anyone else planning a home birth? - Page 2 « Back to Group Discussions

[phobiageek]

Originally Posted by dayiscoming2006 

I may not even have insurance by the time of the birth, so a midwife makes the most logical sense even if it will cost me $4000+ that we don't currently have. We'll scrounge it up. 
I will probably qualify for state insurance for the beginning of the pregnancy, but my husband got a raise and expects another before the baby is born and he's been working a side job, so, most likely we'll make too much for state insurance then. And I cannot afford to pay for insurance, it's much less to pay for a midwife. The cost of health insurance is crazy.

Good luck to you! Even though my deductible is high I don't complain BC my employer covers it and this year I'm putting 80 a paycheck to get an HCRA to cover the rest. Midwifery care is definitely cheaper and more supportive IMHO.

[phobiageek]

Originally Posted by BlueMonday 

i've had two amazing homebirths so i've kind of nailed down my system. first, plenty of smartwater to drink, washcloths for my head and a portable fan to regulate my temperature and stay comfortable (especially in summer heat!). my favorite birth tub is the eco birth-pool-in-a-box, i love how you can bounce off the bottom and sides to change position fast and the handles and seat are things i tried unsuccessfully to fabricate with the hard-sided aquadoula tub.

i sort of enjoy giving birth. the first time
i didn't know what to expect and so i brought expectations to the birth. the second time was fast, just five hours, and i just stayed focused and kept an ina may mantra close: "keep it fun for your birth attendants, you're lucky to have them there". a positive, light attitude is so infectious. the first time i was a bit whinier. i was clinging to ina may's "loose lips make loose bottoms" and trying to visualize surfing the contractions, still attempting to stay on top of them instead of accepting it. i'm not a person who can easily drift to laborland, i have a hard time with leaving my mind so the best i can do is stay present and participate. it's really not that bad and you can deal with anything for just one day.

i'm lucky to have also discovered that my body will start pushing on it's own. the first time i think i bruised up my cervix with unproductive pushing for about an hour too long, once i thought i was complete. the second time my awesome CNM wouldn't give me a number for dilation because she knew i wanted to let my body do the work. she doesn't do internal checks or exams anyway, both labors i asked her to look. but at one point my uterus just did that curling over thing, i'd inflate my belly huge with air and as i blew out, my body pushed baby out. i only got involved for the last two pushes, when i get this stabbing cramp as baby pushes my pelvic bones aside on the way through.

oh and i was immensely successful with helping my cervix melt during that quick second labor. in between contractions (i woke up like two minutes apart and pretty much got right into the bath while the tub filled), i reached in and helped my cervix widen, drawing out more and more of the bloody mucus. sorry TMI, i did rather feel like an animal in the wild doing it, but i think it quite helped speed things along. that and of course the nightly bout of contractions over my last month of pregnancy

Thank you so much for this! I know I need to work on not being afraid of pain and getting out of my mind as you said. This really helps as being a FTM I don't know what to expect but I think you're spot on on having an attitude that you can handle anything for a day! Also on not fighting the contractions. I was thinking of doing a hypnobabies class did you find anything like that helpful?

[BlueMonday]

I did a hb specific birthing class and for sure the knowledge was power, even just understanding the stages and progression of labor. The pressure techniques were also helpful since I had no doula or attendants besides my baby daddy. I explored the suggestion tapes but I'm just not great at leaving my conscious mind. Instead I read stacks of birth stories plus spiritual midwifery and anything else to gain some context and learn from those who came before. Wild what our cultural framework for birth has disintegrated into.

[dayiscoming2006]

I just met with my midwife for the first appointment and I must say, I love her. She's perfect for me. She's not a big fan of vaccines and not pushy in the least. She's got 20 years of experience. I'm super excited. Oh, and she only costs $3100 including most labs. 

[rainbownurse]

While myself, my husband and our midwife group are planning a home birth, the midwife I had my first appointment with was very clear that they want me to the be in the best situation and scenario possible for a healthy birth for me and my baby, and that may include a hospital. They don't think it's likely, but they want me to be safe and healthy. My husband and I both agree with that. I'm not sure I could an unassisted birth, I'd like to have someone there who has spent time learning about the labour process and what to expect. 

[phobiageek]

Originally Posted by rainbownurse 

While myself, my husband and our midwife group are planning a home birth, the midwife I had my first appointment with was very clear that they want me to the be in the best situation and scenario possible for a healthy birth for me and my baby, and that may include a hospital. They don't think it's likely, but they want me to be safe and healthy. My husband and I both agree with that. I'm not sure I could an unassisted birth, I'd like to have someone there who has spent time learning about the labour process and what to expect. 

My midwife said the same. She said that people think it's homebirth or nothing but if it becomes clear I need to go to the hospital then I will go to the hospital. Although, right now everything looks ok and I'm healthy so home birth is in the plan. I'm working on visualizing that and helping that happen. I also don't think I could do unassisted. The big thing my midwife (who I officially hired on Monday and I love!) said is you need to birth where you feel safest and with who you feel safest. 

Good luck to you!