April HBers - Check in here! - Page 2

[catemom]

Hi All! We're planning an HBAC. This will be baby #2, HB #1 for us. I am doing the original "Hypnobirthing" program and possibly doing a waterbirth. My mws said the biggest reason for transport was pain relief, so I'm making sure I have lots of natural options there. I'm trying to find some good sitters (college age, preferably) and maybe someone to clean the house once in awhile post-baby.

I am mostly worried about sleep. DS#1 still doesn't sleep through the night without a visit from mommy or daddy (and usually one of us ends up sleeping part of the night with him). I think we may have to get creative about sleep arrangements.

[nukuspot]

We'll be doing a HB too. As a new HB MW myself, it would have been an odd choice to not do one! I think my family would have done the opposite thing that most families do by saying "Why WOULDN'T you have your baby at home?"

Anyway, we are just having fun collecting baby supplies since this is our first. As far as freezing meals, getting the house ready, etc...I feel that I have loads of time. I won't start that until March. I have a friend in town who is also the birthtub rental source, so I will be getting one from her. it's the big Aqua Doula one, which I think will be very nice. Otherwise I was just planning to use the bathtub, but I will be happier with the freestanding tub, so DH can also get in with me. I'm excited about labor. After attending 100+ births in MW schooling, I am so happy that in a few months it will be my turn! And I just can't wait to meet the baby girl that is inside me.

[acp]

We're also planning a hb. Baby #2, HB #1, like a few others on here. So far, I haven't really done much at all.
The things on my list that I'd like to do over the next few months:

- get a list of supplies from my mw, have them on hand

- line up people for different times who can be on call to watch DD when I go into labor (I"m really hoping I go until my due date or later, since then my mom will be here, and she's by far my preference, but I figure I need some back-ups in case I go earlier. I'd love to have DD witness part or all of the birth if she's interested, but have no way of knowing ahead of time what her interest will be, and in any case figure I need someone whose sole job is watching her. Ideally that will be someone she is comfortable with and who I don't mind having in the house while I'm in labor. My mom is the only one who *really* fits those, but I need to come up with the best alternatives in case she can't be there, and then make sure they're OK with it/available.

- Go through DD's infant clothes and cloth dipes and get some of them ready for this next baby.

- Figure out if there are any things we need (infant car seat I'm hoping to borrow from a friend, ring sling I've been wanting, etc).

Are there any other things beyond getting certain supplies that I really need to do differently for a home birth than for a hospital birth?? I don't really know, since this is uncharted territory for us...

[dex_millie]

Originally Posted by mamato2boys

: So many HB mamas!

This will be our second HB. I haven't done much to prepare yet, I'll start collecting supplies in Feb. I prefer to labor and birth on land so no pool We switched bedrooms a few weeks ago from the smallest one in the house to the biggest one so there will be more room for the babe, that's about the extent of the excitement here so far.

This is me too. I prefer "on land" for some reason the pool/tub never really appealed to me.

[MelW]

This is my second baby, second homebirth. I have various getting ready for the baby stuff to do (pull baby stuff up from the crawlspace, freeze meals, etc.), but nothing that I want done right away- especially with regard to clothes and diapers that I don't want or need cluttering my space until closer to the end.

And as for actually preparing for the birth, I know I'll need some pads and other supplies, but I'm waiting a little while still. My mattress cover is currently on the boxspring, and my old sheets are already in the closet. And I feel pretty emotionally, spiritually and psychologically ready for the birth. At least I think I do.

I need to chat about the labour and birth with my husband and see if he wants to go over anything again. In particular I've been thinking about precipitous birth stuff, in case he needs to help if the midwives don't make it.

[Latenightanarchy]

Hi! I'm new to the forum. Baby boy #3 due 4/18. I am reading this whole thread trying to get everyone's stories lol. We are "planning" (baby decides) a home birth. I try not to plan anything I have no control of but my last baby was a 3 hour labor in a hospital with a midwife (who didn't show up on time because the staff told everyone I was not in labor). I figured if I did it alone then I could do it at home no prob!
I did hypnobirthing with my 2nd after a traumatic and horrible 1st birth experience and this will be my 2nd hypnobirthing baby.

Glad to see all the other HB mamas! Good to know I'm not the only one!
-CM

[Peony]

This will be my 2nd HB, we are undecided if there will be a MW there or not though. I haven't done too much this pg for this baby, but I'm still feeling confident. I have a friend that is due just days after me and she is also considering not hiring a MW so we've been chatting frequenting, it is nice to talk with someone IRL.


I'll get together my birthing supplies when it gets closer, and I need to get a tub again, I've love the water with my last two labor/births. I am meeting with a MW that I know next weekend to feel things out, because I am starting to feel that I need decide one way or the other soon!

