Would you UC again? - Page 2

[BlessedJess]

I actually had my first UC get "stuck." I was in an unfavorable position I suppose, when his head was born, but his shoulders were squared up, based on how they felt as they came through, as big feeling as his head or bigger. I quickly tried hands and knees and he flew out on the next push. It was an eeerie 30 seconds, and when all was said and done I was glad not to be in the hospital for that, at the very least. Because they would have had me on my back, they would have been screaming at me to push and panicking and frightening everyone, as I've read about so many times before, and might even have broken his collarbone attempting to extract him. Ina May's advice was to do just what I did instinctively, it's actually called the "Gaskin Maneuver." You aught to read about it. It's cool.

Oddly, that was also the birth where I felt no pain when pushing!

[quantumleap]

Oh, I've read, believe me! (like I said, for some reason, dystocias were always what seemed to fall to me in midwifery school). The Gaskin was my instinct too, but it was a true dystocia. The midwife had to do Rubins, and because no one wanted to/thought to do an episotomy, there was some pretty significant tearing. I'm just saying that, while rare, there are still some situations in which a trained attendant are extremely useful! 

[BlessedJess]

Originally Posted by quantumleap 

Oh, I've read, believe me! (like I said, for some reason, dystocias were always what seemed to fall to me in midwifery school). The Gaskin was my instinct too, but it was a true dystocia. The midwife had to do Rubins, and because no one wanted to/thought to do an episotomy, there was some pretty significant tearing. I'm just saying that, while rare, there are still some situations in which a trained attendant are extremely useful! 

Oh, I see. yikes! Well, I've never really had big babies (never over 7 pounds) and I'm probably not going to this time either... so it has never been something that keeps me up at night... but if I did, man, I'm sure it would change my perspective a bit, especially if Baby got stuck at all like that. It's one thing to have it resolve in one push from a new position... Sorry to hear about the tearing.... I've kinda thought tearing was better than cutting. What are your thoughts on that? Do you think you would rather tear or be cut, seeing the aftermath of both?

[dovey]

I have had three homebirths with midwives.  They were all amazing experiences, but the second one would have not gone very well for me if the midwife had not been there.  She had to do a manual placenta extraction really fast because I was bleeding so much.  It was scary after the fact.  During this part of the birth I was so out of it I was hardly even present with the people in the room.  If I were UCing (as I had seriously considered doing) I don't know if I would have had the presence of mind to tell my partner that I needed to go to a hospital - presumably he would have researched the birth process and would have known.  But it would have been very difficult to get there - an extremely bloody and incapacitated mama, a two year old, a newborn and a frantic dada, and a 20 minute ride to the emergency room.  I'm forever grateful to our midwife who was there, and took care of the whole thing.  I didn't even end up having to go the hospital.  So, to answer your question, no, I don't think I will UC if I ever have another baby.   

[savagefamily]

I had an unassisted homebirth in 2010. I feel like I would have to ultimately make that decision if I were to become pregnant again. But having another unassisted birth would definitely be my #1 choice unless I felt like another option was safer for that pregnancy. I have a very strong aversion to anyone trying to control labor or birth at all, and had a wonderful unassisted experience, despite the fact we transferred to the hospital after the birth. I was always safe, confident & comfortable and overall, yes I'd definitely do it again.
 

[Sharlla]

Yes, i had a UC with DD and i am again this time.  i loved everything about it and hope everything goes as perfectly this time as well, the experience was so amazing http://www.mothering.com/community/t/1274487/pandora-moonlillys-amazing-unassisted-birth
 

[Becky Wheeler]

If I *ever* have another child, I would UC again. My 3rd child was my only UC and he had a birth injury(brain bleed from coming down so fast, doctor thinks he hit one of my bones) but I would definitely do it again in a heartbeat!

[bouyant]

I do UC because I am very shoulder distocia prone.  I am also very dependent if I feel (even if I know otherwise) that another person can help.  Thus, if I have a doctor or midwife on hand, the shoulder distocia can get very ugly, whereas with me being the "expert", there is no other choice - so I just do it.

I want to UC again, but have a long list of "warning signs" that I would seek help for in a heartbeat.

I figure labor is pretty clear on when it needs help.

(here's my list of ones I remember - most are obvious something isn't going right)

If baby hasn't dropped when I go into labor, I wouldn't UC (all my babies have VERY long cords, and are at higher risk for cord prolapse.

Usually I get a high small leak, and my water doesn't break untill the baby is born.  This is perfect for UC for me, as I don't worry about infection like I would if my water was all the way broken for very long, but I can see that it is clear - if I saw blood before I was actually pushing the baby out, I would seek assistance.  The same if I saw old meconium (the old meconium can have gotten in the babies lungs for too long, deteriorating them and causing potentially fatal MAS.

I have short labors - if one was long, I'd seek help.

- can't remember any others.  To me, part of UC is listening to my body when it says it needs help - and getting it that help.

So I want to UC again, but if it doesn't turn out that way, then in a way it is all the same thing - listening to my body.

oh, we wouldn't go it alone with twins either - the whole long cord thing might be a problem.

hospitals are usefull if you use them (vs. them using you) so I would definantly go to one to have a premie or something. (hosp. is close by, so not much we can't do here, that they'd be able to do any faster there if we were there.)

UC is risky in some unpredictable situations - mostly cord entanglement.  We have long cords and have had UC's with a couple of true knots etc. that didn't affect the birth at all - but as much as I love UC, it has to be something you feel right about inside personally - well any birth choice needs to be.

Though, if you do a more medical UC, and listen to the heartbeat and stuff, the risks are probably lower.  I've thought about it, but checking on the heartbeat while my body is trying to push a baby out, seems looking for something wrong at the moment of truth, to me.

Told dh if we do go to a hospital, I'm hiring a thug to stand gard at the door, lol.

[afr2010]

I'd just like to update everyone. I did UC! labor was amazing, never once wanted someone besides DH with me, never once thought about an epidural.  However pushing and delivery got scary, my water took it's good old time to break and I didn't have the urge to push until 1 1/2 hrs after "pushing stage" started. Baby girl was born covered in blood, I'm thinking partial placenta abruption? the cord was still pulsing though, which was a miracle. And the placenta did come out in one piece about 30 mins after baby but with a ton of blood and small clots too.   I'm so glad I wasn't in the hospital setting but next time I do hope I can have a midwife attended delivery , maybe...

I'll be posting my birth story soon on the UC bored. 

[dreammama]

Just wanted to follow up.  Our first UC was a wonderful success!!!  I was thinking I might go into labor on a Friday night so around 11pm we took some fun belly pictures.  As soon as I went to bed contractions hit hard and fast.  At 1:15am my husband caught our beautiful baby boy in our kitchen.  I can't really say there was even any pain involved besides a few contractions!  I was at peace and my husband repeatedly goes on about how it was the most incredible moment of his life.  We would definitely do it again!!!

OH!!!  Just saw your update aft2010!  Congrats!!!  I'm so glad all went well for you also!

[AbigailG]

Yes I would! Our UC was so peaceful and normal.