So if there was a strong possibility that you could end up labouring very quickly, alone, with no medical people about, or anyone else for that matter, what would you do to prepare?

[NatalieJaneIsPregnantAgain]

Other than shit it obviously, that goes without saying!

I am talking practically, what things/equipment would you want to hand, and what medical info would you want to know about that you perhaps have missed despite giving birth before? I'm talking exactly what they do to a baby in those split seconds after he's been born.

I need to know everything please else I think I might just go slightly insane.

Sorry has turned a bit manic here with kids and phone calls....

PotPourri, I'm not sure I would be 'with it' enough to ring, even if it was a slower build up. I have an irritable uterus, which means I have contractions most of the time, and for some periods they can be very strong and very regular, if I mistake the start of labour for a bout of IU contractions, by the time it got to the point when I'd be thinking 'this IS it' I'd be past the point of being able to move. Going off my two labours I have had I know that once it's started I am no good at anything other than lying down, on my back, and labouring, I can't move, I can't stay quiet (no matter how much the MW tells me to!), I certainly wouldn't be able to make it across the room to get the phone. I know how OTT that sounds, but it is just how I labour, I can't do anything about it.

MummyDoc, a home birth was my first thought, at least the pack would be here. But, firstly I've had a few complications this pregnancy and although everything seems fine now, I'm not sure they'd agree to a HB after everything that's happened, secondly, when I booked in for a HB with DS2, they did warn me that it would take CMW at least an hour to get here, so I'd probably have given birth before anyone got here even if I did manage to ring them, and thirdly, if the worst case senario happened and I can't ring anyone, then the CMW wouldn't know to come out anyway. Due to the complications I've had, I've not seen my own MW team for a while, but I am hoping to see them on Tuesday if I can squeeze an appointment out of the GP receptionist! I will talk to them about a HB and see what they say, but TBH, I'm not holding out much hope.

So practically speaking, I have some simple questions, the baby comes out, will I be able to reach him to catch him or will he just slip out onto the floor? Other than is he breathing what else do I need to check for? If he isn't breathing because of being stuffed up with mucousy bits how do I get that out? And know it's all out, and that he hasn't breathed any of it in? And where do I get a squeezy bulb mucous getter outer thing from?!

I know to leave the cord in tact, should I be trying to push the placenta out? Or trying to keep it in? Or just take notice of whatever my body does and let it get on with it?

Anything else I need to know?

I ended up giving birth on the bedroom floor within 5 mins of my waters breaking. Luckily my dh was at home but he didnt believe me when I said this baby is coming NOW! He told me to calm down lol. The first thing to do is wrap baby as quickly as possible (but not with every towel in the house like dh did) check the airway, make sure baby is breathing. Our lo was very stunned when she came out and even blowing on her face didnt shock her I put my little finger inside her mouth to make sure she hadnt got any gunk inside but she let a little whimper out. We held her for about 2 mins when we thought best ring an ambulance whilst on the phone I delivered the placenta. The paramedics came about 10 mins later and midwives about another 15 mins after that. The funniest thing was I was half starkers on the floor and stayed there for ages thinking cord needed cutting and I couldnt move you would think after 3 others I would have realised. Just try to be calm keep baby warm and get some help our dd was admitted to hospital because her body temp was 31 also she was 4lb 3oz. They whole thing lasted from first pain till she was in my arms less than 10 minutes.

You know Nat if you do get to term, the cmw may agree to sweep you at 3 days over, talk to them about it.
They would then be on high alert for a possible fast birth and expect you to labour within hours if your cervix was favourable.
I went into labour 1 hour after my sweep and the cmw was round like a shot knowing it was the real thing. Perhaps something to talk to them about.

Nat , I know severeal women who have been induced at 38 weeks due to precipiate labours, and based on your history and your response to previous induction, you could be in with a chance. best thing to do wis to see consultant armed with a list of why an induction or some sort of intervention to bring about a more controlled birth would be beneficial.

and you know i am not a huge fan of intervention per se

if you end up having a BBA, call 999, do not attempt to slow or stop the baby coming, listen to your body, as the head crowns put yuor hands down onto your perineum and pant, once baby is delivered, then skin to skin wrapped up warm and do not do anything with the cord. a BBA if it is v v quick is because nothing is holding hte baby back.

have a keyword you can text a close friend so they know to call 999 for you if you are not in a state to call anone?

I would get into the habit of having your phone with you at all times if necessary get one of those clips so you can wear it round your neck like a necklace.

I would make sure there was a stack of towels upstairs and one downstairs so that you can get to it whereever you are.

I would try to get onto a baby resusitation course if you can, if not get your midwife to prep you.

I think the phone check from your dh is a great idea so if you don't answer he calls 999 & midwife for you.

And TRY not to panic. My friend gave birth to her little girl on the toilet last week, thankfully the midwife was there for an appointment and she went to the loo, had D&V then a baby within about 20 mins. She was totally fine.

