[NaturalMum]

HI I'm posting for the first time, I'm really looking for any information on homebirthing in Melbourne. I moved to Melbourne a year ago and I'm not well connected to the homebirthing community. I'm looking for a midwife and just general information on birthing centers and which hospital to use as back up. Cheers

 

[k-smiley]

Hi there, I'm part of a community of amazing people on the north eastern suburbs of Melbourne. If you visit the following website you will find info on Doulas, midwives, spiritual midwives and great resources.

www.womenofspirit.asn.au
If you have any probs locating a midwife let me know and I can help out. All of the women in my mothers circle had home births with midwives if you would like one that has been recommended.

The Mercy Hospital for women in Heidleberg has a 3-4 tiered structure for labouring women. From minimal intervention to emergency facilities. The Family birthing centre is very wholistic in it's approach and run by midwives. Although they dont "officially" encourage H2o births they do have a big bath and if you state that you would like to stay in they are supportive.
Best wishes and happy hunting!
love Kylee xxx

p.s how long have you got to go? As i know of a beautiful birth prep class coming up which would connect you to this community of amazing women who are devoted to celebrating pregnancy, natural birthing and womanhood.

 

[NaturalMum]

HI Kylee,
I've heared of women of spirit, I even contacted them when we were TTC knowing that I'd soon need information on homebirthing but I know what happened.
I have heaps of time to go I'm only 6weeks along, usually I'm really quiet about the first trimester because I feel like it is such an internal time of the pregnancy, but this time I feel I need to find support for natual birthing.
My husband and I have also being the mercy birthing center to check it out before I was pregnant but I got a good feeling from them but I don't know other Mums who have birthed there and I'd love to hear from them and not just from the birthing center.

I also spoke to Joy Jhonson, a midwife, see sounded lovely, but I again I haven't spoken to Mums and I don't know. Have you heard of her?

Anyway, I'd love to meet more Mums into natural birthing, I've been blessed with three children all birthed naturally in hospital under midwifery care, and during labour I've always wanted to stay home but hadn't arranged it in advance so this time I really want to have a private midwife so that homebirth is an option.
I'd love to hear any feedback information. All the Mums I know are all in hospital births, I need to hear from women who relate to birth simularly.
Thanks, Riv

 

[JenMidwife]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NaturalMum HI Kylee, I've heared of women of spirit, I even contacted them when we were TTC knowing that I'd soon need information on homebirthing but I know what happened. I have heaps of time to go I'm only 6weeks along, usually I'm really quiet about the first trimester because I feel like it is such an internal time of the pregnancy, but this time I feel I need to find support for natual birthing. My husband and I have also being the mercy birthing center to check it out before I was pregnant but I got a good feeling from them but I don't know other Mums who have birthed there and I'd love to hear from them and not just from the birthing center. I also spoke to Joy Jhonson, a midwife, see sounded lovely, but I again I haven't spoken to Mums and I don't know. Have you heard of her? Anyway, I'd love to meet more Mums into natural birthing, I've been blessed with three children all birthed naturally in hospital under midwifery care, and during labour I've always wanted to stay home but hadn't arranged it in advance so this time I really want to have a private midwife so that homebirth is an option. I'd love to hear any feedback information. All the Mums I know are all in hospital births, I need to hear from women who relate to birth simularly. Thanks, Riv

Hi Riv, I actually apprenticed w/ Joy Johnston! She is really wonderful... but it depends what you want. My baby just woke from her nap, but check out www.maternitycoalition.org.au There is a Yahoo group w/ lots of home birthing & birth center moms who would love to chat w/ you!

I've gotta run, but feel free to pm me

Jen

 

[JenMidwife]

btw, what suburb do you live in? or what side of Melb if you'd rather not say

 

[NaturalMum]

HI Jen
I'm from the states but live in E. St. Kilda, but I'm happy to travel 30 minutes if its the right Midwife. I really want a midwife that believes that my body will do what its meant to do, and if its not broken don't fix it. I need a midwife that's willing to just let me take the journey inward and allow me to listen to my body.
I've had three births under hospital midwifery care in Israel and I realize that not all midwifery care is created equal. I've been during the pushing stage of birth and had a midwife asking me if she could break my waters, convincing me it will make the baby come "faster". Me in labour and pushing, starts saying as gently as possible, "Please don't break my waters, my body knows what to do..." This is just the mild example. Because I just want the freedom to birth my baby and be in an enviroment where all present believe that just as my body was the ideal caretaker for the first 42 weeks, my body at the last few hours of pregnancy will also be able to care for the birthing of the baby without intervention. I'm hoping to homebirth. My DH id most reluctant but i forgive him because he is male. He has no idea whats its like to be midjourney inward and then transfer for no reason to hospital to birth.
I've been blessed with three natural, no interventions births but in hospital its been a fight and in each birth I begged to stay home mid labour but hadn't set myself up to stay home, anyway its all a journey- Sorry for the long essay, I always get really passsionate about birth.
Riv

 

[JenMidwife]

Hi Riv,

It sounds like Joy might be right up your ally. She's no-intervention to the point where she spends most of labor sitting in a dark corner knitting, listening, & watching. She is not a doula, not a super hands on midwife, not an in-your-face cheerleader. I think she's okay w/ it if you are, but she's not into herbs or anything... she just believes in leaving everything well enough alone. She is very strong in spirit, a real grounding presence. I think your husband would find her very reassuring. She has a LOT of experience.

http://au.groups.yahoo.com/group/MCVic/

Do check out the group above. They are a great resource & I don't know how long you've been in Melb & if you're looking to make friends, but they meet IRL too

 

[NaturalMum]

Thanks Jen! I've subscribed to Maternity Coalition, I'll get a feel for it and post soon. The hands off approach of just let birth happen, is very much me. I've spoken to her and got a good feel so its looking good! I had a lengthy discussion with Dh about homebirth and he very much wants to birth in Mercy family birthing center in Heidelberg. I know the birthing center is so well meaning but I don't think its me. Its really hard to change his point of view- he believes in natural birth and birth as a spiritual journey but why can't we acheive that outcome in hospital? He is so male, but I love him.
Anyway, I'm blessed with time and I'm still wanting a homebirth.
Cheers, Riv

 

[vivafab]

I just wanted to jump in and say that Joy was my midwife for my last baby and she ROCKS!!
With her encouragement and help I birthed my 12 pound daughter without tears, in my own sweet time (3 weeks overdue).
She certainly was a blessing to our family, practical, down to earth and wise.

 

[jbie]

also, joyousbirth.info is a really comprehensive info site and forum, australian, so lots of info and support available by state, also free birth pool hire and library.

dep on what your DH is like, but the book by henci goer has lots of stats and facts for homebirth, if he's persuaded by that.
or maybe have him chat to a midwife, or rhea dempsey at the choices class (run by MC - it's fantastic)

 

[majikfaerie]

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[NaturalMum]

Thanks all for your input, I'm still thinking homebirth! I'm hoping time will smooth the different birthing ideas with my DH and I. I'm making an aapointment with a Midwife and see how it goes. Thanks again,
Riv