homebirthing in a small apartment?

[happyhats]

I live in a 750 square feet apartment with neighbors on either side. I don't really hear them in their own space, nor have I had any complaints. I'm hoping to have my first homebirth (second child, first was a c section) in 2010 Anyone else birth in an apartment? Did you have any issues with being as vocal as you wanted during labor and birth? I worry that I might try to censor myself because I'm worried what my neighbors might think about homebirthing. I also worry about space, but I think I can get creative about where to put a tub, etc. I want to move, this apartment isn't the best fit for us as a family, but I don't know for sure that it's a possiblity. Advice? Anyone btdt?

[MidwifeErika]

I have attended births in apartments and it was never a problem. The neighbors didn't complain or anything. If you don't hear them on a constant basis, there is a good chance they won't hear anything. Even when women are being really vocal, it usually doesn't get really loud.... not much louder than normal speaking voices. If they do hear anything at all, it likely won't be very much and it is only for that one day.

[*mama moose*]

My 2nd DD (first HB) was in a TINY apartment, one where I could hear my neighbors on a pretty regular basis when near the shared walls. I was a little worried about it, but once I was in labor I really didn't care or think about them at all. As it turned out, for most of my labor they were out on their boat, and even when they got back they say they didn't hear anything. And I am a loud birther. So who knows really, and as it turns out I think they were more proud of the homebirth than we were , they had a 4th of July party the next day and I came out for a bit to sit in the sun with DD....they told everyone who would listen that "that baby was born RIGHT HERE! In these apartments!!"

[cocoanib]

There's a similar thread here that may help you
http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=1169482

My condo is 500sq ft
I haven't done it yet, but will be birthing in our small condo with neighbors to the right and below us. We live on the top floor.
I'm not really worried about noise. It will only be for a short time and we have heard alot worse than the moaning or screaming sounds I might make!
As for the pool. We will use a hose attached to the faucet to fill and our MW has a pump to drain. I'm not sure if we will drain in the bath tub, sink or what. She has birthed in apts before, so I'm sure she has a handle on it.
Wer'e not discussing our homebirth with any of the neighbors. Especially the fact that there will be a pool. I'm sure they will start imagining all kinds of crazy things that could happen and maybe even try to make a fuss about it.

[Lynn08]

I was also worried about noise (we lived above our landlord who was also one of dh's best friends). But when I was in heavy labor and at my loudest, he wasn't even home - he was out at the bar, then at an after-party. When he did get home, he passed out and heard nothing.

We didn't have a tub (as there was absolutely nowhere to have put it), so I just gave birth in the living room in front of the couch. It was a bit tight with me, dh, the mw, and the student mw/assistant but it wasn't unbearable. It's not something I would do again (unless we had no choice) but only because I want a waterbirth next time. Otherwise, it was fine.

[fruitfulmomma]

As far as space I've birthed twice in our current home which is less than 900sf. We didn't set up a birthing tub but we have the space to. (Just don't know that the floor would hold up in this old thing.)

With regard to noise, I've birthed twice in the hospital and was pretty vocal and it didn't seem to bother anyone, though maybe their walls were more soundproof - don't know - but I don't recall hearing the other moms either. Also my oldest was born at a home I shared with my father and brother, they lived in the basement, and both of them slept right through it all. (My brother, who was 17 at the time, swore he was going to leave the minute I went into labor but he didn't even notice.)

[mommaJ]

I birthed my DS in a tiny apartment with neighbors on both sides and below. As far as I know, no one heard me at all. I felt like I was really loud, but my mid-wife told me afterwards that I wasn't loud at all. Sometimes maybe we sound louder in our own ears

I was afraid we wouldn't have room for a tub. Thankfully my midwife was fine with using our bathtub, so we still got to have a water birth.

Best of luck to you!

[CrunchyMamaToBe]

Our apartment is the same size and we have neighbors upstairs and on one side. We hear them occasionally, not conversations, but things like phones ringing or certain types of music. The upstairs ones reported hearing me yelling a bit during my son's birth, but they thought it was the TV!

Depending on your relationships with your neighbors, you might warn them in advance or just put a little sign on the door saying, "Birth in progress, do not disturb" in case they come by with requests for quiet!

[ShwarmaQueen]

I 'roared' VERY loudly during my HB, so much so that I'm surprised my (house) neighbors didn't hear me! If I had to do it all over again, I'd probably tell them ahead of time that I was having a HB and don't worry if they hear me!

[Oliver'sMom]

I birthed in our small condo with neighbors all around, above, below, to the side. I was also very vocal, but there were no complaints whatsoever. After ds was born, dh started to clean the pool out and ended up dumping all the water out down the stairs. Our next door neighbor saw him doing this, and just stared in complete shock and confusion

[Bellabaz]

Did it. No one heard us. And it was not at all on my mind during labor. Enjoy you home birth!

[TopHat]

I UCed in a 395 sq foot studio with neighbors on both sides and above. No one ever mentioned hearing anything.

[Emmylou]

I live in a duplex and in August, my neighbor delivered her son at home. I am a SAHM so I am here all the time. I did not hear a peep from them ever. In fact, the only reason I knew she had a HB was that her mom was getting out things from her car and DH and I happened to be leaving the house. I asked her how her daughter was and she glowingly told me he had been born earlier that day and that both were doing great. I said congrats and asked her if she was at a local hospital and she said "oh no she had him here " I was like "wow thats awesome! I had no idea..she was so quiet!"
I later saw her and baby checking the mail about two weeks later and told her congrats and way to go for having a natural, HB....
I figured if she can do it with the same space that we have, so can i! I guess she was partly my inspiration Im having my HB in June and very super excited