Homebirth and Pets - Page 4

[Melinda77]

Oh, yay for this thread! I was just wondering this morning, as dh let the dogs out to pee "oh! the dogs! Where will they be during the birth?" This will be our first hb (hba2c) and just when I think I'd thought of everything...the dogs have to pee! :LOL

Has anyone used a special treat to "bribe" the doggies into quiet? I have two doggies. One is SUPER protective, and I'm worried that she'd try to protect me and baby from the midwives. We plan to give her rescue rememdy (she's had it before and tolerates it well) and then were thinking of getting some big bones for both dogs, so they have something to "do" if they need to be kicked outside. My second dog I'm not worried about, she's the type that would sleep through labor - but if one dog goes outside, they will bark until the second one joins them

We also have 3 cats - but again, I'm not too worried - one will hide or go out with the dogs (she thinks she's a dog!). The male kitten may try to get in the tub, as he loves water and is often on the edge of the tub with the kids in the bath, but he's super attached to my dd, so I think he'll likely just be whereever she is. The female kitten I expect will hide, she loves me, but not so fond of anyone else (dh included).

[gonnabeamom]

I'm gonna add buy bones for the dog to my birth supplies list.

[Awaken]

Originally Posted by gonnabeamom

I'm gonna add buy bones for the dog to my birth supplies list.

Excellent idea- if we do have to keep them out on the porch, at least we can give them something fun to play with! And, it's like a big brother/big sister present for them so they don't feel left out.

[Pariah]

We just have cats and snakes at the moment (the snakes are caged!), but I'm hoping at least one of the kitties will stick around during labor. The female in particular has been extremely attached since I got pregnant...I wonder if she can sense it? She sleeps smooshed up against me at night, or with her paw and head resting on my arm. It's too cute. Petting them is really soothing, too, so hopefully she'll be just as loving then!

[EmmaJean]

First birth: dog went to the kennel b/c I went into labor w/ plenty of time and the dog is pretty skittish, unpredicable. And we couldn't just "put her outside" b/c she goes bizerk when she's not let in. So anyway, everything went perfectly fine, didn't have to worry about the dog until a couple days later.

Second birth: Went into labor in the middle of the night, super fast and hard, and we hooked her up to the couch w/ the leash like we did whenever we left the house so she was used to it and it's very calming for her. (if she is put in a room she scratches the door, and put outside she barks like mad and scratches the door, so being attached to the couch is a comfy, safe, sane solution for us). Anyway, the birth pool was set up right next to the couch, and we didn't even notice the dog the entire labor. But when we watched the video, there she is, standing on the couch, wagging her tail, looking all interested and concerned....it was so cute! But she never barked or anything, which totally surprised us.

And as a side note, when my sister went into labor getting ready to leave for the hospital, her dog wouldn't leave her alone, followed her everywhere and was just really stressed out about the whole thing. It was really sweet, slightly annoying for my sister, but they weren't home long so it was ok. If it had been a homebirth, I'm sure the dog would've been sent outside!