early discharge possible at Sibley?

[Anonymous]

No, you don't sound closed minded about birth centers at all. I think many women go through this same process of figuring out what is right for them. And, ultimately, wherever you feel safest is the best place for you. I always felt like the "emergency story" was proof that birth centers were safe. It is precisely when a midwife has the skill and knowledge to get a mom or baby to the hospital for a treatment only a hospital can provide, that we know that out of hospital *works*. The whole point of out-of-hospital birth is NOT that everything has to go perfectly; instead it is that you have a trained medical professional who helps facilitate the normal process, yet recognizes those very rare situations when something is greater than she can handle and ensures everyones safety by getting them the care they need. Babies and moms need emergency treatment in the hospital, too, and we don't take that as proof that hospital birth is unsafe. But again, that is besides the point if YOU feel safer in the hospital -- in that case, that is where you should be!

What about birthing with one of the birth center midwifery practices, but choosing the hospital as your delivery place? The DC Birth Center, for example, delivers about 70% of all their patients at the hospital, because that's where the women want to deliver. You still get the holistic midwifery care, they still encourage movement and showers and eating, etc.; yet you are in the hospital where they have collaborative relationships with the physicians. Some would say it's the best of both worlds. And, many times the husbands wind up so comfortable with the birth center (after going there with you for prenatals) that they become the ones encouraging you to birth there, in the end. Also, I do not think doulas or midwives are anti-pain meds at all, especially those who do work in hospitals. I think they start with the ideal that not using interventions is safest - nothing to do with medals or heroism or anything - just that it is *safer* for the mom and baby, yet if things go wrong or are just too difficult for whatever reason, then that is exactly why interventions exist.

By the way, I went to Birthcare in Alexandria. They are extremely popular and have a long waiting list, so if you are more than 2 or 3 months pregnant you will probably not get in with them. My birth assistant was Liz Kaufman, who is a fantastic doula and midwife-in-training (I believe). I think someone else mentioned the Birth Options Alliance earlier - they could help you get in touch with Liz or other good doulas or midwives in the area.