By Dr. Boris Petrikovsky, MD
I seek not to lecture women on the choices they make in terms of their pregnancy and delivery, rather I merely seek to humbly offer an opinion based on my expertise and experience as a high-risk pregnancy physician.
I must state in advance, that individual physicians merely see the tip of the iceberg in the practice of medicine and do not necessarily experience the most balanced variety of cases, consistent with general statistics. Nonetheless, I do hope my words will be deemed worthy of your consideration.
Home Births
In the past decade, the prevalence of planned home births has become more frequent. A home birth alleviates several concerns that patients may have:
1. Giving birth in a familiar environment gives comfort to many patients.
2. In hospitals, many defensive protocols are set into place, not necessarily to benefit the patient (limiting the hospital’s liability), whereas home births are immune from this concern.
3. Homebirths afford the mother a more modest setting.
4. Homebirths decrease the odds of an unwanted C-section being rendered.
Acknowledging the above benefits of home births, I nonetheless must point out that the benefits, too, have a cost attached.
A Chassidic woman in Williamsburg turned away from the traditional hospital setting after her first few children, due to dissatisfaction with their care. Having retained a midwife to deliver her sixth child at home, she was off to a great start as the child was delivered healthy. Shortly thereafter she began to hemorrhage, and by the time they were able to transfer her to a hospital, irreversible damage was done to her body.
Thankfully, after a two-month hospitalization, they were able to restore her general health. Sadly, however, she lost her ability to have additional children, which brought upon depression and chronic anguish.
Of course, in the overwhelming majority of home births, mothers and their babies fare well. However, there are approximately 10% of babies that don’t tolerate labor, and thus don’t benefit from a home birth. There are negative things that occur in hospitals as well; however, in hospitals their cases are generally more complicated (i.e. higher risk) than the cases of candidates for home birth. Furthermore, in decent hospitals staffed by teams of on-call professionals, they can often promptly rectify problems before they become irreversible.
Sonograms
A heimishe woman opted out of a sonogram after being suggested by her doctor to do one. Due to the fact that the pregnancy appeared healthy and standard, the doctor didn’t press the matter further. Several months later, a healthy baby was born. After six hours, the woman started feeling ill and so the doctors performed an ultrasound. They learned that there was a much smaller baby still inside and she was experiencing labor. Sadly, the twin was born heavily disabled.
Knowledge is power, and little is gained by self-imposed ignorance through the shunning of technology. I’m not suggesting endless systemic sonograms, however at least a single one during a pregnancy may save heartaches. There was a time when all doctors, largely, didn’t need technology to make a competent assessment of where a pregnancy was holding.
The reality is, in today’s age, doctors are so reliant on technology, that medical schools don’t even teach the old ways of assessing patients, and absent technology, they would be incompetent in rendering an accurate assessment.
I’m actually very open-minded when it comes to creating positive experiences for delivering mothers. In fact, I have initiated birthing water pool options in two area hospitals to enhance the experience and offer more options to birthing mothers.
My philosophy boils down to a few simple words: “So long as your choices are well thought out, and, more importantly, safe, pursue whatever path brings you reassurance.”
–Boris Petrikovsky is a professor of obstetrics and gynecology and has authored two books and over one hundred research articles. Dr. Petrikovsky delivered over 5,000 babies and performed over 2,000 gynecological surgeries over the past three decades. He is part of the Chabad of Great Neck community where he resides with his wife and children.
I have given birth in hospitals and at home, and I the difference was immense, but I agree with the doc. He is not saying don’t give birth at home, what he is saying is educate yourself, make sure you are crossing all your Ts, with docs or midwives that are professional, capable and you trust them. Don’t choose hospital or homebirth as a emotional, kneejerk reaction to whatever horror story you heard or experienced. As for myself for a few of my babies, I would not have birthed then naturally had I been in a hospital so every situation… Read more »
looking back, I may have been able to have them in a more comfortable caring setting, however the main thing is the outcome, all B”H healthy, and I was confident that if Chas veshalom an emergency shall arrise, they were there for me.
if that your age? Once a c-section always a c-section is a thing of the past. My close friend recently had her 7th child, all natural deliveries – except the first one who was an emergency C! So there goes your “theory” that “After Csections, doctors will order bc from anywhere between eighteen months and three years {{her second child is not even 18 months younger than the the first}}. After the next repeat c-section, they will possibly “allow” one more child.{{My 1st cousin had 4 C-sections between 1964 and 1979, and would have had more kids but her husband… Read more »
He is the most amazing and open minded doctor
Very open to alternatives and I highly trust his opinions
He is absolutely right!!
