Last Minute Fretting!

[HomewardBound]

Hello ladies! I have been reading threads on here for a while and love hearing everybody's stories and concerns, but I thought maybe I should join and start asking my own questions! I am due in 13 days and am starting to worry! Here's my situation: 18 months ago I gave birth to my beautiful daughter and she was PERFECT, but the birthing experience was far from it! I was induced at 41 weeks, 3 days. I hated being induced, and it just went downhill from there. I  was hooked to monitors, so I had no choice but to labor on the bed. I wasn't allowed to eat anything even though I was starving, I had random nurses popping in and out to check on this or that, I felt like I was being treated like a sick person... (I know, this is all standard hospital-birth protocol, but I hated it!) When I finally gave birth, my doctor did an episiotomy, which I had specifically told her not to do and there were about 10 people in the room (not friends and family!) when she arrived. Anyway, I could go on all day about how much I hated the whole experience of the birth and the following week they made her stay in the Neonatal Care Unit, but that is all in the past now! I am ready for a HOMEBIRTH!

I am the youngest of four. My mom had three of us at home, and loved it. She gave birth to me standing up and said it was SO much easier/better, she wished she had thought of it 3 babies earlier! Anyway, so I wanted to have a midwife and deliver at home, but we ran into issues with that. A few months ago, we moved from MN to MD and ran into a whole new set of laws! I still don't understand all of the laws (so if anyone out there is from Maryland, I would love to know what homebirth regulations actually are for the state!), but best I can figure, midwives who aren't registered nurses cannot legally deliver at home. There are only 2-3 midwives in the area who are qualified and they seem to be super-booked and expensive. (Have no idea if my health coverage would cover a midwife.) Basically, we have run out of time for finding a midwife or checking on insurance and whatever, since my son could be born any day now! We hadn't been planning on doing this unassisted, but then we figured, why not?!?

We found a website (In His Hands Birthing Supplies) and ordered a whole box of stuff for the delivery (pads and cord clamps and alcohol wipes, etc). We have also been trying to glean as much info as possible from the internet. On one hand, I feel like birth is so natural it will happen no matter how much planning and preparing we do, but on the other hand, I am worried we might not recognize a serious issue if it arises. We have read about prolapsed cords, babies born not breathing (I was born bluish-grey and not breathing, but the midwife and my dad revived me without a problem), and a few other things, but I wonder if there is more we should know or should be doing to prepare ourselves. Any suggestions? If you have any links to useful info, I would LOVE that!

What happens if I tear? Would this be more likely because of my previous episiotomy, or does that have no real impact? Will it just heal perfectly on its own if I do, or is there something I'll need to do for it? I have heard there are things to do to help avoid tearing, anyone have suggestions?

My baby boy was breech at about 36 weeks, but he flipped around. My OB/GYN said there is no guarantee he won't flip again. How do I handle that?

Oh, and speaking of my OB/GYNs, (yes, more than one. They wanted me to meet all the docs in the clinic because they have no idea who will be on call when I go into labor!) they have no idea that I am planning to deliver at home! I debated telling them, but I hate how so many doctors act like they are the law and I feel like they will "yell" at me for it, so I am going with the "it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission" approach! :) They also don't know that I am planning to go to my brother-in-law's wedding 4 hours away 2 days before I am due! I have only had a few appointments, since we only moved here recently and it took a lifetime to get insurance, so I really don't feel all that comfortable with them yet. I hope to find midwife care next time around!

Sorry I went on so long. I just feel a little alone here and need some reassurance. I have a made a few friends since we moved here, but most of our friends and family are many, many hours away. :( An online community like this helps! :)

Thanks in advance for any input, suggestions, or reassurance!!

[eminencejae]

If you tear you can go in and have yourself repaired if you want to, or you can just lay around with seaweed on it from what I hear.  I guess it depends. I highly recommend a waterbirth.  As long as you take it easy and let yourself stretch you should be fine.  All I can think with the episiotomy is that you might take a little extra time to stretch if it's healed really tight.  It sounds like everything is going well for you.  

As for baby position check out spinning babies.com, and watch some videos on Youtube.  I myself am concerned about position, but know it has to eventually come out on it's own, I just don't want a painful drawn out labor.  

There is no need to tell your OB anything.  You are the one in charge.  No reason to apologize for anything.  You don't even need to notify them of anything either.  You don't need their blessing or permission to do anything.  Your body your baby.  Period.  

[1babysmom]

Good luck, mama!
 

On the tearing thing, I, too, tore with my first in the hospital (confined to the bed as well).  And she was tiny (well, the tinest of all of mine at 7lbs with a 13.25" head).  And I pushed for an hour.

But with my 2 unassisted homebirths, I didn't tear at all though I pushed them both out in 2 very quick pushes (even with my big almost 10lb baby with the 15.5" head).  I credit it to not only being upright or on all  fours, but just simply being able to listen to my body and "know" when I needed to move and change positions. 

[lisasparks]

I have been told that putting an ice pack the top end of ur belly and a heating pad at the bottom will cause baby to turn head down. The baby wants to be closer to the warmth

[prescottchels]

Welcome!!

