StarbucksCoffeeFreak (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Maybe it didn't cost the above poster a dime because they are military. Military families get pretty much all their healthcare free through Tricare. Although I have to admit I have never heard of a civilian insurance company that is that way. That said, I still paid out of pocket to have three of my four at home and it was worth every penny no regrets here!

StarbucksCoffeeFreak (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

In other words, if you want to kill your unborn child that is fine with the doctors, but if you decide your baby deserves to live, then you have no right to decide how it is born. Oh, the irony.

StarbucksCoffeeFreak (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Yeah, not to mention most of these doctors who paint homebirthing parents as selfish, irresponsible mothers and claim they are "speaking on behalf of our poor widdle baybees who have no say" would probably perform an abortion in a heartbeat for a woman who wants one.

Astabeth (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I thought you were discussing the video, not other comments. I have never heard of anyone not paying a dime, even copays, to have a hospital birth. I will make a note here that apparently some people don't have to pay a dime. You're just the first I've heard of. Hope that clears things up so I'm not accused of "getting loose with the facts" anymore.

Saltydog1954 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

You said: "Yes, it is very expensive, even if you have insurance." This makes it sound like there are a bunch of out of pocket expenses, which isn't necessarily true. I doubt the OP was concerned about the cost to the insurance company. Look, I'm not trying to shoot you down, but you really ought to be careful with your words, unless you want industry hacks making mincemeat out of you.

Astabeth (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

It's not loose with the facts - those were the costs at that date. Someone paid that - whether it's you or the insurance company depends on whether or not you have insurance.

CrackWilding (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I'm all for folks having the option to get a midwife, but I should point out that a) I have insurance, b) I have two kids (both were c-sections), and c) neither kid cost a dime. Rock on, but let's not get loose with facts.

Marsena (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I live in Birmingham, AL, and although my birth experience was a positive one (our son was born at UAB by emergency C-section), I absolutely agree that midwifery should be legalized and certified in Alabama again. It's insane that women have to go to another state to have that experience. I will pray for your success in getting this accomplished, and I look forward to signing whatever petition is there.

milegrinder (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Part 1: Just learned from my GP that the rate of c-section in the state of Alabama is 70%! The vast majority of those, in his opinion, are unnecessary and done for the convenience of the doctor. He's even seen doctors order nurses to schedule a c-section if the mother hasn't delivered by 5 pm because they don't want to come back to the hospital after they've gone home for the day.

milegrinder (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Part 2: The saddest thing, in my opinion, is that those of us who don't want to conform to mainstream medical childbirth are being presented as negligent, irresponsible parents who don't care about our children's health and safety. I spoke with a representative of the Alabama Medical Association a few months ago, when HB 199 was before the Health Committee.