Seriously considering homebirthing/water birthing..

[MayasMama88]

Hello all! I had to be induced with my DD in the hospital in 2009, and while it wasn't a terrible experience, I definitely would have preferred NOT to have been hooked up to a bunch of machines and tethered to my bed (I was allowed to get up and sway and use the birthing ball, but once the Pitocin contractions started, there was no way I was getting up). Recently, I have found myself thinking about having another baby, and today I got myself sucked into watching all kinds of water/home births on YouTube, and it was so incredibly beautiful that I really really REALLY would like to do it with our next baby. That being said, I am admittedly a little scared. I don't know anyone personally who has done this, and I'm nervous that I 1) wouldn't know what to do (although I trust that instinct would surely take over), 2) something would go wrong and I'd have to go to the hospital, or 3) the pain would be so bad that I couldn't handle it and want and epi, but be unable to get one (I HATED the epi at the hospital, but I was desperate from the Pitocin contractions). Does anyone have any advice, or suggestions for resources to look into to ease my mind about it? I think doing it in the comfort of a woman's home.. being able to catch her own newborn baby as he/she emerges from the womb.. it would be so beautiful and amazing! Thank you in advance!

[lilbsmama]

I could have written this post myself a little over a year ago, so I know exactly how you feel! With my 2nd son, I was truly ignorant, and very mainstream oriented....and had "good patient syndrome" I didn't have a traumatic birth per se, but I do not remember seeing my ds1 after birth, because of medication and stress from the medication. I decided before I was even pg with ds2 that we would be having a hb, come hell or high water. dh was nervous, as was I, but the more we researched, and just really envisioned it, we were both comfortable with the idea. We found an OB about an hour away from where we live, who, when we met him, knew that we were doing the right thing.
To address your fears, personally, I didn't know what to do either. But I let my body lead the way. I didn't even know I was in transition until I jumped up into a squatting pos. and just pushed him right on out! Looking back on it, the few minutes right before he was born I was thinking about the possibility that I just couldn't do it, and just wanted to give up which, in hindsight, I realize was transition! Most women are SO SO much more comfortable at home that they don't need medication. I hope you follow through with this desire to have a glorious birth, you will be SO glad you did!

[MayasMama88]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with me. It makes me feel better to know I'm not alone in trying to make this decision (not that I don't know other mamas have felt the same way.. I just needed to talk to one, lol!). I will definitely be on the lookout for an OB who will support that decision, because I believe it's the right one for me. How long was your labor with both babies, if you don't mind my asking?

[lilbsmama]

no problem! With ds1, who was technically induced as well, from the time my water broke til birth was 23.5 hours, and with ds2, total time was 37 hours. Sorry that I can't say my homebirth was quicker! I was shocked by that for sure! I didn't expect the ob and mw to stay with us for that long. One of them was with us almost the whole time! I was amazed!

[MayasMama88]

Wow, that's a long time! From the time I was induced until the time DD came out was only 9 hours. Surprised the heck out of me, as the nurse said (after giving the epi) that I would most likely progress 1cm an hour (I was only at 4cm at that time). But about two hours later she was ready! So I'm hoping that a HB will be even quicker with no drugs. *fingers crossed* I'm not even pregnant right now.. I don't think.. I'll find out tomorrow.. but I'm just thinking about the future.

[lilbsmama]

well good luck to you! i should have said also that the pain was MUCH more manageable with the hb than the hosp. birth....

[honeybee]

I would be very careful about what doctors you share your homebirth plans with. There are a few supportive OBs or family docs out there, but not many. I would recommend doing some of your own research first.

Two great books to start with are:
--Henci Goer's The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth.
--Ina May's Guide to Childbirth

The first birth goes into all the research regarding standard childbirth practices. She looks at the routine hospital practices and then looks at what research supports it... and very often the science-based evidence does NOT support most things that are done in a hospital. The research does support the safety of homebirth with a qualified midwife.

The second book is written by a famous midwife... the only one who has an obstetrical maneuver named after her! The first half of the book is full of amazing phsiologically normal (ie, natural) birth stories. The second half of the book goes into the physical, mental, and emotional process of childbirth. And this is one of the only books I've read that really talks about the mind/emotion/body connection, and all three are really important.

I read Henci's book before I gave birth to my first in the hospital. It was invaluable in opening my eyes to the research, and I was able to use the information to advocate for myself and have a good, unmedicated birth in the hospital. I knew by reading it that homebirth was statistically safe, but I did not know anyone who had a homebirth, had no idea about how to find a midwife (turns out I could have opened up my phone book, lol!), and was just not comfortable with the idea for myself.

Then I gave birth in a hospital. It was good. I didn't end up with pain meds... BUT there were so many inconveniences with hospital routine, and I did end up hooked up to everything under the sun. Nothing felt "natural" about being hooked up to a bunch of machines with my legs propped up in stirrups. And then when my ds1 was about a year old, I finally met a group of homebirthing women, and was able to hear their birth stories. I did more research and realized that -for me- homebirth was the safest option for my baby and myself.

[MayasMama88]

Honeybee, thank you so much for sharing that information with me (us!). I will definitely be obtaining both of the books you suggested. Today I go in to my OBGYN and I'm having them do a PG test, and in a way I'm really hoping I am PG, but there's also a good chance I'm not. I hate not knowing, lol! Anyhow, whether I am or am not, I'm still going to study up on it so that when I do have another baby, we'll be prepared to do it at home.

[laughymama]

I second Ina May's Guide to Childbirth! I've been reading it over and over throughout this pregnancy (my first homebirth. )
It's really an invaluable resource for me. My favorite "go-to" resource second to this site.

Ina May's book (and youtube videos of her speaking) have really been what solidified my confidence and eased any doubts or fears that I felt creeping up now and then.

[skibummum]

I have had two waterbirth homebirths and LOVED them both! I linked my blog, and there are pictures you could see on there under "homebirth" Both births were beautiful and joyful!!!!

I understand your fears. And you need to follow your gut. My first two births were traumatic induced births. One with Cytotec (talk about being uninformed) and the next with pit. Both were baaaadddd. But the waterbirths were awesome! I absolutely loved the warm water! If I were you, I would take the approach I did.... I didn't say I had to birth in the water, I just knew it was an option. Both times I did and it went great!

http://www.thecorbettsclan.blogspot.com

[gagirl2008]

Thanks for posting! This is the exact same way I feel too! I've contacted several midwives today though and I'm waiting on calls/emails back.

Good luck!