33 wks and just switch to homebirth :)

[hilhillrn]

Just wanted to introduce myself. Im sure Ill be on here with a lot of questions within the next few weeks! 

I am pregnant with my 3rd baby, a little boy after having 2 sweet girls. :) Both of their births were normal hospital births, never had any complications or interventions, really, just always wanted a homebirth. And with this baby probably being our last, and Ive always wanted a homebirth, we figure that now is our chance to do it how we want. Ive been seeing an OBGYN this whole time and with my girls. So last week we met with a midwife (we are in Mississippi, there arent many!!!) and we feel totally comfortable with her, she's worked with a few of my friends, and so we are going to go for it! Yay! I am sooo excited. Im hoping to have a water birth. Need to figure out how to rent a birth tub...hmmmm.

Other than the Ina May book, what books do you recommend on planning for a natural birth? I had my second natural "technically." I got the epi but she came too fast for it to kick in. I remember it being very traumatic and scary. I'd really not like to be freaked out like that again. :/ Ive done a few weeks of the Hypnobabies home course, but honestly, I just dont buy it and dont think it will work for me. So Id like to be prepared in other ways.

Any advice or tips? Thanks! :)

[rnra]

Welcome!  What was your reason for desiring a homebirth for this baby?

[hilhillrn]

Well, Ive really just always wanted to do it. I consider myself very informed about birth and the interventions that doctors and hospitals can push on you. I live in MS, a very birth unfriendly state (the hospitals around have some of the highest c-section rates) and while I didnt have terrible hospital deliveries, I believe that was because I WAS informed, stayed at home as long as possible to labor, etc. I lived in AL for my first pregnancy where homebirth with a mw is illegal and even seriously considered going uc. But I didnt. 

I also suffered from PPD with both babies before and I cant help but wonder if starting out "baby life" in the hospital had something to do with it. I also hope to encapsulate the placenta this time.

I just want to have him at home. I want a water birth (hospitals dont do them here at all), I want to do what I want to do while in labor, not be strapped down in a bed with a monitor, unable to move or get comfortable. That was miserable.

Anyways, there are many many reasons. :) 

[newmomma12]

i think you have great reasons for wanting a home birth/ water birth. This is my first pregnancy and I also want a home birth for many of the reasons you listed. Being able to be comfortable in my own home is my major one. My whole family those is a little concerned that I am nuts lol. but i am doing my research and I still have time to make my decision. My boyfriend thinks I should do whatever I want as long as I can prove that it is safe for me and the baby but I still dont think he knows what is coming since this is also his first kiddo. I live in IN and MW are becoming more common but I am not sure about HB. I hope I can find someone that I can work close with in my pregnancy and birthing experience.

newmamma12

[amlikam]

While I had a hospital birth with a CNM with my DD1 which required some medical interventions I do not wish to repeat (some of them for for legit good purposes as she was super early and my waters completely ruptured.) However I am planning a homebirth this time around with an amazing team of midwives.

Since this journey is new for me I cannot speak from my own experience, however as a doula and community advocate (who has spent a lot of time with pregnant/postpartum mommas) I found many women find the following incredibly helpful in labor:

-a circle of women who meets at least once a month (most ideal if there are women who have birthed naturally at home with midwives even better) - this gives them something to call on in labor.

-self care during pregnancy (making time to indulge)

-intamacy with their partner

-**doula**

-"Birth Art" (Birthing Within tends to be a favorite around here.)

-nutrient dense pregnancy diet high in protien

-regular exercise (yoga, walking, swimming....)

-someone to keep an eye on the kids/keep them engaged just in case it is needed during labor

-water therapy in labor

-having a birth team that believes in her ablity to have a baby

[hilhillrn]

Just wanted to update this post!

I did have a successful (though very long and with a few issues) home birth! Benjamin was born 4 days past my due date on Dec 11, 2012 after 24 hrs of labor. My labor progressed very slowly for a third timer and my MW discovered around hour 22 that my cervix had a swollen lip and his head was asynclitic (sp?). She put 2 icecubes on the swollen cervical lip and it went down. Then she had me get on all 4s and she popped his head back in in order to get his head in a better position. It worked, and he was out shortly after that. Intense doesnt begin to describe it! haha He came out at 10lb 7oz and 23in long! No wonder we had a few issues. :) Im convinced that had I stayed with an OB and had him in the hospital it would have been a csection. So glad God led me to homebirth.

If anyone wants to read a more detailed story of it, you can on my blog... http://followthehills.blogspot.com/2012/12/benjamins-home-birth-story.html

[salr]

I recommend getting a doula.  Also, Hypnobabies is self-hypnosis, so it really is about you deciding if it will work for you or not.  I am a huge fan of that program and recommend it highly.  I just went into it thinking that it can't hurt and I'd make an honest effort at it.  So it's not like I was listening to the CD (or falling asleep to it) thinking about how it wasn't going to work. But if that's how you feel about it and how you're thinking about it, then I would recommend the book Birthing From Within.  It might be more up your alley.

So... a doula (or an untrained friend to come over and help.  I say doula because a doula should know specifically not to interfere with any dynamics between you and your partner.  Just make sure your friend knows that it's all about you, and your family, experiencing birth together.  Someone respectful that both of you like and trust to be there), and also I think you should keep an open mind about Hypnobabies.  It can really help keep you calm and relaxed.  I speak from personal experience on that.

Congratulations on your upcoming homebirth!

[salr]

LOL.  Woot Woot!  Double congratulations!

[amlikam]

Originally Posted by hilhillrn 

Just wanted to update this post!

I did have a successful (though very long and with a few issues) home birth! Benjamin was born 4 days past my due date on Dec 11, 2012 after 24 hrs of labor. My labor progressed very slowly for a third timer and my MW discovered around hour 22 that my cervix had a swollen lip and his head was asynclitic (sp?). She put 2 icecubes on the swollen cervical lip and it went down. Then she had me get on all 4s and she popped his head back in in order to get his head in a better position. It worked, and he was out shortly after that. Intense doesnt begin to describe it! haha He came out at 10lb 7oz and 23in long! No wonder we had a few issues. :) Im convinced that had I stayed with an OB and had him in the hospital it would have been a csection. So glad God led me to homebirth.

If anyone wants to read a more detailed story of it, you can on my blog... http://followthehills.blogspot.com/2012/12/benjamins-home-birth-story.html

LOVELY!!!! YAY!!!

Congrats and thank you for following up.

[salr]

Maybe one day another woman will benefit from my advice and from me not paying attention to when things are posted.    

Thank you, OP, for sharing your birth story!

[bird_verde]

Congrats!  It sounds like you had a great and experienced midwife! Midwives rock!

[CookAMH]

That's fantastic to hear! So glad you ended childbearing with a great birth. Big boy!

[emilyfaith]

Way to Go! Blessing to your family.

[IdentityCrisisMama]

Congrats, mama!!  Enjoy your babymoon.