I agree with Sally here, we both know the same lady. It is apparently more like doing things by the text book rather than what makes you feel more comfortable and less stressed. I personally would choose to go home but that's just me and I had two very good experiences there so I'm probably biased.

Good luck with the delivery.

Soap addict

I was born at home, delivered by a midwife until things stared to go wrong, my father had run down the street and find a phone box that hadn't been vandalized to call out the doctor.

You don't have to have a OB and have a baby in hospital you can have one in a birth centre or at home, and TX is one of the few midwife friendly states in the US.

Hi
I too had my boy in USA (Fort Worth, Texas) in 2005, as far as citizenship goes he has dual nationality we had to apply to Washington British Embassy for his British birth cert, and his passport, so he has both.. USA and UK. We came back to UK last year (reluctantly) due to husbands job, but have to say after having my other child before him in UK for me the experience in Texas was great, had a great OB/GYN and the hospital care was fantastic and if i could choose i would have another child in USA rather than UK. The care was great and comparing the 2 births USA was better for me. I saw the same OB/GYN all through my pregnancy and got to know him well and he delivered our boy.. In UK saw multiple midwives during pregnancy and 2 different midwives assisted in the birth... and heard on the news today that 80% of maternity hospitals here have a shortage of midwives and funding.. but this is my opinion and i would choose USA. Also you have the added bonus of the child being able to live in USA if it chooses and for the child to sponsor you when he is 21. Anyway hope this helps..

If your baby is born in the US he will be British by descent...which means he cannot pass UK citizenship to his/her children...unless of course they are born in the UK.

If you baby is born outside the US and later becomes a US citizen, they won't be eligible to be President of the United States, so you might want to take that into consideration as well.

Good point. Arnie might change it though.

In some US states (such as California where I am), healthcare is free to pregnant women. You should contact your local county council and ask them what the situation is.

Good luck with everything!

It depends on your doctor. Some are okay with planning deliveries, others are of the opinion that the baby will come when it's ready to come - and that it's best not to mess with nature. (Exception - friends of mine who were 2+ weeks late were induced.)

I think the thinking is that you want the baby to be fully developed before it's born to reduce the change that lungs will not quite be ready, etc. Some women resent the idea that they would have to have their baby at a time which is convenient for hospital staffing. It's more likely to be a choice. I have heard of women having their membranes stripped, etc. so they are more likely to go into labor more quickly.

Bottomline, do your homework and talk to your doctor. Make sure your doctor is someone you feel comfortable with, and that the two of you are on the same page as to what you want. It's your baby afterall!

I'm curious to know why you feel that pitocin is evil? It is a synthetic version of what the body makes naturally.

Pitocin has helped many women have vaginal rather than operative deliveries.

I'm currently doing a placement in High-Risk Obstetrics at a University of California, Los Angeles Hospital Maternal-fetal medicine is my area

Oh right - I thought you were studying in England. UCLA isn't far from me you know!

I know - just looked you up! I have friends who work at TO, live in Camarillo and in Ventura.... Im in Torrance, will be in Pasadena on Sunday...

We should try to meet up sometime!

My husband has a professional interest in some aspects of miscarriage.

Not wishing to talk for the PP but as I understand it oxytocin is released naturally in spurts by the body whereas pitocin is given in a steady flow in an intravenous pump. This can alter contractions in strength and effect. This in turn can lead to a 'cascade of intervention' ie epidural for the pain, instrumental delivery of baby and/or section. It can also lead to fetal distress because of the strength of the contractions. But I'm sure you know all that already