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.

Hi all, I'm 22w+3 with my first (EDD 18th May), and would like to seriously consider a home birth, so hope this thread will have some useful information/inspiration. I'm the first out of our group of friends to have a baby so no-one to discuss things with there & I've yet to enquire at work but imagine that most women there will have had hospital births?

Hello everyone and congratulations WestYorkshireGirl on the arrival of Hester Rose! Beautiful name! Hope she gets the latching on but don't beat yourself up if not. It would be lovely to hear your birth story at some point when you and Hester are settled into more of a routine! All the best x oh and thanks to you for starting this thread!

Thinking of you Hackneyzoo, I went 7 days over with DD1 & I remember how long those days were! Keep on with your mantra as it's the truth! What about sex?! Isn't that meant to be the most effective way to bring it on?!

Glad you've had the chat & got the final go-ahead Needtosleep! I didn't have my midwives support initially due to the fact I tore last time but she is 100% behind me now & it's great to have had the go ahead along with much enthusiasm from her! I've got an old shower curtain for plastic which is actually more fabric iyswim. Was going to get disposable decorating plastic sheets from B&Q, the Pampers sheets are a good idea! I've got a stack of old sheets & towels too thanks to my mum being a hoarder! Plan to use essential oils too, esp lavender. I have a Doula as there is a good chance my partner won't be here as he works away. THINK I'm all ready to go now! Getting more excited!

It's great to hear everyone's stories & experiences, very inspiring! Keep them coming! I still need to check out the other thread which Boobz linked but look forward to it!

My stats are
Earlgreyismynectar EDD 9.2.11 dc2 (DD1 aged 4)

Sorry I'm not sure how to add it onto the main list!

Why didn't I think of shower curtains?!!! Brilliant idea, OH has got some tarpaulin, still, hopefully it'll be reusable after a scrub...

earlgrey at winning your mw over! i love chatting to my mw as she's excited about it. it makes such a difference doesn't it and being positive is one of the best tools we have!

*hastingsmum8 when are you due? I only ask as I'm in hastings too and wondered if you were at my antenatal class? Please don't answer if you want to stay anonymous, I promise I'm not stalking you!

Has anyone tried the lavender and vanilla yankee candles? I know that scent is a personal thing but i'm a bit lavendar mad at the mo and love this candle! bit expensive but really smells like it should iyswim

now, just need something to help get rid of this backache, off to make another hot water bottle...

I'm lavender crazy at the moment too! Did anyone put any essential oils in their birth pool, is it allowed? I'm not a mad hippy or anything, I just like the smell

I've added myself and Earlgrey to the stats list.

Hackneyzoo EDD 9/1/11 DC3 (DD 3.8, DS 2)
Earlgreyismynectar EDD 9.2.11 dc2 (DD1 aged 4)
NeedToSLeepZZZ EDD 10/2/11
EauRouge EDD 18/02/11 DC2 (DD 2.3)
me23 due 23/3/11 pg#2 (dd 5)
Zafnoodles EDD 30/3/11 pg#1
newyearsday EDD 8/5/11 pg1(ds1)

Glad I'm not the only one that's gone a bit lavender crazy, I only remembered about it when it was mentioned on this thread and am finding it really relaxing.

Candles sound lush need to sleep, my current favourites are gingerlily flavoured....I love that smell.

Hastings, glad you've got midwife support. The community midwives round here are very supportive, which is really reassuring. Are you nervous about having a third? I am ....I keep swinging between sheer panic and then excitement.

Brillo, I've been quite surprised about the number of people having home births, I think its becoming more popular again.

Well....have had a show this afternoon and I think my waters may be leaking a bit, but I'm not sure, in my other two pregnancies they didn't go until transition...so maybe I've just peed myself . Anyway I am refusing to get excited now until I am in full on active labour.

Good luck, hackneyzoo! Keep us updated :)

Ooo! Lots of lavender lovers! It is sooo relaxing & is doing the job for me right now. Yes Needtosleep, I was determined for a hb this time for a variety of reasons, did my research & even had an appointment at the hospital with the consultant midwife (who was amazing) to go over my previous birth notes as there was some unresolved issues & questions I had. Think I kind of beat her into submission with my determination!

Thanks Eau Rouge for including my stats! I feel like I officially belong here now!

Sounding hopeful Hackneyzoo! Lots of luck with things moving along now!

Congratulations westyorkshiregirl would love to read your birth story when you are up tp it, hope the latching is getting better.

ooh sorry missed hackneyzoo post about show, sending home birth labour vibes your way

Hey everyone, what a lovely thread :) well done westyorkshiregirl :) and am so happy for hastingsmum and earlgrey for finally getting the go a head from your MW :) I hope I have the same luck next Saturday when I see my MW and demand request my home birth (refused down to being anemic) If its ok I'd like to add my stats
mannicmummyhavinabiccy EDD 28/02/2011 (DD10, DS3)
Good luck hackneyzoo!
Reading through this thread has made it all seem real! and how lovely that so many want and are getting the births they want! everyone I have told that I want a HB, thinks im mad look forwad to all your birth stories :)

Just trying to catch up and adding to the stats.

