~Calling All Homebirthers!~ - Page 2

[AiryFairy]

• Have you had (or planned) a homebirth before?  I planned a homebirth for my last baby.  We lost our son Ollie at 17 weeks.  In a way, we had a homebirth but it was sad.  There's no way I could have delivered Ollie in a sterile institution; home was the only place that was right. 

• If yes, are you seeing the same midwife as before?  Yes, we're seeing the same midwife.  We actually have a team of 3 midwives that we meet with and all 3 attend the birth but keep their presence to a minimum.

• If you've had a homebirth before, what was your favorite thing that you had, and what did you wish that you would have had?  My favorite thing is hot water be it in the shower or in the bath. 

• If you haven't had a homebirth before, what are you most looking forward to?  The whole experience....and getting to hold my sweet baby in my own bed <3

• Do you have any fears that you feel you need to work through?  Not that I can think of.  I feel pretty positive and confident when it comes to the labor and delivery.  I'll be sure to work through any fears that may come along though so that they don't hold me back.

[Rasa]

• Have you had (or planned) a homebirth before?

No, DD's delivery was in the hospital, a 'planned' induction (ugh!) with all sorts of unnecessary interventions.

• If yes, are you seeing the same midwife as before?

Not applicable but have already hired my midwife for this potential homebirth.

• If you haven't had a homebirth before, what are you most looking forward to? 

Taking responsibility for my labor and delivery.  I am confident in my body's ability to labor and delivery efficiently on it's own, without intervention.  I don't want to be separated from DD in a hospital for days (I would be fine but she would be a mess).  I remember twiddling my thumbs in the recovery area of the hospital last time during the day (when it was impossible to sleep) and when I wanted to sleep at night or early morning, being constantly woken up for checks and tests.  I can't wait to just relax in my own home after delivery.

• Do you have any fears that you feel you need to work through?

Just logistics.  Trying to figure out which room would be ideal to set up a waterbath, where I'll feel most comfortable laboring, etc.  If DH and DD need space away from me, where they can go (or vice versa).  Right now, honestly, the biggest issue is that DD and I cosleep in her room, which we're all totally cool with, but there's not room for a baby in the mix, which means some or all of us have to move and she's not at all interested in that idea in the least.  Also, trying to figure out if having my mom fly in to help with DD (which they would both appreciate) would complicate labor and delivery too much (having unneeded help or observation of myself while in labor).

[Sukhada]

• Have you had (or planned) a homebirth before?  Never had a home birth before. This is my first pregnancy.

• If you haven't had a homebirth before, what are you most looking forward to? I'm looking forward to laboring and hopefully, birthing in water. I'm also looking forward to being able to birth in a place that's comfortable to me and not having to go anywhere once labor begins. I think the other real advantage is being able to invite whomever I want and knowing everyone who will be involved in my birth before I go into labor. My home feels so safe and comforting to me. I can't imagine giving birth in a hospital.

• Do you have any fears that you feel you need to work through? I think my biggest fear is that I'll need to be transferred to a hospital. Also, we're renovating our home, so I am a little concerned about getting the space I will birth in ready on time.

[miss_honeyb]

All you first time moms who are planning homebirths are AMAZING!! I hear from lots of people, "I like the idea of a home birth, but not for my first, because you never know what to expect with your first. So I'm going to use the hospital, but maybe a homebirth for a 2nd baby..."  Which is crazy logic on so many levels, but definitely a common sentiment, at least from what I've heard. I'm so proud of you first time moms who are so wise and informed and tuned in!!    I just want to hug you. I wish I had known so much when I first started having babies!

And I'm so excited for everyone planning their first homebirth! You are right, it is the most amazing thing to be in your own space with your own people, and snuggle in your own bed afterwards... babies are sweet whenever and wherever they come, but it's hard to compare the sterile, unfamiliar hospital environment and your own sweet home and bed. It just feels so right. (And I'm not saying that in judgement of anyone planning a hospital birth! I had 3 myself and they weren't horrible. Just not anywhere near the same as birthing in my own home. )  I'm SO excited for you first-time homebirthers to experience it...

[sunflwrmoonbeam]

My first was a homebirth -->transfer --->c-section, and even though it didn't end how I wanted it was hands down the best decision I could have made. I had far better prenatal care with my hb midwife than with the hospital midwife, avoided an induction (I went into labor at 42+1), and was able to do everything I could to get her out naturally. My c-section was thankfully necessary, but I only know that because I was homebirthing.

