~Calling All Homebirthers!~ - Page 5

[sunflwrmoonbeam]

Had my first midwife appointment today and once again I really really <3 my midwife. Part of me was toying with the idea of just going for the hospital birth because the legal situation has gotten even WORSE in Illinois since I had my daughter, but then I saw my good friend's hospital birth video, and a few other friends birthed, and and and...I just couldn't do it.

It is so nice having a birth attendant who knows me, knows how I labor, knows what my fears are, and in some ways seems to know me better than myself, at least when it comes to birth. I'm so glad she's going to attend this one :)

[jenneology]

I'm late to the party, but here are my answers:

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

Yes, my second was an planned unassisted birth at home.

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

No, I'm switching to a ND/LM who knows my history of joint issues and will be  a valuable consult when it comes to discomfort in later pregnancy.

• 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 labor pool! It was a short labor and very easy. All I need was that pool with warm water, my hands and my knees. I wish that labor had been a bit longer so I wouldn't have been quite so surprised at how quickly she came.

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

My first birth was traumatic for me and the UC was a reaction to that. I feel able to trust providers again, particularly those I'm choosing to work with, but I worry a bit about what their reactions will be to my preferences (no blood draws/vaginal exams/doppler). I also worry about what my hip will do as the pregnancy progresses.

[RosieL]

Wow, That is complicated! Looks like you've got everything covered. Right now I'm
In the process of trying to get my traditional OB to be my backup. It's hard when I can only speak to her when I'm at a clinical visit. Arg. I could use my mw's regular backup, but I love my OB for the GYN care I've had since I was 16, so I want to get her on board.

[jenneology]

Sunflwrmoonbeam, I'm so happy for you that you are working with the midwife you love. I'm not happy to hear about the politics of midwives in Illinois though. I know there is some good work being done to make midwifery safe, but there's a long way to go. Do you know if Where's My Midwife? has a chapter near you?

[kaismum]

I am planning for a homebirth. It will be our first (and last as there are no more babies in the works for us after this one). The birth of our son was highly medicalized and we ran into lots of speed bumps on the way to his eventual vaginal delivery that I strongly believe were the fault of the interventions we were told were necessary. I am happy to be better informed this time around in case something happens that we are not able to birth at home. I have a midwife in mind that I would really like to work with but she is about an hour away and I don't know if she heads down this way normally. I have an email out to her and hope to hear back next week. If she is on board I will be super excited. There are other choices available more nearby, but I am personally familiar with some of the midwives/students in each practice but not particularly close to any of them, so I am wondering what my comfort level would be when it came to labor and birth. I have an idea of who I will choose if my first choice doesn't pan out. I am really looking forward to having a peaceful birth and am glad that we won't have to worry about where my son will be during. He will be five but doesn't spend a lot of time without us and I would feel strange having him be far away from us while something so important is happening. Has anyone who is on a second (or more) homebirth had a sibling around that age at home during the birth? How did it go for them and for you? 

[beaner&tiegs]

We've always had our kids at our births.  In fact, when my sister was 8 and I was 10, we were at my brother's birth way back in the day, at a hospital.  Our previous three births have been at home, but I feel pretty strongly about the kids being as much a part of the birth as they want to be, so would have them at the hospital too.  My girls were 3, and then 6.5 and 3.5 at the births, and it was a really positive experience.  We had an adult specified to be there to help the child, and they were great at calming the girls and explaining why I was making noises, etc, and after the birth, there was a lot of pride and they really felt like we had all had a baby.  I really believe it went a long way in helping to dissipate jealousy and displacement issues, and has made for many interesting discussions/art work/games afterwards!!!!!  My six year old still remembers the birth, and is super excited about this upcoming birth - they'll be pros at cutting cords :-)

[PsycheGal]

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

I planned two home-births which ended in hospital births -- Going for #3 and hoping 3rd time's the charm! 

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

I have a new midwife this time around :)  So far I'm loving her! 

My old midwife was great too though, but she can't come out this far anymore, and honestly I think she might feel bad that my last two with her ended in transfers :(

• 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?

For my first baby, i didn't even get to labor at home, I pretty much had a forced induction because I was 42 weeks.  I HATE FLORIDA

For my second I labored at home until it was time to push and had to transfer last minute to stop the birth due to allergic reaction and severe cervical swelling.  I got lucky though and got an awesome on call OB there that was all for home birth so I had a natural birth with no restrictions on positions or anything at all.  He too had been born at home.   

My labor experience at home was amazing.  If you're planning a home birth I will absolutely suggest that you get a BIRTHING TUB.  

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

Actually giving birth at home would be nice!   

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

Like all expecting mothers you always hope everything is well with the baby and that he/she doesn't need anything other than your boob lol  But that is a fear no matter what setting I give birth in. I'm actually a lot more concerned and afraid of giving birth in the hospital. 

[SBradbury]

I am joining a little late as well but it is wonderful to "see" so many other mama's getting ready for home births. 

• Have you had (or planned) a homebirth before? DS was born at a freestanding birth center and DD was born at my parents home (had just moved and didn't have our own place yet) 

• If yes, are you seeing the same midwife as before? Yes. She is a friend and typically does hospital births but can attend if she doesnt have anyone in labor at the hospital. Last time my good friend and fellow midwife drove up (4hrs) for the birth. If circumstances allow I will call her again but things would have to line up just right. 

• 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 had wonderful support, loved having my family around and the comfort of a familiar place. I loved having good food available. We decided not to do a birth pool and just use the tub, I repeated told DH that next time there would be a birth pool and I am excited for that option. Also excited to have this little one in our own home. I wouldn't change DD's birth but being at [i]our[/i] home will be an added perk. 

• Do you have any fears that you feel you need to work through? Most of mine were miscarriage related and getting further along (11wks now) and hearing the heart beat has helped quite a bit. 

[carastar]

This will be our first home birth. My son (almost 4) was born in the hospital in what turned out to be a great natural birth after 64 hours of labor. Even though we had such a positive hospital experience before, I'm looking forward to birthing at home. Being able to eat whatever I want (that was the one downside of the hospital), have everything I need, be in my comfort zone, only have people I know there and not having to travel anywhere in labor is going to be wonderful.

We met our midwife for the first time a couple weeks ago. She is a recommendation from a friend who just had a baby this summer. We really like the midwife and I feel so comfortable with her already. I feel lucky that we live in a state (CA) where home birth is an easy option and that I didn't have to search around for a midwife I liked.

My mom had my 4 youngest siblings at home, and was also a childbirth instructor and lactation consultant while I was growing up, so all of these things are natural and normal to me. My husband needed a little convincing but he's now on board.

The only thing I'm worried about now is moving out of our current living situation (I wouldn't want to have a home birth here) before the baby arrives. The plan is to move in January, so everything should work out fine, but I'm scared we won't be able to find the right place on our timeline. Fingers crossed!