Hackneyzoo EDD 9/1/11 DC3 (DD 3.8, DS 2)
Earlgreyismynectar EDD 9.2.11 dc2 (DD1 aged 4)
NeedToSLeepZZZ EDD 10/2/11
EauRouge EDD 18/02/11 DC2 (DD 2.3)
Knittakid EDD 24/02/11 DS1
mannicmummyhavinabiccy EDD 28/02/2011 (DD10, DS3)
me23 due 23/3/11 pg#2 (dd 5)
Zafnoodles EDD 30/3/11 pg#1
newyearsday EDD 8/5/11 pg1(ds1)

Oh i've added mine below too

Hackneyzoo EDD 9/1/11 DC3 (DD 3.8, DS 2)
Earlgreyismynectar EDD 9.2.11 dc2 (DD1 aged 4)
NeedToSLeepZZZ EDD 10/2/11
EauRouge EDD 18/02/11 DC2 (DD 2.3)
Knittakid EDD 24/02/11 DS1
Hazchem EDD 26/2/11 pg1
mannicmummyhavinabiccy EDD 28/02/2011 (DD10, DS3)
me23 due 23/3/11 pg#2 (dd 5)
Zafnoodles EDD 30/3/11 pg#1
newyearsday EDD 8/5/11 pg1(ds1)

I had a cheap pond liner from wilko's garden section. Large, heavy and thick, could easily be hoses down and reused, or made into a pond.

NeedToSleepZZZ, I'm due in 2 weeks yesterday, but sure baby will be at least a week later than that

This is my 3rd so I'm not going to antenatal classes. Is this your first? There is so much going on in Hastings for under 1s and under 5s I'm sure you'll make loads of new friends. x

I will add myself to the list now

Hackneyzoo EDD 9/1/11 DC3 (DD 3.8, DS 2)
hastingsmum EDD 30/01/11 (DS1 5 + DS2 2.5)
Earlgreyismynectar EDD 9.2.11 dc2 (DD1 aged 4)
NeedToSLeepZZZ EDD 10/2/11
EauRouge EDD 18/02/11 DC2 (DD 2.3)
Knittakid EDD 24/02/11 DS1
Hazchem EDD 26/2/11 pg1
mannicmummyhavinabiccy EDD 28/02/2011 (DD10, DS3)
me23 due 23/3/11 pg#2 (dd 5)
Zafnoodles EDD 30/3/11 pg#1
newyearsday EDD 8/5/11 pg1(ds1)

Just realised that i havent added myself to the list and that i have a co-due dater!

Hackneyzoo EDD 9/1/11 DC3 (DD 3.8, DS 2)
hastingsmum EDD 30/01/11 (DS1 5 + DS2 2.5)
Earlgreyismynectar EDD 9.2.11 dc2 (DD1 aged 4)
NeedToSLeepZZZ EDD 10/2/11
EauRouge EDD 18/02/11 DC2 (DD 2.3)
Knittakid EDD 24/02/11 DS1
Hazchem EDD 26/2/11 pg1
mannicmummyhavinabiccy EDD 28/02/2011 (DD10, DS3)
me23 due 23/3/11 pg#2 (dd 5)
Zafnoodles EDD 30/3/11 pg#1
Pettyprudence EDD 30/03/11 pg1
newyearsday EDD 8/5/11 pg1(ds1)

I had a home birth with both of my boys one three one now 22 months (9ld 4oz and a 10lb). I used Natal Hypnotherapy, Tens machine and a Made in Water birthing pool. It was great! So nice to have a bath in your own bathroom after and climb into your own bed! My top tip, don't listen to any of those people who try to put you off or turn their noses up, I got called mad, stupid, irresponsible and I prooved them all wrong!

Loopymumsy puts hand up have been given a def' NO, but I cant find any rational reason why am just a bit aneamic. wouldnt do anything to put mine or babys life in danger, but dont feel I am. so am going to demand one on saturday :) wish m luck! just think i'm in area where the dont often do them, maybe and there using it as an excuse?
Wow the list is getting long, so suprised by all the homebirths in such a small amount of time :) have never met anyone that wants one, let alone had one :(

Hi Manic, I was aneamic and wasn't allowed HB until my levels were up, which they are.

Loopy, I've gone against guidelines as have tested GBS+ and my HCP advises hospital birth and IV abs. However the Head of Midwives at the HCP is very supportive and openminded so it asn't been an issue. When are you due? And thanks for all the advice on the induction thread.

Right, going to watch One Born Every Minute and see if that tempts this baby out!

I had a midwife who really tried to put me off despite having my first baby at home with no complications. Infact the midwives were so against it, one of them said awful things to me. It was because my first baby was bug and the second is usually bigger. I did my own thing and all was fine! He got a bit stuck but we got there after a bit of manouvering : )

From my experience this time and last time it seems that HCPs tend to be supportive if you state you intentions showing you are well informed. But its so frustrating when you come up against people who just seems obstructive and are not interested in listening to your POV. It's really disempowering.

Jules that sounds horrible, glad you stuck to your guns and managed to manouver him out.

Am just preparing my case to refuse induction if I go past Thursday, but feel well informed and comfortable with my decision.

Oh hackney have my fingers crossed for you that things start happening soon! Are you going for expectant monitoring? I think I'd request that, all being well, as not sure I'd want to be induced.

hastingsmum there does seem to be a lot on offer here, my friend has 2 boys and they're always up to something!

My blood test results showed I'm anaemic but that wasn't even raised as an issue against hb, my lovely mw recommended dark choc for iron, along with floradix (much better than horrible iron tablets!).

We're having a home birth this time :) Baby is due April 23rd :)

Congrats to those who've had their babies!!!