[AmeliasMum]

DH and I are UC HB'ers! To get ready I have already ordered my birthing supplies, organized my preemie and newborn items, and have my dipes in order. I have to check our La Bassine tub for holes and such. Other than that, I am a total clean freak, so I am cleaning everything, 24/7.

[MI_Dawn]

This will be HB #3 for us... my fifth baby. Wonderful midwives, who promise to be very hands-off unless they have to be otherwise, which is nice. No pool... I wish, but we rent, and I don't want to chance it. I've never done a water birth, and this will be my last... but oh well! Other than that, I haven't done a thing to get ready for the actual birth itself, aside from trying to remember if it actually hurts as much as it looks like it does...

[BennyPai]

: 3rd child, Second HB, hopefully 3rd waterbirth. I was in and out of the water with both my other births, moving around, changing positions, moving labor along - I will birth whereever I am at the moment.
This is our last pregnancy, so I'm trying to make the most of it.
I don't plan to focus on baby prep until at least March. I'm due 4/19, BUT my first pregnancy was 8 days past EDD and second pregnancy was 16 or 17 days past EDD, so I don't want to make myself anxious.

I want to focus on just being pregnant for as long as I can. As another Mama here mentioned, the first parts of my pregnancy have been hectic - with birthdays, holidays, etc. and I feel it's time to shift gears.
SO, I am taking more belly pictures and starting a pregnancy journal. My last pregnancy journal is hopefull still in the archives here on MDC from my previous DDC. This one will be in my hands. Exercise is another area that needs my attention! Especially kegals & squats.

So nice to see so many other HBers in our DDC.
ETA: We will have the AquaDoula birth tub again. There is a link to Raley's homebirth story with photos if you want to see what the tub looks like in action.

[herbanmama]

This is my second baby, second homebirth. I'm really excited about this one, as I was single and struggling against the biodad with my first pregnancy. Was living with friends and didn't have room for a tub which I know would have eased my 30 hour labor as I am instinctively drawn to water. This time, I have my dear hubby by my side, we own a home and I can fill it with as much water as I want!

All things considered, dd#1's birth was wonderful and I'd do it all over again, but am expecting to feel a little more in control of my life and emotions during this one. My first midwife was great - couldn't have done it without her considering the whole situation. I have moved since and have a different midwife, and she is wonderful as well.

I haven't bought any supplies yet. I have 3 more months to get that together and we are still trying to reorganize our tiny 865 square foot home to make room for one more!

[catemom]

Originally Posted by Latenightanarchy

I try not to plan anything I have no control of but my last baby was a 3 hour labor in a hospital with a midwife (who didn't show up on time because the staff told everyone I was not in labor). I figured if I did it alone then I could do it at home no prob!
I did hypnobirthing with my 2nd after a traumatic and horrible 1st birth experience and this will be my 2nd hypnobirthing baby.

It's great to hear there's another person using hypnobirthing. I did hypnosis (not really hypnobirthing) during my induction last time and b/c I was so serene they kept turning up the pitocin :. It was as though they were purposely trying to break me like a prisoner of war. I'm soooo relieved to be protected from that twisted environment this time (mws will be there for me even if we transport).

[ShineliketheSon]

Just lurking here as we are not HBing. I'm wishing we were but DH is not at all comfortable with it and I have to respect that... we do have a great birth support team to have another natural non medicated non intervention hospital birth. So I'm living my wish through all of your posts!

Thought I better add this part to explain our plans: We had a Great non intervention, non medicated natural birth with DD at the hospital and loved it! But we are in a different area this time, the midwives are a little more on the medical side and they don't do water births, but aside from that they have assured me I can have the birth I want...we are armed with a great group of midwives, a wonderful doula, a descriptive but readable birth plan and the knowledge of what we had last time. A home birth would have allowed for the water birth but DH has to be comfortable too, and I know with the grace of God it will be a wonderful birth!

[Fridaxsky]

Originally Posted by ShineliketheSon

Just lurking here as we are not HBing. I'm wishing we were but DH is not at all comfortable with it and I have to respect that... we do have a great birth support team to have another natural non medicated non intervention hospital birth. So I'm living my wish through all of your posts!

I am reading "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth" and just got through one of the birth stories about a hospital birth she attended back in the '70's. They referred to it as a Homebirth because, with proper support from the MW and nurse, they were still able to have the normal childbirth - intervention free - that the woman had wanted. I hope you get the sameagain.

[ShineliketheSon]

Originally Posted by Fridaxsky

I am reading "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth" and just got through one of the birth stories about a hospital birth she attended back in the '70's. They referred to it as a Homebirth because, with proper support from the MW and nurse, they were still able to have the normal childbirth - intervention free - that the woman had wanted. I hope you get the sameagain.