[miss_honeyb]

Originally Posted by sunflwrmoonbeam 

My first was a homebirth -->transfer --->c-section, and even though it didn't end how I wanted it was hands down the best decision I could have made. I had far better prenatal care with my hb midwife than with the hospital midwife, avoided an induction (I went into labor at 42+1), and was able to do everything I could to get her out naturally. My c-section was thankfully necessary, but I only know that because I was homebirthing.

    Ashley, love your positive attitude, mama! I really hope you get your HBAC.

[miss_honeyb]

Originally Posted by bradleymama 

Favorite things: DH.  Christian Birth "Mantras" - Bible verses, one-liner type prayers.  Video camera.  Candles.  Piano hymns on CD.  Sourdough toast after the birth.

  I have LOVED having simple, one-line type prayers/hymns/scripture cards. At each birth I've had a line of a hymn or scripture that just stuck in my head and got me through the rough parts.

I'll add that one of my favorite things about homebirth is the ownership that you have when getting ready for the birth.  I simply love washing and laying out that little hat, the first onesie, a sweet blanket ... when I gave birth in the hospital, it was just "standard issue" stuff right at first.  Getting the birth supplies organized right in my own home and all the while being so excited and so happy about the new baby.  I love that part.

too.  just thinking about it!

[Jackies Ladybug]

I've had 2 babies, and 2 homebirths. I always knew I'd have my babies at home, so it was pretty automatic.
I'll be making sure I have my birth tub, Vitalyte drink, homemade chicken soup and chocolate chip cookies. I'm totally looking forward to my soup and cookies, like almost planned this baby around them. That's my biggest reason for homebirth, food! Haha, I mean, there's other stuff too, but food is a big one. I can't do the hardest work of my life while only eating ice chips! That's crap.
I'm using the same midwife as before so this is old hat. We won't even be having an official prenatal until my 20 week scan, but we have lunch at least every 2 weeks, we're good friends at this point.
My first was a pretty middle of the road labor taking about 14 hours from first early labor contraction, with about 7 hours active labor. Of course, I thought I was in active labor those first 7 hours until REAL active labor started! Haha, woo! Second baby was 7 hours from first early labor contraction, 2 hours of active labor. I thought I was going to have to send the midwives home and then suddenly I basically went into transition. Intense.
I'm freaked out that this one is going to end up being a 50+ hour labor, or that I'm going to be one of those women on the news that has her baby in the grocery store bathroom. At least I don't have to worry about getting to the hospital in time! Especially with the last one, I would have freaked out if I had needed to get into the car and go somewhere to give birth. I don't know how anyone does it!
I'm really excited about those last brooding weeks of getting supplies collected, visualizing a good birth, meditating and reading stories about birth to my girls. It's going to be magical!

[sunflwrmoonbeam]

What are you all doing with older kids during the birth? My daughter will be 2 years 10 months, we have no family in the area, and all other good candidates for watching her during the birth live 20+ minutes away and will have their own young babies (friend 1 is probably having her baby now...SQUEE! and friend 2 next month). I don't want DD there, and I want DH's full attention during the birth. He seems to think it'll be fine if she just hangs out, that she'll entertain herself, or try to get in the pool with me.

I'm hoping it's a quick and easy overnight birth and she sleeps through the whole thing.

[Jackies Ladybug]

You can get a child's doula (fancy babysitter). Basically its someone who has been to several homebirths before so they won't freak out when you hit transition and their sole job is to make sure every need of your older child is met. My midwife had numbers for some when I was pregnant with #2, but we went with my mom cuz she's free.

[AiryFairy]

Unless it's the middle of the night, in which DD's would be sleeping anyhow, we'll have someone there just for them.  They have expressed interest in being there to witness the birth.  They will be 7 and 9 years old then.  I'm open to it but am going to just go with the flow and see what happens.  Either way, someone will be there just for them.  

[Thursday Girl]

My last birth was a homebirth and i LOVED it, it was so amazing not having to leave the house and driving in a car. nothing more uncomfortable then driving in a car while in labor. (my first was a hospital w/ midwife, then birth center w/ midwife). I loved the party type atmosphere that was going on before I was in active labor. I was contracting and cleaning and Hubs had some friends over while they attached a new door, my friends were hanging out with me. Even when I would hop in the shower I could hear everyone talking and laughing and it was amazing because this was a normal day yet a special day full of excitement and anticipation. Then as I got further into labor and needed to sink into myself people started leaving. It's awesome not being strapped down or told what to do.

I am using the same midwife as last time, after my last birth we actually became friends so I think it will be even more neat to have her attend this birth, although I need to ask her if she will attend even if it's not her night on call.

