Just In Case

So far in my doula-ing career, I have not yet attended a birth when there was a true medical emergency that required extensive intervention. Although many women have c-sections, they aren't always an emergency. Like an emergency where the doctors don't ask you what you want they just start rushing you somewhere and doing stuff. But emergencies do happen and it is so important to have a transfer plan if you having a home birth or one at a birthing center.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:
How far away is the nearest hospital?
Is there a doctor/midwife practice that will accept transfer patients from a home birth?
What are the circumstances that you would want to be transferred to a hospital (discuss with midwife)?

Home birth and birth center birth can be very safe, but it is important to have a plan.

Some people do not like hospitals (and for good reasons), but when you are having an emergency they can be life-saving. Below is an article from a women who needed to be transferred and emergency care. I post it not to frighten you, but to inform you on the importance of a plan...just in case. You will feel less panicked if you have a plan and do need hospital services.

http://m.xojane.com/healthy/it-happened-to-me-i-survived-a-post-partum-hemorrhage