The thread for first time home birthers (or thinking about it) - over here!

[Boobz]

I only just found out I was pregnant 10 days ago, and it is of course early days, but I have been doing a lot of research and am seriously thinking of having a home birth.

I'm a member of my Due March '09 ante natal club thread, but I don't want to go on about home birthing there where the majority will be planning a hospital birth (don't want to bore them!) I'd like to start this thread for all those people who'd like to talk about the pros and cons, planning, expectations and realities of home births, especially if it is your first baby, or first home birth.

Has everyone else's other halves been fine at the thought of a first baby HB? Or did you have to do some convincing?

A

Just updated my other thread - no real news except I'm thoroughly confused!

Pretty sure that clary sage has done nothing for me btw

Oh dear, maybe it will do more when the contractions actually start. I did manage to strengthen some BHs last weekend with it, not the best idea as they weren't doing anything other than making me uncomfortable.

You've still got a few hours before your induction so there's still time

I am still waiting. Grr. Will try a dh induction later.

looks like HB is definately off... think I'm in labour at 36 weeks!

OMG - good luck!

Anglepoise, how did you get on at the hospital?

Mine might still be a false alarm. BHs steadily got stronger and more frequent from 45 mins apart down to 15 now.. not painful though just crampy.. expect the to stop at any time.

Hospital all fine, though no VE so not sure whether I'm any more dilated or not. What I think are contractions have suddenly kicked in around five min apart - not unbearably painful but extremely crampy (?) - so filling the birth pool as we speak.

Good luck with yours - hope you get the birth you want.

Anglepoise, hope you are holding your little one by now...

I'm still at home, got some sleep last night and haven't really made any progress yet. The contractions are still here but a bit easier than yesterday... not a good sign - just hope they don't die out again.

i graduated today.
Alice Thomasina
4.20 am
8lb 6oz
more details tomorrow.

congrats Foxytocin!!

just to update everyone angelpoise had her little girl yesterday morning at 3.03am - Dita Moth, 7lb 12

no HB in the end but she managed to stay at home until 7cm dilated

Congratulations Foxytocin and Anglepoise Look forward to hearing all the details when you feel up to it in due course. Anglepoise Sorry you didn't get your hb but good that you stayed at home as long as you did.
ajm How are you doing?

Ohhh, was just checking in before leaving on my hols tomorrow to such wonderful news! Congratulations Foxytocin and Anglepoise, although sorry you didn't get your HB Angelpoise. I look forward to reading the details when I get back!

Congratulatiosn Foxytocin and Anglepoise!! Can't wait to hear your birth story and see pictures of your little angels.

Take care of yourselves!!

Looks like mine was a false alarm. It has all stopped for a while. Just the occasional BH when I stand up. Sorry for raising everyones hopes, it felt like the real thing. I should know better as a second time mum

Back to the waiting game

Congrats both Foxytocin and Anglepoise! Exciting news!

And ajm - glad to hear things have calmed down for you, fingers crossed your nipper stays put a little bit longer

birth story here

Congratulations, just read your birth story - Amazing that you did it all by yourself!!

Thanks for updating, Mousey, congrats foxytocin and good luck ajm

I've had some good and bad news today... the bad news is DS has chickenpox, not ideal with a newborn due any day

The good news is that my BP and urine were checked today and both are better than last week so they have delivered my HB kit today.
Also, the threat of induction has been lifted for a week or so as baby is safer in than out with chickenpox in the house as I am immune.

If baby arrives on its own, I don't know what happens.

good luck everyone. will keep an eye on this thread for birth stories.

ajm Hope baby stays put for a little bit longer and that DS isn't suffering too badly with chickenpox.
Update from me - I have the go-ahead for a HB! I had a consultant appointment and scan on Monday for the baby's renal dilation and he's not unduly concerned. I'm to be re-scanned in 3 weeks to see if there's any change. Baby will be scanned sometime within 6 weeks of birth but not within the first 3 days so this doesn't affect hb. GBS result was negative so I can order my pool later today MW will drop off the paperwork for hb once I get to 37 weeks - baby just needs to hang on for another 10 days! She's 3/5 engaged so on her way MW said that whole team of CMW is very pro-hb so whoever is on duty when I go into labour will be good, which is reassuring, although I do have a doula booked in any case. She also said that our Trust a 6% rate for hb so above the national average which I believe is 2% according to a NCT booklet I have. Wish this was the case for more of you on this thread and that you didn't have to fight so hard...

hello all

still breech, 37 weeks, pct say breech=no home birth, and are sort of forcing the elective c section route. i am adamant that i will wait until contractions begin naturally, go to hospital, scan and see position and then make decision (midwith pointed out it can turn any time and i can always go home after scan at hospital if it has turned).

trying absolutely everything to turn her, no joy. ECV booked for tuesday.. anyone with experience...

gladd to here some success stories, well done all, keep your fingres xed for me that the stubborn litle one turns (although as DH points out, probably inherited stubborn trait from you know who).

Wombleprincess Good luck with the ecv not had one but there was a thread a few weeks ago about them that might help you.

wow foxytocin how you managed to stay relatively calm and just get on with the job I don't know!

Hope the chickenpox clears in time ajm...hang in there baby!

had my 37 week appt, picked up our homebirth kit (not enough midwives for one to drop it round apparently??? doesn't bode well)...was worried when she said there's one midwife on call for the whole borough so if there's someone else in labour i have to go to hospital, go the number for the community midwife team who work in the same centre to see if they have any space for me, will be so gutted not to even get to try to HB and kicking myself for not pushing to change teams months ago...we'll see I suppose...DH has said we'll just keep calling them and say I won't go to hospital but I don't really fancy freebirthing if I can help it!

thanks Girlwithmouseyhair. TBH, I knew I preferred to give birth alone without MWs rather than to go into hospital. I have felt that way since they were giving me problems with a HB and never told anyone how I felt. For me to have freebirthed by accident has actually been the icing on my cake.

seriously well done then - though have to admit the thought of doing it with 1st baby scares me a bit too much, am amazed at your DD being so calm too....might get DH to dig out my Ina May guide to midwifery just in case...i don't wanna go to hospital just cos there isn't a midwife waaaaaah!