As for siblings at birth, I prepared my kids the last 2 births. The first time I had prepared my daughter and gotten someone to be in charge of her, only I forgot to make sure the person (my sister) was okay with kids seeing the birth. I asked for Jewel to be brought in and my sister wouldn't bring her, not because Jewel didn't want to come she did, but because my sister didn't think kids should see birth. Jewel did come in right after the babe was born and helped her Dad cut the cord, but I really wanted her there for the birth. The second time I prepared the 2 girls for the birth but it was so late at night they were both asleep. So maybe this time they will actually get to see the birth. I totally agree you should have someone there just for the kids, to keep the kids calm, to read their cues, to get them out of there if you want to be alone, just make sure the person is OKAY with kids at birth.

[rajahkat]

Hi!! My previous 5 were all born at home, so as long as everything goes well with this pregnancy, this will be a home birth too. I've only had UCs but I may hire a midwife this time. We'll have to see.

[Mom2SammyJoe]

 Have you had (or planned) a homebirth before?

Yes, we had an HBAC with our 2nd child.

• If yes, are you seeing the same midwife as before?

YES!!! I just got off the phone with her. We moved last year, and even before we moved, we were farther than she normally travels. She is willing to drive the 1 hr 15 min to our place. She must like me almost as much as I like her!  She would also like us to use a doula who lives closer this way, but we were already thinking of using her, anyway.

• If you've had a homebirth before, what was your favorite thing that you had, and what did you wish that you would have had?

I loved having good, supportive people with me. Both my midwife and very dear friend were right there praying me through. We had a birth pool, but I didn't really love it. DH and I put a lot of effort into getting it all ready, and I only used it for about 30 min. of the 18 hour labor. But you never know what you want until the time comes. We have a much nicer/bigger/deeper bathtub now, so I may just go with that for labor.

I can't think of anything I wish we had.

• Do you have any fears that you feel you need to work through?

I had a lot of fears my last pregnancy and a lot of healing to do emotionally after my son's c/s. It motivated me to be strong and healthy for the birth, but was very hard. I feel like I have worked through most things. I guess I am afraid of being overly confident this time. Also, last time no one knew about our homebirth plans. I am glad to not be doing dual care this time, but I think I will face a lot more questions and opinions about the homebirth this time.

[babycatcher01]

• Have you had (or planned) a homebirth before? First baby in hospital my 4th hb 2nd uc

• If yes, are you seeing the same midwife as before? I do my own care

• If you've had a homebirth before, what was your favorite thing that you had, and what did you wish that you would have had? Being a hb midwife I have all the comfort and equipment I need..add my man I'm good to go.

• Do you have any fears that you feel you need to work through? I have all the "fears" of the unknown but I feel these feelings keep my grounded ready for anything. Dh tells me everything is fine and I beleive him, he takes away my worries.

Glad to find mams exspecting with me! I love the dd clubs wonderful support!

[Tulafina]

Have you had (or planned) a homebirth before?

Yes:) I've had 2 homebirths so far. My 2nd birth was a home waterbirth with a MW and my 3rd was a planned UC. (First was a horrible hospie birth...natural but still awful).

• If yes, are you seeing the same midwife as before?

I had prenatal care with a m/w last time around and the just didn't call until awhile after the birth but this time around I will be doing my own care.

• If you've had a homebirth before, what was your favorite thing that you had, and what did you wish that you would have had?

An Aquaborn Eco pool! I borrowed it from a close friend and LOVED it! It is super deep and keeps the heat in. I cannot imagine giving birth in a fishy pool again like I did with my 2nd DS. Just no comparison at all. Hmmmm....well I guess I wish we had had more food frozen in our freezer. I'm going to make sure that we have lots of dinners ready to go this time:)

• If you haven't had a homebirth before, what are you most looking forward to?

• Do you have any fears that you feel you need to work through?

Right now, no. I feel very at peace with our decision to birth without attendants and I really go with my gut feelings...... I don't say that things WILL be a certain way because I know that anything can happen in 9 months..... but I do feel very confident that my birth will go smoothly and easily like it has every time.

[ThreeLittleBirds]

• Have you had (or planned) a homebirth before?

I had a HBAC last October

• If yes, are you seeing the same midwife as before?

I am :) I also work for her now as her assistant

• If you've had a homebirth before, what was your favorite thing that you had, and what did you wish that you would have had?

The birth pool. I didnt deliver in it...but i labored in it and it was HEAVNENLY. I didnt have an actual birth pool...but we got the "fishy pool" that is common in the homebirthing community. The warm water was amazing during contractions.

• Do you have any fears that you feel you need to work through?

I dont really have any fears this time. But its still early..lol.

[piratemere]

I am planning a homebirth, for the third time, and I'm really counting on the third time being a charm.

