First time home birthers and their support squad

[jollyjoanne]

Not a homebirther personally but wanting to offer support to Boobz and others who are going for a home birth . . .

woohoo! pool booked in - we have it for 5 weeks from when I am 37 weeks, so heres hoping baby comes on time, othrwise its a very expensive indoor spa....

Very excited now - just have to tell midwives that I am having the home birth...have been phoning them with not much response until now, although current midwife did text me this morning to tell me stop worrying, we have plenty of time to book me in for homebirth and to iron out the issues with the consultant...hope so!

going to be checking in lots on this thread to see how everyone elses HB plans go.as I still have ages and am going to be bored of the waiting..can I add myself to the list now?

Hi Girls, I'm sorry to crash your thread, just wondering whether you'll be able to offer any advice - to cut it short, I'm overweight, have a BMI of 39 and wondering if I'll still be able to have a homebirth if no complications.

thread here, please help!

Thank You xxx

Hello all. Sorry to be quiet for so long.

Baby James arrived last Tuesday morning at 7.55 weighing 8lb 15oz.

Contractions started at about 9.30 Monday evening and were regular by about 11pm so we rang the midwife who said to call back when they were 4-5 mins apart.

By 1am they were coming every 3 mins so we called back and spoke to another midwife who told us that she didn't normally cover our area but the full moon had put everyone into labour and there were babies being born everywhere. We were her second birth of the night!

She came out straight away but while we were waiting the contractions slowed down and then stopped all together. I was convinced that I wasn't actually in labour and had obviously been making a big fuss about nothing so felt really bad about calling her out in the middle of the night. Anyway, she arrived. Checked me over, examined me and I was 6-7cms! All very exciting and she advised that we have a cup of tea, chill out and wait for the contractions to restart. We called my parents to be in the house if DD woke and waited for it all to kick off again.

However, 4 hours later I'd had a handful of contractions and was only 7-8cms so she suggested breaking my waters. It was 5.30am by this point and I was really starting to feel tired so agreed to go ahead and within 30mins the contractions were back and strong.

The next part is a bit of a blur - at 6.30 I fainted which scared everyone quite a lot but after some lucozade felt a lot better. Last time I didn't really notice transition but this time I felt awful - there didn't seem to be a gap between the contractions and I was hanging onto the gas and air for dear life! Think I started pushing just after 7.30 and he was born just before 8am.

Needed a few stitches as my scar from last time opened up so the midwives stitched me up while DH showed off our new son to his grandparents and then I fed him, tucked up in bed while DD came to meet her new brother for the first time.

So, all in all it was quite long and tiring (although nothing like to mammoth efforts some of you ladies have put in) but I was SOOO glad we were at home. I think in hospital I would have felt much more stressed about the lack of progression in the middle and it was so nice to be with a MW who just recommended a cup of tea and a bounce on the birthing ball to keep things moving rather than talking about putting me on a drip.

Right, have written FAR too much so will stop there and wish all of you still waiting lots of luck with your arrivals.

Just wanted to update......DD2 was born in hospital on 12th Feb. Having been told there was no problem with my home birth all the way through my pregnancy, a concern was raised at 36 weeks that I was carrying a big baby and could therefore not have a home birth. After a week of chasing I managed to get a meeting with the consultant midwife at 37 weeks........she told me lots of horror stories and advised me that I could have my home birth but that it would be against medical advice and she would put in writing to me that we had discussed the risks etc (so I couldn't sue them if anything went wrong I think!)

It was a v stressful meeting for me, and at the end of it she decided to take my blood pressure........funnily enough it was high!! She then added that into the mix as a reason why it would be dangerous to birth at home. We decided that I would go home and discuss everything with my husband before getting back to her with a decision the next day so that she could post me her letter.

My waters broke at 2.30am that night so I ended up in hospital. DD2 was born at 5.54am weighing 9lb 6oz.

Very annoyed that no concerns were voiced re my home birth until I was past 36 weeks (especially as DD1 was born at 37+1). In the event though, I ended up having a PPH (they think due to big baby and fast labour) so was definitely in the right place.........still doesn't stop me being annoyed though! On the other hand though I have my beautiful baby girl here safe and sound so I really can't aask for any more than that.

I really hope the rest of you get the birth you want and wish you all lots of luck XX

Oooh! Two birth stories in quick succession -brilliant. Congratulations intravenouscoffee and heth1980. Sorry things didn't go as you hoped, heth.

Congrats to you both x

I am 30 weeks now and your story Heth has made me realise that I shouldn't take it for granted that I will get my homebirth.

