[morgan's_mom]

Our house is situated on sort of a "peninsula" with two other houses so that all three houses pretty much back up to each other. I don't know if that makes any sense. My point is -- our walls are close together.

So, we are planning a HB in a few weeks. I was very vocal during my first birth, and I am seriously wondering whether I should let my two neighbors know of the possibility of loud primal screams coming from my bathroom/bedroom. On the one hand, I don't want them to think I am a wacko, as I don't know them well *at all* (of course, I don't think I'm a wacko for having a HB, but you know how people are). On the other hand, I can just see them hearing something, calling the police thinking I am being bludgeoned to death, the police coming and freaking out that I am having a baby at home and sending me to the hospital, etc. etc. etc.

Hey, I think I may have just answered my own question!

Is anyone else putting their neighbors on notice???

 

[mooliette]

I didn't with either child. DH and I did talk about it briefly before Alex was born, kinda joking our neighbors to the right don't like us, and DH said they'll probably call the police if they hear you screaming...lol Never happened.

I was on the porch outside the morning after Alex was born just enjoying the sunshine, and my neighbor to the left said "baby should be coming any day huh?" I replied with a smile "actually he was born in his bedroom last night"

 

[LizaBear]

We live in an apartment building - I have mentioned that we're planning a homebirth to a neighbour who is across the hall and down an apartment - but just on a casual basis (she asked where I was having the baby).

Closer to the time, we *may* consider letting our neighbours know - but I don't know if we will. My concern is more for the family who's living room is next to our bedroom - they have 2 small children, and I don't want to scare the kids. But I'm really REALLY hoping for a late-night fast labour again.

If it comes down to it, we might just post a note on the door "Do Not Disturb : Labour in Process"

 

[2+twins]

I had my first baby at home in our apartment. My midwifes did suggest that I let the neighbors know. I was only able to catch one of them at home (the ones that shared a wall with us). They seemed fine with it. I also tried the unit below us but they didn't answer their door. Those were the only units our apt. touched - didn't think it was necessary to notify anyone else. As it turned out, I made almost no sound so it was all for nothing. I think it might be a good idea to give a heads up though.

 

[MamaAllNatural]

Not a silly question at all! In fact, there's a fairly long thread about this from two months ago. I don't know how to get to it or how to post a link to it so maybe someone else can do it?

I'm a screamer too. We told one of our neighbors, who was an RN, and she had all kinds of things to say about it and insisted on being there because "midwives aren't nurses!"

I wish I hadn't told her. I just had my midwife shut the windows when I could tell I was going to get loud (which in second stage is a given for me). None of the neighbors heard me (at least that's what they say

) and many were miffed that a baby had been born right under their noses...especially at home!

:LOL Good luck with your birth!

 

[SamuraiEarthMama]

we told our next-door neighbor to the south, who is sort of the area's self-appointed guardian. he'll make sure anyone who needs to know, knows! he's an older gentleman from mexico, and he actually sounded pretty pleased but a little surprised that we were planning a homebirth... "they still do that, eh?" he said. but he didn't sound worried or concerned at all... i bet he was born at home himself.

we aren't terribly close to anyone, and i'm sure it's going to be beastly hot, so the windows will be closed. i'm not terribly quiet in labor, but i don't think i'll get the police called on us... i'd never thought of it before!

k

 

[oshunmama]

We had really fantastic neighbors before, and we told them both. They DID hear us, and anxiously awaited the quiet and calm to bring over a pot of homemade soup. I miss them so much!!

This time, we live out in the boonies. Someone would think it was a cow. LOL

 

[morgan's_mom]

Thanks, ladies! I am kind of apprehensive about telling anyone because this is a major busybody neighborhood (and we are the pariahs of the subdivision because we don't attend the monthly gatherings...in fact, there's one going on across the street as we speak!). But I think I will either put a sign on the door like someone suggested (especially if it's at night) or wait until labor begins and have someone go over and let them know (if it is not an ungodly hour).

Thanks again!

 

[janellesmommy]

We live in a single-family home. I was very loud during pushing. I was so surprised when I later found out that none of my neighbors heard me. I did keep the windows and doors shut, even though it was very hot! But still, I would have thought someone would have heard. Maybe it was because it was in the middle of the night.

