homebirthin' mamas - Page 3

[NaturalMindedMomma]

Originally Posted by chrissy

My kids will be there if they want to be. I'd love for them to be there for the actual birth, but not for much of labor. I'll have to enlist a friend to be here to play with them until it gets close. They'll be 7, 4, and 2 when baby is due.

My oldest, Noah, was there when Lilah was born. He got there just before she came out, and that was perfect. He was about to turn 3 at the time.

Both Noah (5) and Lilah (2) were there when Rowan was born. We had just moved here and didn't know many people and so we didn't have anybody to occupy them. Once I started pushing they were in the room. It was good and bad. They helped pour water on my back in the birth pool, which was good, but they were a little chatty too, which was annoying. Right after a big contraction, Noah asked me, "So what is a contraction anyway, Mom?" I think I said, "I'll tell you later Buddy."

Your poise and grace in that situation was funny and incredible to me. I am not sure I could be so calm. Thats why mine are going to be FAR away! LOL

[eli's mama]

DS1 slept through most of my labor with DS2, but woke up in time for the good stuff. He really wanted to be there and is still fascinated by birth and babies. I hope he will be able to be there. We did watch lots of videos before ds2 was born and he was fully aware of all the things that might happen so no surprises, at 2.5 he could tell anyone what a contraction was among other things. I don't think that ds2 will be as into it as his big brother is though.

[pinaymommy]

This will be my fourth homebirth. Love it.

[LauraReaux]

Question for you HB moms (I'm so jealous! ) ...

Some of you might remember that I met with a MW and really wanted, and still want, a homebirth. We just can't afford it. We have to buy a van before the baby comes and we would have to pay $3,000 for the HB. Here's the thing, I'm "concerned" that I might not make it to the hospital in time because of how quickly Maya came (progressively quicker w/each baby). I don't want to plan an UC, but do you think I should have supplies at home ready in case this baby comes really quickly?

[lindsayjean]

Laura- if you want a homebirth still maybe you could ask your midwife about payments? My midwife is willing to do like even $50 a month for a long time. We're low income too so she's not even going to charge us her full $3000. Don't give up homebirth if it's what you want! I thought we were out due to no insurance coverage and being dirt poor, but God is definitely opening up doors for me, it seems "meant to be."

I hope someone answers your UC questions. I have a friend who recently gave birth in her parking lot.. I think she's planning homebirth next time haha. Luckily there was a nurse in her apartment complex who happened to be in the parking lot! I worry about going too fast... one reason I just couldn't bring myself to do a hospital birth.

[DahliaRW]

It wouldn't hurt to have some basic supplies on hand. Chaux pads, extra towels, blankets, etc. It really depends, if you have an accidental UC, would you go to the hospital after or not? If not, then you'll also want to have a cord clamp and scissors and such on hand to do all that part yourself as well.

I actually carry a small emergency birth kit in my car as I get near the end of my pregnancy. I'm paranoid I'll be away from home and won't make it!

[AnnR33]

Originally Posted by DahliaRW

It wouldn't hurt to have some basic supplies on hand. Chaux pads, extra towels, blankets, etc. It really depends, if you have an accidental UC, would you go to the hospital after or not? If not, then you'll also want to have a cord clamp and scissors and such on hand to do all that part yourself as well.

I actually carry a small emergency birth kit in my car as I get near the end of my pregnancy. I'm paranoid I'll be away from home and won't make it!

I agree! As unlikely as it may seem to anyone.... we delivered in our van with nothing to catch the baby in except my DH's sweatshirt!
It was the best/easiest birth ever but it would have been nice to have a blanket and chux pad

[rebeccalynn]

I'm glad that someone brought this up. I'll order my birth kit in a few more months to have on hand at home, but I did not think about having a few extra things in the car.

[vonn's_mama]

I'm a late comer to this thread, but I just finished reading everything and I really want to join in!

I'm planning my first HB. I'm really excited because although I had a vaginal birth by the skin of my teeth last time, the hospital did everything it could to prevent it!

You have all made me feel so blessed with my family. My mom tried for a HB VBAC with my brother and sister, but the mw missed that she was having twins and my brother was breech, so after 36 hours she went to the hospital. Both babies were fine. She's obviously very supportive, as is my older sister (the younger ones don't have opinions about where to birth yet). On my husband's side, my in-laws are either supportive or too polite/kind to interfere. Whichever it is, I'll take it!

I too worry about something going wrong. My water broke about 20 hours before my ds was born, and I've read really sad stories about babies getting into trouble when the water breaks (one in Mothering magazine in particular). I figure though that if something like that happened, planning to go to the hospital wouldn't make that much difference. Even if I were planning a hospital birth, i'd want to labor at home for as long as possible, so either way I'd likely get caught at home if something went wrong. I really trust my mw, and I trust that she'll steer us to the hospital if a HB isn't wise.