THank you! I needed to hear that...I know that it doesn't matter what others think but it's so hard for me when I do EVERYTHING else on the natural side and to have to say to "traditional moms" I'm having a hospital birth, they just automatically assume I'm doing it the way the norm is, drugs, OB, nurses, monitering...I always want to inform them we are just at the hospital to be safe for DH sake and we are not doing any intervention, drugs etc...but it just isn't worth saying. So I guess I can start calling it a hospital home birth.

[acp]

Originally Posted by Fridaxsky

I am reading "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth" and just got through one of the birth stories about a hospital birth she attended back in the '70's. They referred to it as a Homebirth because, with proper support from the MW and nurse, they were still able to have the normal childbirth - intervention free - that the woman had wanted. I hope you get the sameagain.

We had DD at the hospital, and it was probably as close to a home birth as it's possible to get there. Had a GREAT midwife, who put no pressures on me for interventions of any sort, despite a long labor (and water breaking well before labor), posterior position, etc. I labored a ton in the tub, walked around everywhere (including outside the hospital, where I'm sure some people were surprised to see a woman so obviously in labor walking around!), had a lot of time with no one in the room with me except DH, etc. Didn't get an IV, never had anyone offer me an epidural, had no problems declining the procedures after DD was born that we didn't want, no problems about rooming-in, lots of support for BFing, etc.

I know that's not the way hospital births always (or usually) happen - just wanted to let you know that it is indeed possible! The most important factor, I think, is having a midwife or other support (doula, for instance) that you love and who is in synch with your desires. Beyond that, being informed yourself and knowing what you want helps a lot (and having DH ready to advocate for you and back you up too). Obviously, it's impossible to have total control over what happens, and sometimes interventions are needed- but it's nice to have the information to try to avoid getting pressured into the unnecessary ones.

[Pregnant_Midwife]

Being a homebirth midwife, yep... I'm planning a homebirth.

As far as preparing, I'm doing what I can to try and get out of my head and de-midwife myself for my own pregnancy and birth. I want to be able to be "just mom" birthing, and not overly-midwife myself.

[ShineliketheSon]

Originally Posted by acp

I know that's not the way hospital births always (or usually) happen - just wanted to let you know that it is indeed possible! The most important factor, I think, is having a midwife or other support (doula, for instance) that you love and who is in synch with your desires. Beyond that, being informed yourself and knowing what you want helps a lot (and having DH ready to advocate for you and back you up too). Obviously, it's impossible to have total control over what happens, and sometimes interventions are needed- but it's nice to have the information to try to avoid getting pressured into the unnecessary ones.

We had a Great non intervention, non medicated natural birth with DD at the hospital and loved it! But we are in a different area this time, the midwives are a little more on the medical side and they don't do water births, but aside from that they have assured me I can have the birth I want...we are armed with a great group of midwives, a wonderful doula, a descriptive but readable birth plan and the knowledge of what we had last time. A home birth would have allowed for the water birth but I know with the grace of God it will be a wonderful birth!

Now I don't want to say too much about hosptial births so the HBers don't kick me out!!! LOL!

[Latenightanarchy]

Originally Posted by catemom

b/c I was so serene they kept turning up the pitocin :. It was as though they were purposely trying to break me like a prisoner of war. I'm soooo relieved to be protected from that twisted environment this time (mws will be there for me even if we transport).

Seriously, what is wrong with these people? They did the same to me with my first. The lady kept saying "oh you'll need that epidural, better just get it now" as she kept coming in every 15 min and turning it up. Finally I was in such horrid pain I was crying and dh was just like get it please before you go insane... How sad. They want moms on drugs so their job is easier (mom confined to bed, can watch monitors from nursing station, don't have to actually stay with patient to guage progress - the machines do it all for them they think.)

I'm with you, thank goodness I can relax and just let my body work (I did have hosp birth last time but lol, nurses so busy they paid no attn to me - I was not "progressing" -yeah rite, I don't have to be screaming my head off for drugs to not be progressing.) fooled them. And I was better off for it.

[Latenightanarchy]

Originally Posted by ShineliketheSon

Just lurking here as we are not HBing. I'm wishing we were but DH is not at all comfortable with it and I have to respect that... we do have a great birth support team to have another natural non medicated non intervention hospital birth. So I'm living my wish through all of your posts!

hey good for you, it's totally possible!!! Good nurses and laid back docs are hard to find but if you can get one then you're golden! I did hypnobirthing as you can see all over this forum, I am a huge pusher! lol, how ironic... pusher.... very funny. Anyway, I really found it helpful to relax and let my body work. I really encourage other moms to try it to get their goals of natural childbirth.