View Full Version : Home Births vs Hospitals
luscious sadie
02-26-2012, 12:48 AM
okay well you believe what you want to believe. I'll believe what the overwhelming amount of imformation, both anecdotal and clinically researched tells me. It's not a conspiracy if it's the truth.
FiendishGyrator
02-26-2012, 02:18 AM
I marvel at those who have a c-section when it's not an emergency situation because your stomach muscles are never going to be the same.
Your core strength is going to suffer, and I would think that healing times have to be extended because of how invasive that is. Not to say that
it isn't useful as an emergency surgery, but I do think most c-sections are not necessary. I've never heard the saying, "too posh to push."
But maybe the way hospitals go about things nowadays makes c-sections more necessary, and that's wrong. It's one thing to have it available.
But it's another to create a system where it's a lot harder to have a baby without a c-section.
Anyway, back on topic--
I was reading about castor oil, and a woman wrote that she took, I think, a couple spoons full in orange juice
and her labor went by in a few hours. It was her first pregnancy but she said that her family had a history
of very long labor times, so she thought that castor oil could have helped out quite a bit.
I do also think that it's interesting that women lay back in a hospital bed, instead of walking around, and
squatting to help the labor go more easily.
This isn't a topic I read on a lot, since, as I said, I'm not planning on ever having kids, but I do run across the
info sometimes when I'm researching other alternative health stuff.
I couldn't find the castor oil anecdote, but while searching, I did see this:
http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/pregnancy_remedies2.html#PROMOTELABOR
11/02/2011: Jen from Bozeman, Mt, Us writes: "I wanted to share my experience with taking evening primrose to get labor started and make it much easier for mothers. I have delivered 5 children. The first four were very long difficult labors that I was never able to start on my own. I had to be induced with each of my first four children. My first labor was terribly long and painful. 3 days of intense (sleepless) contractions and I went to my doctor each day and only dilated to a 1.5. It was torture. My doctor ended up inducing me with pitocin which now that I am older I understand causes terrible pain and stressful labors. My second was very similar and so on with the next two. It was with my fifth labor that my cousin who believes in natural remedies suggested that I start taking evening primrose to help prepare my cervix for labor. I started taking it at about 37 weeks pregnant as I didn't want to jump start my labor to soon just in case. I really didn't think it would do much with me since I apparently have a very stuborn cervix and uterus but I was willing to try anything after four terrible labors. I took it two to three times a day for 2 1/2 weeks. When I went in for my 40 week appointment I was blown away when my doctor said I was dilated to a 3. I had never ever dilated past a 2 on my own and that was when I was 2 weeks overdue. Now I am at a 3 a few days before I am even due. I had noticed a few mild contractions throughout the days but nothing that was what I considered painful. I continued to take the evening primrose and was having mild contractions the day of my sons due date. I had never gone this far without help so I was completely lost. Late that night I asked my husband to take me in cuz I felt different. We went in and I just about had a heart attack when the nurse said I had dialated on my own to a 6. It was awesome. I ended up delivering in a total of 6 hours after feeling the first "uncomfortable" labor pains. That was more than 3 times less than my previous deliveries. I love evening primrose and still take it during my menstral cycle for pain."
Western medicine has a lot of nifty things that should definitely be used for certain things.
But I do think that people should do the best they can to educate themselves-- both about how their diet and lifestyles can help or hurt a certain condition, and how Western medicine can help or hurt a certain condition.
Doctors do not always know best. I know this isn't a direct example, but so many veterinarians who've gone to school for animal health and focus mainly on dog and cat health, promote and sometimes even sell dog and cat food that is actually bad for pets (like science diet which has so much corn in it that dogs cannot digest and lead to several short and long term health issues.) Why do vets do this? Because they either get kickbacks or benefits from pet food producers, or else they just go along with the current dogma of the day. Same thing with human doctors who definitely do get benefits from pushing certain drugs, or, like someone said, assigning a c-section to suit *their* needs and not the needs of their patient (someone above used the example of the doctor wanting to not have to push back his or her vacation because the woman's delivery was late.)
One more thing:
"Buyer beware" and "who will guard the guards" are two famous sayings translated from, I believe, Latin.
While doctors aren't guards, they are in positions of authority and should be questioned to make sure that they are not abusing the power that that authority gives them.