Thank you for sharing.
Come to canada! Its so not like that here!
Interesting, nobody is addressing the risks of birthing in a hospital; there are so many. Every time a woman births in a hospital, she is putting her future fertility and children at risk. The unprecedented Cesarean rate bears testimony that it’s artificial, that it is subjecting countless women to needless major surgery. One out of three is not normal, it is clearly dishonest and unethical! Back to risks involved, once sectioned, your future births will always be under that shadow. Many doctors will not even allow a trial of labor afterwards, and those that do, are mostly lip service, but… Read more »
To have a home birth is a very personal choice. It require a deep faith in G-d and your own abilities; Strength of character, there are no anesthetics. If this is your choice, a home birth can be a very beautiful experience. Why do Doctors and others feel the need to limit womens choices? As for the risks Mid wives who perform Home births are very careful because they are held accountable for any and every mistake, whereas Doctors in a hospital setting are protected and have so many others to blame.
Please share
if so i have a letter from the Rebbe i would like to share.
i don’t know why people think that a hospital is more germ free than home. I shared a room with a woman who bled really nadly all over the bathroom and no nurse came to clean up thus exposing me to any disease or germs sheay have been carrying. Giving birth at home is not a “hippie” thing! There are countries such as Netherlands where homebirth is a high percentage (%40) and childbirth is treated as a natural thing not a illness and C-section rates are lowest from all western european countries. In France where most give birth in hospitals.… Read more »
Instead of instilling fear, how about improving Maternity care in the hospitals? Update protocols and allow greater flexibility and warm care. Competition will take away the customer base of homebirthing. Change the system and I, for one, would love the security of giving birth in the hospital without unwanted and unnecessary procedures. In addition, regulate homebirth like in Holland or England. Similar to the claims that were made when legalizing abortion – people are doing it anyway. We may as well put a system in place to make it as safe as possible.
Before the 1980’s mothers were given general anesthesia, pushed to formula feed, scheduled births by convenience through inducement, etc. Because of the homebirth and LaLeche League movement, did hospital births shift to a more maternal/baby best interest model.
If you want a research article then do research. This is a short blurb, written for COL’s chassidish and not-too-well-educated audience, and that is the style presented.
And #85 is absolutely right. Why play Russian roulette with your baby’s life???
The reason birth was moved to the hospital was purely financial. It wasn’t done for safety. And in fact, it was/is the opposite. Read some childbirth/OB history!
To number 85 I had two children born at home and it was a wonderful experience for mother and baby. However the next baby, my wife and I felt that it is not safe to have the birth at home, and so she had him in the hospital. Tracht Gut vet Zain Gut. I think perhaps one sonogram right before birth is in order, but it is all in Hashem’s hands, and if the baby died enroute to the hospital, then it is not the mother’s fault. We have a choice to choose what we will do, but whatever happens… Read more »
I have a friend who had a normal pregnancy, was healthy, perfect candidate for home birth. Baby got stuck in the birth canal and died while in route to the hospital. Direct quote from my friend to other women who want a home birth “I’d rather have 10 c- sections and have a live baby than that one home birth with a dead baby”. She lives with the guilt that her baby died because she chose a home birth in order to avoid a section. You hear tons of stories of how wonderful it was, how that one did fine,… Read more »
Check out Google scholar (scholar.google.com). Put in his name. This doctor may be modest, but he has done tons of real research.
Every woman is unique and giving birth is a private and very personal experience. Being educated is empowering. Studying the pros and cons of both home births and hospital births is valuable. There are plenty of scary stories on both sides. The question really is where are you safer if things don’t go as expected. I have had 10+ healthy labor and deliveries, B”H. All have been in a hospital. My personal preference was always to deliver there as I am more comfortable there. All of my deliveries were uneventful and healthy until I delivered my youngest child. During labor,… Read more »
While it isnt a sickness i suggest each person commenting here look up everything gemara says about a woman in labor! Labor is extremely dangerous and while mot deliveries are uneventfull and probably would go well at home, there is quiet some risk for both mother and baby acvording to torah and kaccording to the majority of medical opinions. Id love to be home for a delivery but it would be a selfish choice for ghe unborn child and for my the othrr children at home relying on their mother.