The hospital where I had my two sons has now closed, and to be honest, I had no intention of even visiting the alternative hospital unless absolutley necessary! But thinking about it, I should really, as you mention, where I live I wont actually get 'officially' assessed for homebirth until 37 weeks. So quite late if they then raise concerns!

So pleased everything was ok, sorry it didn't go as planned but thanks for sharing your story. x

hi there

Not only a firstime mum-to-be, but new to this posting malarky too!
Due on 8th June & really really want a homebirth which as long as everything continues to run smoothly, is looking quite likely.
Would love to have a birthing pool too, but we're in a first floor converted flat & have been told by my MW that this isn't possible.
Our bath is pretty big though, so am hoping that will suffice!?!

Am looking forward to following all your stories from here in on...
thanks to everyone for sharing

Congratulations Intravenous, and Heth....I'm glad everything went well in the end for you, but you didn't get the birth you wanted Heth, and intravenous, to me no birth story is too long hehe....I probably won't be able to stop once I get going
3weeks left for me...woohoo!! Although dd1 was born exactly a week late, so I keep adding an extra week on, just so I don't get tooo excited! Home birth kit is being dropped off this morning, and I'm picking my tens machine up from the hospital next Tuesday...keep telling lil Jude that no matter how eager I am to meet him, he's more than welcome to wait in there til then!!

Congratulations intravenouscoffee and heth1980! Glad you and your babies are all OK x
I'm 36 weeks tomorrow...getting closer...

Hi all, congratulations to all the new arrivals!

Midwife dropped off my home birth kit yesterday as am now 37 weeks and apart from the house being in utter chaos am feeling pretty good.

Hi everyone - first pregnancy (36 weeks) and heading for a home birth, baby and body willing! I've had a very straightforward pregnancy so far and have a home birth assessment on Saturday so fingers crossed.

Donttry - my baby addled brain remembers you from the early days of TTC ramblings, nice to see you here!

Oooh lovely new arrivals - congratulations ladies!

Keep trying to post, but always seem to have baby attached to bosom when reading.

smurf26 I had my baby in the bath - scroll back a bit for the story and the photos (he was born 20th Jan) If I were going to do it again, I would put a folded up towel in the bottom of the bath to kneel on. Perhaps get a good book and try out some positions, you might be in them for some time! Also make sure you have some plasticine (not playdoh) or gaffer tape to hand to block the overflow of the bath to get it as deep as possible.

opalfruity my house seems to be in a permanent state of utter chaos, I think it's when we stop noticing it we're in real trouble ;)

Welcome nocoffee I hope Saturday goes well for you.

Congratulations to intravenouscoffee and Heth1980 - very different stories to tell but glad to hear both are arrived safe and well.

Smurf26 - welcome! I donÃ?Â?t think the MW can tell you whether you can or canÃ?Â?t have a pool Ã?Â? whatÃ?Â?s the reason they gave you? Welcome to other joiners too - Nocoffeenoworkee, Holytoast, rlp and speedygonzalez (hope I havenÃ?Â?t missed anyone). I have added all the newbies to the list and updated our latest 2 arrivals.

Has anyone heard from Fiziwizzle or sunnybump? Did I miss their birth announcements?

Donttrythisathome, Caitni and Madformaincoons- a few days overdue now for you three Ã?Â? how are you feeling? Any signs yet?

Cherrypie3 - so sorry, but really have no idea about home birth and BMI. I think youÃ?Â?ve already been directed to the homebirth.org site which I think has some research on the issue.

Not much to report here Ã?Â? I am HUGE for 27 weeks which is a bit disconcerting as I was all nice and neat for Penelope. IÃ?Â?m hoping this means I am having a boy rather than brewing a 10-pounder... Am about to go for the second part of a job interview tomorrow so should really be doing some research, but find myself doing some proper HB thread catch up instead (itÃ?Â?s been ages since I posted!)
Hope all the overdue ladies kick in soon... there are LOADS of ladies due late March / April so I think there will be a flurry of activity on here over the next few weeks. Do come back old timers with photos so we can see what all these home birth babies look like!

