Homebirthers Haven Thread - Page 3

[Quindin]

Where have I been?
I think I was lucky enough to miss any "my Obgyn rocks" OR "yeah, I am getting induced" threads
Really, if you guys go to mainstream boards, most December mamas have had their babies: apparently, the doctors don't want to be working over Christmas! :

I am having a homebirth - my first homebirth! I am sooooooo excited!!
I had a Birth Center birth last time and it was heaven. I can't imagine ever putting my feet in a hospital again! I hope everything goes perfectly so I won't have to

[AGlimmeringHope]

Anyone still gathering supplies?

I went through my list from the MW and here's what I still need to get together:
-Heating pad or hot water bottle
-Box of trash bags
-2 large bowls, one with lid
-3 or 4 bottles of Gatorade or Recharge
-Extra juice
-Food (which we have...but I want to know what they suggest having on hand if anything in particular)
-Nightgown for after the birth (no...I'm using the flannel PJs I bought when dd was born- going up and down unheated stairs in a nightgown=cold!)
-10 towels, 6 washcloths
-Extra sheets (my dad thinks they have some, we're going to look for them today)


...and then whatever we need for the pool. Which we need to figure that out today, too.

[wife&mommy]

Originally Posted by squeakermansmom

planning a homebirth this time. actually we planned one last time but changed to the midwife's birth center the last week per her request. That was nice but I'd like to do it at home this time.

For those of you who planned a homebirth last time but transferred, what was the reason for the transfer?

Over 42 weeks and baby going down hill. On top of that I had a terrible feeling about the whole thing and I just knew he needed to come out. I was so against it up until the day of his actual birth and then I had a peace about it and was OK and just wanted him safe. He was true post dates and my water was down to a few drops, literally. I was induced with cytotec in the hospital but other than that no other drugs or interventions! So it wasn't the worst but not what I wanted at all.

[clintonhillmama]

2nd baby, 1st HBAC. i also feel like a first timer, since i had so many interventions - leading from SROM and then down the familiar road.

i'm all ready - our pool has been blown up for 1.5 weeks, and i swear it's mocking me everytime i walk by it! my EDD is sunday, i'm hoping it won't be too long for us now....

[hubris]

What a great thread! I gave birth (HB#1, baby #3) on Sunday but wanted to chime in to cheer you all on and add my voice to those NOT talking about induction or how great the epidural is. My little guy was born at 41w5d so you can bet that I heard a lot of "how long will your doctor let you go?" types of questions. Ugh.

My least favorite comment: "you're brave". WTF? Not as brave as the millions of people who get into their cars every day, boldly ignoring their odds of getting into a flaming wreck!

Originally Posted by starry_mama

what if I tear REALLY BAD (I had an episiotomy with my first and have a lot of scar tissue)

A happy story for you: I also had a horrible episiotomy that tore nearly to the 4th degree with my first baby. Horrible, horrible, experience, and it healed badly, took 3 mos to close up completely, hurt for a year. Lots of scar tissue. I tore a little with #2 and while that was less traumatic, again, it didn't heal nicely and I also believe that the tear was due to something the OB did. (ok, so far the story isn't happy, keep reading...)

THIS TIME...HB waterbirth, wonderful experience, and NO TEARING at all. Not even an abrasion. Yup, even my battle-scarred perineum can stretch beautifully when given the chance. When you trust birth and the people with you trust birth, it's amazing what you and your body can do.

Originally Posted by molive

"what do you do about the mess?" It seems like I've gotten that a lot.

Uh-huh. And what's funny is that the waterbirth felt so CLEAN to me! Plus, hey, built-in tub, the MW just opened the drain and let the county municipal system handle my amniotic fluid. But seriously, it wasn't messy, and what little mess there was, the MW and her assistant cleaned up. They even did laundry.

I've also heard people talk about how great it was that the hospital would bring food to them. Again, the MW's assistant did that! And it was delicious food prepared in my own kitchen, much healthier and faster than any hospital service, and delivered by friendlier people.