Finally, I'm not sure if I want my ds there. I want him near by, but I'm not sure I want him in the room while I'm laboring, etc. The "mama bear" idea was new to me, and gives me one more reason to keep him close but not in the room. One reason to keep him near though is that my mw says bf is a great way to speed up a labor (lol! that's why I love my mw).

I've decided that I won't volunteer the info that I'm planning a HB to co-workers and friends. If someone asks where I'm giving birth, I plan to inform them before I tell them that I'm not interested in negative reactions. I know what I'm planning, and if they want to do some research then we can talk.

One last thing I wanted to say, for people whose dhs and families are on the fence/negative. Have you watched "The Business of Being Born" with them? I found it very convincing personally, and I can't wait to force my already supportive dh to watch it with me (he said he would next time I was pregnant).

[mama23boys]

We are plannig our second HB (VBAC #3) with the same midwife. dh really wants a hospital birth but he even admitted after our last HB that it was so much better then being at the hospital so i am going ahead with a HB.

our town dosent allow VBACs anymore and an unnesccessay c-section is NOT an option for me. i will have state insurance and we are in the process of getting something called an open card as opposed to a set insurance card. if we can get it approved my MW is covered. if not i will pay out of pocket for appts and in the 3rd trimester i apply again and they will for sure grant it so the birth itself is covered.

[Reha]

Mama23boys, sorry to go OT a bit, but I am curious about how you are going about applying for an open card now, before your 3rd trimester? My clients always must wait until the 3rd trimester, so if there is another way, I'm excited to find out!!

[mama23boys]

Originally Posted by Reha

Mama23boys, sorry to go OT a bit, but I am curious about how you are going about applying for an open card now, before your 3rd trimester? My clients always must wait until the 3rd trimester, so if there is another way, I'm excited to find out!!

i went to the WIC office and they have a program called Mothers Care so they take/process apps MUCH MUCH faster then the normal route. i did my paper work day before yesterday adn i need to call to see if im approved.

what i had to do was get a letter (on advice from the Mothers Care lady) from our local OBs office stating that the hospital was No VBACs. i was trying to get them to add that they are only allowed in Eugene adn Ashland but he wouldnt do it nor would he add that i refuse an unneccessry (at least as of right now) c-section and that he refuses to see. legally he cant refuse to see me instead what they do is basically consoule you and advise you in making the "correct" choice ie c-section by scare tactics. the nurse at the OB office in a round about way basically told me i was risking my life and my babies by having a HB. 2yrs ago i was told by L&D i was going kill my baby by having a HB. i dont want that kind of attiude around me at all and my MW was FANTASTIC!

so i am PRAYING that the letter worked. if not adn they put me on a plan i have to call and fight to get an open card or i try to get off it for now and go back on in the 3rd trimester.

[Carlyn]

Originally Posted by vonn's_mama

Finally, I'm not sure if I want my ds there. I want him near by, but I'm not sure I want him in the room while I'm laboring, etc. The "mama bear" idea was new to me, and gives me one more reason to keep him close but not in the room. One reason to keep him near though is that my mw says bf is a great way to speed up a labor (lol! that's why I love my mw).

My children were always home when the babies were born, but they were sleeping. Pretty handy! My son was pretty sure for a few years that babies just somehow magically appear between when you go to bed at night and when you get up the next morning! We were living at someone else's house for our three home births, so I knew my mom-in-law or sister-in-law would be available if the other kids needed help during the birth.

My labours often seemed to pick way up as I was tucking the kids into bed at night. I wonder how things will be this time?!

Bfing during labour...it can be very intense! Strong, strong contractions. I remember nursing my second child before she went to sleep, and WOW, it was tricky to be able to keep still! But I am sure that it did get things moving pretty quick, because baby #3 was born really soon after that.

[folkymom]

We're ready for our 4th homebirth, 2nd UP/UC. I'd prefer for it to be just us (dh and kids), but we are thinking of inviting a friend over to help with our youngest special needs child, since well, he has special needs, heh. Still mulling that over. I can't imagine not having my other kids there, though . . .we just feel like the whole family should be together to welcome the newest member!

[lindsayjean]

ahhhh I just called my chosen midwife today (finally! I'm so behind....) to OFFICIALLY let her know that we wanted her at our homebirth. She sounded so so genuinely excited and can I just say that I LOOOOOVE her?!?! I also called my doula (assigned to me, but she's free so i can't complain... I suppose if I hate her I can ask for someone else) and we have our first meeting in a couple of weeks!!!

YAY! This is starting to feel real. I am even starting to get a little bump (although I think others will just think their personal trainer has not been following her own advice lately hahahaha).

I am so flipping excited about this birth! I am on the waiting list for a hypnobabies used copy, and I am on the list for the birth tub rental place for July.

HOORAY!!!