Info for DH?

[LacieD]

We're having a homebirth with this babe after 2 hospital births (one medicalized, one natural). DH is on board with it, but he has a lot of questions about various aspects, mainly about what happens if we need to transfer and other safety issues. He asked me to make him a Powerpoint : but I figured I'd see if there were any pre-existing resources out there to save me some already non-existant time.

TIA!

[Marissamom]

It's going to vary a bit depending on the reason for the transfer and the midwife. I just took DF to the midwife interview to ask her his questions.

[MsBlack]

Originally Posted by Marissamom

It's going to vary a bit depending on the reason for the transfer and the midwife. I just took DF to the midwife interview to ask her his questions.

I agree, it varies--and your dh being able to ask his own questions is important (having his own relationship w/your mw is important, in general).

Here is a link to my website, where I've published an essay on 'creating alternative birth plans'--which covers hospital transfer plan should that become needed. Note--at the beginning, it say 'first go to main Choices tab...etc' That is for my clients--of course, not required by anyone else. But the essay on Informed Consent might also be of interest to him/both of you--well, basically, feel free to read as much of the site as you like

http://womynwisespeaks.wordpress.com...e-birth-plans/

hope that helps

[Lady Lilya]

I'm half way through my pregnancy and still haven't talked to the MW about what our transfer plan would be. I plan to bring it up tomorrow.

You should ask your midwife about it. You might also want to ask her to help you make a list for your DH of all the equipment she brings along for safety purposes. I betcha she has a few emergency drugs, too.

[thebeljur]

OK, I don't have a Power Point, but I do have a brief "report" that I created. It's a small compilation of facts and FAQ's about homebirth (including pictures of supplies that the midwife brings, etc. -- great for visual men). I know, I know. How lame, dorky, and sterile when we're talking about something profound and natural. But I put it together when I was preparing for my first home birth. We were living with my parents at the time and I wanted to have something to present my dad (since we had to kind of get "permission" to home birth because it was their home -- kwim?). He's a Type A personality, engineer, pragmatic, who I knew would appreciate the facts and figures laid out in black and white. I know it's not romantic and doesn't get into the true natural reasoning of home birth, but I knew this is what he needed to assuage his concerns. I knew he wasn't exactly going to absorb himself in reading A Thinking Woman's Guide to Birth or Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. I had to get to the point.

Of COURSE, I recommend your husband attend your midwife appointments as often as possible so he can hear things from her. But I also know that some men want the bullet points and, like I said, everything just laid out in black and white. Besides, you'll be there to always talk with him about all the emotional aspects of it, too.
Anyway, let me know if you want me to email you my stuff.

[LacieD]

I would love it, Angela, thank you! DH is an engineer as well and likes to have things in black and white. He doesn't read, so the chances of him reading any of my books is slim to none. : (Though I was quite surprised and pleased that he read at least some of The Birth Partner when I was pregnant with DS2!) I will PM you my email address.

Thanks for the info/suggestions, everyone!