I have read the Thinking Woman?s Guide to a Better Birth as well as MANY other books on pregnancy and labor. I have read endless horror stories on mumsnet about mean midwives, crappy aftercare, cascading interventions, years to heal 3rd degree cuts, permanent bladder and bowel injuries and even colostomy bags needed as a result of undiagnosed breach deliveries, etc. etc. etc.
I decided I would be better off with a home birth, even though I have a history of agonizing periods necessitating strong narcotics starting from when I was 14 years old. (Not been that bad for 15 years but hard to forget!) I?m terrified of the pain but figured a couple of days at home would be better than months healing from whatever would be inflicted upon me in hospital.
I have since read in today?s paper but also elsewhere that home births may be a huge manipulation of our trust in so far as the movement for them is more due to an effort to save money than any concern for a happy safe birth experience. And they may very well be more dangerous for the baby and we may not know the consequences of the damage for years.
I don?t know about that manipulation, it could be a coincidence. But how will I console myself if my child is brain damaged as a result of a home birth gone wrong, when the reason for having a home birth is my own personal safety and comfort? Is the fear of dirty toilets, a few ?worst days of my life? in the postnatal ward and damaged ?lady bits? a fair trade off for what could happen to this life inside me?
My husband and my mother have both concluded that I should have an elective cesarean. I have had surgery before and I know that I heal well. It?s my first baby and probably my last as I am 41 yrs old. My mother will be here to take care of me, as will my husband. I won?t have the problems some do of trying to do too much, as my husband would pee for me if he could. He is a wonderful caregiver.
I feel guilty considering a c section. What about all I?ve learned, about the beauty of a natural childbirth, etc. etc. I told my midwife group that I want a home birth and they were not only supportive, they were proud of me! And yes, it?s a major surgery but a planned surgery is far safer than an emergency surgery, which could still happen.
I?m 25 weeks today. It?s probably too late to get a consultant and then there?s no guarantee he?ll give me an elective section. Even if I go private, what are the odds of getting a consultant at this late date?
Which brings me back to NHS, and back to Chelsea Westminster. Home or hospital? Me or baby? I am so afraid I?m starting to hyperventilate. I want to enjoy this time. Someone give me advice, please?
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Childbirth
At a loss for how to have this baby (very long, sorry)
DivaSkyChick · 13/04/2007 10:44
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