their needles and ivs and cold-looking hospital beds…but suddenly it was my reality.
As it turned out, I did better than expected in my hospital experience. I had done my homework for a natural birth at home, so applying that knowledge to the hospital setting worked out great—even in my state of pain and trauma. I was able to stand up for myself on a few issues, but by and large the hospital wasn’t as scary as I anticipated.
My husband, always the worry wart, does not want to attempt a homebirth for #2. He assures me that if everything goes well with #2 (meaning, no premature deliveries), that we can have a homebirth for #3. So, I’m left with the task of preparing (and willing to fight, if necessary) for a natural hospital birth.
Another issue for a lot of people is the cost of midwives. Our insurance only covered 60% of the fees, and our midwives required that we pay them upfront. This was not easy financially, and for a lot of people this isn’t even possible.
The thing with hospitals is that they do a lot of routine, unnecessary procedures “just in case.” I don’t want that for my body.
So, if you’re in the market for a natural hospital birth like I will be, here are some questions to get you started.
1. Do you support natural child birth?
Drug-free birth with little to no unnecessary interventions.
2. What is your c-section rate?
I recommend birthing at a place with a c-section rate of less than 20%. This may be difficult to find. When Butterball was getting his inguinal hernia surgery, our roommates in the recovery room were being interviewed by a specialist. I overheard the mother say, “he was born by c-section two weeks early because they didn’t want him to get too big.” ????!!!!!!! Wow. So, you want to avoid doctors and hospitals with that mentality.
3. Can I eat and drink while in labor? If so, what kind of food and drinks?
Staying hydrated and full of energy is essential, especially for a long labor and delivery. Most women do not get general anesthesia anymore if they get a c-section. Since the general puts you out, the fear is that a woman may vomit while unconscious and it may get into the lungs and pose a problem. Most women are awake during the procedure these days, so this worry is outdated and usually not necessary. It is usually considered safe to have small amounts of water and something to eat that is easily digested.
4. Can I move around?
Moving around is a great way to get labor moving and to allow gravity to help with getting the baby in place.
5. Do I have to labor on my back? Push lying on my back?
There are many positions to push in, including: squatting, kneeling, standing and leaning, sitting, and side-lying. Lying flat on your back can actually stall labor and make it more difficult to push your baby out, possibly leading to more severe tearing.
6. Is there a birthing tub?
My hospital doesn’t have one, but it sure would’ve been cool! It’s definitely worth asking.
7. Can I wear my own clothes?
Hospital clothes can be uncomfortable in the sense that they don’t fit properly. Check out my post on hospital gowns.
8. Are episiotomies routine? If so, can I decline?
When I was pushing, I remember the doctor saying, “okay, I’m going to cut you now!” I shot my head up so fast it wasn’t even funny. “No!” I said firmly through clenched teeth. “Don’t cut me.” The doctor agreed to let me go a few more minutes pushing, and I was able to successfully birth my son…with absolutely no tears. If I hadn’t said anything, she would have cut me for no reason!
9. What is your policy on going past your due date? What is the induction policy?
According to the Mayo Clinic, rarely is being overdue due to a problem with the placenta. In fact, it is perfectly natural and normal for many moms to go past their due date. It is important to point out that you may have an incorrect due date if you do not know exactly when the baby was conceived. This could alter things a bit. At any rate, it is considered safe to wait up to two weeks past your due date (42 weeks). Do not accept a doctor who is talking mandatory induction before then unless it is for a legitimate health concern.
10. Can I have my baby on my chest for skin-to-skin immediately after delivery?
Bathing the baby can be delayed, so there is no excuse for taking the baby away unless it is a medical emergency (like it was with my son who was born at 29.5 weeks).
11. Can my baby room-in with me?
You should be able to keep your baby at your side the entire time.
12. Do I have to have an IV?
I would push for being able to hydrate yourself by drinking. However, if an IV is required for whatever reason (GBS+, dehydration, etc), ask for a heparin-lock that will allow you to be mobile instead of being tied and confined to your bed.
13. How many people can be in the room with me?
14. How much fetal monitoring is done? Can I limit the monitoring?
Internal exams and anything too intrusive are generally unnecessary unless there is something wrong with the baby.
15. Do you allow spontaneous rupture of the membranes (water breaking on its own)? If so, when do you require I come into the hospital after they have ruptured?
16. Do I have to have a catheter?
After I gave birth, the nurse said she was going to insert a catheter. “Why?” I asked rather incredulously. “To prevent infection,” she said. Luckily my busy-body mother was there and piped up, “when I had your brother, they gave me a catheter and I got the worst infection of my life and it took me forever to get off the catheter! Don’t accept it!” I wasn’t going to anyway, but that validated my thoughts. I didn’t get it, I didn’t have an infection, and all was well. It’s okay to say no to the unnecessary.
17. Can we wait until the umbilical cords stops pulsing to cut it?
http://www.empoweredchildbirth.com/articles/birth/noclamp.html
18. Can I deliver my placenta naturally?
http://www.homebirth.org.uk/thirdstage.htm
I actually did not, and I didn’t mind the experience, so it is up to you.
***
Interview doctors until you find one that is satisfactory to your overall birthing plans. It may also help to get referrals from other moms who have birthed with a doctor and/or at a particular hospital. Some hospitals have reputations for being intervention-happy, while others do not.
Also, it’s a great idea to make sure you have an advocate in the room with you, like your husband. For me, I’m very opinionated and able to stand up for myself, so I called all the shots with my delivery. But I know a lot of women who aren’t able to do that, and that’s okay. Pick somebody who can do it for you.
As always, use your best judgment, research the issues, and listen to the expertise of the professionals. Keep your eyes open and take their advice with a grain a salt; however, they are the trained experts, so in case of emergency even your best laid plans may not pan out.
Resources:
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/1/t010900.asp
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/overdue-pregnancy/PR00116
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/inducing-labor/pr00117
Filed under: birth, pregnancy | Tagged: birth, hospital birth, natural birth, natural birth in hospital, questions pregnant women should ask their doctor, questions to ask your doctor for a natural hospital birth | Leave a comment »
Pregnancy to Parenthood: A Journey through Motherhood 