Due

Fiziwizzle, DC#1, due 8 Feb, Planned home birth
Sunnybump DC#1 due 18 Feb planned home water birth, NE Scotland
Donttrythisathome, DC#1, due 1 March, planned home birth, Brighton
Caitni, DC#1 due 2 March, planned home water birth, North London
Mad4mainecoons, DC#2 due 4 March, planned home birth, Cornwall
Opalfruity, DC#1, due 28 March, planned hypno-water birth, Newcastle
PrincessTweetz, DC#2 due 28 March, planned home birth, Coventry
Bettymum, DC#2 due 7 April, planned home birth, Berkshire
Nocoffeenoworkee, DC#1 due 10 April, planned home birth
Toady, DC#4 due 17 April, home birth, Torquay
Holytoast, DC#1 due 23 April, planned home birth
Flybynight, DC#4 due 24 April, planned home birth, Leeds
rlp, DC#2, due 24 April, planned home water birth
Speedygonzalez, due late April, planned home birth
Morethemerrier, DC#3 due 14 May, planned home birth
Smurf26, DC#2 due 8 June, planned home birth
Boobz, DC#2 due June 9, planned home water birth, South London
Wheredidmyfeetgo, DC#3 due 28 June, planned home birth, Wiltshire
Heather1980, DC#3 due September, planned home birth

Arrived

Happyfaces, DC#1 arrived 12 January, induction at 39 weeks due to Cholestasis, Cambridgeshire Name??
Motherofsnortpigs, Humphrey Peter David arrived 20 January at home (very quick labour!)
MamaLazarou, DC#1 arrived 20 January, transfer due to transverse lie. Name?
Bellaballoon, DC#1 arrived 24 January at home. Name??
SouthWestWhippet, Francesca arrived 30 January, transfer due to established labour not kicking in
Raindroprhyme, Seth Cooper arrived 1 Feb, transfer due to lack of midwives (nice hospital birth)
Comeonbishbosh, Iris Anna arrived 3 Feb at home
Verylittlecarrot, Boy arrived 6 Feb at home
Heth1980, Girl, arrived 12 Feb in hospital due to pre term arrival
Twofalls, Polly arrived 26 Feb at home
intravenouscoffee, James, arrived 2 March at home.

Nothing to report here im afraid!.
now a week overdue one sweep done and another booked for sunday - joy! i am getting cramps and tightenings but they never trun into anything productive, so im proper fed up.

just praying that baby makes an appearence soon as im terrified of being induced and had really set my heart on a homebirth. MW says stay positive, there is time yet but i cant help thinking there is something wrong, My DS was the day before his due date so why wont my body do it this time.

congratulations to Intravenouscoffee on the birth of James. so happy for you.

best withes to everyone else, please send any labour vibes in my direction.x

Awww - thinking of you Mad - I know how much you want a HB. Try not to get fed up - you need to be a in a positive frame of mind for when things do kick off. My DD came the day before my due date, so I guess I will be like you - annoyed if this one comes late! Have you tried all the normal natural ways of bringing on labour? Breast pump worked a treat for me last time...

thanks for the lovely welcome! It's so nice finally being able to listen to lots of positive stories & comments on homebirths!

Boobz - the MW told me that we had to be on the ground floor to have a birth pool because of the weight once it was filled with water. Am currently getting advice from a structural engineer to find out if this is the case as La Bassine website is telling me that the weight is only as much as 6/7 people standing in the same place, surely perfectly acceptable?!

motherofsnortpigs - thanks very much for the tips for birthing in a bath, they sound like very sound advice! Can I ask was the comb purely to distract from the pain in the first stage?

Comb digging into palm of hand is acupressure. Look here It does it for me. In fact I loved all the acupressure stuff during labour. It gave DH something very focussed to do and it seems to help.

Well my planned home birth was almost scuppered yesterday as (at 36+2) midwife dispatched me off to hospital having had a little show, lots of lower back pain and contractions 10 mins apart. Happily baby did not fancy making an appearance and as I wasn't dilated I came home. If baby had decided to come I wouldn't have been able to have a water birth or a home birth! Keeping finger, legs and uterus crossed til Tuesday when I'll be 37 weeks and open to choice. I was quite surprised at just how calm, clean and relaxing the birth suite was so at least I know now that I won't be terrified of being transferred if needs be.

What a palaver! Hope you're all well

Thankyou for adding me to the list Boobz. I am getting a little more excited now, 34 weeks now!
We are still in limbo about the home birth - due to some seizures I had 13 years ago, my note have me down as epileptic, and as such the consultant won't support home birth...however, my veiw is very dfferent, as I live only 15 mins away from the hopsital, and would be much happier at home, and hopefully being more relaxed would make a seizure (v unlikely anyway!) much less likely.
Midwifes, although not willing it seems to make a descision to book me in, are very supportive of home birth - the area in Kent we live in has a high rate of home birth. Just going to take a letter to my next appointment telling them we are taking everything they advise int consideration, but are doing it anyway!