Dr Petrikovsky is a real threat to the society we live in. Nature has a plan to slowly wipe out of all the “extremely educated”, “open minded”, “I know it all, Im in medical school” hippies by letting them doing it their way, but this doctor is attempting to educate and them and help them survive.
Dr. Boris Petrikovsky is a Rofeh Yedid! Over a dozen years ago, when I had a life-threatening medical condition that required major surgery, Dr. Petrikovsky conferred with Dr. Eli Rosen, (B”H another rofeh yedid!) and together they agreed on the treatment for months before and after the surgery. After the surgery, when I asked why certain things were and were not done, Dr. Petrikovsky explained that whatever was not medically necessary (but would have been done as standard practice) was avoided in accordance with halacha. Wow. He is kind and capable. I trusted him with my life. You should never… Read more »
I think this dr wrote excellent yet in Brooklyn hospitals mothers r not being respected. Some nurses should be fired they r burnt out and don’t listen to moms in labor……I wish someone would deal with these issues
If you want a csection go to a hospital – at home your much more likely to have a safe and natural birthing experience for mother and baby.
The way healthcare is administered today is NOT the Torah way.
These anti-hippie people on here are treating hospitals like Har Sinai. Get a clue… Learn a Sichah
“childbirth is not a sickness” is an empty, shallow, meaningless slogan. This is against Halacha!!! According to Halacha, a woman who give birth is a חולה שיש בו סכנה!!! She can eat on Tisha B’av! (talk with your rov about the details). Shabbos can be violated for her! Why are you making up false and misleading statements??? Doctors and Medicine are things that Hashem blessed us with to help us maintain our good health. He Rebbe had a better name for a hospital: Beis Refuah We are not in China. You can search for and find a doctor who you… Read more »
“childbirth is not a sickness” is an empty, shallow, meaningless slogan. This is against Halacha!!! According to Halacha, a woman who give birth is a חולה שיש בו סכנה!!! She can eat on Tisha B’av! (talk with your rov about the details). Shabbos can be violated for her! Why are you making up false and misleading statements??? Doctors and Medicine are things that Hashem blessed us with to help us maintain our good health. He Rebbe had a better name for a hospital: Beis Refuah We are not in China. You can search for and find a doctor who you… Read more »
There is a printed letter of the Rebbe to a mother in Israel who asked the Rebbe about giving her child a specific vaccination. The Rebbe replied something to the effect that she should do what the average family in her community does. Don’t be smarter than the whole world. Hashem created hospitals, doctors, medication to HELP us. The wisest way is להקדים רפואה למכה. 500 years ago they didn’t have hospitals, everyone gave birth at home. True. But there were many casualties. 500 years ago they also didn’t have most of the medications and medical help we have today.… Read more »
Having both hospital and home births, there are plusses and minuses for both. I received brochos from the Rebbe for each of my pregnancies and births.
There have been MANY tragic outcomes from hospital births: cerebral palsey, stillbirth, infections in both mothers and babies, asphyxiation, etc. It is no guarantee that hospitals eliminate risks and home birth creates risks.
A friend of mine was born at home and ended up with an extremely low IQ
I was not considered high risk with my 4th child. I had 4 normal pregnancies. During delivery a very unusual medical issue was found. The Baby was saved because we were in a hospital. Even though the statistics show home births are often safe my fourth son would have died(C”V) at home.The children before and after him would have been fine. He was worth dealing with all the hospital births. This doctor has seen way more babies alive because of being saved in the hospital, When you are the statistic it is 100%.
I was not considered high risk with my 4th child. I had 4 normal pregnancies. During delivery a very unusual medical issue was found. The Baby was saved because we were in a hospital. Even though the statistics show home births are often safe my fourth son would have died(C”V) at home.The children before and after him would have been fine. He was worth dealing with all the hospital births. This doctor has seen way more babies alive because of being saved in the hospital, When you are the statistic it is 100%.
#50
Female OMS-2
what is your name? very convenient writing without a name.
i can say I’m a Doc for 50 years. how would you know?
For all you CH homebirthers, I really hope that your back up plan does not include calling hatzolah to save your life because you did something stupid. Please have a private ambulance company on speed dial. It’s the right thing to do. Save
Hatzolah calls for emergencies that people don’t have a choice in.