Raw honey is good for healing wounds so you can put that on if you tear, but if you birth in water it's likely you won't. I'll PM you some handouts and the book, Emergency Childbirth 

[SarahBrianne429]

Prescottchels, is there anyway I could get that info too? I am due with my second on the 22nd of Feb and I am going through all info I can get my hands on to make sure I havent missed anything. My first was a homebirth also but I feel really nervous this time around for some reason. Thanks

[prescottchels]

Just PM me your email address 

[SarahBrianne429]

I cant figure out how to send a message, it could be because I am using a tablet not a regular computer. My email is [e-mail]. thanks!

[phathui5]

Quote:

If you tear you can go in and have yourself repaired if you want to, or you can just lay around with seaweed on it from what I hear.  

If it's a first degree tear, getting it repaired is a cosmetic decision. If it's more than first degree (any muscle involvement), I don't think that seaweed is going to help (and yes, I've read that Midwifery Today article).

[BlessedJess]

Originally Posted by HomewardBound 

We found a website (In His Hands Birthing Supplies) and ordered a whole box of stuff for the delivery (pads and cord clamps and alcohol wipes, etc). We have also been trying to glean as much info as possible from the internet. On one hand, I feel like birth is so natural it will happen no matter how much planning and preparing we do, but on the other hand, I am worried we might not recognize a serious issue if it arises. We have read about prolapsed cords, babies born not breathing (I was born bluish-grey and not breathing, but the midwife and my dad revived me without a problem), and a few other things, but I wonder if there is more we should know or should be doing to prepare ourselves. Any suggestions? If you have any links to useful info, I would LOVE that!

What happens if I tear? Would this be more likely because of my previous episiotomy, or does that have no real impact? Will it just heal perfectly on its own if I do, or is there something I'll need to do for it? I have heard there are things to do to help avoid tearing, anyone have suggestions?

My baby boy was breech at about 36 weeks, but he flipped around. My OB/GYN said there is no guarantee he won't flip again. How do I handle that?

Oh, and speaking of my OB/GYNs, (yes, more than one. They wanted me to meet all the docs in the clinic because they have no idea who will be on call when I go into labor!) they have no idea that I am planning to deliver at home! I debated telling them, but I hate how so many doctors act like they are the law and I feel like they will "yell" at me for it, so I am going with the "it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission" approach! :) They also don't know that I am planning to go to my brother-in-law's wedding 4 hours away 2 days before I am due! I have only had a few appointments, since we only moved here recently and it took a lifetime to get insurance, so I really don't feel all that comfortable with them yet. I hope to find midwife care next time around!

Sorry I went on so long. I just feel a little alone here and need some reassurance. I have a made a few friends since we moved here, but most of our friends and family are many, many hours away. :( An online community like this helps! :)

Thanks in advance for any input, suggestions, or reassurance!!

Welcome! I'd take that birth supply kit to the wedding for one. LOL

Second. It was an idiot who cut you. You don't need to worry about tearing. I think if you have a water birth with 95 degree water you will soften that perineum right up around the scar tissue and scars stretch. No massage needed. Unless you want one from your husband anyway. I think the massages are a great way to try relaxation before labor and affirmations about stretching. Also don't let the sensitive part up top overstretch when pushing. I don't tear but I've had a couple skid marks I could have avoided by holding the top of my vagina with a warm cloth and not letting it overstretch there. That method really works for me.

Third - waterbirth the breech if he turns, so you don't have to fret over catching him. Just don't touch until the head/neck start to emerge unless you think you HAVE to for some reason. Read a breech birth book if there is time.

[zapzipzee]

Hmm... lets see what I remember....

Problems to watch out for

• Water broke for over 24hrs with no labor starting.  I think large doses of vitamin C (to prevent infection), but I'm not positive on that one.
• Bleeding prior to birth - could mean placenta is detatching and baby needs to come out quickly.
• Cord Prolapse - which you've read about.
• Excessive Bleeding (2cups) after birth - your kit should have some tinctures to deal with this... I forget which one. 
• Placenta not coming out on it's own (dont pull the cord) after 2hrs - again kit will have tinctures.

Suggestions for Prep:

• I sterilized in brown paper baggies (lunch size) the cord scisors and clamps, in the oven - look up how to do that, and label what is in the bags.
• Have clean towels to toss in the dryer when you start pushing.  When baby is born, lay warm towels over you both.
• A kiddie swimming pool will work as a birthing pool... or a livestock watering trough.
• Eat honey to keep your energy up while in labor.
• Read Spinning Babies website, and have it bookmarked for use during labor.
• Print out a contraction log if you wish.
• Make some pad sicles and get some sitz bath herbs for after baby is born - rinse with this solution while urinating as well.
• Try to use the restroom every hour or so, and as soon as you can after baby is born - going in the birth bool is fine.
• No "Purple Pushing" and unless it is comfy and working, stay off your back.
• Label your Tinctures in big lettering what they're used for and dosage - for quick reference.
• Make a birth plan incase you end up transferring and have a hospital bag packed so you're not running around trying to round everything up.
• FOLLOW YOUR INSTINCTS.

Personally, I'd take the birth kit with me.  If you have to, you can go to a hotel and have baby if you dont want to in the car and it's coming fast!

Good luck!  SO excited for you!

[prescottchels]

Sarah, I just emailed you the UC PDF's I have. Let me know if you have any trouble w/them.

To PM someone you can hover over their user name and a menu w/send a private message is one of the options or you can click on their picture to get to their profile and there's an option to send a private message there too.