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Original poster

We've decided to go for a homebirth - what questions do I need to ask?

8 replies

fymandbean · 14/12/2008 14:46

I have a lovely midwife who has suggested to me I have a home birth but - after a lot of discussion with DH we've decided to go for it!

Am seeing her tomorrow at 9am - what questions do I need to ask?

Is there anything I need to do to prepare?

Tips help and advice greatly appreciated.

(PS this is DC2 for us DS1 arrive after 24hrs labour with no intervention, just G&A and Tens, although I was very very tired.)

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StarlightWonderStarlightBright · 14/12/2008 14:48

How much gas and air do they provide. Mine only brought 20mins worth for transition.

Do you want a pool?

IceCube · 14/12/2008 16:16

Are the midwives trained in water birth, as I think some aren't.

What situations would make them prefer you to come into hosp or transfer in i.e. slow progress etc

My midwife asked me to make sure there would be an adjustable lamp for stitches, and I have got some plastic sheeting a birth pool and tens machine on hand. Just waiting for DS1 to make an appearance now as I have gone overdue.

Original poster
fymandbean · 14/12/2008 19:26

Thank you both - that's a good one about G&A - I must have used about 10 hours worth with DS1!

OP posts:
StarlightWonderStarlightBright · 14/12/2008 19:33

Don't be put off if they don't have as much as you think you'd like though. I didn't give birth at home because of this and at the mlu I was so relaxed I only had a couple of sucks at crowning, so didn't need even 20 mins.

(I used 4 large canisters in 7 hours with DC1)

sorkycake · 14/12/2008 19:35

Midwives who aren't trained in home water birth (many are now) ought to seek training if that's what you want.
That's exactly what my community team of m/w's had to do to prefer for my first HWB.

IME they never bring enough G&A

asicsgirl · 14/12/2008 19:36

we had a hb with ds2 and it was fab. i recommend this site if you don't know it already - lots of ideas on what to ask/ how to prepare.

might be worth asking how long it takes to get mw out to you. our hosp is 20 mins away but in fact it took mw over an hour to get to us each time (we had a few false starts ) and the last time we really left it a bit late to call her out!

Original poster
fymandbean · 14/12/2008 20:03

Thanks for the link asicsgirl!

OP posts:
asicsgirl · 15/12/2008 11:02

you are most welcome. here's to a good hb

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