One factor to keep in mind is that each time a woman is pregnant, there is the possibility of a negative outcome. This is part of the reason that the chiyuv of peru urevu is not on her. Given that, Baruch HaShem, many of us will experience 5-15 pregnancies, and hopefully something close to that in labors and deliveries, there is also a greater risk of negative outcomes. (Ask any frum woman of a mid-large size family, and you will probably find that she’s had 25% more pregnancies that didn’t result in deliveries.) There are events that one cannot predict,… Read more »
If you do your research you’ll see that the percentage of positive negatives and Negative positives in sonogram is astounding. So although in theory a sonogram savves lives in actuality chance of catching the problem is just as high as not catching it along with the damage of the ultrasound itself… Not such a simple solution…
Theres a reason birth was moved to hospitals. You nee s to make a birth plan with your doc. Take someone along be it a doula or,a strong,willed relative who can advocate for you etc.
I thank Hashem that i gave birth in the hospital.
You seem to know what is going on in “gan eden” and when the rebbe cries, but you obviously don’t read the letters of this rebbe you talk about,
There are many letters of the rebbe encouraging this thing that you call “strange” and “like a zebra” etc.
Don’t associate your uneducated rants to the rebbe.
Thanks
the REBBE is probably crying in gan eden looking how his chassidim became connected to such goyshe concepts that “naturallistic hippies” defend . It is tottaly strange to judaism to think that doctors or hospital are not the “NATURAL” way and that a woman should give birth in the woods like a zebra surrounded by trees and butterflies. Not to mention the very strange opposition to vaccines. Some well intentioned women are reading to much of this “strange” naturalistic philosophy instead of latching to what the rebbe said and period. If you had a bad experience at the hospital, go… Read more »
Medicine/Hospitals are a business. Insurance companies, Obamacare, law suits, pharmaceutical corporations, government, corporate owned hospitals, death panels etc… all treat birth, life and death waaay differently than the way YOU would treat it and definitely waaay different than Torah views birth, life and death. Unfortunately, most doctors have become businessmen and have their hands tied due to this system, we wish they had healing and our best interests BUT… hence the need for Rofeh Yedid. Sonograms are like a jackhammer on your fetus’ head, hence the admonition against unnecessary sonograms. Birth is NATURAL, yet very painful, nerve-racking since the Eitz… Read more »
Everyone is commenting on the babys health but many are forgetting the mothers health. Obviously every case is different but someone who is high risk would never dream of delivering at home. Your life is at risk and you belong in a hospital that is equipped with the material, supplies and doctors that you may need in case the worst happens. Also I have a friend who did a home birth. The second time around she starting hemorrhaging. The midwife did not have a good enough back up plan and an ambulance was called. Needless to say she never had… Read more »
I know more then one women who hemorrhaged in a hospital setting and where not able to have any more children. Obviously if you are categorized as high risk you should deliver in a hospital but if you are low risk there should be no reason why you cant have a safe birth at home.
What in the H E L L O is wrong with Y O U???? Hospitals are there for emergency care. Not everyone who goes to a hospital is sick. Sometimes they need emergency care. Wow ignorant people!
There are many arguments that can be pro-sonogram in necessary cases, but this particular argument about the twin is pretty weak.
What happened to basic doctoring? Listening for two heartbeats with a good ole stethoscope? Not relying completely and totally on machines? Using their brains when necessary?
A thought.
These are Doctor Petrikovsky’s observations and cannot be stupid they are simply facts.
What psychobabble to say that giving birth is a natural occurrence and that a hospital is for sick people and not for birthing mothers. There’s a reason why women aren’t allowed to fast within three days of giving birth even Yom Kippur. Not because we assume they’ll die, but they are a cholle. Also a reason why we make a mi sheberach for the mother. Going to the bathroom is a natural occurrence. Not so with birth. Giving birth is very traumatic to mother and child, hence the parents and husband sit with a tehillim and utter many mizmorim until… Read more »
It is quite difficult to understand a lot of comments posted here, please learn how to spell correctly.
In the absence of evidence indicating a complication, one should progress naturally without concerns. This goes for sonograms and hospital births. Someone who has shown a history of complication in previous pregnancies may take additional precautions if tjere is reason to expect repetition of complications. If a pregnancy is progressing normally with no warning signs one ought to progress with zero worries or concerns (and trust Hashem) and prepare for a natural healthy birth. To do anything else (in the absence of complications) is baselessly trusting in the wrong institution for a natural process.
