Joining you laides, advice?

[sharita]

I have wanted a UC since my 3rd pregnancy back in 2005 but health probs with baby kept me from it.  After really educating myself and finding passion for the body's natural labor process, I knew I could never view childbirth the same again.

Since then, I have had 2 homebirths with a very hands off midwife.  I have always had shadow care so I could get an ultrasound.  I know that isn't nessesary but since it was an ultrasound that detected the issues my 3rd had, since then, it just gives me peace of mind.  Also I love knowing the gender ahead of time.

This time, I actually have insurance and just assumed I would try for the most natural hospital birth I could, knowing my rights and all, telling myself I would be in charge.  However, it only took one night spend in L&D to remind me that unless medically nessesary, the hospital is not the place for birth for me.  Not how they do things this day and age. 

So, I talked it over with 'DH and even though the hopsital would have been free, I wanted to contact my midwife and was willing to pay out of pocket to have the kind of birth I wanted. 

She is a CPM (was a DEM for my last two births but has recently gotten certified through school) and is very busy in my area.  She agreed to assist me this time as well.  Now last time, both DH and I were out of work and she basically just provided her services to me for whatever I could afford.  I was so grateful.  Now I told her DH was working this time so the money thing shouldn't be a prob.  

I contacted her at about 24 weeks.  She has always been a bit, uh, busy I guess you could say.  So, she may  tell me she will be meeting up with me one week then I hear nothing and it gets put offf twice more before I actually see her.  I don't complain as I know she is a very busy lady, rarely rested, and I owe her my last two amazing birth experiences.  I am 33 weeks now though and have yet to see her.  It isn't looking like she will be able to help me.  I just CAN'T go to the hospital after having homebirths and give up everything I believe in and know is right when it comes to birth.

My mother is completely on board with anything I want to do and would be here if I wanted to UC no questions asked.  I just never thought about it after finding my midwife as I didn't have to.  It was the best of both worlds to me, having my homebirths however I wanted, she never acted like she was in charge it was me, I called all the shots, she just was there for after and whatever I needed.  Itwas like a safety net.  I am curious as to how I feel about doing it without her. 

I don't feel there is another choice for me.  I am literally 2 blocks from the hospital if needed, this is #6 so I am no novice and myself have studied midwifery and obstetrics for 9 plus years but this is my first possible attempt at UC and not sure where to start.

I know what I need for a homebirth supply wise, my only area I lack knowledge in is newborn assesment.  I never had to do that before someone else was always there.  I labored alone before, delivered almost alone, but after that, someone else took over.

What do I do after she is here? 

I know it's not too late and I may still hear from her but I need to be prepared.  I have had this feeling from the moment I decided against the hospital that I would end up delivering my baby by myself.  I just keep having this vision where even DH isnt here (he does work an hour away).  Maybe its preparing me.

Anyway, any advice ladies on preparing for a UC?  My previous homebirths were attended by an illegal midwife and thats never been an issue getting birth cert even though we basically had to claim UC so I am not worried about that.  Just safety and staying calm without my safety net though my usually quick labors. 

How did any of you who have done it mentally prepared yourself and the person who was to help you if any, for a UC? 

[moonfirefaery]

Nurse her, wait til the cord stops pulsating, clamp it, cut it with sterilized scissors, and take her to the pediatrician within 1-2 days. :)

We weighed our son in a fish scale, but there are other options. In the hospital they evaluate babies using the Apgar score   Researching that can tell you what to look for to ensure the baby is healthy.

There is a great thread about the books and resources we all found most useful while preparing. Some of us take a neonatal resuscitation class. I found that reading birth stories of homebirths and UCs was helpful, too. :)