Birth pool arrives in under 3 weeks, combined with finishing work - which I cannot wait for - going to be bliss! I am feeling very uncomfortable all of a sudden this week - lots of pressure 'down there', combined with really strong kicking feelings in my ribs - does anyone know from previous experience if this might mean the baby is finally head down and starting to engage?

anyway, good luck everyone who is due imminently - will be on here a fair amount I should think, looking for lists of what to start getting in ready for the birth!

I DID IT SHE ARRIVED!! AT HOME!!

Just thought i would let you all know. My Labour started slowly last friday afternoon, 41+1 wks. at first the contractions were mild and erratic but gradually became more regular although i could talk through most of them so i knew it was early on. nevertheless, we sent DS for a sleepover at Nana's in case things did kick off properly in the night.

during the evening the CX became more regular so i phoned by best friend who was to be with me for support and the MW - as they requested to give as much notice as poss as i wanted a homebirth. and after speaking to what seemed like endless people i realised that there was no on duty midwife for my area that night and they were sending another from another team to see me, if labour progressed fast i would have to go to the hospital due to lack of staff cover . so when the midwife arrived she confirmed it was still early on and as i was coping with the CX easily she left at about 2am to see if we could all get some sleep.

i dozed on and off till about 5.30am when things seemed to get more serious, i had a show and started to feel sick with each CX. so at 7.30 i got DH to phone the duty MW and my Friend and they both arrived quickly, after examining me the MW said i was already 8cm dialated and said she needed to contact the second midwife pretty quick! by the time she got the gas and air from her car my body was starting to push (i had no control of this at all!) and by the time the second midwife arrived i was pushing with nearly every CX. my waters then suddnly burst and the pushing was unstoppable, within 3/4 pushes the head was born and one more delivered her body along with enough pressurised water to completely soak the poor midwife , as i was on all fours. i had no stitches and a natural third stage which was hard work but the placenta was deliverd within 10mins, Baby fed straight away and i was completely in awe that the dream of a natural homebirth had become a wonderful reality!

i still cant believe how fantastic it was and sinking into my own bath while my best friend helped DH dress our baby girl was undescribable . thank you all for your support on this thread and to all of you still hoping for your homebirth, all i can say is go for it, it will be the best experience of your life

Wow Mad - what a fabulous birth story! Well done, you really deserved it. The last part (from about 8cm on) sounded very similar to my home birth (although I had the injection rather than a natural 3rd stage) and I remember clearly having the bath afterwards (no stitches - yippee) whilst DH got Penelope dressed and then I wandered into our bedroom and she was just there, in the middle of the bed, snuffling and looking good enough to eat.

Making me look forward to doing it all again in just 3 short months... (although I hope I can emulate your getting-to-8cm way of dilating, rather than my own more snail like pace like last time...)

Do we have a name yet?

Holytoast - glad you are sticking to your guns - I hope you get the result you want. I know how you feel about finishing work - I couldn't wait last time, and have already finished this time... and as this is your first, it's even better as you get to spend mat leave truly relaxing, as the next mat leave you will have, you'll be running around after this one coming now... so it will never be as restful again!

As for me - ante natal appt tomorrow and anti D injection next week - nothing too exciting. Have made a list of what i still need to get for this one (mainly stuff for me actually - tens machine, breast pads, maternity pads etc)... and I am even going to buy a little blue boy outfit, just in case... obviously have LOTS of little girl outfits already... and other than that I think we have everything since DD was so recent...

Thanks Boobz.

sorry yes she has a name

Holly Eleanor.

x.

Feeling a bit miserable today.

Midwife says my BP is up, I have just had a show and DH is away overnight as he has a meeting in Bradford tomorrow.

I know it could be another few weeks before anything kicks off, it's just making me panic that it's going to be all systems go while he's not here.

Wibble.

Congratulations on your little girl Mad!

Congrats Mad, sounds like a beautiful home birth!

Opal, I was sent into the day assesment unit on Friday as BP was 139/94? Trace of protien, swollen hands and dodgy floaty dots in vision! Seemed like my HB plans were scuppered.

But was practically kicked out after 45 mins of monitoring as BP readings went down to 110/58?

Saw my midwife again yesterday, it was low again so hopefully it was just a one off and I will still get my HB!

Try to relax though, and rest, I had a show with DS2, but it was still about ten days before anything happened. x