Originally Posted by DucetteMama21842

This is our third baby, first homebirth. I'm very excited to not have to get into a car with contractions. :

A very nice perk of staying home!

[wake_up]

Originally Posted by kittywitty

Wake up, is it BV? I had that early in pg. Asymptomatic but kinda makes you feel nasty.

I don't know - she said e. coli and staph, which sounds like just a general infection rather than bv to me, but I really don't know. I didn't *feel* infected until she told me I was infected, but since then I'm feeling every little twinge and my tummy's all queasy. Psychology...

and the garlic clove from last night seems to have disappeared. I'm hoping it made an escape during one of my nighttime pees! now I've got a tea tree tampon in there. I hope this goes away soon, it's annoying the heck out of me.

[wholewheatmama]

First time mama and homebirther here. When I was planning on TTC, I actually considered moving to a new city just so I could find a HB MW. I finally found the one and only where I live currently, and she rocks! I knew this would probably be my only pregnancy, and I wanted the birth I'd always dreamed about.

While I've been reading this thread, I've had the Today Show on in the background, and they're previewing a piece about a couple who didn't make it to the hospital in time, and dad had to catch the baby. Don't people realize that this happens all the time, on purpose? I don't understand how it rates as news/entertainment?

I haven't received much in the way of negative comments about my HB, but I did get a totally unexpected good one the other day. I was at a UPS Store getting something notarized the other day, and the notary was asking some benign questions about my pregnancy, friendly enough not to bother me. Then, "so are you delivering at a hospital, or at home?" I was so caught off guard, I just replied "at home actually" and didn't follow up on his question. But how cool was that? And this is so not a crunchy town.

[*MamaJen*]

Originally Posted by wake_up

I've been feeling really good lately, better than I should be feeling, until today.

s That's crapola. I'm cheering on your third wind.

Originally Posted by crsta33

Can any of you tell me what I need to know in the event of a transfer? I've worried about this for some reason this time.

Christa

We had a thread going about this...here ya go.

Originally Posted by Undercover Hippie

Is anyone getting baby a HB t-shirt or anything? I was going to buy one but then I decided to make one and then I, umm, never got around to it...

Ooh, ooh, me! *raises hand* I made this teeshirt with some cheapo iron on transfers. I might remake it though--I messed it up a little by getting some of the ink from a previous transfer smeared on it.

[*MamaJen*]

Originally Posted by wholewheatmama

I haven't received much in the way of negative comments about my HB, but I did get a totally unexpected good one the other day. I was at a UPS Store getting something notarized the other day, and the notary was asking some benign questions about my pregnancy, friendly enough not to bother me. Then, "so are you delivering at a hospital, or at home?" I was so caught off guard, I just replied "at home actually" and didn't follow up on his question. But how cool was that? And this is so not a crunchy town.

I've been really pleasantly surprised by this too. Granted, I move in fairly crunchy circles in a crunchy town, but I've met a ton of other mamas who have homebirthed or are planning to do so, or at least think it's an intriguing idea. And I really haven't encountered any resistance to it from friends or family or anything. To the contrary, everyone is really supportive, especially once I sort of explain how it works. I think the most common reaction I get from the uninitiated is genuine curiosity, which I never mind--hey, that was my first reaction as well. They ask a lot of questions that I consider to be pretty sensible, then they usually say something like, wow, that sounds really neat. I feel sort of like a home birth ambassador sometimes.

[Undercover Hippie]

Originally Posted by *MamaJen*

Ooh, ooh, me! *raises hand* I made this teeshirt with some cheapo iron on transfers. I might remake it though--I messed it up a little by getting some of the ink from a previous transfer smeared on it.

That is cute! I made all 3 DCs big/little sibling tees, and was going to make a HB one too, but...

Hmm, maybe that's what baby is waiting for. Perhaps I should dig out the markers and try to find a white NB shirt today!