Good day.
My wife had 2 homebirths which was the best decision we made!! Hospitals are for sick ppl not for woman giving birth. If you want to get butchered by a surgeon friendly doctor who has no clue about birth in its natural form, go to a hospital!
Without commenting on wheather or not to have a home birth or a sonogram, Dr Petrikovsky – who I know personally- is a real MUMCHE and ROFE YEDID, he has helped many Lubavitchers and makes himself available to give advice to Shluchos all over – including myself – many times! Please do not knock a doctor ( if you agree or not) who is not saying this for his personal gain but because he REALLY CARES about Yiddishe Neshamos!
lots of interesting perspectives.. when talking about the sensitive topic of birth it is important to state views and opinions with grace and kindness (#48) and it is also important to state facts backed by research (#41)… the fact that people are talking about the experience of childbirth is a step in the right direction towards making the birth of a new neshama a positive holy and safe one… regardless of place. As far a hippy vibes, I can tell you first hand i have been the midwife for many doctors even ob’s and other highly educated people who choose… Read more »
I’m currently in medical school studying to become a doctor and have just completed exams on pregnancy, delivery etc etc. Being a female, this topic prompted me to do my own extensive research (as medical students we are encouraged to look into things and make our own judgements). After learning all about this, I would choose a home birth over a hospital birth any time. And I will be a physician shortly! I would encourage every woman to read Mal(e) Practice by Dr Mendelsohnn, MD and read/watch “The Business of Being Born” as well as The Farm. Dr Mendelsohnn brings… Read more »
first,l wish to point out,that we are indiviuals,what good for one ,may not be good for another second,unbeknow to the crowd,mercury filling is largely res formany sickness in people,and yes unfortunately in preg and birth,they get into our cells blocking much nutrition and oxygen,l had a whole mouth full of mercury filling,although l had them taken out,the damage is done,yes,l am alive,but l do struggle everyday in any which area,like the rebbe says,people have died awhile l am alive,l had very hard preg and birth, the best thing would be to put in white fillings,when removing mercury fillings,it should be… Read more »
The hippy vibe is strong in Lubavitch communities and many still do home-births. How foolish and selfish to expose yourself and your unborn child to such high risk. Shame on the home birth mothers.
After a LONG, painful, traumatic hospital birth filled with VERY intimidating doctors and LOTS of drugs, my wife switched to home birth and hasn’t looked back. If you use an experienced midwife with proper equipment, and are located close to a hospital (just in case) the chance of complications is minimal IYH. REMEMBER: doctors pay malpractice insurance for a reason. Mistakes, mishaps, and GROSS NEGLIGENCE occur everyday in hospitals around the country. If you are educated and responsible about your choices, homebirth is an excellent option. As for ultrasounds/sonograms, those who say the Rebbe recommended against them say that was… Read more »
As someone who gave birth at home (not knowing any better back then) i can say that home births can be a great experience. But i no longer feel home births are always the way to go in general. If the Rebbe was in favor of hospital births, then that is the right thing to do. On the other hand, i do believe that the Rebbe gave blessings to women who gave birth at home as well. The Rebbe was able to see who would have a healthy baby at home or who needed the hospital. But in general taking… Read more »
…so don’t go to a hospital.
This article isn’t an attampt to “convince women to opt for hospital births” nor is it trying to provide research on hospital births vs home births. If you are interested in looking into the research behind the advice read the doctors book on fetal disorders. Alternatively look into over 100 research articles that he has authored. Rather, this article was written to enlighten people to the broad perspective of a doctor who delivered thousands of babies and therefore has a practical knowledge that few have. This article is based on the personal experience of a high risk obstetrician who has… Read more »
Then at least write a better, more convincing article. This guy says nothing. Poorly conceived 🙂
I am a mother for 40 years, B”H, and have seen a lot. I know of 3 tragedies due to homebirth: one stillborn baby, one with severe brain damage due to the time it took to get to hospital after baby stuck during delivery w/o oxygen, one downs syndrome baby (this obviously not due to homebirth) didn’t get his medical needs attended to in a timely fashion. Too many sad stories from overly idealistic mothers. Find a hospital that gives you most of what you want. Safest choice.