DS1 was a planned homebirth with midwives in Calgary, Alberta.  My water broke at 35 weeks and I went 4 1/2 days before we ended up in a cesarean.  Turns out he was so caught up in the cord that he couldn't descend.  With the support of wonderful midwives, and after trying every possible thing for the 4 1/2 days, I have regrets that it turned out in a cesarean, but know that it was necessary and very grateful that the procedure was there.

DS2 was a planned "hotel"birth with midwives in Windsor, Ontario.  I was living in Michigan and couldn't afford insurance, so we drove to Ontario where I could get healthcare.  While my midwife was awesome for so much, as soon as I said I felt like I was going to die, she suggested going to the hospital.  I hadn't ever been that far in labour before, so I felt something must be really bad if she suggested we go.  We got to the hospital where I laboured naturally until 10 cm and pushing, but I had gone 2 full days in labour by that point, and was completely exhausted so I couldn't push him out.  I got an epidural and rested for a while, then pushed for 3 hours.  At that point the MW had to call in an OB for a consult, who hearing that I had been in labour for 2 days, had been pushing for 3 hours and was a previous cesarean said that we needed to head directly into another cesarean.  My MW didn't say anything, so I looked right at the OB and said, "Absolutely not! This baby is coming out one way, and one way only!"  So, we wheeled into the OR for a forcept delivery. I pushed and the OB pulled and after 2 episiotomies and three pushes he was out.  It was terrible, and two years later, thousands of dollars at a physiotherapist, my pelvic floor is still ruined.  I really felt that with a little more support from my MW things would have been just fine.  I needed a "Jenny, this is labour.  It may be painful.  It may suck.  But, you can do it, so let's get to it!" (You can read my emotional rendition of the story here, if you want.)

This baby has been conceived back in Calgary where I will use the midwife I had with my first baby, and I can't wait.  I've been a doula at homebirths that she has attended and I am so excited. 

For this homebirth I am going to buy one of the really fancy birth tubs.  I've still got the fishy pool from the last two, which will work just fine, but I need to spoil myself. I am also going to have anyone I feel I need there.  Because of the crossing the international boarder thing with my last birth, I didn't have the people around that I loved and needed, and this time I'm going to have everyone there, even if they all just sit downstairs and watch a movie, I want them near if I need them.  I am also hiring a birth photographer.  My DS thinks this is a silly expense, but I need pictures of the birth, of the first moments of me seeing the baby, of the first moments with my sons and the baby.  I barely got any pictures with the other two, and I need it with this one. 

I'm not scared with this one. I've gone through an incredible journey since DS two was born (I've become a doula since then and witnessed many beautiful births) and am not afraid of it at all.  I am not going to skimp on anything I think I might need, and I'm not going to feel bad about any of it. 

It's wonderful to see other homebirth mamas out there and have the support of others going through the same thing I am!

[natwatson84]

i have had a hospital birth in the past which i did not enjoy. i had no where to walk around and there were students poking their heads through the doors and the midwives acted like i was an inconvenience to them. they just wanted to be in the staff room drinking tea! i really hope i get a home birth this time. i cant imagine anything better that being in my comfortable home with my new baby. this also allows close family to pop round during my labour whenever they please which i find comforting. 

i hated hospital last time. there was no point in being there. the midwife left me alone most of the time, i had no pain releif, my husband got sent home as soon as DS was born and i was placed on a ward full of people who snored so loud that i had no sleep at all. the next day i had to wait untill evening for the doctor the check DS before i was allowed home. to me it was a lot of stress for something which could have been straight forward. 

im looking forward to making my house comfortable with blankets, candles and hot chocolate. 

it can be slightly worrying incase something goes wrong which is only a natural feeling but knowing that an ambulance can be called at any time is comforting. 

i cant wait!!! x

[hazelbranch]

• Have you had (or planned) a homebirth before?  My daughter's birth was planned as a home birth, but we ended up transferring to a hospital.  I was GBS+, which would have been fine, but my water broke and with no real signs of labour after 8+ hours I went in for an induction. 

• If yes, are you seeing the same midwife as before?  Planning a home birth again this time, and we've got the same primary midwife.

• If you've had a homebirth before, what was your favorite thing that you had, and what did you wish that you would have had?  I was really looking forward to using the birthing tub for a water birth or help with contractions.  Hopefully this time!

• If you haven't had a homebirth before, what are you most looking forward to?  A more peaceful and natural birth.

• Do you have any fears that you feel you need to work through?  Yes, I don't want things to go the way they did last time.  I am really worried that something similar will happen and we will have to transfer again.  I had total faith in my body the first time around, and now I don't. :(  I know I can get through the labour without pain medication (did it last time even though I was induced) but I worry my body will fail me in other ways.