Also, when going to a hospital, even with insurance, YOU are the buyer. You're hoping to buy your health, so do your research, don't assume that a doctor (who is, after all, human too) is always going to have your best interests at heart, and don't do something just because everyone else seems to be doing it. What's popular today, might not actually be the right way to do things, both for the short term, and long term interests of an individual (or in this case, family.)
Kellydancer
02-26-2012, 12:45 PM
Here are some creepy stories of women forced to have c-sections.
Mom has to travel 300 miles because the local hospital refuses to deliver her baby naturally.
Several true stories of women forced to have c-sections against her will:
Yet another story:
When a doctor tells a woman she must have a c-section he takes away her right to choose what is best for her body. This is wrong.
Now one may ask why am I so concerned about this because I don't have kids? Simple, because we are giving doctors too much control over our bodies. I find it ironic when women are pro choice yet think the doctor knows best what is for her when many don't. Many are foreign doctors for example and only here to make money until they go home. Others are getting various kickbacks to force women to have c-sections. Interesting to note that women with money or excellent insurance are pushed into c-sections more than women on medicaid. The reason? because medicaid doen't pay the full amount of a c-section unless it is deemed needed. I suspect if insurance was the same way we'd see c-section rates lower.
This goes into all medical aspects. I have arthritis and went to the doctor. He was ready to put me on medication, which I briefly took and it seemed to make my mild condition worse. I went off the medication, started reading about diet and exercise and guess what? my arthritis is virtually gone.
Before I consider having a baby I am now looking into an ob-gyn (mine retired)who has a more holistic approach with a low rate of c-sections. I'm also requiring the doctor be female and western trained. While I may need to have a c-section I refuse to have one unless it is absolutely life and death. Even if I don't have kids I want a doctor who isn't always going to prescribe medication.
Hockogrocle
02-26-2012, 02:44 PM
However, in the US, c-sections are widely overused because it is easier and more profitable for the hospital to NOT have a woman in labour there.
C-sections certainly are overused in the US, but I'm not sure that hospital finances are the reason for it. The economics of this are difficult to get a handle on, but it's not clear that hospitals end up in a better net financial position from a C-section than from a vaginal delivery. C-sections cost a lot more money, of course, but it's questionable whether a hospital ends up with more of it in the end.
Also, reducing the C-section rate is one of the target goals of the current hospital accrediting standards (which, trust me, are treated as the word of God in most hospitals). Any hospital that was purposely trying to increase their C-section rate to bring in more money would be running a huge risk of eventual accreditation problems, which are the financial kiss of death. Hospital administrators as a group are some of the most risk-adverse people I've ever encountered, and it's hard for me to imagine any of them plunging into a risky gamble like that.
The real reason behind most unnecessary C-sections is fear of liability. There are a lot of uncertainties in childbirth, and any time there is any significant perceived risk to the baby, there is huge pressure to reduce it by doing a section. Would some (or even most) of those babies have been perfectly fine if they were delivered vaginally? It's hard to say, but one thing I can certainly promise you: if a C-section is not used and the baby suffers some sort of harm, the first thing an attorney is going to ask in a deposition is "Why didn't you insist on a C-section at this point?"
GlamourRouge
02-26-2012, 06:55 PM
I did look, and having just given birth I did a lot of research on this subject. Your info is wrong. Despite the fact that you want to believe it's the Dr's and hospitals conspiring to make more money. ::)
Its not necessarily to make more money, its because its easy for a doctor to schedule an induced labor and then a c-section. That's a common fact. That's why they do it. There's a reason why, statistically, babies are born least often on Saturdays and Sundays. Because they aren't scheduled on those days (unless its an emergency). And its not like the best position to give birth in is laying on your back, like they often force you to do in the hospital. That goes against nature and gravity. Either that or on your knees, which is never a good idea because you're too tired/heavy to hold yourself up. Hospitals don't have whats in the best interest of the patient, but they do have resources which can definitely give them leverage. I'd personally only choose a hospital if I was high risk.
Personally, I'm really glad I was born at home without all the chemicals. The way you're supposed to do it is a natural birth, so that's the what I'd personally choose. Doing things the way our body was designed to do them usually results in positive experiences.
Home births are not necessarily a worse idea because some midwives have a cult-like following with a good reputation and lots of experience. I'd much rather choose that over an impersonal doctor with hundreds of other patients. I'm just not a fan of depressing sterile high-stress environments, bright lights, hospital beds, etc etc. I'd have no problem if I had to, but I wouldn't choose to on my own. Its a personal choice though.
