September 2014 2nd thread for a chatty bunch

[TheOnlySeven]

seb and top everyone I knew who wanted a home birth ended up having a hospital birth due to all sorts of reasons (complications during pregnancy, being overdue or being breach etc etc). My birthing pool was a third-time hand me down, so I guess the 3rd time lucky motto worked!
Personally I wasn't brave enough to do it first time around, and I only went for it because everything was so 'normal' with my first birth and I didn't need any stitches or anything.

I can highly recommend it, but if you're nervous of the birth and find that the hospital environment reassures you then best go with that, likewise, same as a birth plan, if you do want a home birth just keep an open mind that nothing is set in stone and things may need to change.

Xx

I tried for a water birth with my first but was a wimp and couldn't cope with the pain! My DS was slow getting out and after pushing for a few hours I begged them for anything and I got moved out of the natural birth unit and into the delivery ward with the drugs! Had an epidural and it was easy after that.
Slightly worried about this birth though as I only have a community hospital near me so no chance of an epidural as it's midwife run. If I need intervention I'll be put in an ambulance and sent the city hospital about 45 mins away

I live in a terraced house so actually I don't think I'd want the neighbours to hear me in labour! I'm going to try fir a hospital water birth. Although they only have one pool on each ward so won't be counting on it being available!

Love all this labour birth talk. I'm rather excited about the birth - does that make me weird?!

Funny that someone said midwives will try to put you off home water births for first baby, my midwife tried to talk me into it! Because I said I quite fancied a water birth, she instantly asked me if I'd considered a home water birth. I said no because I do like having the reassurance of help being there if it's needed

Just woke up. This tiredness is killing me so had a nap on sofa! Apologies for giving everyone mad jacket potato cravings!

I can't even think much about birth yet. Seems a lot of energy at the moment just to go to work and manage day-to-day living! As for birth plans, since I don't know what to expect bring a first-timer (the labour stories I've heard from friends / family have ranged from 'painful but bearable, and quite a spiritual experience' to 'complete agony and I was begging for an epidural and they wouldn't let me'). Think I'll just say in my plan I'm seeing how it goes and not ruling out any form of pain relief. I like the idea of a water birth but know it depends on if there is a pool available on the labour ward at the time.

I have heard all sorts too, three "I had an epidural so it was easy", one "it was agony, I wish they'd let me have an epidural", one "I thought I was going to die" (first son) followed by "Home birth for second child and that was pure heaven".... I am sure I would love to be able to use gravity etc but think I am going to freak out and beg for epidural....

The thing about birth is it can vary a lot due to the position of the baby, and the woman's own anatomy.

If you've got a nice head-first, all tucked in baby then progress is likely to be smooth. However if baby is back to back (making the dimensions of the head etc wider) or decides to come out superman style with an arm up against the face etc, then it's going to be harder!!

Sebsmummy haha sounds like a good finale!! Exorcist haha like it

Hubby just see how you go. You'll most likely have time to change your mind as first births aren't usually so quick that there is no time to have an epidural etc.

It's not that I would say "never have an epidural", more try the alternatives first as epidurals have their downsides as I mentioned so I'd never recommend one from the very start

I'm torn about whether to opt for another private home birth, or go the hospital 'birthing suite' route, and if so, which hospital. I'm close to two hospitals. Problem is, that when I had my first son, it was in the normal labour ward (as opposed to mid-wife led birthing ward) and there weren't any beds available.
There are only 3 suites on one and two on the other hospital, so chances of them being available are slim.
Even third time around, choices are difficult to make!

As for a home birth with your first - debatable.
Depends on the Maternity Unit and how well staffed they are if they'll be raving for or against it!!!

Technically, if you're low risk then it shouldn't be a problem. HOWEVER. You're body has not yet been 'labour/birth' tested therefore it could be seen as a risk incase anything did crop up... BUT if it did, you'd most likely have time to transfer into hospital... similar debate re:pain relief- if you hated the home water birth scene you could transfer in for further pain relief.

