AMA: Ricki Don't Know 'Bout Birthin' No Babies

31. dixiegirl, I'm glad your son ended up being ok. However, the vast majority of pregnancies are totally normal. One of the most important indicators is whether other women in your family have had problem free pregnancies. My pregnancy proceeded exactly like my mothers, my aunts and my eldest sister and my second sister's first birth down to the first signs that I was pregnant (eg. no morning sickness but only able to eat half a sandwich or the equivalent before feeling full and sleeping 12 to 16 hours a day.)

I recognize that many women do have problem pregnancies. But it's still only a small percentage. And even more importantly, it's a woman's right to choose. I never wanted an epidural (I have no intention of ever letting a needle that close to my spine plus the fact that while it eliminates much of the mother's pain, it's a narcotic and slows down the baby's heart and also makes it harder for the mother to push when she needs to.) but I didn't have that option because the obstetrical department at the hospital (which, by the way, is very highly rated) kept sending me home.

BTW, I gave birth less than 30 minutes after I got to the hospital and most of that was spent finding me a labor and delivery room. It only took four pushes. My husband parked the car after walking with me up to the obstetrical floor and barely made it back in time to see our daughter born. If I'd had a midwife, he could have been there for the whole process and he has always regretted that he wasn't.

Posted at 2:07PM on Jun 17th 2008 by Boston Belle

32. This is stupid. There is a reason that the US ranks so high in infant and maternal death, and it isn't because of home birth. In the case of a normal, uncomplicated delivery, home birth is a very safe option, and the risk of developing infections and a myriad of other ailments are much less in your own home.

And for those who experienced horrible events, I am so sorry that your birthing process was like that, but in most cases, a trained professional can correct a prolapsed cord, for example. Birth does not have to be a medical event, people!!!! I am a very big advocate for natural and home birth, and will continue to encourage mothers who are interested in this option to explore it fully.

The US has done a great disservice to mothers by making birthing a scary and painful process. Please educate yourselves, and don't fall into the mindless masses that believe doctors know everything about birth!

Posted at 2:09PM on Jun 17th 2008 by HomeBirthMommy

33. I gave birth twice at a hospital and w/ my 3rd i had a midwife and delivered at a midwife clinic. it was safe, it was by far my favorite delivery- it was quiet and calm. i had absolutley no problems in the pregnancy, delivered 2 healthy babies- so a midwife was a safe choice for me. i wished i wouldve had all 3 there.

Posted at 2:19PM on Jun 17th 2008 by Lisa

34. Yes of course, we've had at-home births for centuries but why on earth would you want to take a giant step backwards in health care.

Anyone who delivers kids, and twins yet, at home when there are better alternatives needs their head examined. Too many things can go wrong, and situations arise where quick action is needed.

This practise is too dangerous.

Posted at 2:12PM on Jun 17th 2008 by Rena

35. I am a midwife advocate, but I am uncomfortable with home delivery. As many have stated anything can go wrong. My two children were both born with midwives at Air Force hospitals. A midwife specializes in delivering babies. That's all she does. They know things that most ob/gyns will never know. My second child was delivered without an episiotomy and no tearing. This allowed me to return to a normal life a lot faster. There are midwives who work out of a clinic with a hospital on standby in case of problems. I'm sure that a midwife that delivers at home has the same arrangement.

They don't force certain religions to even seek medical help, why should they try to force women to deliver in hospitals?

Posted at 3:28PM on Jun 17th 2008 by Desert Rose

36. The AMA can say what they want, but I have had 2 babies in the hospital and 5 at home and I wouldn't go back to the hospital unless it was an emergency. Countries with high rates of midwife assisted births have much lower infant mortality rates than the U.S. Do your research ladies. Ricki has finally got the word out that there's more than one way to give birth! Hospitals are for sick people. Midwives care more about you and your baby than the doctors who are lining their pockets at our expense! I speak from experience!

