Any other UCer's?

[boheime]

Anyone else having a UC?

[Jilian]

I'm not planning a UC but I have a very hands-off Midwife. My last labor was fairly quick so there is a chance that the MW might not make it here in time to catch the baby and I'm OK with that. I'm just not confident enough to go ahead and plan a UC.

[torio]

The idea really appeals to me, DH too. But this is our first and I'm really happy to have a midwife who is supportive but also hands-off enough. I think it will be reassuring to know she's there in case we need her.

[mataji4]

I have had a midwife attend the births of my last 3 kids, but last time I really contemplated an unassisted birth. My dreams showed me really clearly how I was going to birth the baby with my husband, and I felt way more protective than before about things like wanting it to be us who saw that the baby was breathing and listening to the heartbeat, and putting a hat on it...my midwife was kind of confused, which surprised me. I birthed in less than 2 hours, and the midwife barely made it to see the birth. She sat and watched, and afterward she told me how beautifully I birthed, which sort of bothered me. I don't want to be assessed by anyone or discussed. I have midwifery training, have done this before...so we haven't pursued any care yet. My husband is comfortable with UC and we live just five minutes from our town hospital.

But with all my confidence there is just a smidgen of "but what if"s going on in my head. I don't want to be the story of the stubborn woman who wanted a UC and then ended up with a baby needing recessatation or something...I have never feared or doubted homebirth- I was born at home- but the concept of UC is newer to me (I was first inspired to consider it when I read Jeanine Parvati Baker's book, which is my favorite one to read in pregnancy!). So I guess I'm still undecided but heading that way. A birth with my family and best friends for support just sounds wonderful!

[Brisen]

It's in the back of my mind. Because of the way midwifery is regulated here, and because there often aren't enough mws to go around, if you want one, it is best to get in early. So I'll be calling on Monday. But in the end, the baby may end up coming "too quick" for the mws to arrive It almost really happened last time, and pushing has always been quick (20 mins or less) and uncomplicated. So, we'll see. I have a good friend here who had two mw attended homebirths, and about 6 months ago, she had a uc. It makes it a little less overwhelming to know someone who has done it and see the good results.

[boheime]

We researched for two years prior to conceiving the first time. Both of our children were UP/UC, as this one (and any future children) will be.

[matey]

I know this will seem stupid, but what does UC stand for? I am sorry. Some of these abbreviations I just can't figure out.

[boheime]

UC = unassisted childbirth

[matey]

how simple, I could have figured that out, thank you.

[seapixie]

I have 2 boys and the youngest was an UC. New baby will be too. My first was a birth center birth and I'm not doing that again.

[MammaV]

With our last one we sort of had a midwife attended UC. The midwife arrived very quietly 20-30 minutes before DS was born and just silently waited and watched. DH caught our darling in the birthing tub (in our dining room) and then the midwife assisted me a few minutes later to the couch. After a few more minutes she checked baby over and I drank some yummy fresh veggie juice that my dear friend and naturopath made me. The midwife didn't do anything medically except examine the baby afterward -apgars/weight/length etc. When she went to take a look down there, she said that everything had pulled up really fast and didn't need to do any kind of exam. Then she did my postnatals over the next days/weeks. It was awesome. Exactly what we wanted. The midwife was there in case we needed medical attention, but since everything went well with DH and myself and DS, she just let it go. We plan on the same thing with this new little being.
I don't know that I'd go for a truely u/c. DH can't stand the sight of blood and I tend to hemorhage (sp). I feel more comfortable, knowing that there is a skilled and emotionally unattached pair of hands that can focus on either me or baby should there be an emergency.
Kudos to all you U/Cers. You have a bit more intestinal fortitude than I do.

[MammaV]

After reading carefully through all the posts, I guess the question would be,"What is really considered U/C?". At what point is the birth considered "attended"?
Love some input and opinions from other hombirthing or u/cing moms out there.

[mataji4]

i don't know what the actual definition of Unassisted Childbirth is, but I'm pretty sure it's about birthing without outside direction, about focusing in on your intuition.

i had a similiar attended yet unassisted birth last time, too.

i have been seeing an acupuncturist to help me with some general health issues, and she is monitoring my blood pressure. i have a fetoscope and can listen to the baby when it's bigger, and i can feel position...so i think as long as everything is falling within normal, we'll just continue on our own.

[MammaV]

u/cers - how do you determine EDD? When do you start watching for labor to start? Do you take uterine measurements throughout pregnancy to help with dates?
I don't take dates too seriously, but I do like to know when to start looking for birth to happen.
We were absolutely sure on DS's dates, but have no clue on this one. DS was born at 42+1 which was his absolute perfect timing. At what point would you be concerned with postdates or predates? What resources have you taked advantage of to educate yourself on u/c?
Thanks

[Brisen]

I think the question of what constitues a UC is debated a lot in UC-circles. Some define it as not having a paid care provider. So by their definition, you could have a friend who is an OB or MW be at your birth, but if she is not charging you for her help, it is a UC. Others define it as only the couple doing the work. So, maybe there would be friends/family around to help with other children/getting food/cleaning up, but not interfering with Mom and Dad. It's kind of like asking "What is AP?" Or like trying to define co-sleeping -- families who have everyone in one big bed might have a different definition from families who have a sidecar.

[boheime]

There is debate. However, most people agree that a UC does not involve a health care professional of any kind and that no one else is acting in that capacity. So, a birth with a hands off midwife who sits there and watches is still a midwife attended birth. If someone acts like a midwife, that it wouldn't be unassisted either.

For our family, it is just us. I would be totally fine not even having dh here. However, I do like to have him at the actual birth, just becuase it is his baby, too. With ds, I labored on my own with dh periodically checking to see if I wanted anything. I told him when to stay, and, because of the postion I was in, dh caught ds. With dd, I labored on my own with dh and ds periodically coming in to ask if I wanted anything or to get snuggles. I told them to stay close at the end and they sat down to watch me birth dd and catch her myself.

[2much2luv]

I'm new around here : due in early July.

My last babe was a UC but I haven't made a plan for this one yet. I'm certain I'll have at least some midwife care during my pregnancy. For me UC is a very individual thing and I plan to go with my gut on wether to do it this time or not. I am open to the possibility but also open to having a midwife if I feel the need. The only thing for certain is that I'll give birth at home.

[sally Z]

definately thinking about it, i really am not that keen on dh being there, well not as an active participant. He will probably be looking after dd anyway. i feel like i want somone else there for support, just not sure i want that t be a midwife

[wombatclay]

we thought about it, briefly, but as a VBAC mama (with no previous vaginal births) the risks were just a bit too high for us. Of course, as a VBAC mama I'm too "high risk" for our local midwives and family practice docs so I have to weight the risks of going with an Ob/Gyn. Sigh. I found a practice that seems really great, but part of me wishes I could have my "on my own" birth.

[brittneyscott]

I hadn't considered a UC when I planned for my pregnancy. Now that I'm pregnant I'm having a hard time finding a midwife close to me and I'm beginning to think having a UC might be my best bet for natural childbirth and homebirth. But my husband would NEVER agree to it. I don't know what I'm going to do about this birth.