Any home birthing mamas? - Page 3 « Back to Group Discussions

[Bromache]

I'm planning for a home water birth, just like my last. :)

Both of my boys were born at home, and both were great experiences. I can't imagine birthing anywhere else! I wanted a water birth the first time, too, but my midwives didn't have much experience with it and I didn't know where to get the supplies. Luckily for me, I had found Mothering before my second pregnancy and not only is there a TON of great and useful information here for what supplies to use and how to make it work, but I also actually found my birthing pool through a member on here and then sold it to another. Hee!

[CookAMH]

Me me! Just joined...due around the 8th with #3. Hoping for a second homebirth and second VBAC.  I wouldn't mind a slightly longer birth this time as the fast birth of my daughter threw us both for a loop for a while (it was 1 hr active, 1 hr pushing as a first time vaginal birth!). I never made it downstairs to the inflated birth tub and instead gave birth in our uncomfortable bathtub. We'll see what happens this time!

[intownmom]

I would love a homebirth this time.  This is # 2 for me.  I had an unassisted birth with DS, who is 17 months.  I had planned a waterbirth at the hospital (ugh) with a CNM.  Just didn't get there in time!  That was kind of my secret plan all along.  This time, I plan on using the same midwife for now, because the options really aren't that great here in Georgia.  However, we are moving to Chicago this summer (was planned before I found out I was pregnant).  So I'm going to start researching homebirth midwives in Chicago. 

[seattle mama]

I birthed with midwives in a hospital birth center for DS1. I birthed at home with midwives for DD. OMG what a difference. So beautiful to be at home in my own happy space. My own bed. I can't imagine giving birth anywhere else but home. I hope all who even think they might want this get this.

[haurelia]

, just joined! "Due" September 23 with #2.  Gave birth to #1 at home in the water.  Planning another home birth, but we've since moved and have very few midwifery options here in Upper Michigan.  My most likely candidate is  a CPM who lives 2.5 hours away.  My last labor was 7 hours start to finish, so I'm a bit nervy about the distance.  I think I'm going to get some concurrent care from the local OB group, just to have less muss/fuss if a transfer of care becomes necessary. Not sure what we'll do if the midwife didn't make it on time...but there's lots of time to think about that.  

Just hoping for a sticky baby and happy pregnancy.  

[Margo Nelson]

I have been attending homebirths for two years as an apprentice, and now it is my turn for my first!  I am planning a lovely, simple homebirth with my partner, me and baby, and the midwife I have been working with who is also one of my very dearest friends in the world.  I love that I have many other first time homebirthing mamas' experiences to draw from for strength and courage as I make my own way through this transformation.  I am trying to finish as much of my academic work as possible before September comes, while still being gentle with myself, and not forcing myself to think/read/learn too much about specific complications (so I can focus on me and babe being healthy and happy instead!). 

[100%mom]

I'm planning my 5th homebirth, 6th child. 1st was with a natural hospital birth with a midwife. I've had 3 water births at home. The one that wasn't was just too fast with the total labor under 2 hours. All my labors have been pretty fast and furious. My first was 3.5 hours and we barely made it to the hospital. I prefer to just stay home in my own comfort zone now.

[mattie426]

We are taking the plunge and doing a homebirth (probably) with our first baby. It feels a little scary, because I have no idea what to expect (no amount of research will tell me that), but feels like the right choice.

[Jennyanydots]

I had two hospital births and then #3 was a home birth. By far the home birth was a better experience, with one caveat- our MW was very late in arriving (long story) and we almost UC'd. I know some people make that choice, but we did not and I was unprepared and terrified. It's my only hang up and reservation that keeps me from being certain I'd want another home birth. I'm thinking we will... but not 100% sure yet

[Serafina33]

I'm planning one but need to first get to 36 weeks, then I'm qualified for one. Lets see... I'm also far from a hospital where I live so thinking to rent a hotel suite with a jacuzzi at the hospital adjacent hotel and do it there privately with a midwife and doula and my partner.

He, however isn't on board yet at all. We ordered some books I hope will help him come around......

[mattie426]

Originally Posted by Serafina33 

I'm planning one but need to first get to 36 weeks, then I'm qualified for one. Lets see... I'm also far from a hospital where I live so thinking to rent a hotel suite with a jacuzzi at the hospital adjacent hotel and do it there privately with a midwife and doula and my partner.

