Just curious... But how do you file for a birth certificate after a home birth? Does the midwife file the paperwork, or do you have to personally go down to the courthouse to do it? What do you need to do to prove that you're asking for a birth certificate for a baby who doesn't already have one? Are there doctors who are willing to do homebirths, or is it just midwives?

I'm a wimp, had my kids at a hospital because I wanted an epidural, lol. I'm just curious about people who choose not to do that.

I think the process varies by state. In my state (Ohio), I think a lot of CNMs file for the parents. Because I had a direct entry midwife, my husband was listed as birth attendant on the birth certificate. We went down to the county health dept and filed. It had to be done within 10 business days and took about 20 min. The back up OB (who I had seen a couple of days after the birth) made sure I had all the correct info even including line #s on the b.c. form. If I hadn't seen her, the midwife would have provided it. So it was simple--just a matter of filling in the form.

For us, getting his SSN was a much bigger hassle--mainly because the SSA clerk didn't give me correct info. We were temporarily in a double bind--can't get him on insurance card until we had SSN, couldn't get SSN without proof of med insur. Since we didn't vax, there was no vax schedule and no eval from hosp pediatrician. I was holding my baby and talking to the clerk trying to prove the baby did indeed exist! :shock:

I haven't heard of any drs doing home births these days though there may be a rare few. I think it used to be more common before med care got so expensive. Some OBs will provide back up care during preg or for when a hospital delivery is necessary. HTH!

ETA: And you are so NOT a wimp for the way you choose to birth! I firmly believe that the woman in labor should be able to choose where and how to birth! You have to choose what makes you comfortable and will leave you with a positive experience. Truth be told, one reason I had a home birth is because the thought of someone sticking a needle in my back absolutely terrifies me! Maybe that makes me a whimp, but so be it! :lol:

Thanks! I just had a few spare moments to think the other day, which is rare. And I was thinking about how birth certificants are used for everything, so you've got to have one, which led me to wonder what homebirthers do.

I had the same reservations about the epi needle, but after a little bit of hard labor, I was screaming for one, lol!

Here in Oregon, the midwife does all the paperwork, for both birth certificate and social security cards. It was nice, all we had to do was cuddle our DD, she did the rest! We didnt' have a CNM, I think she is called a Direct Entry, but she went to Midwifery school...not just learned from the field, so I don't really know what she is...LOL I guess I should ask huh?

I am also afraid of the needle in my back, I had a spinal tap once and had a severe spinal headache...so even if the risk is very small that it could happen again, the risk is too much, not mention what it can do to a baby....but I agree with Kensbev, you need to do what's right for you and your fam for birth. ;-)

Amber