Opinions on having sibling at homebirth? - Page 2

[storychick]

I chose not to have my older kids at either of my births. Partly because, like yours, I have one that is super sensitive, and the other one -- well, he's just obnoxious and has no self-control or ability to be quiet. I also selfishly wanted to be able to spend a bunch of time bonding with the new baby without having to mommy anybody else during that time, as well as be the center of focus during the actual labor.

It worked out really well for me both times. When DD1 was born, DS got to go play with a friend of his for the day, go to the park, have fun, and came home around dinner time to meet his new sister (whom he promptly bit! yes he's the obnoxious one lol) With DD2's birth, again the 2 of them went to a friend's house, she took my DS to school and picked him up again, and then brought them home around dinner time again (no biting this time! haha). They were both very happy to have gotten to have fun with their friends and we were happy to have had some time with the new baby, get cleaned up, and have a nap before having to actively parent again.

I did let them watch the video we took this time. DS was interested but grossed out and DD1 didnt even watch more than 2 minutes, it bored her.

Kat

[saskiaofthewoods]

Why not?

Hi,

my friend gave birth last year in a pool in her livingroom. With her were her husband, her older son (3), her two cats and her dog. She told me she was leaning on her dog the whole time while her husband was massaging her shoulders and her son was playing with the water (she gave birth in a pool)

She told me it was the best experience she ever had and her little boy was so proud that he was able to welcome his little brother.

I think it is great if kids can be with the mom and watch the birth. They have great kidsbooks out about birth etc now, so you can talk to your child about what will happen. I would do it! But noone knows your child as good as you, so you have to decide

[LiasMamma]

I have always had my other children present for my homebirths. They loved the experience and did I. I think having someone present that can care for your child and explain what's going on is very helpful.

With my first homebirth, my children were 7 & 8, my second homebirth my kids were, 9, 10 and 2.5 years, and with the last one they were 12, 10, 4.5, and 2.3 years old.