Tips on having a home birth style hospital birth
This is part two to last week’s blog, so if you haven’t read that yet go back and check it out!
You start having contractions. Stay home as long as you can, or head to your hotel and stay there as long as possible. Remember the first intervention is going to the hospital. If labor gets intense, ask your doula to come support you. They can help you labor at home longer. Which would be best if you are wanting no interventions.
It’s time to head to the hospital. Remember your birth plan. Have your partner look over and be refreshed. The first thing they will tell you to do is be triaged. They will ask you to change, get Iv, and a cervical exam. Whatever you do not want, you can say no. Even to the cervical exam. You can wear your own clothes and there are companies that make gowns that still give the nurses access to what they need. Research these interventions beforehand and decide if they are important to you. These things that seem so simple are not always necessary and can cause more interventions later on.
When you are admitted, have your husband pass out your birth plan or lay it on the counter in clear sight. Ask your doula to make your hospital an intimate home like environment. She can add twinkle lights, battery candles, affirmations, dim the lights, essential oils, music. If you have or want family or friends make sure everyone in the room is serving you or has a purpose. If someone is causing anxiety or stress, ask someone to have them leave. Now is not the time to worry about feelings, they love you and can help serve you in other ways. Bring light food and drinks, research this- not being able to eat and drink is old and not up to date evidence.
Labor how you want. Ask for a ball right away, even if you don’t want one right then that way you do not have to wait if you change your mind. Walk the halls, move around a lot, listen to your body. If you have a nurse you don’t like, tell your partner or doula, and have them request another. Remember they work for you. Also ask for a squat bar that can be helpful for laboring in the hospital bed even if they don’t use it. Sometimes these are limited. As well as wireless monitors for baby. Another thing please research continuous versus intermittent monitoring. Deny cervical exams when they offer unless of course you want them. Or if they recommend them, ask why and rule out the benefits and risks.
When you are ready you can labor in the tub or shower. There is one hospital In Georgia that will let you push in the water, but most will let you labor in the tub in the bathroom. An IV can make this harder to happen. They do not like the iv to get wet and if you have had any pain meds, they will monitor you more frequently meaning you may have to wear the belts around your stomach in the tub/shower which can be uncomfortable because they move.
When your provider presents a new intervention, know what “informed consent” is. These are recommendations not the law, you do not have to get anything they recommend. And they have to go over the benefits and risks, if they do not ask them. Also look up the BRAIN acronym . This is a great time to have a doula remind you of your birth plan and talk things through with you to make sure you are given all the information before making a decision. Remember they work for you :) and also remember not every single intervention is bad that’s why it is important to find someone you trust and you can ask these questions to.
It is still important to advocate for yourself after you have your baby, a doula can be helpful here as well. Research Vit K, Hep B, erythromycin eye ointment. Look up the importance of skin to skin. Delayed cord clamping. Breastfeeding versus formula. Pitocin after birth. Infant resuscitation. Circumcision. Decide what you want and do not want. Look up different ways things can be done. And do not feel pressured to do anything. If you don’t like someone in the room ask for someone else. Even in mother and baby.
I hope these tips are helpful in achieving a “home birth in the hospital” and I really really hope you have a wonderful birth!