[Artichokie]

:

[*MamaJen*]

Originally Posted by Undercover Hippie

That is cute! I made all 3 DCs big/little sibling tees, and was going to make a HB one too, but...

Hmm, maybe that's what baby is waiting for. Perhaps I should dig out the markers and try to find a white NB shirt today!

Aawww, those are sweet.

[southernmommie]

This is my 3rd baby, first UC-homebirth. I'm very excited. I actually just switched from my OB to a birth center for check ups. I go monday to check position of baby. I am thinking that baby is sideways a little and just want to reassure myself that baby is down so I can have a homebirth. I already got my birth kit in the mail earlier this week. I still need to get some supplies and get the house in order. It's not as clean as I would like, but that's kind of hard to do with a 2 yr. old running around and I lost my energy a few weeks ago. Now I'm just tired all the time. I am also sick now. Thanks to my 5 yr. old and his school! Ugh! But hopefully it will be gone by birth.

[starry_mama]

Originally Posted by hubris

A happy story for you: I also had a horrible episiotomy that tore nearly to the 4th degree with my first baby. Horrible, horrible, experience, and it healed badly, took 3 mos to close up completely, hurt for a year. Lots of scar tissue. I tore a little with #2 and while that was less traumatic, again, it didn't heal nicely and I also believe that the tear was due to something the OB did. (ok, so far the story isn't happy, keep reading...)

THIS TIME...HB waterbirth, wonderful experience, and NO TEARING at all. Not even an abrasion. Yup, even my battle-scarred perineum can stretch beautifully when given the chance. When you trust birth and the people with you trust birth, it's amazing what you and your body can do.

THANK YOU! I so needed to hear that. Thats another reason to love this thread! I had a humongous episiotomy with my first, and then tore a tiny bit (but enough that I had stitches) with my second. Neither was a water birth, which is what I'm planning this time, so I'm hoping to avoid tearing. I'm so glad to hear "been there, done that" stories.

[kbuglove]

I've got my pool set up, my alter saged, candles in place, cd's burned, and ready to go. I love having a room in my home ready to birth my babe. I go in there and sit and get excited! My due date was a few days ago. I really get more and more anxious everyday to have my wombling come be an earthling with me! I don't feel like leaving the house much, or to go too far. I feel very emotional and crampy much like the days right before I would start my period. The baby still somehow has room to move and squirm around, but is liking to hang out ROA which is nice. I feel so ready and my desire is so high right now to experience this labor. I'm happy for that because I still had some hidden anxiety lurking around until yesterday, the pain, the people coming, items ready and so forth. Now I'm just clearing all my energy and preparing to have the experience I want!! Yay for us able to have homebirth, what a beautiful blessing!!!

[molive]

A happy story for you: I also had a horrible episiotomy that tore nearly to the 4th degree with my first baby. Horrible, horrible, experience, and it healed badly, took 3 mos to close up completely, hurt for a year. Lots of scar tissue. I tore a little with #2 and while that was less traumatic, again, it didn't heal nicely and I also believe that the tear was due to something the OB did. (ok, so far the story isn't happy, keep reading...)

THIS TIME...HB waterbirth, wonderful experience, and NO TEARING at all. Not even an abrasion. Yup, even my battle-scarred perineum can stretch beautifully when given the chance. When you trust birth and the people with you trust birth, it's amazing what you and your body can do.



Uh-huh. And what's funny is that the waterbirth felt so CLEAN to me! Plus, hey, built-in tub, the MW just opened the drain and let the county municipal system handle my amniotic fluid. But seriously, it wasn't messy, and what little mess there was, the MW and her assistant cleaned up. They even did laundry.

I've also heard people talk about how great it was that the hospital would bring food to them. Again, the MW's assistant did that! And it was delicious food prepared in my own kitchen, much healthier and faster than any hospital service, and delivered by friendlier people.


