Diary of a planned homebirth

[ChocOrange05]

While I am waiting for my HB I thought I would write this thread for all those other first timers who are planning HB's. I am a first timer and I have no idea whats going to happen or whether it will result in a successful HB but I thought this could be useful to others in my position...

oh sorry!! This was meant to be post on my Post-natal thread oops... that's what happens when you bf and MN simultaneously!!! Sorry

Congratulations ChocO!! I only found this thread last night but I read it all and have been waiting for you to get back I'm due Friday and am hoping for the all-natural-home-waterbirth but I have to remember that my body might have other plans! Well done for staying so calm and thanks for sharing, hope you have a wonderful time getting to know your little boy

Picture uploaded - I think he's gorgeous but I might be biased!

He is lovely, Choco. Absolutely gorgeous. Totally unbiased opinion.

Lol at the baby Epidural

Good luck pbo I hope your HB is successful - mine wasn't as planned but I still consider it a success as I got to labour mostly at home which was much better than making such unladylike noises in a hospital and I got a lovely healthy baby out of it!

He's gorgeous. If I wasn't pregnant already I would be terribly broody.

Great story Chocorange - and a beautiful boy. I think he looks like an Edward to me If it's any comfort to you I've had three episiotomys and always healed very well. If you're concerned about the stitches just get the midwifes to have a look and do the same if it becomes suddenly more sore instead of less. The stitches will start falling out and you'll see bits of thread when you wipe after going to the loo (sorry if TMI but it scared me the first time - I assumed I'd come undone!)

Congratulations - your little boy is gorgeous. I am also planning a homebirth but it is good to know that being transferred is not the end of the world and you can still stay in control and have a positive experience overall (and of course you still get a lovely baby at the end of it!)

Badkitty I would say that being transferred to hospital is only a fear in advance of the scenario - for me when it was decided I needed to go I was grateful for it as I knew it was necessary. I'd not wanted to spend ages in the hospital labouring and not stay in afterwards and the first was succeeded by staying at home as long as poss and the second by bugging the MW's as soon as I had given birth about going home. I think they like to keep you in but if you ask to be checked over and prove you are alright there is no need to.

Oh ChocO, he is lovely. Well done you x I hope you are enjoying your first few days as a family x

Congrats - he is sooo cute! Did the epidural take the pain away then? I'm still swinging between planned c sect or going for it again but with an epidural - had a rough time last time and very bad tear - I too screamed for drugs but was told I couldn't have an epidural as no one free to do it - happy day's.

ooh congratulations!!!! have been following this thread waiting for news. he is absolutely scrummy!!!!! [broody emoticon]

Choco, lovely baby!!

Have warm baths in salty water (1 packet per bath), it reduces risk of infection and helps to heal more quickly.

Gillyan the epidural was amazing and you can't feel anything, the only wierd thing is I have no real concept of the second stage of labour as I didn't know when to push and had no feeling of it apart from when the head came out. You also get really bad shakes afterwards but they go away after an hour or two.

thanks so much for finishing the story choco, well it's the start of a new one for you isn't it - all the very best and thanks for being so honest in your labour story. A lot of my friends won't tell me theirs as they think it will panic me but I like to read truths, and yours was lovely.

oooh, NorthernLurker....when does that happen with the stitches? My epi was 10 days ago and things are feeling a bit tight and nippy down there.

What a beautiful baby - you must be soooo proud and happy!!

Oh crumbs I can't really remember I know one of my stitches came out very early on with dd3 but all was ok (made dh look - he did not enjoy that!) I think it was about a week to 10 days so your should be coming out any time! I did find taht as I became more active they nipped a bit but then that wore off as everything healed. It is best to ask your midwife to have a look though if you're uncomfortable - the last thing you want is an infection and after all you've endured in labour her having a quick look is nothing. They just get you to lie on your side and lift a leg - that shows them all they need to see!

I am noe VERY broody, what a gorgeous little baby!

Well done choc! Baby choc is totally gorgeous...!

cheers frosty and NL . she is coming tomorrow afternoon. I have already endured several MWs looking at my nether regions since the birth, so one more won't make any odds