Homebirth tribe?? - Page 4 « Back to Group Discussions

[odinsmama]

I'm also on state insurance (basically to cover a possible emergency transfer to hospital) and it covers nothing that goes through the midwife (who is also a naturopathic doctor).  Not even basic blood work requests sent to the lab by my midwife.

Still, won't go back to the hospital unless I have to for some unforeseen medical reason.  

[cierra159]

Planning a HOMEBIRTH, second out of hospital birth, hoping to birth in water this time. Encapsulating my placenta again. And loveee my midwife so awesome to see so many other informed mamas doing home births! Eeeeeek <3

[lovelylittle]

I'm planning a homebirth with a ND/MW. This is my second pregnancy but (hopefully!) first baby. We live in an apartment so I've had some concerns about how all that will work, but for the most part I'm feeling really confident about the process. I also plan on having the placenta encapsulated. It's nice to meet everyone! I look forward to going through this journey with you all.

[Amor Rays]

I'm having a home birth, probably unassisted but my friend is a midwife is available if needed.  My kids really want to be there. 

I plan on eating my placenta, and sorry if this grosses anyone out but I plan on eating it raw.  every other mammal does it so why not.

[npfaffl]

Been lurking on the TTC boards and now the Feb DDC group for a while. You all inspired me to jump in on this tribe. This is my first time to personally participate on the Mothering Boards. I'm planning a second homebirth in Florida. So happy my beloved midwife is still in practice for my second child 12 years later. Supporting homebirth and midwifery is a huge part of who I am. I'm the current president of the national group Citizens for Midwifery and I work for the Midwifery Education Accreditation Council (MEAC). I strive to see homebirth and CPMs available and accessible to women everywhere. My 11 year old son is really excited to be part of the birth process. If anyone has suggestions for good childbirth prep for a preteen I'd love any suggestions. All the stuff I have found is for young children, but some of the adult CBE stuff is too mature (although my son is pretty mature so some of this might be ok). Looking forward to following others planning a HB. Best Wishes.

[loveandgarbage]

Welcome npfaffl! Hoping others have some preteen resources for you.

So I decided to have my close doula friend be there at the birth. It feels rights. I can't wait to labor!!!

[Jenny01]

I guess I didn't ever post in this thread since I was undecided in the beginning - but we have decided on a home waterbirth if all goes as planned :)

Welcome npfaffl!

[Gray's Mommy]

We have an estimate and deposit paid for our midwife! Less than baby #3 and covers the midwife assistant. We have to figure out expenses and I am trying to figure out how many people are actually going to be here. I don't want a party, but it seems like it is getting out of control like a wedding!

We're going to file insurance after the birth & fight about it. Legally they have to pay something if I am using an authorized by the state of Texas "baby catcher" but it is going to be the fight from you-know-where to get them to do it.

I'm getting excited that I'm going to have a HBAC and prayerfully wanting a waterbirth since I have wanted that since baby #1 and haven't had it yet.

[Madefromscratch]

Ah, so much encouragement here!  I'm planning a homebirth for my first and really don't know anyone else who has done it; out of my close friends, most births have been cesareans, several elective.  (These are healthy women in late 20s to early 30s--and they are letting doctors tell them they can't birth?  Really?)  I haven't shared a whole lot with them yet about our plans, and am a bit leery of saying much until it's all over.  I've been reading so much great (and horrifying!) information since we got connected to our midwife; I feel like my mind and opinions are expanding faster than my midsection :).

When we found out we were expecting (surprise!), I knew I wanted a midwife, but didn't know anything else.  Turns out where I live if you want a midwife, you have to have a homebirth--no midwives in hospitals here.  Sooo . . . we went with it, made the decision to homebirth, and kind of let our minds catch up over time.  (It helps that the midwife we picked has satisfying answers to all our questions, no red flags.)  And I'm totally convinced now that this is the best thing.  Best for baby + best for mama, same thing.

Not sure about who to have at the birth, since I've never done it--I wouldn't mind my mom being here if that works out, but I'm not sure how much support I'll want or need.  For the placenta, let's just say that we're taking it one step at a time; okay, I haven't actually looked into options yet.  It's interesting and helpful to read everyone else's plans!

As far as support goes, my husband's side of the family is surprisingly on board with it!  We told his mom we were planning a home birth, and her eyes lit up and she clasped her hands and said she'd always wanted to have one herself (illegal where they live) and was so excited for us!  So that was nice.  (Coincidentally, they know a family with 11 kids who were all born healthy at home, illegally :)  My mom supports our decision, and I think she trusts God and us enough to be okay with it--we'll see if we can make a convert of her.  Some other family members are not being told details just yet!

