Who watched the channel 5 documentry last night about unassisted births..........

[LullyMummaOfOne]

and if so what are your thoughts on it please?

[LittleConnie]

I was totally by the south african woman who didn't utter a sound for her entire labour! She looked like she was having a little doze! Although I completely understand the principles behind the ladies wanting unassisted birth... what's the downside of having a sympathetic midwife with you at home? Bit flummoxed by that one...

[LullyMummaOfOne]

Oh me too littelConnie, i was amazed with the whole thing. I am all for home births (just to chicken to have one myself) but i do not agree with not having a midwife present. I did find the whole thing very intresting though!

[star6]

I was shocked too littleconnie - DH and I were sitting there, saying "she MUST have smoked SOMETHING before that!!" She looked quite dazed and a bit too comfortable with the whole thing.

[DartmoorMama]

Probably the lack of truly sympathetic home birth midwives, I think the American woman came across as a bit naive but the British women did seem to have made slightly more thought out choices. Unless you £3000 to spend on an independent midwife then for some women it could seem the only way to get their needs met, particularly if they have had a birth with many unnecessary interventions before- their trust in the medical profession is likely to be minimal.

[kookiegoddess]

Watched 2nd half (missed first half due to dozy pg brain) and was frankly stunned at how ill equipped the women were. If I was seriously going to go unassisted, I would have read every bit of info I could get my hands on... found the american girl absurdly naive - "I wonder if this hurts" on cutting the cord, waiting "several hours" before thinking that maybe she should see a doctor about the fact that she hadn't delivered her placenta... YIKES! Also noticed that none of them were very quick to get their babies dry and warm, which I'd have thought would be key to getting them breathing and knowing that they're ok. Also was it just me or did it look like there wasn't enough water in the SA lady's pool? I thought it was supposed to cover your bump, 16-20 inches?

Anyway very interesting but utterly disheartening that women could be so afraid or suspicious of "the system" that they would put themselves into this position. I really do salute my GP and midwives who have been wholly supportive since I mentioned wanting a homebirth!!

[tullytwo]

I loved the programme and only wish I had had the confidence to do something more similar.

I felt so disempowered by my pregnancy and birth processes that I envied them their self belief.

I know from friends who had home births that the midwives present arent always of any use to be honest and one friend did deliver herself with her hubby present before the midwife made it.

Really enjoyed the programme and was glad that they didnt try and make them look like complete weirdos!

[babylove123]

I missed most of it - meant to set Sky+! Was amazed by it though! I am all for home births myself, am thinking of doing so with this one but i cant imagine not having someone there to help incase theres a problem. I know midwives can be short and sharp but my baby's welfare is too important to play with. However, each to their own and i praise the one in london for having the correct equipment for the cord etc. However was it the American that tied it with a shoelace?! Its like - what?! I get that you wanted to do it by yourself but seriously - a shoelace?! Did anyone else think that the london one who was only in labour for 2 hours was flipping lucky?! Man, hope that is me!!!!!