I was really concerned about this with DS2 for similar reasons. In the end, I had a doula. She was only half an hour away and I delivered my baby with no other help.

One piece of advice a midwife gave me when I said I was worried about doing it alone was DRY the baby. You can even rescuscitate a baby by giving it a good rub. So rubbing while doing skin to skin is vital.

My birth was lovely because doula was there. it would have been rather brutal and scary if she hadn't, quite honestly.

LOL Sorky, if I went into labour an hour after a sweep at the MW's, I'd be on the bus still coming home, not sure our lovely bus driver would be best pleased Mind, it would save all of the 'what if's?'! Might be an idea, I'll get a bus pass thingy for the month and just sit on the bus all day!

Lulu, a text code word could work, if I can keep enough about me to actually do it!

I am guessing BBA is a very fast labour?

Hi NJ, my dd2 is 2 weeks old tomorrow and I was worried about precisely the same thing as you prior to her birth. I had a quick birth on dd1 and this time round the consultant mentioned inducing me at 38 weeks as we are a long way from the hospital. I have to admit I became obsessed with the idea of going into labour at home with dd1 (2.5) and stressed myself out completely. My blood pressure went up (not sure if anything to do with the stress or just coincidence) and I ended up with 3 hospital stays prior to her birth. However, despite the mention of it early in my pregnancy the hospital were very reluctant to induce me and took a wait and see approach - I was constantly told by the midwives that previous fast labour was no indication of what would happen this time, so don't rely too much on the possibility of being induced.
In the end I was discharged on medication for the blood pressure on a tuesday afternoon, went into labour on Wednesday night and barely made it to the hospital. DD2 was born after just 3 pushes.
I think you are right to research what to do if it comes to managing alone but trust your instincts. If you feel something is happening just call 999. Best of luck.

No, no, she came to the house for it and then rang me to check everything was okay, by which point the contractions had moved up a notch and she came back out. I was def in labour.

If I'd gone to her clinic for it, i'd have laboured in the local park walking home lol

So list of things to get:

Sucky mucous getter outter bulb thingumy
Cord to turn my mobile into a necklace
Doula
Anything else?

Seriously, phone is in my pocket most of the time anyway, will ask MW about a baby resuss class or any tips from her. I think I am going to have to put a little pile of stuff together, one up stairs and one down, with towels, pads, baby hat, a sucky bulb thing (where do I get one of those from?) anything else?

keep a clean towel warming on the radiators to wrap him in.

FWIW I had similar worries (and I was right to have, but one MW did make it in time- 35 minute labour) and the MW told me that had I not decided on a home birth they would have agreed to induce me for this.

Congrats Suiledonn And well done for making it to the hospital in time!

Oh another tip- even if you can't speak dial 999 and just leave the phone; they send a police car / ambulance if they cannot contact you

You're right though, DH had to force me to call- I wouldn't have otherwise, don't know why- instinct took over. He had to call the doula.

Peachy, when I first spoke to my MW about seeing the cons for induction (months ago), she listened to all my worries and concerns and said she thought he'd agree to induce me at term, but not before. Now the MW today said I might get him down to 41 weeks. And opinions on here have ranged from everything between he'll deffo agree to not a prayer! I guess I'll not know until we've seen him, but one thing is for sure, if he does agree to induce me I'm not leaving till he's booked it in, and written it in caps all over my notes so that no one can then turn round and say no!

Warmed towel is good idea Sorky

Is 112 easier to trace, or is that an urban myth?

have left an interesting link for you on the wagon Nat about fast births and what to do.

I didn't even think 112 worked in England? Thought it was American?

Just call 999 and scream loudly if you cant speak. They WILL send someone to help you.

I think as long as you keep your phone on you at all times you will be ok as you will be able to at least dial 999 even if you cant do anything else.

sucky bulb thing available form boots or other chemists are available i meant asking your mw for a home birht kit at home not a home birth so you would have all the stuff. most antnatal / nct groups will have some stuff on baby resus - i know there used to be a video you could watch - try your local nct .

Is there a medical reason you couldn't go for a home birth?

If not, why not do it? It's the solution I had and it left me feeling very calm about the whole thing. My labours have been very intense and the thought of doing ANYTHING but birthing, especially getting to hospital freaked me out.

My DS2 just slipped out as I did crazy Haka-style wildebeest dance in the sitting room while DS1 slept upstairs. 90 minutes from first contraction.

Oh God, sorry. really should read ALL The posts!

BBA is birth before arrival. i.e arrival of MW.

i think you need to see consult. obs asap and tell him all this. and then get second opinion if he is no amenable to the idea

Could you get one of those button things that old people have in case they fall? The sort of thing that all you have to do is push something that is on something round your neck and someone comes ?

There are also these rescue alert things if you think you will be unable to talk. You just press the button and they can identify you instantly and if you can't talk will direct appropriate assistance. I can't vouch for the service as I have never used it.

www.helpline.co.uk/questions.html