Re ultrasounds: Rabbi Farkash in Israel paskened (to Dr Rosen) that screening second trimester ultrasound should be performed. The reason for this is because anomalies can be found which can be acted upon in utero. Re home births: There’s a dearth of statistically significant medical literature. A systematic review from 2012 in the Cochrane Database pools known studies to date and concludes that the existing data is insufficient: “There is no strong evidence from randomised trials to favour either planned hospital birth or planned home birth for low-risk pregnant women.” – Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012. Planned hospital birth versus… Read more »
A number of years ago I had a child with the “help” of a midwife who was on a team together with a medical doctor. The group was popular and bosted a natural birthing experience with minimal monitoring during labor. The doctor did not show up to the hospital and since I was hardly monitored, they were unable to detect that the baby was clearly under stress and could have been saved through a c-section. Obviously, everything is from Hashem, but you need to do all your Hishtadlus to have all the necessary equipment and medical staff available in case… Read more »
He’s loosing his wallet!
Unless the Dr. is your friend he’s not there for your best interest.
We were strongly considering a homebirth, thank God we did not follow through because there were serious complications and being in the hospital definitely saved my baby’s life, and the guilty feelings we would have had to live with
Telling everyone to get sonograms? Why is this up?
my DIL shared a room with a lady who had hep b!
Not a great situation.
We did a home birth. We had a licensed certified midwife. As part of the midwife’s protocol, my wife saw an ob/gyn & had a sonogram as part of her prenatal care. The midwife also had back up plans, oxygen and other meds in case of emergency. We are also just a 5 minute drive from a hospital with a NICU. In my humble opinion, home births are great as long as you have a reasonable plan b.
If he seriously wants to convince mothers to hospital birth, there are many other reasons I could think of. The argument if something happens you could always go the hospital, doesn’t fare well with me. Amazes me that ppl are comfortable thinking that at such a crucial time they are going to rush to the hospital. Awful possibility. What we do need is the best of both worlds. Slow coming but it is coming. Demand = supply. Demand your rights mothers. Birth is the most natural thing in the world. Let it happen in its own time. Medical monitoring in… Read more »
Sometimes there’s no medical need, but after standard One time sonogram its discover that there’s high risk involved and lives can be saved
My neighbor also had extremely fast births which caused an UNPLANNED home birth. She wrote into the Rebbe ( this was in the 1980’s ) and he gave his clear advice that she should go to the hospital and have labor induced there for future births. Being a parent means that you put your child’s health – and certainly their life – before your own pleasure / experience / philosophy. Each labor and each woman is unique – you simply never know how things will unfold. If you are in the mood for a lovely “experience,” then go out to… Read more »
Common sense is most uncommon
#rofehyedid #rabbigroner #hiskashrus #bitul #chochma #daas #vdailemaiven
This is especially true among those who do not think for themselves
It’s obvious that all those who believe in home births are jumping to the defensive
Just be mature about it and admit,yes there is a risk you are willing to take for the comfort you are getting
Please feel free to post the studies you have read. As a medical professional you should know that if this would never have been put into a medical journal. Lacking citations, it would be laughed off as heresay. What he has done is simply created fear. There is no proof that Homebirth is not safe for low risk pregnancies.
The rebbe was against routine sonograms
Not in cases when there seemed to be a medical need, even minor
BS”D
I love number 3 calling this doctors advise utter nonsense. Did he read the doctors credentials.I wonder how many births number 3 performed
FURTHERMORE, the hospital does not make the decision on a c section but the individual doctor that ones chooses does. Shows number 3 utter ignorance
Do not heed number 3’s adv ice
you may regret doing so chas v sholem
if you want, first read his 100 research papers.
he is saving you time on giving you his conclusions, i happen to be in the medical field and totally agree with him.
There is so much innuendo and rumors regarding what the rebbe held about sonograms. When I tried to substantiate with renowned experts in the rebbes sichos and michtovin, they had no references to point to where the rebbe addressed the issue, so even if the rebbe verbally addressed the matter in a yechidus, there is no context. Only unsubstantiated rumors. What the rebbe has said many times and isn’t a mere rumor, that matters of medicine should be addressed to a rofeh yedid (a doctor who is a friend). So when your doctor suggests that you should perform an ultrasound,… Read more »
I wish there was even one good point in this article. Seems far from a clinical expert…
thanks for this post, it shows to the world that we don’t live in the middle of the woods.
The REBBE said to ask your (accredited) DOCTOR. Not your doula or you ” facebook mommies group”.