[Madefromscratch]

Oh, one question for those who have "placenta plans": what are your sources for the encapsulation and so forth?  Are there good internet places or is it more of a local who-you-know thing?
 

[odinsmama]

Originally Posted by Madefromscratch 

Oh, one question for those who have "placenta plans": what are your sources for the encapsulation and so forth?  Are there good internet places or is it more of a local who-you-know thing?

 

You could try asking your midwife.
I don't know if there are any resources online for finding a reputable person to do it, but there may be!

Congrats on baby, finding a good midwife and planning a birth that feels right to you!

[loveandgarbage]

Doulas will sometimes also do placenta encapsulation. I would just start asking around.

[loveandgarbage]

Also, Madefromscratch, it's great you have a supportive family. Mine is mostly on board but some are a tad apprehensive about homebirth. I'm going to kick this one out of the park hopefully and then we'll have some more converts!

[odinsmama]

Just sent the down payment to my midwife, woohoo!
I'm getting to the point of having all my baby stuff here or on the way here, so I'm finding myself much more able to just be focused on being excited instead of trying to remember if there is anything else I need to buy.

[MommyMissy]

Late to the party but we are planning our 3rd home birth, (4th baby). My midwife was an assistant at my first HB and primary at my last one. She moved 2 hours away but is still willing to be my midwife. We have become great friends and I am so glad that I don't have to find a new one. I am sure this will probably be another waterbirth for me, it helps with the pain so much. I actually encapsulate placentas for other people, and encapsulated my last one, so will do the same with this one. I am excited to get to know everyone as we go through this journey together. 

[typebug]

My midwife just asked me the other day what I want to do with the placenta. I really didn't have an urge to consume it in any way and I have no way to plant it anywhere which is my first instinct. I asked her for some suggestions and she said they do a ritual when she's working at the birth centre in Bali where the placenta goes into a big bowl with oils and flowers and it is thanked for its role in the baby's life before we dispose it. I liked her suggestion. It made me feel a little less weird about the whole discarding thing. 

[Gray's Mommy]

I'm planning on doing encapsulation this time. I had postpartum depression after baby #3 & really don't want to go down that road again. There is a huge group (Placenta Benefits) that trains/certifies encapsulation specialists and I would ONLY go with someone who knows how to handle a placenta. From what I understand, the placenta is not supposed to leave your home due since health conditions vary greatly between homes. You can also do it yourself, but afterbirth, I don't think that is what I want to spend my time on. My midwife offers a big discount ($100 off) if you are a client, so we will be using her. I just have to figure out bugeting.

I'm 17 weeks away & sooo excited!!!

[HouseofPeace]

Originally Posted by typebug 

My midwife just asked me the other day what I want to do with the placenta. I really didn't have an urge to consume it in any way and I have no way to plant it anywhere which is my first instinct. I asked her for some suggestions and she said they do a ritual when she's working at the birth centre in Bali where the placenta goes into a big bowl with oils and flowers and it is thanked for its role in the baby's life before we dispose it. I liked her suggestion. It made me feel a little less weird about the whole discarding thing. 

i like this a lot.  we bid our last 2 farewell and appreciated them before disposing of them b/c of similar situations to you (and an odd lack of interest in saving them).  i'm debating just freezing it and using it like i do raw liver, but don't know if i'll ever get around to it.  i was seriously considering keeping the last one before birth, but just didn't have the interest once it was time for clean-up....  i'm also considering a tree/planting thing, but the other issue i've had is i've had my last 3 babies in cold new england, and my hubby doesn't want to dig holes in the frozen ground.  and i wasn't jazzed about saving it.  

mommymissy- i'm curious to hear about your birth as i moved 2 hours away from my beloved midwife.  she's attending our 3rd homebirth, 5th baby, and i'm a little apprehensive about the distance in February, but also really love my midwife and am thrilled she's willing to attend.

loveandgarbage- i wish having 2 successful homebirths had positively affected my family!  my in-laws are way more supportive, but my own side of the family thinks i'm being totally selfish, reckless, and stupid.  but they do all work in hospitals....  and it's funny b/c it's my complicated hospital birth that is their justification for the need for hospitals, not the homebirths that needed no interventions.....

[cierra159]

My first two years ago was at a beautiful birth center, this time were having a homebirth. I plan to expncapsulate my placenta and make placenta prints

[mariee]

2nd birth, and a hospital birth for this one.  I just switched to the most mama/ baby friendly hospital (which will mean switching ob/midwife group, too).  Excited about this hospital!  Low intervention, labor AND birthing tubs (yay!).  Now I'm just hoping that my BP stays in check so I can go full term and take advantage of all these awesome things!!