Home Birth & Activities

[MissyNatalie]

Hey all! I'm hoping for a home water birth and from my understanding, you'd call the midwife when the contractions get closer together. Please correct me if I'm wrong!
Did anybody do anything such as watch a movie or something to take their mind off the first part of labour?
Thanks!

I had a home water birth with DC3, called the midwife as waters had begun trickling, no contractions at that point so they came back later on when it suited them to stay I didn't argue!

I did some gardening, listened to my ipod, bounced on my birth ball, later we all watched TV, chatted drank tea, did some ironing, this time though I will be tempted to rest,rest,rest for when things kick off!

It was lovely but the hostess in me wanted to make sure everyone was ok, put too much pressure on myself so was knackered by the time I gave birth from all the entertaining!

So whatever you decide is right for you in the early stages,don't wear yourself out! Movie and nibbles sounds perfect! Good luck x

ps tens machines are great,put on early and gives you something to fiddle with!

I watched Veronica Mars...

also made pigs in blankets, played with DD, bounced on birthing ball, posted on MN, when they started to hurt a bit more I played with a juggling ball.

Trying not to tire yourself out is a good idea, but I was keen to get things going so walking and bouncing loads!

i tried to watch some stand up but couldnt concentrate! agree with others who have said to take it easy, save your energy! having a bath or shower is always good though. good luck!

It doesn't depend a lot on what you're earloy labour is like with my DD I basically didn't have one and as she was a hospital birth, it was only about 10mins after contractions had started that we had to go in.

With DS at home early labour dragged onnnn and onnnn...

Weirdly, I think I struggled to relax at home.

Yup, I was up at 4am. Called the midwife at about 9am when they were mostly at about 7 mins apart, even after a bath, but manageable easily, just to let her know it was d day really. She zoomed over, and we spent all day watching tv, chilling out, pottering. Dd2 didnt arrive until 10pm (last bit in hospital, but straight back home afterwards!) Well, dh and the midwives watched tv, can't say I remember anything that we saw!

Online shopping and setting up a birth thread on mumsnet helped pass the time in the early hours as well. In fact I've got a necklace I bought from folksy whilst in labour, and it's a really sentimental item now

For my homebirths, I had a bath, pottered around getting my room ready, (did some ironing with one of them).

I don't think I could have concentrated on a film, but I think it is a pretty good way to while away a couple of hours. Perhaps choose a chick flick that you have seen before so don't need to think too deeply?

The protocol for calling the midwife is to do it early so that she can plan her day better. She may be able to pop in during her other visits to reassure you, and to better guage when to return. She can also load her car up with anything she hasn't already given to you (Entonox!) while she is at hospital.

If you contractions are regular (eg every 10 minutes) let the midwife know. She won't come for real until you tell her they are less than 2 minutes apart, or unless your waters break.