Homebirth - did you have a back up birthing partner?

[kookiegoddess]

I'm planning to have a homebirth (it's my first baby) and my husband will be my birthing partner. He told me he will probably have to go on a business trip about a month/5 wks before I'm due. I have a slight concern that the baby might come early (I was early and so was my baby bro, no other real reason for this worry) and wonder if I need to find someone to be a back up birthing partner to stay with me whilst he's away, just to be on the safe side. It's really important that I have someone with me apart from midwives who I trust, who knows what I want, and who has an excellent understanding of the birthing process and pain relief measures I plan to use. What did you do? Did you have a back up person for yr HB?

Most midwives won't do a home birth before 37 weeks, I'm fairly certain they are not recommended before then as the baby will technically be premature.

But of course you may want a back up birthing partner if you do go into premature labour and have to go into hospital.

Have you thought about a doula? I had my Mum as secindary birth partner but in the event she ended up really irritating me and I made her go home

Next time I definitely want a doula.

I had someone in mind as back-up for my first two births, which were planned hsopital births. Oddly enough I didn't do this for my planned homebirth (which ended up a hospital birth anyway). I think it would be a good idea to arrange a back-up in your circumstances. But you would need to have some preparation with that person, to make sure that they knew what you wanted and wouldn't be spooked by it all - especially if you called on them unexpectedly. Also, if it's someone like,say, your mum, make sure she won't be disappointed if she's not your birth partner, and won't expect to be around if you don't 'need' her. Not that I'm saying anything aboout your mum,but I'm sure you know what mums can be like .

I had my first baby at home 2 yrs ago and had 2 birth partners, DH and my mum (so not really a back-up situation). I laboured over night and they took turns to sleep so that they were better rested to support me.

This time round I'm looking for a doula as hopefully my mum will be looking after the toddler.

I felt absolutely fine all throughout out pg and then really got the jitters about being alone in the last week before my due date, so my mum came to stay - and DH was only a few miles away at the office . You may feel that you want someone to keep you company when 35/36 weeks pg, or you may want some time to yourself! Have you got a close friend or relative who might be able to help?

I had DD4 at home. It was the most fantastic experience. My DH stopped his business trips the week before I was due but I did have my mum, my sister and my best friend all on stand by incase it all happened while DH not around.

I had three birth partners, my two closest friends and Xp. They were amazing in terms of support for me and each other. Although I wanted all three there, it did alleviate concerns over whether or not my birth partner would make it, I felt I could bank on at least two of them doing so! I've never felt so strong and well supported in birth

I wasn't allowed an HB until I was 38 weeks so unless you are using an independent mw I would have thought you would need to go to hospitla if its that early. Good luck with your HB though, I loved mine.

I wasn't allowed an HB until I was 38 weeks so unless you are using an independent mw I would have thought you would need to go to hospitla if its that early. Good luck with your HB though, I loved mine.