Posted at 2:17PM on Jun 17th 2008 by Vicki

37. i had labor induced at 6;35 a.m. on a friday and had my water broke at 2:00 p.m. at around 11:00 p.m. the baby was stuck and her heart beat had dropped almost to nothing and they had to do an emergency c - section immediately or she would have died, how would a mid wife coped with that... but hey it is just my opinion...

Posted at 10:24PM on Jun 17th 2008 by sherry

38. i am a mother of four. never once during my pregnancies or births would i have thought it okay for the government to tell me where and how i should give birth.

to all the women talking about how their babies could have died during an at home birth, DUH. obviously it isn't for everyone, but that is not for the government to decide any more than abortion rights should be decided by the government.

this is AMERICA... not a communist country that can get away with that sort of BS.

Posted at 2:21PM on Jun 17th 2008 by been there, done that....

39. Had two home births...with a wonderful very experienced midwife. It is the woman's choice. When you choose a home birth you also accept the risks! We don't tell woman they can't abort babies, I have a hard time believing that you can tell a woman how to have one!!!!

Posted at 2:17PM on Jun 17th 2008 by Lisa

40.
at least they were flotation devices
born into excellent hygiene;

Posted at 2:17PM on Jun 17th 2008 by charleswhitman

41. The reason the US has higher maternal/infant death rates than other western countries is that medial care in those countries is available to every citizen, and they receive excellent prenatal care.

The US is sadly lacking decades behind most European nations in health care. We can 'build' Iraq and fight foreign wars with our tax money but we can't get good health care to every tax paying citizen.

Posted at 2:22PM on Jun 17th 2008 by Sierra

42. If this becomes "law" I for one will sue the CRAP out of the hospital, the ob gyn, the anesthitist etc...the WHOLE bunch of them. In essence what they are saying is that having a baby at home presents risks that don't occur in the hospital. Explain that to my friend whose baby died of a respiratory virus picked up where???? You got it...the hospital. Another friend was diagnosed with MRSA. Another was kicked out of the hospital and damn near died two days later from an infection. This "law" is job protection. Nothing more. But, we will see about that!!!!

Posted at 2:24PM on Jun 17th 2008 by Michelle

43. #37 Laura

You're wrong. The reason for the high mortality rate is the lack of good health care, not too much health care like you seem to be suggesting. Most death's are from black woman. It is low birth weight and no health care.

Posted at 2:27PM on Jun 17th 2008 by Jean

44. For all of you who think you would have died if you had a home birth... well not to discredit what must have been a scary situation, but midwives are HIGHLY trained on what is normal in a birth and what requires a hospital transfer. They want nothing more that to deliver a healthy baby, while ensuring the mom is safe too. If there are problems or concerns then you transfer to the hospital.

Stop living in fear people. Birth is normal and natural and not a medical condition. Hospitals are for sick people... sometimes births need to be in the hospital... but most births don't. That doesn't mean if a mom wants to get pain relief should automatically have a home birth... but for moms who want a natural birth home births should be an option.

Just like the last birth in The Business of Being Born, she had a situation where the midwife new it was best to have a hospital birth. Both mom and baby were fine. And I find midwifery care to be more thorough... I spent 1 + hours with my midwife for each doctor visit, not the 5-15 mins I spent with my OB... midwifery care is far superior for normal healthy pregnancies.

Stop living in fear!

Posted at 3:53PM on Jun 17th 2008 by Kimberly

45. In many cases home birth is HEALTHIER for both mother and baby. Hospitals are riddled with staph and other infections that are resistant to medicines (MRSA anyone?). Studies have shown that, assuming normal sanitary procedures are taken, the baby already has a natural immunity through mom to typical germs s/he may encounter in the first days of life at home but does not have immunity to these hospital infections. Having good prenatal care and a doctor/hospital backup is common sense when planning a home birth but, if there is no medical reason not to, why put the mom and baby through the stresses of the hospital? It has been proven time and a gain that a hospital is one of the most stressful and least healthy places to recover from any medical situation.

Posted at 2:29PM on Jun 17th 2008 by katie