I like the idea of having a water birth in warm water because: a.) its more comfortable for the mother because water is warm and soothing, b.) its an easy transition for the baby, c.) the mother's body is virtually weightless because she's in water, and d.) the mother can get into better positions for birthing (i.e. sitting upright) or any other position with minimal discomfort.
Jay12
02-28-2012, 06:09 PM
Also, another reason that I will not have a c-section (unless there is an absolute reason for it, which I highly doubt; not even with a breech baby, since there are ways to make the baby be in the "right" position within weeks prior to birth) is because that scar looks horrendous. I mean, I still want to keep on dancing after having my kid, and the vagina comes back to normal. Plus, I am a firm believer of the "no pain, no gain"; I want to experience that pain.
Also, I do not want a hospital; I'm getting a midwife. Is cheaper, and more convenient.
sexy_celeste
02-01-2013, 07:28 AM
jay12, did you end up getting the birth you wanted?
AureliaC
02-20-2013, 06:36 PM
I went through 30 hours of back labor before my doc ever brought up a c-section, the baby wasn't coming and his heart rate was dropping. It wasn't pushed onto me, and there isn't a snowballs chance in hell I'm doing a VBAC when the next one comes. I will say that if my doctor weren't a total god in the surgery room (entire c section took under 20 minutes, I was up and walking around almost normally 3 days later and 8 month PP you can barely see the scar) I might not be so pro c section. I'm not saying everyone run out an find a doc who will do one for you just because, but if you ever HAVE to, it isn't the end of the world. Too many women I've talked to feel like their c section was the easy way out or doing it without meds makes them a better person, its absurd. Whatever you decide you have to becomfortable with it, if you want it at home do so, if not don't. No two childbirthing experiences are the same, and what is great for someone is hell for someone else. For me though, I would rather take a longer recovery than back labor any day. My hospital, doctor and nurses (I brought them the biggest, fanciest cake I could order) were amazing, if they had sucked giving birth would have too. Natural is the PC thing to do now, but if you can't take it you don't want to think back to having your baby and just think about pain.
Breast feeding though, that is seriously the tits. My son quadroupled his birth weight in 6 months, i basically slept through the night, super cheap and I was back to my normal shape in a couple of months.
Pearl_Sugar
02-27-2013, 06:11 PM
Thank you ladies for this valuable information! :) Keep on posting experiences if anyone has any <3
virginiarose
03-30-2013, 01:44 PM
Home birth iv had a 9 pound 10 ounce boy, body pops right back in shape, then had another baby, and am pregnant with my third. Hospitals are a holes that shoot pig seman inside if you to induce which is painful. It's dumb to get a car tip. Cuz it severely dangerous and it doesn't help your body ... Actually takes longer to recover and you have ugly ass scars. Home birth natural, they nurture you rub your feet , do what ever you want! Then you have a child and your body is ready and you pop it out and feel great actually. I think a lot of ppl don't have experiance with home births so they can't really say. Watch more home birth videos.
virginiarose
03-30-2013, 01:46 PM
My birth was 12 hours and I freakin owned it!! My first 50minutea haha seriously I still look hot natural down ruin your body, dr do! Seriously, you want a good experiance that isn't fear based do a home birth
virginiarose
03-30-2013, 01:48 PM
Sorry it's so short lol I'm I. A iPhone lol
questella
03-31-2013, 02:15 AM
I thought about a home birth since I hate hospitals but I was just terrified that something would go wrong and you just don't have the emergency equipment and staff that you might need in a crisis.
And fuck a c-section, they take out like all of your organs and shit! That should only be used in case of a total emergency too.
And the pain, yea it hurts but only for a bit, you breathe through it, and when you're pushing it's like you're trying to push out the biggest hardest poo ever! XD If you're worried about pain you can get an epidural, I waited until my pain was pretty intense and got mine then it still hurt but just a little.
I think the worst part of the whole thing is the stitches in your crotch afterwards, mine tear took like two months to stop feeling sore.
Jay12
04-01-2013, 10:47 AM
jay12, did you end up getting the birth you wanted?
No. I had a complication in the first trimester. The midwife refered me to a doctor, but in the end it did turned out like I wanted; no drugs. He's now five months old.