Checking in with homebirth mamas - Page 3

[Neuromancer]

Originally Posted by IdentityCrisisMama 

If you want some advice - I'd investigate the things your ped would want to do (pku test and etc.) and find out if your MW does that.  Either way, I would just be as vague as you can and just play dumb, "Oh, you wanted to see me?  My MW was providing postnatal care up until now."  Ask your MW to give you her good baby records from those first days/weeks and bring those with you when you go in for the first time.  

Thanks for the advice!

[calebsmama03]

Originally Posted by MnMtm 

Dermoplast is a great idea! We had our DS at home, and I had spent so much time planning for the birth, and for the baby, that I was really not prepared for anything regarding post partum recovery for myself. Of course, he was my first baby, so I really didn't know what to expect as much. This time I'm planning on getting the dermoplast, witchhazel, cotton balls, and long pads that I can soak with witch hazel, and maybe freeze them. I also plan to have some pull-up depends to wear for the post partum bleeding and discharge; so much easier to manage postpartum then pads, IMO. We have everything we need for the homebirth, except I want to get some electrolyte drinks, and some honey sticks. All the other stuff, we have. Oh, except for the birthing kit that our MW will bring with her next week for our home visit. I do need to get it all gathered together into a box so that we have easy access to it. And we need to pull out our inflatable birthing tub from DS's birth and get it sanitized from sitting in storage. Hopefully I will have time to do all that, as I am already 36 weeks. I can't believe it's all getting so close already!

Yep!  Trust me, it will be your BFF.  For me it was the difference between wincing around and being rather comfy. ;)

[calebsmama03]

Originally Posted by TinyFrog 

Oh and most people still think I am going to a birth center, including family.  My mom asked where and who would be there besides DH, I told her "where" and said the midwife, assistant, doula would be there.  She said she would like to be there but would respect my wishes, but she WILL be coming over once I am home.    Guess who will NOT be getting a call any time soon after the birth.  Her entitlement just shocks us.  I am not close to her, I have no idea what makes her think I would want her at the birth or showing up unannounced when she wants.  Besides lying about the location, is it any wonder why I told her a due date of May 1, when I'm actually due the 9th?

She sounds similar to my mom - but my mom wouldn't ever respect my wishes! LOL  I wouldn't tell my mom anything other than "April" for when I'm due so she has no idea I"m already 36w.  She thinks it's the end of the month.  SHe's 1000 miles away but would pop into her car and show up uninvited and unannounced if she knew much more.  I've gotten the entitlement crap too about "HER" grandchild.  Whatever.  You'll be invited when we invite you - that's that.

[gumshoegirl007]

Originally Posted by dayiscoming2006 

So, any of you have hospital transfer birth plans? I'm thinking to write one up but I'm not sure what I need to put on there. Any ideas? Do you have one to share?

I'd only go in if there was a serious emergency.

Here you go:

Birth Plan (Hospital)

Expected Due Date: April 1, 2011

J and I are eagerly awaiting the birth of our third child (our first pregnancy) and have thought a lot about our ideal preferences for our labour and birth experience. It is our wish to have as natural a birth experience as possible, we understand that labour and delivery does not always go as planned. While we are planning a homebirth, should we be transferred, we value and appreciate any information you can give us to help us make informed choices during our time in hospital.

My support people are my partner J and our Doula Hayley. I would like them to be present at all times during my labour and birth. No students or non-essential personnel are to be present during my labor or the birth.  I would like to have all procedures, no matter how routine, discussed with myself and J prior to administration.

Labour
•    I would like to be free to walk, move around and change position at will around during labor
•    I would like to labour in various gravity-enhanced, vertical positions
•    I am planning to eat light snacks and drink fluids throughout labour
•    I may be bringing music to play during labor
•    I would like the environment to be kept as quiet as possible
•    I would like the lights in the room to be kept low during my labor and delivery
•    I would prefer to keep the number of vaginal exams to a minimum
•    I do not want an IV unless it is absolutely necessary in the case of dehydration or the administration of medication

Monitoring
•    Pelvic exams and fetal monitoring should be kept to a minimum
•    I do not wish to have continuous fetal monitoring or an internal monitor unless it is required by the condition of our baby or unless our baby has shown signs of distress

Labour Induction/Augmentation
•    I do not wish to have my labour induced or augmented, except for in an emergency
•    If labor is not progressing, in order of preference, I would like to be allowed to try changing positions, other natural methods (walking, nipple stimulation) or rupturing my amniotic membranes before pitocin is administered

Pain Management
•    I am planning to have a natural birth and will use a combination of movement, counter pressure, hot and cold applications, water immersion, touch and massage, aromatherapy and meditation for pain management
•    I realize that many pain medications exist — I'll ask for them if I need them

Delivery
•    I would like to be allowed to choose the position in which I give birth, and prefer those that utilize gravity-enhanced, vertical positions
•    Even if I am fully dilated, and assuming our baby is not in distress, I would like to try to wait until I feel the urge to push before beginning the pushing phase and be allowed to continue without intervention for as long as it takes
•    While I am bearing down, please encourage me with supportive statements like, “You’re doing great,” “You can do it,” and “Hang in there.”