So really it's up to you. PERSONALLY I'd say if you're close to a maternity unit you can transfer in to and everything appears low risk, fine. But if you're quite far away from a maternity unit, even if it's your third I'd say you're taking a bit of a risk incase any intervention IS required.

**Your body, argh I'm a grammar nazi how could I

Great reading all the child birth plans and tips. I haven't even thought about it, it completely scares me lol. I suppose once I eventually talk rpto a midwife they'll explain and help me decide

I had a lovely home water birth with DS. The water helped a lot with the pain, as did the gas and air. I would do it again in a heartbeat if there was no medical reason I shouldn't. I'll share my birth story at some point for those who are thinking about a home birth.

I'm freaking out today because I've had some brown spotting. Going to get checked out at the Early Pregnancy Unit first thing tomorrow. Really hoping everything is okay.

Actually waffles that's interesting as my son was back to back but I only found that out later when my doula was chatting to me about why I had problems.

Is that something that would have been picked up on a scan at all or does the baby get into that position right before birth do nothing can be done? I just wonder if I could have been more prepared for it or adopted a different labour position or something?

Well after reading all these birth and labour and ouchy bits, iv gone into denial. I'm having a miracle baby where one day I will just wake up and it will be there...

Haha sitting, I don't blame you x

I must be some kind of weirdo, I've given birth twice and errr...actually it's alright. Ok, I wouldn't want to do it every day of the week but it's really nothing to be scared of. Our bodies are really quite amazing.
And no I'm not a hippy...

Fingers crossed kicks. Let us know how you get on, will be thinking of you x

Oh Kicks, missed your post. Hope all is ok. I think as long as it's brown and light that it's ok? Xx

firsttimemum (and everyone else!) try and attend your hospitals or NCT labour workshop, great for learning the mechanics, positions and pain relief available in labour.

Also the book "Childbirth without fear" by Michael Odent is good for explaining the mechanisms of birth and the emotional aspects as well.

I'd also recommend looking into local hypno birth workshops and related books

Knowledge is power!

*Grantly Dick Read is the author of childbirth without fear sorry

sebsmummy the back to back position really can only be picked up on palpation (when midwife feels the tummy)
It could be picked up on scan but babies can move a fair bit so unless they were done routinely in labour it's just down to the midwife to pick it up either through feeling abdomen OR it can be picked up on vaginal examination through feeling different landmarks on the babies head, but that can be difficult

Not an awful lot can be done about it, it's recommended to labour on all fours or sort of 'downward dog' positions before true labour kicks in can help the baby move round, as the back is sort of the 'heavy' bit of baby, so if you're on your front gravity will encourage the weight of the baby's back to gravitate towards your front... and not your back.

It's thought that sitting in reclined positions a lot (ahem, guilty) encourages the back to back position, as again the heavy back of baby will swing round with gravity to settle against your back.

That's the theory anyway!

Joining group as just found out I'm pregnant!

Age: 37 (38 next month!)
Hubby: 29 (I'm a cougar!)
First baby: First pregnancy
Location: South East London
EDD: 22nd Sept
Job: PA

First time pregnant, a little bit bewildered but very excited as we only started trying in December, really did not expect this to happen so quickly.

X

Joining group as just found out I'm pregnant!

Age: 37 (38 next month!)
Hubby: 29 (I'm a cougar!)
First baby: First pregnancy
Location: South East London
EDD: 22nd Sept
Job: PA

First time pregnant, a little bit bewildered but very excited as we only started trying in December, really did not expect this to happen so quickly.

X

What did people who already had a child do with their DCs when they were in labour? Or what are they planning to do this time around? I realised I was in labour around midnight at 36 weeks, went to hospital about 2am and DS was born by emergency C sec at 5am, so that doesn't leave time for us to drive the 2 hours to the inlaws to drop DS off!

Thank you waffles I'll keep that book in my mind. I'm defiantly going to have to go meetings and get more knowledge about the whole birth process. So scary!!!