A very nice perk of staying home![/QUOTE]


Yes! I'm so happy to hear this about your perineum. (Where else would that be an acceptable statement?? ) I had a slight tear last time and a little scar tissue- i think- and I was a little worried about it getting worse this time.

Yeah my midwives cleaned up so fast and did laundry ect... that I don't even remember amniotic fluid.

FOOD: Last time my mw assistant brought me chevre on whole wheat organic crackers right after the birth, get that in a hospital...I dare you. Then we had the birthday cake we made for dd! I love homebirth. I'm so excited!

[wife&mommy]

All of our homebirth supplies are in one spot but very in the way! We also have the pool already blown up and in our bedroom and its driving me nuts to walk by it every day (it's been up for 2 weeks now).
I don't know if all of this is causing me to be anxious or what but I just want it all out of there! We have nowhere else to put it though.
Another thing driving me nuts is my clothes. I have a billion sizes and all these maternity clothes that no longer fit but I don't want to toss or pack them because I don't know how I'll be PP. I know these are silly thing to worry about but I'm nesting so much I just want everything clean and organized! Driving me bonkers.

[starry_mama]

You guys all sound so prepared and organized! What the heck are you going to do during labor?

[Sihaya]

Planning to homebirth our first baby in our 650sq ft 2nd floor apt. Pretty sure the management has seen the birth pool set up (yearly inspections were Nov 5 - Dec 5) and I dare them to say something about it. Our lease says no waterbeds. A pool is totally not a waterbed, so we're safe

Originally Posted by cravenab00

has anyone else NOT had an ultrasound? People treat me like i'm insane because i havent. I even had one person say "how do you know you are really pregnant then?" :

No ultrasounds here. When I tell people that and they freak out, I just tell them that my mom didn't have a single ultrasound between the four of us. That seems to shut them up

Originally Posted by Quindin

Really, if you guys go to mainstream boards, most December mamas have had their babies:

In my mainstream (but very small) DDC, only 3/14 of the Dec mamas have had their babies so far. 5 or 6 are inducing/sectioning in the next week, though. I'm due the 12th and pretty sure I'll be one of the last ones to give birth

[Lizzardbits]

First time homebirther, 3rd baby. With my 2nd I really really wanted a homebirth, but was living with my medically minded parents and they told me in no uncertain terms "No". I had a decent (compared to my first) hospital birth, but I knew then it could have been better. I am SUPER EXCITED for a homebirth this time, and for me, too, it has been a cool journey watching my husband going from "uhh no, I don't think so" to "you're darned skippy that I'll catch our baby AT HOME! Whoopie!" in his homebirth attitude. I think that he is even getting comfortable with the idea of an "oops" UC and just calling the community midwives after the fact with "oh, darn, she gave birth so quickly...yadda yadda schpeil"

Unfortunately, as much as I have dreamed of a waterbirth, it isn't going to happen. The antiquated water heating system that we have hardly handles one hot bath and a sink full for dishes. The birthtubs for rental or purchase with heaters are just too far out of our monetary means, especially with us trying to live frugally to save money to move back to the USA, and lastly is the space needed and our tiny flat (apt) won't be accomidating for it. So any water for pain relief will be in the regular bath or hopefully if the housing authority gets it's hiney in gear (hahaha who am I trying to fool--it is gov't) we could have a shower.

I also recently had a 3 day 2 night hospital stay courtesy of England's NHS due to a pulmunary embolism scare. I did have a few good caretakers, but for the most part I had a series of Nurse Ratchets taking "care" of me and 12371698723461645981 other patients at once. I also have to say that having "free" health care is nice, however the communal wards and restrooms felt like nosocomial infection nightmare, and was anything but restful or healing. Soooo I really really really want to avoid the hospital, and because how I was treated and unhappy as I was, my husband is really wanting me to avoid the hospital too. Plus I am looking forwards to *my* own food, not drowned in gravy, and eaten in my own comfy bed, snuggled up with my hubby that he doesn't have to leave at a certain predictated o'clock.