Exploring more birthing options, The Farm in Summertown, TN

Posted on Dec 17 in 2008 pregnancy, home birth advocacyby TalinaPrint

I am not quite sure how to explain the “gut feeling” I have but in light of my blood type revelation and my mom telling me her horror stories about the docs when she was giving birth (with my same blood type)… I am leaning more and more towards wanting an equip home birth setting.

Let me elaborate a bit. Birthing options here are varied. There are underground midwives who will attend home births in Evansville. I have had many referred to me. I started talking with one particular lady who left me with zero confidence in her ability to support me during delivery. She remarked that the majority of first time mothers require transport. Yeah, you are not my first choice after that comment.

I want a midwife who is very experienced, supportive and encouraging, knowledgeable of complications and also has the ability to remedy and treat minor complications.

Some midwives come prepared with medications, IV’s and other essentials to ensure if the unspeakable does happen they are able to help you or baby until transported to a hospital when necessary. Other midwives prefer to not delve in to this aspect at all and will call for hospital transport for much less.

Specifically my major concern is hemorrhaging and becoming “sensitized” to rh positive blood thus impacting my ability to have more children.

I want the essentials there when I give birth out of hospital. I want to be safe and to do what is best without subjecting myself and my child to the unnecessary interventions in a hospital setting. I am picky huh?

I feel really good about birthing at The Farm because of the 25+ years of birthing experience and also because Ina May Gaskin is practicing there. She has oodles of experience and knowledge. The Farm is responsible for thousands of successful, natural births each year and I feel really good about birthing there.

I have found a few birth stories from real women who choose to birth there that you can read if interested:

• Carrie’s Birth Story at The Farm
• Thomas’ breech birth at The Farm
• Asher’s birth at The Farm

Now I just need to see how much birthing there will actually cost. I am sure insurance doesn’t cover it… Have you birthed at The Farm? If so I would love to hear about your experience!

Oh and so far we still have power here dispite the ice storm action, thanks goodness!

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7 Comments

• Memarie Lane says:

  December 17, 2008 at 2:19 pm

  That would be SO AWESOME if you got to birth there! I’ve read a couple of Ina May’s books and she is amazing. Truly a legend not just for birthing, but for women everywhere. I so hope you do this!
• Kari Jenkins says:

  December 17, 2008 at 3:02 pm

  I will be giving birth at The Farm in February. I only live an hour away, but there are lots of people who travel there from out of town.
  Have you read “Ina May’s Guide To Childbirth” or “Spiritual Midwifery?”
  Even though I’m a doula, my husband was still hesitant about going there until we went and he met our midwife. We have received the most amazing care. When you have care by such caring and highly qualified midwives, it will change your life. It has for us!
  The cost is $3500 for prenatal care and the birth. I’m not sure about any other costs, but I’ll be down there on Friday and we’ll try and remember to ask. There’s also a supply list you have to get together. My husband and I are going to work on that over Christmas. So, I can let you know about that as well. Don’t let money be THE deciding factor. I struggled with that at first, but it came down to my gut feeling and knowing how much I trusted these women.
  The midwives are in the clinic on Wednesday afternoons. The number is (931) 964-2293
  Just call and talk with them about your blood type and any other questions you have. That’s what they are there for.
  Hope it all goes well for you. I would love to keep in touch about your decision. Any more questions just let me know.

  Kari Jenkinss last blog post..Santa Love Is Back In Business!!!
• Ree says:

  December 17, 2008 at 5:30 pm

  Sounds like a wonderful childbirth experience.

  Rees last blog post..Blogging About Blogging
• Money Saving Tips says:

  December 17, 2008 at 9:21 pm

  We never did a home birth, but after an unpleasant hospital experience in a U.K. hospital, our next child was born at a birth center, just a block from a larger hospital. The closeness of the hospital gave me some peace of mind, but the experience was great. No machines, tubes, beeping noises, stress, etc.

  Money Saving Tipss last blog post..Prepay your loan interest and save thousands on debt
• Hyphen Mama says:

  December 17, 2008 at 10:56 pm

  Wow–how great that Kari Jenkins left that comment! I hope you’re able to do that. How far is The Farm from where you live?

  Hyphen Mamas last blog post..Oh, Wouldn’t That Be Nice!?
• Donna B. says:

  December 18, 2008 at 1:39 am

  I don’t want to be a spoil-sport, but I think it’s much too early to make up your mind. Explore all the options, YES, but don’t become emotionally glued to one.

  Of course, I say this simply because of my daughter’s experience where she never dilated fully and the baby became “stuck” in the birth canal. Don’t forget that modern medical intervention has saved the lives of numerous mothers and babies, even if it has made birth more clinical than natural.

  I really am supportive of your desire to have a natural experience, with all the human factors being favored over technical concerns. Above all else, you have to do what you feel is right.

  Next question – when are they going to test N’s blood? If you are both O- lots of bad scenarios disappear.

  Donna B.s last blog post..Child-proofing and Dog-proofing
• teeni says:

  December 18, 2008 at 10:39 pm

  It’s a shame insurance won’t cover a more natural birthing option than they will for a hospital. But I hope you are able to use the Farm and get the birthing experience that all women wish to have.

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