Misconceptions

So, last week I listed some things I was not so fond of in my hospital birth: cramped quarters, a few rude nurses, the complete impossibility of sleeping more than 15 minutes in a row. But I think it's only fair to clear up some misconceptions I have heard about hospital birth from women who chose to deliver at home or in a birth center.

"You are not allowed to move around to get comfortable": Not true. I was encouraged by everyone to walk around to get my labor moving. I could have squatted, rolled on a ball, whatever I wanted. And yes, once I chose to have the epidural, I was confined to bed, but since there was no more pain, I was happy to lie down and rest.

"You have to give birth lying on your back." I cannot vouch for every hospital, but at NYU, the beds miraculously transform to birthing chairs (Jeremy said it looked like I was sitting on a throne), and you give birth upright, with gravity doing its thing. But it it true that giving birth standing up or on all fours (positions that other women have found effective) were not options for me.

"You have to get shaved down there." Um, no. This was done in the past for "sanitary" reasons. I have not heard of any hospitals that do this anymore for a vaginal birth.

Bottom line is, if you are concerned about any of these things or have questions, talk to your doctor or midwife well before your due date. I have heard from many women who were able to negotiate the rules.

What I loved most about my hospital birth: the availability of the epidural, my sensitive and funny doctor, the spacious and comfortable labor room (as opposed to the tiny and uncomfortable maternity ward room).

Of course, every hospital and every labor is different, so I'd love to hear from other women about what they liked about their hospital birth—and what they would change the next time.