Am I insane

[izzyishavingababyAGAIN]

OK, this is DC 3, DC1, wonderful waterbirth, DC2, surprise home delivery (born IN my bath, delivered by DH, cord round neck twice).

DC3, planned home birth in bath, using Clary Sage Oil for pain relief.

Midwife not thrilled, but given DC2, hardly in a position to refuse.

Am I mad? Is DC3 likely to be faster than DC2, because part of my concern and desire for home birth is I would have no desire to give birth in the car!

[twolittlebundles]

you are not mad!! Third labours are not always a shorter version of 1 and 2; and if you're most comfortable at home with low risk factors, then it's the best place to be for you all.

Has mw been clear about her reservations?

[yellowsubmarine53]

Why is mw 'not thrilled?'

[enialenagem]

From what you have said you sound perfect for a home birth! What is the issue with the midwife?

[izzyishavingababyAGAIN]

No one is saying exactly what the issue is - personally I think it's simply age and not having had anyone plan to give birth in a bath before.

I am gently being pushed towards MLU - but having been to see it it's too far and the local hospital is not somewhere I want to be - they don't even have a birthing pool (well they do but they can't use it because they don't believe the ceiling can take the weight so it has never been filled).

I'm quite excited at the idea - but my mum and rest of family also think I should go to hospital and are planting doubts.

[enialenagem]

Can you find out who the supervisor of midwives is and have a chat with them? Home births are safe for second and third time low risk mums with very similar outcomes to hospital births and you've already had two normal deliveries. Obviously you can't predict what a birth will be like and you would want a midwife experienced in home birth, suturing, resist etc and if you really want to be at home they can't refuse to look after you. Good luck.

[enialenagem]

Should have said also depends how old you are as there are risk associated with age e.g excessive bleeding after delivery, pre eclampsia etc but advise still stands

[izzyishavingababyAGAIN]

I dont need supervisor - I've TOLD them Im having baby like this - she isn't disagreeing - its just a general "air".

I'm 42. I can only imagine that's the real issue - but have had no prior problems and wasn't much younger last time.

I'm seeing consultant today to be signed off for ML care (had some early bleeds but that's the norm for me an didn't have to have consultant before).

[enialenagem]

Well in that case - no I don't think your insane. Enjoy your home birth!

[twolittlebundles]

Sounds totally sane to me. Good on you for going with what works for you!

[izzyishavingababyAGAIN]

Hooray, consultant signed me off for it today, I am a bit , she said "if you make it to 37 weeks", it didn't really click til I got to car what she had said so I couldn't ask her to clarify, seeing midwife next week so I can finally arrange it all then.

I just have to finish my decluttering the house between now and then and my lovely mum has offered to come and clean the whole house once I have finished, I have one trunk, 1 cupboard and the kitchen to do!

And then THE TOYROOM, which mostly I cannot even get in - and all this and sorting Christmas as this is when baby is due.

[twolittlebundles]

I think it is just policy that all births considered pre-term- i.e. less than 37 weeks - are immediately classed as hospital births. At least that is what my mw's told me for both my hb's!

What a wonderful mum and how organised you are!! I am ignoring the mess here...one day soon!

[blossombath]

Oh I had my baby in the bath too, a semi-planned home birth (this was DC1, so although I had tentatively planned for home birth I expected to end up in hospital, but never made it).

Just excited to meet someone else who had a bath delivery, and wish you best of luck for next one.

Though, saying that, why not hire a birth pool, rather than the bath? I did find getting into positions in the bath rather difficult and would have preferred a bit more water to relax in between contractions.

[blossombath]

sorry, should read: Just excited to meet someone else who had a bath delivery, and wantedt to wish you best of luck...

[blossombath]

*wanted.
Damn. Off to bed for me.

[izzyishavingababyAGAIN]

blossom hurray - hello.

I'm not sure we will have time to fill a pool! I have a slightly wider and deeper bath - only 10 inches but it made a difference last time - I ran a warm shower over belly as well.

Home birth was def not planned last time - I didn't realise how far gone I was til I burned - then it was too late :).

Yes my mum is lovely.

Decluttering was needed - so decide to do it properly - I've been at it for 3 months now and have done almost every single draw.

[blossombath]

Ah if only I could share decluttering success with you as well as bath births! Been trying to declutter for the whole of my mat leave and now I only have one month left and frankly can't be bothered.

I suspect I might have another surprise birth next time - my first wasn't an especially quick labour but it didn't progress uniformly:much quicker at the end - if midwife was right then I went from not dilated at all to baby being born in about three hours. So if next time is quicker...perhaps I should get a big bath, too.

[twolittlebundles]

my idea of perfect decluttering is to empty each room and then only put back things that are useful/i like. Unfortunately I am decluttering with the help of an 18 month old and a four year old, so the concepts of 'useful' and 'liked' are not quite as concrete!