Home birth is an option and research has shown (as far as I can tell) that it is also safe for low risk moms.  For those who don’t feel as comfortable with the thought, though, or need to be in the hospital, here are some other ideas.  Bring a pillow, blanket, or other comfort item.  Dress in your own clothes.  Visit the hospital and become familiar with it.  Don’t go in with a fighting attitude…that defeats the whole purpose of trying to get past the medical stuff.  But…know your options and choices and be willing to ask for them.  Bring a doula or childbirth coach.  Bring music to play.  If you don’t have to use drugs, don’t get an iv.  If you do, walk around as much as possible and “claim” the area.  Try and focus on your loved ones there and on the new baby instead of the medical stuff.  Bring a journal and write down your thoughts at the time.  Create a letter to your baby while you labor.  Bring movies that will help you focus on positive things.  Create art while in labor.  For those who are dissappointed or afraid of what happened in birth, discuss this with someone you trust.  Again, write out your thoughts and feelings.  Think of how you could use this experience in a positive way, or think about what you can learn from it.

I’m sure there are a lot of other ideas that you could think of, but make this birth your own.

I remember being shocked at the major cause for problems: doctors and nurses were not washing their hands.  Gross.

I also remember when I went to the hospital in Texas to visit my friend who had a baby and watched in horror as the cleaning service took a wet mop and mopped up the bathroom, which had a bit of blood on the floor, and then dragged the mop through the rest of the room without rinsing.  Ugh.

A news station in Boston recently reported on the problem of hospital acquired infection, stating:

…prevention efforts are focusing on getting hospital staff to wash their hands with soap and water more frequently…

Here is just a sampling of recent articles regarding the fact that many doctors and nurses are not washing their hands, and it puts your life at risk:

From an article in Memphis, Tennessee (which also appeared in the Washington Post:

Despite recommendations, nearly 60 percent of health care workers do not wash hands while on duty.

And from the Ottowa Citizen:

…according to an audit last year…found nurses do a better job, but their rate of compliance is still just 40 to 50 per cent – even though research shows nearly a third of hospital-acquired infections can be prevented through handwashing.

From Newburyport News:

The push for education was prompted a couple of years ago after the U.S. Centers For Disease Control and Prevention found infections transmitted by hand were responsible for 80,000 deaths and $5 billion to $10 billion in costs nationwide.

The New York Times also has an interesting report that a study shows patients are not willing to ask doctors safety questions, like “Did you wash your hands?”  Another report in Time Magazine states that 90,000 people died in the United States due to hospital acquired infections.

And in London:

Doctors and nurses who fail to wash their hands cause as much damage as drunk drivers, a top NHS adviser said today.

According to recent research, as many as one in five clinical staff neglect to wash their hands between patients, despite evidence it reduces hospital infection.

BirthLove has an excellent compilation on hospital acquired infections following Cesareans.

Great Expectations Birth Care

Great Expectations Birth Care is run by Rebecca Williams, CNM, CPM, MSN, and is located in Murray, Utah.

Rebecca offers her clients the option of birthing at her beautiful birth suite, or in the comfort of their own home.

The birth suite is located right next to Cottonwood Medical Center, and would be a perfect situation for women and families who may be looking for an alternative to the Obstetrical Model of Care, but are not interested in birthing at home.

Great Expectations seems to really give clients star treatment!  From her website, with regard to considering homebirth or birth at the birth suite, both options sound like the family can expect to be pampered by a compassionate, professional midwife:

Birthing At Home With Great Expectations

Around 36 weeks gestation I will visit your birth site for a prenatal visit and bring birth supplies, a tub if needed, and a postpartum packet which includes all the information and paperwork needed for me to file your birth certificate, obtain a social security card for your baby, etc.. Between 37 to 42 weeks we can legally birth at home and I will come to your house for the birthday party whenever you’d like me to. I stay after the birth until mom and baby are stable and ready for sleep. Sometimes I stay until the birthday cake is frosted and served because I like cake…you’re under no obligation to feed me cake though. I’m there to make your birth wonderful, not to cause extra work.

Birth Suite Birthing With Great Expectations

Women who choose a birth suite birth come to Great Expectations in labor, have a wonderful birth in a “Bed and Breakfast” setting and return home when they’re stable and the time is right. We have a brand new kitchen and food handler permits so you won’t starve and we’ll try to plan your menu before your birth. Maybe you like waffles, fried ham and smoothies, or will it be pasta???

And Regardless Of Location…

Because having a safe pregnancy and birth is a priority, I do transfer to the hospital if problems arise and am certified in Advanced Life Support for Obstetrics. Unless I have someone else laboring, I go with my laboring women and act as their advocate and doula at the hospital in the event of transfer. I have many years of hospital experience and can help couples navigate the hospital “world” to achieve the best possible birth under the circumstances.

Great Expectations Birth Care is located in Murray, Utah, and Rebecca provides complete maternal health care for women living in the Salt Lake area.