Is there a home birth thread on MN?

[WestYorkshireGirl]

I've been trying to find a home birth thread on the talk boards but not having any luck. Is anyone else planning for a HB imminently? I am hoping for a home water birth in around 2 weeks with an independent mw and it would be great if anyone else was also in the same position or had recently had a HB.

Just wanted to wish you all luck! My new DD is only 11days so forgive me if I only post once.

I have 4 DC's and had 3 homebirths, 1 in water.I do recommend that, if at all possible, you have another birth partner, eg mum or doula as well as DP as someone is going to be busy running around doing stuff and you want someone who is just there with you, positioning, advocating for you etc.( Midwives can be hit or miss on the NHS - no guarantees they will be on your wavelength - I had one who talked to me like I was 12 and obviously did not read my birth plan.)

I really loved my waterbirth experience- know it is not for everyone but worth a try. Recommend getting it set up early so that even if not allowed in it yet, you can relax and get in your "zone". Unfortunately I missed out on this experience this time round as my pool burst, so please double check yours! And have a back- up plan for a favourite place/position . Ask lots of questions of your antenatal midwife and doula

• assuming they will do things a certain way is setting up for disappointment.

This is my last baby so very jealous of those of you doing it for the 1st time and who still have more babies to go. All the best and wishing you easy births at home.

Congratulations frankenfanny, I hope you're both doing well. I think it's a good point about having more than one birth partner, I will have 3 ! I just felt the need to be close to my mum and best friend as well as my OH and we all get on so well I think/hope it will work.

Hope we hear some good news from hackneyoo soon!

Congratualtions frankenfanny!

I am still here! MW came round yesterday and gave me a sweep and have had backache and period pains every since, but not much else...am only 3 days over though and from my LMP today is actually my due date, they just bought it forward at the dating scan...so who knows

Couldn't find any lavender spray in boots so made my own with cooled boiled water and a few drops of oil in one of those travel bottles and its fab, really relaxing.

Boobz, thanks for the links, enjoyed reading about the births last night, has made me even more impatient!

Have added myself to the (very small!) stats list!

Hackneyzoo EDD 9/1/11 DC3 (DD 3.8, DS 2)
NeedToSLeepZZZ EDD 10/2/11
me23 due 23/3/11 pg#2(dd 5)

hackneyzoo Good luck - sounds like there may be some warming up?
I am 39 weeks today and getting a bit excited now!
Boobz Thanks for telling us about your previous thread - I read some of it last night and it was very inspirational. Also, to all the other posters who have told us about their HB experiences - they've been really interesting to read and it's great to know there are a few of us out there! It has been a bit isolating in this pregnancy with no one other than MW to talk to about HB so I'm glad I started the thread!

Hi everyone!

I had a home waterbirth with DD, who is nearly 5, and planning to have another in May...21 weeks currently.
It's really exciting reading about how excited you all are! I am still getting my head round all this happening again - we tried for some time, and were coming to terms with having only one child, so I keep rubbing my new bump with quite a lot of disbelief

We bought an inflatable pool, and inflated it to check it was ok. We should have tried it with water though, as although there were no punctures, we did have a leak
This time round DH is counting on his experience with bikes to find and mend the hole with a puncture repair kit.

Can't wait to start reading some birth stories !!

I had a HWB with DD1 who has just turned 2, am expecting dd2 in a month from now (officially, but am expecting her to be early) - just got the pool out of the loft to see if it will fit in the now packed-full-of-toys living room! DD had lots of fun clambering in and out, I'd forgotten how much space there was in it.

MW is coming next week with the HB kit, last time because dd was a week early and my 38 week MW appt had been scheduled for week 40 it turned up on the day with the MW... Am curious to see what's in it! Birth partners will be DH, a doula, and hopefully not DD - am very keen for one of the 'toddler slept through everything' kind of labours, don't mind her seeing a bit but would rather not be worried about her being scared if I have to yell a bit...!

Hello everyone,

Thanks for starting a HB thread. I'm 23wks with my 1st (it's a boy!) and planning a HB just feels right. I love the idea of a home waterbirth.

My DH is 100% supportive but almost all my friends and family have said the same thing: "you're brave". I don't feel brave at all. I'll have to be brave if I end up getting transferred to hospital! ;0)

I'll add my stats to the little list...

