Homebirths and Midwives

[kdtmom2be]

Hello again all.
Still haven't tested, maybe tonight, but I am NEVER late and now am 3 days and have all the right symptoms so we're pretty darn sure.

We are planning on homebirthing with a midwife. Anyhow, we've been talking about this for the longest time and now that we're here, I thought since I am the only pg with #1 on here so far that I would ask you ladies about your experiences.

My reasons for homebirthing:
1. Our hospital has a VERY high rate for C-sections and I don't want one unless it is absolutely unavoidable.
2. I want the calm and unstressed environment of my own home.
3. I am healthy and expect my baby to be healthy, if there are problems then we will reconsider. I would expect that things will go easier and faster if I am relaxed!
4. We are little 3 blocks from the hospital anyways.
5. My mother, a paediatric nurse can be on hand if I so requested.

I would love to hear about your stories if you're willing to share! Any tips, advice, what to look for in a midwife... all that stuff.

Thanks girls!

[Pandora114]

Not part of this DDC but I saw your post.

Anyway, First of all what province do you live in. If you aren't in BC, Quebec, Ontario or Manitoba, you will have to pay out of pocket for midwifery care. If you live in NB, PEI, Sask, and the like be prepared to look long and hard for a midwife...because they are underground due to lack of regulation.

If you live in an unregulated province, you'll have to do your prenatal care with your family phycisian as well as the midwife, that way you have it on record in case of hospital transfer.

In order to get in with a regulated midwife, if you live in one of the regulated provinces, CALL NOW. they fill up fast.

If you live in an unregulated province, get a looking, and CALL NOW lol.

You're making the right choice So dont worry. Just letting you know that some provinces have some obstacles, especially NB, to accessing midwifery care.

Just ask how long they've been in practice, (In a regulated province ask: How do you feel about the regulations limiting womens' choices, THAT is a big question to ask..some midwives are forced to work within the regulation bounderies grudgingly just so they can practice without going to jail)

[kdtmom2be]

I'm in BC, so midwives are covered but doulas are still out of pocket.

I plan on doing on visit to my family doctor at what used to be a Women's and Children's clinic until the government stopped funding it (same doctors and nurses running the place now though!) and she if she has a midwife or several taht she has worked with/will work with and go from there. I have heard about getting in as early as possible with someone, so yes, that'll be on the agenda in the next few weeks.
Kristen

[Pandora114]

ok, Call like Now.

I live in Comox Valley, and I'm seeing the Comox Valley Midwives at the Birthtides clinic. they are awesome, they were around since before regulation so they are a bit more comfortable bending certain rules IRT regulation. As in GBS, if you're positive, you just go get a shot of antibiotics and go home to birth. Water breaking, they dont believe in going to the hospital unless there's a fever in the momma...Just keep stuff out, drink lots of fluids to keep replenishing..stuff like that.

But as I said, mine have been around since before regulation. If you want good refs, just email Gloria Lemay, she'll probably point you into the right direction of regulated midwives that are on her good list

Some are midwives, some are medwives..you have to be careful. The best way to pick a midwife from a medwife is ask her how long she's been practicing (If she's been in practice for over 25 years, more likely she's golden) and how she feels about regulation.

I STRONGLY suggest emailing Gloria LeMay...If you cant find a regulated midwife that suits your needs, there are unregulated birth attendants, which Gloria is, who can attend your birth and you gotta pay out of pocket...but they work on a sliding scale/bartering, just like Doulas.

[wanderinggypsy]

I'm in Ontario, and I'm using a midwife... actually 3 midwives. I have a primary one, plus two more who I will deal with and at least one of them will also attend the birth.

My reasons for midwife care are simple: I had my two sons with doctors, and I was treated like a slab of meat... it was cold and impersonal and rushed... and those darned doctors with all their education just stood there and watched me tear. I know no good midwife lets her patient tear without trying to prevent it.

I think I'll be birthing at a hospital... I'm kind of fussy about having people in my home - I like to play hostess... and I don't think I could handle having to sit there labouring with people in my house and not even be able to make them lunch and take them sightseeing!

[gardenmommy]

Hmmm... I've done a hospital birth and two home births. Hands down, home births rule! I think the most important thing to look for in a midwife is someone whose personality flows with yours. If you are constantly clashing, it will be hard to sort out the details of your care. You'll second guess her, she'll not be as open with you, etc.

Pick carefully with whom you share details of your plans. At least here (I did in Texas, too), I get the oddest, most callous, thoughtless remarks about homebirths. It just isn't worth the energy and stress to debate the issue, IMO.

I loved being at home. I found it more relaxing, and I *really* liked not having to drive to the hospital in labor! As far as playing hostess, that really isn't a concern when you are in labor! I did ask the midwife if there was anything she'd like to see at my house (coffee, snacks, etc.). I prepared lots of food for the freezer, and tried to have snacks before the birth. Unfortunately, both times, I needed to grocery shop, so didn't have much in the way of snacks, but they didn't care!

The midwives cleaned up everything, helped me shower, etc. Cleaned the shower, ran a load of laundry, etc. They were GREAT! And didn't expect a thing from me, except a baby, lol.

I say, if you have no restrictions, are healthy and all that, then go for it! It is the best way to birth!

[wanderinggypsy]

WELL! I just found out that there are two sacs in there, and my HCG levels are consistent with twins...

Sooooo, it looks highly probable that I'm having two babies. I just hope and pray that this doesn't mean my natural birth with my lovely midwives will be ruined. i could use some good birth vibes. C sections scare the crap outta me.

[gardenmommy]

I think that depends a lot on your pregnancy, your midwives, etc. If you have a healthy preg., your midwives may not have any problem continuing your care and attending your birth. The midwives who attended my first birth would care for moms of twins, as long as there were no complications (like kidney failure, or whatever!). I think it would be something to just discuss with her at your next visit.

[Goldiemom]

Originally Posted by wanderinggypsy

WELL! I just found out that there are two sacs in there, and my HCG levels are consistent with twins...

Sooooo, it looks highly probable that I'm having two babies. I just hope and pray that this doesn't mean my natural birth with my lovely midwives will be ruined. i could use some good birth vibes. C sections scare the crap outta me.

When I was pg with dd2 there was a gal who was pg with twins that still had a home birth and I know of others who did as well. So twins does not mean that you can't birth at home. I will gladly put you in touch with this Mama when she gets back from vacation if you would like to talk to her about her experiences.

[trmpetplaya]

Originally Posted by wanderinggypsy

WELL! I just found out that there are two sacs in there, and my HCG levels are consistent with twins...

Sooooo, it looks highly probable that I'm having two babies. I just hope and pray that this doesn't mean my natural birth with my lovely midwives will be ruined. i could use some good birth vibes. C sections scare the crap outta me.

You could always head off to Tennessee and have Ina May deliver your twins That's what I would probably do if I found out I had twins!

love and peace.

[Slingin'Momto4]

I have had 3 hospital births and 2 homebirths and I will NEVER plan to have another hospital birth again! My 2 homebirths were sooo much better and much more relaxing then my hospital births and I just felt so much happier being at home with my other kiddos. Homebirth rocks and is the best

I have gone thru my share of midwives. I am not a people person at all and truth be told I don't like many people. I find a midwife I think I like then decide I don't like her etc. I found one when I was 7 mths PG with my 5th child and she was perfect! I love her and she is doing all my prenatals for this PG and my birth

You have to make sure you jive with your mw or there will be problems.