Re: gional Physician Backup for Homebirths
From: Lynn D. Montgomery, MD (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed, 26 Jul 2000 15:20:00 -0500 (CDT)
Tonja,
As the back-up for a certified nurse midwife just this past Thursday,
did an emergency hysterectomy on a patient who had just had her second
baby. Totally uneventful pregnancy, labor and delivery. Placenta
delivered intact followed by 1000cc of blood. Immediate medications
given followed by an emergent D&C. She lost an additional 1-2000cc and
was taken for emergent hyst.
If she had had a home birth, she would now be dead...
Lynn
At Wed, 26 Jul 2000, Tonja wrote:
>
>Jennifer, where to birth is a deeply personal decision and if you're
>truly committed to it, it shouldn't matter to you how OBs in general
>feel about it - I can somewhat understand your point, but trying to
>change the general opinion of the medical community won't further your
>cause and seems unproductive in light of what's ahead...You have a lot
>of other work to do right now in planning a homebirth! In reality, it's
>your birth, your experience, and your decision. It entails a tremendous
>amount of responsibility on your part to (1) research and be prepared
>for every possible scenario (good and bad), and (2) find a midwife who
>works in conjunction with the laws governing your state with regard to
>homebirth. I fully support homebirth, personally, as long as the
>birthing couple educates themselves to the fullest extent possible, the
>pregnancy and history is generally complication-free and above all, a
>well-devised plan for a transport has been constructed in the event it
>is indicated. There are lots of midwifery resources on the web ...try
>doing a search and see what you come up with - maybe you could find a
>good one in your area that meets your needs.
>
>BTW, I was a little confused by your last statement, "It seems if
>doctors really belive that there is potential danger in homebirths they
>would take the responsibility to make them safe." Take the
>responsibility to make what safe? In a homebirth, it is *your* (and your
>midwife's) responsibility to make it safe! :-)
>
>Good luck to you!
>
>--
>Tonja
>
>At Wed, 26 Jul 2000, Jennifer wrote:
>>
>>I am looking for information on gaining community support for a
>>homebirth. I have done my homework and feel very strongly about having
>>my second baby at home. The only midwife in my area will only take
>>clients who can find a physician backup for the event of an emergency
>>hospital transport. Her few experiences with local emergency rooms have
>>been too abusive for her to continue without the support of a doctor.
>>The OB's that I have contacted are adomandtly against homebirths. Does
>>anyone have any regional information on potential doctors, in Charleston
>>County, South Carolina, that may be willing to back up a homebirth. Also
>>any ideas on how to pursuade the profession that although complications
>>can occur childbirth is a natural process of the body. When
>>complications occur and medicine is necessary it should be available
>>without losing the option of a homebirth. I could not find the
>>necessary recourses for my first birth and would be forever grateful to
>>have all of the options for my second birth. It seems if doctors really
>>belive that there is potential danger in homebirths they would take the
>>responsibility to make them safe.
>>
>>Jennifer
>
--
Lynn D. Montgomery, MD
Director, Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Rocky Mountain Perinatal Center
Missoula, Montana
**Note: Opinions expressed here are for educational purposes only and, as such, do not constitute a physician-patient relationship. This information is not intended to supplant the need for you to consult with your physician prior to choosing therapeutic options and/or interventions.
**Private e-mails cannot be entertained due to time constraints, consequently no private e-mails will receive a response.
**Thank you for your understanding ;-)
![[ Pregnancy & Birth Forum ]](/pregnancy-birth/pnb_forum_L.gif)