Planning a homebirth... bolster me!

[BabyMae09]

I have a six-year old son. I had him in the hospital, where my birth plan was largely ignored - luckily I wasn't in labor very long, so they couldn't 'make' me get and epidural.

Anyhow, this time around we're planning a home birth, but I'm a little anxious. I don't feel like I'm very 'brave' although my fiance is amazing, and he said he won't leave the room the entire time.

Also, I don't really know what to expect! Will I be scared, comfortable, what? The mid-wife that we have seems pretty cool, but we've only met with her a couple times so far.

Any advice? I really need some support - we're shelling out what, for us, is quite a bit of cash in order to pay the mid-wife, so I want to make sure that we're choosing the right thing. Thanks

[gretae]

read all you can first of all. Penelope Leach, Sheila Kitzinger, Ina Mae Gaskin are all excellent writers on homebirth and birth in general. Dr. Sears is also a wonderful proponent of home and or natural birth. Make sure you are completely in sync with your midwife and that it is a good fit, talk about nutrition, what to do for pain control, what supplies you might need, what her transfers are like and what she would transfer for. You can do it, just be well informed and be ready with your supplies and such. Having not had an epidural before will probably prepare you some for this birth. I would just read all I can and talk to others who have HB'd before. You can also do parellel care with a practice to get your bloodwork, ultrasounds or whatever else you might want or need, they don't need to know that you want to do a homebirth. Best wishes to you in your pregnancy and with your preparations....remember 100 or more grams of protein a day keeps high blood pressure at bay...........

[JesiLynne]

Sheila Kitzinger's homebirth book changed my whole persective. It was incredible.
An absolute must read IMO.

[Turquesa]

I agree that reading a ton will ease your apprehensions. The works of Henci Goer completely validated my decision to have a baby out of hospital.

Your MW may also be able to put you in touch with some experienced homebirthing families, or they can at least tell you where to meet up with them locally, (e.g. La Leche meetings). Talking (in person) to somebody who's btdt, esp. with your midwife, may be productive.