Hospital birth

Midwife / Dr. Care Option

 Currently, I am working with Dr. Anne Camber, OBGYN with St. John's Hospital in Libby, Montana.  Working as a midwife with Dr. Camber in a hospital setting is a unique experience that helps me understand birth for the general public better. Being a professional, working with Dr. Camber has allowed my practice to offer even more family-orientated birth experiences at St. John's.  OB clients in Bonners Ferry, on Idaho Medicaid, are accepted.

I am a Licensed Montana Midwife License #46. 

Combined Care Option

Dr. Camber   406-293-0190  Ask for Amy and request an appointment, or call Sherry to have her make one. 208-946-0640.

        There are different ways to birth.  We are thankful for hospitals when we need them. Although more and more women are choosing out-of-hospital birth options, many women still prefer the safety net of having immediate help, should concerns arise.

        The majority of women giving birth today in the United States choose a hospital birth, along with medication for pain.  This may be a result of many voices urging this. Interventions start small, such as medication to take the edge off of pain. Even a women planning on a natural birth in the hospital may find herself with a fully medicated birth and/or eventually a c-section for the safety of her baby. 

        Interestingly 1/3 or all births in the USA are caesarean births, 1/3 are epidural or medicated births and 1/3 are natural births.

        There are some good reasons to have a hospital birth. There are situations that prevent some women from being able to pursue an out-of-hospital birth experience.  Midwife laws in Idaho and Montana put restrictions on doing births such as a breech birth, VBACs with more than 1 previous c-section, very obese women and certain diseases that could endanger baby or mom.

Yet there are many reasons to do your research first. Is a hospital (possibly medicated) birth is the best option for you and your baby?

        1.  Introducing medication into your body may cause baby to be sleepy too. Medical intervention such as an intrathecal or a epidural can cause his heart rate to drop and for him to be sleepy and medicated at birth too.

        2.  Eliminating the pain of childbirth may reduce the immediate discomfort, but a possible eventual c-section is much harder to recover from pain-wise, than a vaginal birth. It is considered major surgery.  There are risks involved with choosing medication for pain.

        3.  The idea of giving birth can be very empowering to you as a women.  There are few events that can better shape you into a better person, than a very positive birth experience. 

Ideas for the Best Cesarean Possible  by Penny Simkin

If you must labor in Bed   by Penny Simkin