 

[sahli29]

I never let anyone know.My first was a UC birth in a one bedroom apartment 2nd floor(3 fllor place).And then ds was born in an end unit condo.I wasn't a screamer,but was certainly vocal.
sara

 

[guestmama9924]

We told a couple of our neighbors. In this area we all hear each other in the bathroom :LOL so I didn't mind mentioning it casually.

I also, years ago when I had a birth center, had a little wooden painted sign that is so CUTE and has a stork on it that says "Shhhhh, please knock, birth in progress" and that was hung on the door in case UPS or the postman came by.

 

[Greaseball]

I screamed with #1 (hospital) and thought of putting a sign on the door that said "Everything is fine; please do not disturb!" I made a lot of noise but not so much of the high-pitched screaming kind. In the middle of everything the little boy from next door came over because he had thrown his toy airplane into our yard, so dh went and got it, and he threw it into the yard again. So he knocked on the door, and his mother finally told him to stop bothering us, and dh said "We're about to have a baby any minute" and then she figured out we were doing it at home. I think the window was open so she must have heard some noise, but no one called the police or told us to keep it down.

I started a thread about this too; I was worried someone would call the ambulance and they would force me to go with them.

 

[morgan's_mom]

From all this talk of open windows and doors, I'm guessing y'all must live in some lovely climates -- we're in Houston, and it will probably be over 100 degrees and 90% humidity when this babe is born. :LOL So open windows and doors aren't something I have to consider (come to think of it, I don't think I have ever opened a window in my house...I'm not even sure which ones open -- LOL). Although I am thinking about having the baby in our (saltwater) swimming pool, in which case the neighbors would most likely hear something. I think a sign like a couple of you have suggested is a great idea.

Thanks again!

 

[juju]

my first two were born while we were living in a condo. they were both homebirths. it was a four plex building with 2 on top and 2 on the bottom. we were on top. after my first was born, dh was worried we might have been kinda loud. the next day he put a note in their mailboxes and let them know we had a homebirth. everyone was surprised no one even noticed anything. the second time around i can't remember if he did the same thing, but no one noticed the first time.

so, it is up to you if you want to say something. we didn't want to say anything before because we didn't want our land lord to be concerned or upset and try to make it difficult for us.

depending on where you live, i might just say something after the fact and not before especially if you are renting.

 

[Greaseball]

Yes, I would not say anything to your landlord. Especially if you live in a state where "no cause" evictions are allowed.

 

[MamaAllNatural]

I agree with the 2 PP's. I felt uncomfortable saying anything before. Some people think they need to save your baby, if you're renting some people wouldn't want something so "extreme" :LOL to transpire in their place.

 

[rad]

We just let our neighbors know that we were planning a homebirth. I figured they could probably assume there might be some noise. There only a driveway between us. we can usually hear their music and vice versa. It turned out it wasn't really an issue with either baby. I'm a very quiet laborer. Just leave me alone and I'll let you know when I need something.

 

[indigolilybear]

we told our neighbors. They were simply slightly amused. I didn't worry about any nosiness really, we have a fairly good rapport w/them but didn't want to scare them. Turns out hte only one that heard us was our next-to-next door neighbor who was more attuned to it in general, being a mother of three--w/one just a year old. She heard it but wasn't sure it was what she was hearing. Again, I think she was simply more attuned to it.

We didn't tell anyone w/our first birth though they knew we were having a homebirth. Everyone said they didn't hear anything and that was our loudest birth.

 

[morgan's_mom]

We are not renting, so that is not a concern (but it's good that someone brought it up, because I think some landlords would be funny about it). My real worry isn't even what the neighbors will think or say. I have just worked out this elaborate scenario in my head (I tend to do that

) where they hear something suspicious and call the police, then the police come and are idiots and think it's illegal to have a baby at home or something and insist that we call an ambulance or they'll take my baby away, and I end up kicking and screaming all the way to the hospital.

 

[yaboobarb]

If you are uncomfortable with telling people about the birth, you can just tell people that you are "laboring at home and it might get a little noisy"

This will be true, but it will save the busy bodies from bothering you!