Home birth - noise disturbing the neighbours

[bafty]

Hi there

I'm planning to have a home birth for my second baby. Our small flat isnt the best for sound proofing.... Has anyone any experience/advice on how to handle the fact that your neighbours are likely to hear load 'primal' moans and possibly screams coming through their walls/floors?

[mckenzie]

my neighbour was having a business meeting in her lounge when I was giving birth at home. She said she realised that is was me in the birthing pool and enjoyed watching her colleagues faces as they could hear the noise and obviously couldn't quite work out what was going on but were too polite/embarrassed to mention it

[MelissaM]

apparently our neighbours didn't hear anything despite the patio door being wide open (dh only shut the curtains when mw did internal)

[suzi2]

lol treacletart - that's one thing that made me want a homebirth with DD. With DS, the woman 'before' me was a couple of hours ahead and was making the most horrendous noises and I was terrified! Turns out it was my mums next door neighbours daughter!

We're in a detached house and I laboured quietly. 2nd stage was only 6 minutes and I moaned/screamed then but it was 3am on a Sunday/Monday so noone about. If it was during the day with windows open I might stick a note on the door for anyone concerned!

[MelissaM]

Thinking about it Suzi, we put a note on the door saying "Labour in progress. Do not disturb." More for the in-laws (who have a habit of letting themselves in) than the neighbours, but at least if they had heard anything it would have stopped them wondering or calling the police!