Episiotomy
•    I would like to keep my perineum intact and request massage with oil, hot compresses and other forms of perineal support to reduce the possibility of tearing during the pushing stage
•    No episiotomy will be performed under any circumstances
•    I would like a local anesthetic if any stitches are required

Immediately After Delivery
•    I would like to have to have immediate skin-to-skin contact between the baby and myself after her birth
•    I would like to be left undisturbed for a minimum of 1 hour following birth with newborn procedures performed afterward while the baby is on my chest
•    We would like to have our midwife cut the cord. We would like to wait until the cord has stopped pulsing before it is clamped and cut. We plan to keep the placenta to take home with us.
•    I would like to hold our baby while I deliver the placenta and any tissue repairs are made
•    If our baby must be taken from me to receive medical treatment, J or Hayley will accompany her at all times
•    We would prefer to hold our baby rather than have her placed under heat lamps nor on a warming mat if she is having a hard time maintaining her temperature
•    We would like to delay the eye medication and vitamin K injection for our baby until after I have had the chance to nurse her

Cesarean
•    Unless absolutely necessary, I would like to avoid a cesarean and I would like to be fully informed and to participate in the decision-making process
•    I would like J and Hayley present at all times if our baby requires a cesarean delivery
•    If our baby is not in distress, she should be given to J as soon as possible after her birth
•    I would like a double layer closure
•    I would like to see my baby and have her placed on my chest if there are no complications
•    I would like an epidural or spinal as opposed a general anesthetic

Postpartum
•    I would like a private room, if available
•    Unless required for health reasons, we do not wish to be separated from our baby
•    We would like to have our baby "room in" and be with us at all times

Breastfeeding
•    I plan to breastfeed our baby and would like to do so immediately after birth
•    Do not offer a pacifier or any bottles at any time during our stay, including formula, glucose water or plain water

Thank you very much for your support during the birth of our child!

[allical1284]

Ack! I am so far behind on reading everyone's posts! I've skimmed through, but will go back and catch up later...

My "birth supply closet" is complete!! Our birth kit came in and we gathered all the other supplies our MW requested.  I love peeking in there at least once a day to see everything neatly organized.  

Dh and I re-decorated our bathroom to make it more birth-friendly.  We added a dimmer switch for the lights, painted, changed out some fixtures, etc... It is soo nice in there now; it's like a birthing sanctuary!!

We have our home visit from our MW a week from tomorrow.  My mom is coming into town this weekend and will stay until after the birth.  We haven't told any family members about about our HB plans.  We will tell my mom once she arrives (since our MW will be here next Monday for the home visit!)  Hopefully she will be supportive; her job will be to care for DD.  She was awesome to have around during DD's birth, and I am really hoping she doesn't have anything negative to say. Other than my mom, we have no plans to tell anyone else until after the birth.  Some family members have asked if we were going to use the same (hospital-based) MW as we did with DD, and we have just said "no, we found another MW who is closer". We neglect to mention that the "closer" location is our house :) 

[Neuromancer]

Originally Posted by allical1284 

Dh and I re-decorated our bathroom to make it more birth-friendly.  We added a dimmer switch for the lights, painted, changed out some fixtures, etc... It is soo nice in there now; it's like a birthing sanctuary!!

That sounds awesome.  I think our bathroom is about 10 feet long by 2 1/2 feet wide.  There isn't even room for a bathtub in there!

[acdmama]

This will be my second home birth adn we have had no issues with family not being on board.  I've been pretty open when they had questions or concerns, but for the most part, people were more interested than anything else.  My sis did have a home birth with her son 14 years ago, so my side at least was not surprised or worried.  We are doing a water birth, luckily my MW has them to rent, not costing us much and we just purchase a disposable liner.  We use the Aqua Doula mostly because the heater means the water stays the right temp no matter how long you're in there!

My MW has a birth kit that I just order from a mail order pharmacy, plus she has a list of a few things to buy, mostly stuff for clean up.  Last time we just used the towels and sheets we had.  I figured if anything needed to be thrown out, we would just replace it after.  I think we threw away one towel and everything else cleaned up just fine with peroxide!  So that's the plan again--if I need to buy something, I'd rather spend the money on getting new than buying something to throw it out. 

Blessings and a peaceful birth to all you home birth mommies!  Can't wait to hear all the birth stories in the next few weeks.  (35 weeks and counting!)