He, however isn't on board yet at all. We ordered some books I hope will help him come around......

"Birth by the numbers" is what really got my DH to sit up and take notice. It is a special feature on " orgasmic birth" but you can find it online too. I am going to try sending a link to my dad to get him to actually think instead of just reacting.

[Margo Nelson]

Gentle Birth Gentle Mothering is a great book if you are trying to get people on board for a homebirth.  Lots of science to back everything up- written by a doctor who homebirthed herself.  Also has lots reaffirming intuition as well (since science has shown that to make the most sense)

[CookAMH]

Hey ladies. What are your thoughts on hiring a doula or not for our third child, second homebirth? I could see the benefit of her help right around the birth and immediately after, and her aid to DH. I don't feel the need to have her on-call, prenatal support during pregnancy. I had also considered asking my mom if she would like to come for this birth. I'm not decided whether I'd have her in the same room, or just at the house to help with our other two if it's during the day. Or we'd have a friend pick them up for a day or two.  Too many people?

My second birth was fast - 2 hrs. I didn't need any labor support really, I think our doula arrived just after she was born. No idea how long the next birth will be of course.

[SuzieSmiles]

Originally Posted by CookAMH 

Hey ladies. What are your thoughts on hiring a doula or not for our third child, second homebirth? I could see the benefit of her help right around the birth and immediately after, and her aid to DH. I don't feel the need to have her on-call, prenatal support during pregnancy. I had also considered asking my mom if she would like to come for this birth. I'm not decided whether I'd have her in the same room, or just at the house to help with our other two if it's during the day. Or we'd have a friend pick them up for a day or two.  Too many people?

My second birth was fast - 2 hrs. I didn't need any labor support really, I think our doula arrived just after she was born. No idea how long the next birth will be of course.

Wow, 2 hours, that's awesome! I too would like to hear thoughts/opinions about hiring a doula... This will be our first everything and I was thinking about the benefits of having some additional help and support. I haven't discussed this yet with my midwife but imagine she'd be OK with it, right? I also wonder about having too many people around, thinking just DH, midwife (she might have an apprentice with her) and a doula?? I don't know, I used to envision birth as just me and DH there for support and I did everything myself (I am woman hear me roar, etc.), this was a while ago and I know that I will need some guidance (probably a lot more than I realize right now), so the midwife is mandatory, just undecided about the doula...?

[MaybeSparrowMaybe]

we tried for a homebirth with my dd who will be 3 in april 2013. i was 8 cm, and not progressing so mw broke my waters, and i went down to 5 cm, and there was thick meconium. we then had to transfer to the hospital.

now with knowing more, and being my second, am hoping for a successful home birth! 

with that said, i am only 6 weeks, and had 1 cycle in between a miscarriage at 11.5 wks, i am a bit nervous and just trying to get through the next 7 weeks or so :)

[letniaLynne]

My midwife when I asked her about hiring a doula for our last home birth she very nicely told me " that is what I hired her for" lol! I think you might not need a doula at a home birth since the midwife had no other patience to attend to and should be there with you as long ad you need her to be guiding you every step of the way.

[mattie426]

I asked my midwife about a doula for home birth and she said, "YES!"to get the best one we can afford. She used to be a doula, and thinks they are very valuable. The midwife's job is to make sure mom and baby are healthy. The doula's job is more the emotional/support side.

[Jennyanydots]

I might consider a doula. DS was born on the only day that month that our MW had to be out of town, and I really did not think her on call replacement handled our birth well at all. She had no interest in staying with me during labor, stopping in only to administer my IV antibiotics (I was gbs+) and then leaving again to go back to her home, 30 min away across town. I asked her to stay with me, but she had child care issues... When she arrived back I was already at the pushing stage and DS was born less than 10 min later. We loved and trusted our mw, and her unavailability that day was just a freak thing- we'd known in advance, but who could've predicted DS would come that day(2 wk before EDD)? If we'd enlisted a doula, at least I'd have had a calm, knowledgable woman there to keep me from panicking.

[letniaLynne]

Guess every MW is different when it comes to the type of service they supply. Mine for example feels its her job to be a doula as well. She has another full fledged MW come by for backup when it gets close to the birth, she said she especially likes the skilled 2nd set if hands if things start to get crazy.

[mattie426]

I think it partly depends on how many people they bring with them. One midwife we interviewed said that a doula wasn't necessary, because she brings a whole team.