Hackneyzoo EDD 9/1/11 DC3 (DD 3.8, DS 2)
NeedToSLeepZZZ EDD 10/2/11
me23 due 23/3/11 pg#2(dd 5)
newyearsday EDD 8/5/11 pg1(ds1)

I've had one and will have my next one and loved every minute of it! Had pethadin in the fridge but never used it as I was sooooooo much more relaxed! It was brilliant! Totally different to my first which was in hospital! You get much more care as the midwives are there just for you and not 4 other women!
Highly recommended!

just keeping my place on this fab thread

hope everyone is doing well

Well 40+5 today and getting a little impatient

It's really nice to hear so many positive experiences.

Sympathies to you hackneyzoo, it must be agony waiting once over your due date.

I was going to get the pool out before hand to check it but hadn't thought that there might be leaks so thanks for that. I now know that I need to fill it with water as well - ooo excuse for a nice deep bath in front of the fire!

Adding details to list:

Hackneyzoo EDD 9/1/11 DC3 (DD 3.8, DS 2)
NeedToSLeepZZZ EDD 10/2/11
me23 due 23/3/11 pg#2(dd 5)
Zafnoodles EDD 30/3/11 pg#1
newyearsday EDD 8/5/11 pg1(ds1)

OOOhhh homebirth thread [claps]

I was on the homebirth thread that Boobz linked too with my second child and I had an amazing experience - one of the most wonderful things I have ever done! No more children for me but I get so excited when I see others are going to try for the same thing.

My experience is on the Boobz thread and it was also written up as a dissertation with other women's stories by a student anthropologist researching 'pleasurable birth'. I have a copy on my computer if anyone wants a read-I can email it on.

Good luck to everyone.

Oh hackneyzoo thinking of you keep up with the mantra....

I got the final go ahead yesterday from the consultant that everything's fine for my hb, so happy! Got the midwife coming round on Tues for a coffee and a natter with paperwork (?). Had final scan yesterday and baby is growing really well, already 6lb 6 EFW. He has a lovely big tummy, just like his mum!

Hope everyone is doing well this evening. Keep the positive stories coming!

I thought I would let you you know that Hester Rose was born on 14th January at 12:37 am weighing 6 lbs, 4 oz. She was born at home in the birthing pool in the kitchen. Struggling with latching on at present - hope she gets it soon. Will update more later.

That's fantastic news! Huge congratulations to you and welcome to the world little Hester Rose.

I look forward to hearing more but for now enjoy the cuddles and I hope you're both doing well. The latching on will happen in time x

Congratulations WestYorkshireGirl

westyorkshregirl Congratulations! You clever thing. lovely name.

Congratulations WestYorkshireGirl, love the name Hester.

Just had home visit from the MW, she gave me another sweep and cervix is soft and ready and am 1cm dilated...so hope things keep going.

She has booked me in for an induction on Thursday, so this baby better make a move before then. It's also DC2's birthday on Friday, so that would be really bad timing!

If it hasn't been born by Thursday I think I am going to refuse induction and just ask to be monitored. baby is moving and heartbeat is good, so as long as baby is fine I will try and wait it out.

Congratulations westyorksgirl, enjoy your special time. Looking forward to hearing your HB story.

Hackneyzoo hope things keep progressing and your baby makes an appearance soon, keep us updated x

Exciting!

A birth already! Congratulations WestYorkshireGirl, lovely name too.

I still haven't decided if I am definitely planning a home birth, but it is something DH and I are very seriously considering (due May with second baby, DD1 is 2.5 and born in a midwife-led unit, normal labour and birth).

Can I ask: what exactly do you use for plastic sheeting? Don't say "a plastic sheet".... What is best to get a cheap shower curtain, or what?

Sorry - last sentence should read "What is best to get - a cheap shower curtain, or what?"

First time I think dh had some plastic sheeting on a roll (he's a builder).

Second time I saw some cheap shower curtains and used them instead.

Hi Wigeon, I used plastic sheets that you can get from B&Q / DIY shops and also those pampers dry nights sheets, which are quite large disposable sheet things. My friend used cheapo shower curtains from ASDA.

Hi all, I'm pregnant with my third and planning on a HB, my first was born in hospital and my second a very quick unplanned HB with just ambulance personnel.
I loved getting to relax and stay at home after with my new little family so that's what we are hoping for this time as well.

I've been diagnosed with gestational diabetes and "everyone" has been against me up until now when MWs finally told me they will support me.

Anyway, more of a practical thing. Last time we didn't have anything on the floor but hubby cleaned up after birth and there was no stains at all. This time we live somewhere else and have beige (I know, what a stupid idea with kids eh?) carpet, not the red/grey ish one we had last time, so I suppose it's best to cover the floor.
Do you think I can use plastic sheets for decorating? Or what else can I get?