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Childbirth

free birthing (please don't post if you don't like the idea)

233 replies

workstostaysane · 21/01/2008 21:05

anyone done it, interested in it, read the books?
i'm only just pregnant for the 2nd time - had a totally drug free wonderful home birth first time around and now keep thinking i'd love to do it without a midwife this time. just interested to know if there is anyone else really.

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workstostaysane · 21/01/2008 22:00

i realize that most would freak at the very idea, so i'm certainly not expecting anyone to condone/ approve of my doing it. i'm just asking if anyone has had experience of doing it or researched it. i may end up like libEL's sister and just not call the midwife till the very last minute.

but to be honest, i have actually thought about the fact that things might go wrong (i'm not foolhardy), but i don't dwell on that aspect.

thanks for your kind words VVQD and Fand Z.

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Heathcliffscathy · 21/01/2008 22:03

you MUST get ina may thingy's book. it is the bible of bible ness.

x

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Heathcliffscathy · 21/01/2008 22:03

you MUST get ina may thingy's book. it is the bible of bible ness.

x

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Heathcliffscathy · 21/01/2008 22:03

you MUST get ina may thingy's book. it is the bible of bible ness.

x

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VVVQV · 21/01/2008 22:05

Very insistent there sophable

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LynetteScavo · 21/01/2008 22:07

I didn't call the midwife untill the last minute, as I'd had two long labours and expected the 3rd to be the same. Only one midwife made it in time for the birth,and she was very hands off. She was quite happy for the lights to be left off.

Could you try and find a really hands-off midwife?

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hatrick · 21/01/2008 22:07

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lulumama · 21/01/2008 22:12

thikn i was fairly nice too

ina may is not into no MWs, but into hands off , respectful care, that allows a woman to feel loved, nurtured, empowered and strong enough to birth her way..with trained and experienced hands supporting her where necessary

worktostaysane..all the best with what you decide

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workstostaysane · 21/01/2008 22:12

i did indeed hattrick

dunno about the cord, thats kind of why i was posting. wanted to know if anyone knew stuff like that. have just ordered 'unassisted childbirth' off amazon, which i'm hoping will have some tips.

and sophable, i have just come back from my childbirthing bookshelf next door, armed with ina may's 1st book. oh yes, i own both, and many more besides!

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lulumama · 21/01/2008 22:13

do you think you would have a lotus birth?

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workstostaysane · 21/01/2008 22:15

sorry lulumama you are quite right.
ina may is certainly not into no midwives, but i seem to remember she has a bit about what to do if you are alone.

no really, i appreciate all your thoughts. its helping me sort out in my own mind whether this is a ridiculous fantasy, or if its possible in some way

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workstostaysane · 21/01/2008 22:16

ooh, whats a lotus birth?

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themildmanneredjanitor · 21/01/2008 22:16

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Loshad · 21/01/2008 22:16

I'd go on the yahoo homebirth group and ask more there, certainly some years ago there were people on there who had done it. I had two great hands off midwifes for the two of mine who were born at home, didn't interfere at all.

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hatrick · 21/01/2008 22:16

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themildmanneredjanitor · 21/01/2008 22:17

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NKF · 21/01/2008 22:19

But who will make you your tea and toast?

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lulumama · 21/01/2008 22:19

lotus birth is where you do not cut the cord. the placenta is expelled and the baby , cord and placenta all stay attached to each other. there are ways to salt and to fragrance the placenta and advice on making a little bag for it..... there are many websites about it........it is great to make sure as few people as possible will want to hold the baby in the new born first few days.....

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themildmanneredjanitor · 21/01/2008 22:20

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NKF · 21/01/2008 22:20

Apparently lotus birthing is big at that French water birthing place. And you can buy baby caps for baby and placenta. Very chic non?

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lulumama · 21/01/2008 22:20

more info re lotus birth here

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lulumama · 21/01/2008 22:22

why would it increase the risk of heamorrhage?

don;t know about chic, but if michel odent rates it, then vive le difference !

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Ellbell · 21/01/2008 22:23

I've posted on a thread about this before. I wouldn't do it in practice (not least because dh is having the snip tomorrow, so no more babies for me ), but love the idea. When I was in labour with dd2 I felt I went totally 'inside myself' and was not aware of anything happening in the 'real world'. Everything the midwives and dh did or said was an intrusion and I really wanted it to be just about me and my baby. I didn't want anyone to touch me, I didn't want anyone to encourage me... I just wanted to get on with it. I don't know if that makes sense, but it was, without doubt, the most intense and amazing experience of my life and I am feeling quite tearful now that I'll never get to repeat it [daft-as-a-brush emoticon]). I don't know whether, in my case, it was partly the contrast with the birth of dd1 (which was also an amazing experience, btw) which was an elective section for placenta praevia after 9 quite stressful weeks in hospital.

Anyway, I'd be too nervous (and after dd1 am too aware of what might go wrong) to actually go through with it, but if things had been different and I'd had a dc3 I'd certainly have asked to have been left alone as much as possible (and would have liked to have been at home if possible too).

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workstostaysane · 21/01/2008 22:24

wow. no lulumama, i have not heard of that but will research. wikipedia was a bit technical in its description.

hattrick - i think its the women of the iKung! tribe in Africa (Kenya perhaps) who go in to the jungle to give birth alone and come back with a baby.

tea and toast very important. will have to give that thought..

and yes i probably would continue with antenatal care because to not do so would aggravate, upset, alarm too many members of my family.

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prettycupcake · 21/01/2008 22:26

in some ways I really feel that we had the closest to free birth as I would feel comforatble with - midwife sat in the kitchen (at my request) writing notes and calling pregnant ladies whilst I was in the sitting room having contractions.
When I got into the birthing pool (I felt it was time) she sat next to the pool with me talking about Norah Jones and Katie Melua (sp?)
In my head there was no one there during contractions baby crowned and I leaned forward and lifted him to my chest I stayed in the pool until I had another contraction and the placenta was delivered (the midwife took it away) Dh cut the cord. (midwife clamped it first)
Dh helped me out of the pool and I sat in the corner of our sofa and breastfed, after she had written up notes and had a cup of tea and some embroidery on my fangola she left. The second midwife arrived just after delivery so she went away after checking that all was well.

I felt more like I had the support of a friend rather than a medical practitioner.

You make the choice that you are comfortable with. Good luck!

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