I’m not a doctoer however I know firsthand about several tragedies that would have been avoided had the birth taken place in a hospital setting. The Ramban says to use medical care that is the accepted care in your city, time. Today the accepted way to give birth is in a hospital setting, with help on hand if needed.
A midwife comes along with medication for hemmerging, to give the mom immediately once the mom needs it, and transports to the hospital.
Whichever midwife a) did not notice hemmeraging b) did not have the iv medication on her, is not a qualified midwife. As bad as having a not qualified Dr make a mistake in the hospital
it seems New York has dysfunctional hospitals but let me say this honest doctor is a true mentch as there is nothing in it for him. Countless stories of hemorragings countless stories of no medical equipment on hand. You would be out of your mind to consider home birth. If New York has no good hospitals then move. Hospitals are equiped and staff are trained. Ultrasounds can pick up so many things these days and seems to have no effect on babies or mothers. I would love to know the questioned asked to the Rebbe and his answer. It is… Read more »
For all you blessed mothers who are not aware of birth and pregnancy challenges and risks, sometimes you are unaware that you are high risk until you take a sonogram, or until you ate in labor and then cv it can be too late. Unfortunately in today’s society women who take sonograms, have complications or csections are being put down or blamed for their obstacles and birth challenges that came their way.
Dr rosen actually supports doing an ultrasound during pregnancy, but he does say to ask ur’e rov.
This remarkable doctor writes so humbly and gently. I’m really impressed with the tone.
Although I was not his patient, this Dr. helped me so generously with his advice and guidance. He’s truly a good person
When there is a set of twins that one baby is stealing all the nutrients, they deliver the twins a few months early and then cultivate them both in a NICU until they’re healthy. If you wait until the 9th month, the damage has already been done.
According to rabbi groner the rebbi did not allow sonogram END of story.
Clearly the second baby suffered from being in the mothers womb without a placenta or something else
What difference would the sonogram have made in the case of the disabled twin? It likely would not have changed the outcome. ….the twin was not disabled as a result of not doing a sonogram.
No mobile unit can give blood if g-d forbid it’s needed which I is unfortantly what happens in many emergency obgyn cases
Being in the medical field I know of many babies who had experts on hand taking the baby to obtain cardiac care when a whole in the heart was discovered, lung and breathing issues etc. a sonogram allows for immediate care before irreplaceable damage occurs. Additionally if there is a home birth until an issue is discovered can be detrimental to the baby ( or mother). A baby born here recently has major health issues because of it. Just remember you will only here the happy stories
If you have had a negative experience with a doctor or hospital ,
LOOK ELSEWHERE! Find a doctor you like and feel comfortable with. Don’t stop, ask around, check with people or family you like and trust. Do research! I hear countless stories of those that opted for home births due to a negative experience .
For thousands of years women and children died in child birth. Like with many things in the medical field ppl blame doctors instead of thanking them for the incredible advances in medicine and how much we benefit
This is very disturbing to see a doctor write an article about a scientific subject without referencing any actual studies. Rather he is just using scare tactics by referencing stories that had sad out comes.
For some of us it is actually safer to have a planned Homebirth with an experienced midwife by our side then taking the risk of not making it in time to the hospital/ having the baby in the car etc. If someone gives birth really fast and naturally (like I did each and every time but did not make it to the hospital planned) this is my best option:)
Not sure about this post as I assume most people posting, myself included, will be men.
That said, it seems like a well balanced article. Home births can be great and safe for many. On the other hand, if it is a high risk pregnancy and there are honest medical concerns, a hospital may be a better fit.
And if any questions come up, you can always double check with a qualified mashpia and rov who know what they’re talking about [not your 20 year old friend who just got married and think they know everything].
Such an important article
Interesting how he brings up the fact that a Heimisher woman opted out of a sonogram. What has that got to do with a home birth?
Generally, his argument against home births is weak, while his arguments for a home birth seem very strong
Births in hospitals are many times terrible because all the hospital cares about is not being sued even if the patient protests and is not happy. i know too many mothers being forced against their will to push when they werent ready and ended up having c section because they wanted to move them already. Mothers to be do not be dissuaded from having a home birth just please be careful about whom you choose. make sure they are well trained and have plenty of experience This is from a father btw not a mother. I may not be the… Read more »
That’s a very broad definition….
home births with a mobile medical unit outside? Does that depend on the density of the population in that area, etc.?