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Good idea.  That's what my midwives said they do in those cases.  During the pregnancy, the midwives clarify that with the client.

posted 3 years ago
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First off, Midwives are professionals that can perform emergency life-saving techniques.  There is always a plan in place in case of an emergency that transports the mom to the hospital in as much time it takes for a staff of people to prepare for a C-section. 

I had a very difficult birth at home, and if I had been in a hospital, they most likely would have performed a c-section, simply to avoid any risks of suit against them, whatever the likelihood.

Most of the procedures are unnecessary and coslty and increase th cost of birth overall.

posted 3 years ago
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I am a 37 year old mom of 14 month old home-birthed baby.  When I became pregnant I owned a small baking business and was uninsured.  I was able to get onto the Oregon Health Plan and was given the choice of a midwife home birth.  This would be my choice in any case.   I would not have had that choice under my previous health insurance provided through my employer. 

I think it should be illegal not to offer coverage for any choice of legally obtainable childbirthing options.  Additionally, the Oregon Health Plan offered all forms of birth control at no cost to me, where my company-provided insurance does not cover any form of women's contraceptives, but will cover a vasectomy.

I had a difficult birth, but I still didn't want to be in a hospital.  Instead I had my partner, my mom, my sister and three wonderful competent midwives assisting my 72 hour birth in the comfort of my home. 

Lastly, I'd like to add that about choice, I think our society is not very educated or experienced with homebirth, in general, which fosters a lot of fear.  I needed to seek the company of people who were supportive of my choice of a home birth.  The midwives provided a community of supportive people.  But I received  criticism from people and members of my family. Had I not been fully researched and knowledgeable about my choices about all of the different optional procedures that can be done during a pregnancy, I may have easily folded under the pressure to go with a hospital birth for a perfectly normal pregancy.   I trusted my midwives and I did a lot of my own research on the safety of home birth.

posted 3 years ago
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