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 . . .

Congrats PrincessTweetz! You sound elated and on a high from your lovely homebirth!

I love your sons name, I wanted Jude for DS1 but was vetoed from all angles (it was over ten years ago!), and I am sure he is lovin' all those special mummy cuddles!

Thanks for sharing your HB story, take care and enjoy your new family!

x

Ah, Princess yours is such a lovely story it's nice to read it again! I am just hoping my birth goes like yours...DD upstairs asleep and DS arrives calmly in the night to greet her when she wakes up .

Congratulations ladies on your home births...I am hoing you lovely stories get me out of the slump I am in..had our midwife round on thursday for hb talk - she was quite rude, very negative and I didn't really hit it off with her shall we say..first 10 mins she complained about parking in our street, wouldn't listen to any of the advice we were giving her replaces to park, just kept going on about tickets - the last time I spoke to her on the phone she did the same, so she really didn't need to discuss it again. she is my new midwife, so really not relishing seeing her every week from now on..

Then she did my urine and anounced that the result would stp me having a hb - ++ of protein - and I have puffy feet, and slightly raised blood pressure too...joy - although how much that is to do with her being a cow I don't know...

then measured the fundus as + 2.5 cm, so packed off to day assessment unit for monitoring. blood pressure came right down, althought they did say need to have it checked again sunday and monday, poss tuesday too, some protein in urine again, have to do 24 hr collection on monday..lovely.
Oh, and then they discovered baby is breech!

Good news is baby is fine, moving, happy just sitting on its bum, my feet still puffy though, although they go down if I put them up and rest for any length of time, and I keep asking dh 'is my face puffy?' about 10 times a day!

Going in for scan on monday, then ecv to turn the little blighter on tuesday possibly, then we shall see. c section will be booked if no luck. birth pool is still in boxes, doesn't much look like will get to use it - was planning on wallowing in it for a few days before c section if this all doesn't sort itself out, but the likelyhood of this not being pre-eclampsia, and of the baby turning, and then of this midwife to actually let me be at home seeing as she seems to have a bee in her bonnet about parking (!) - its all adding up as not looking likely...really gutted, keep getting really down about it, then ok, then not.

question though, des anyone know - she basically said I couldn't use the pool if I dd have pre-eclampsia, as it would be 'life threatening'...now what the hell does she mean by that? does it mean I cant have hot baths either? asked at the hospital, they didn't seem bothered by it. lots of people have said sure it will help to relax me, and maybe help with turning the baby, as I am on all fours as much as possible at the mo.

oh why can't things go to plan?!?!?

*Holytoast', I don't know about the pool and pre-eclampsia, but just wanted to say sorry you're having a bit of a duff time with it at the moment...hope evrything goes ok for you, and cuddles with your lil one make up for it all x

Thanks - don't think it is preeclapsia now, which is great, although the protein comes and goes, and blood pressure has been normal more often than not - probably just cow midwife!
However, baby still breech after one ECV, one more attempt next week, and some moxibustion still to try, but booked in for C section in two weeks if not..
Even if baby does turn, now have tested positive for group b strep, so home birth very much looking like a no go!

The pool is great though, very nice for relaxing in...

Hello all, just thought I'd update...typing slowly as DS is on my knee!
I ended up with a hospital birth in the end, but Alexander arrived all by himself only 3 hours after we arrived, so it was very positive all in all.
I had another labour a bit like my first (but half the length ) - 12 hours of contractions on Saturday night, where the midwife came out for a couple of hours and sat with me till midnight when I went to bed, but didn't sleep due to contractions every 10 minutes. They all stopped about 6am, started again slowly on Sunday afternoon and got going Sunday evening. Midwives arrived at about 10.30 and midnight and were fabulous, making sure I stayed mobile and being very supportive. However by about 7am Monday I wasn't really progressing even though the waters had gone, so a quick ambulance ride to hospital. I had a nice day there in my own rom, and was home by 7.30 in the evening in time for DD to meet her new brother. I was very happy to have done most of my labouring at home supported by the midwives, they were just great.

Ooooh, so many new babies since I last checked - congratulations everyone, what clever mummies you are.

My midwife recently sent me some photos of our birth. The best one is of DD2 examining the placenta...lovely!

Can't believe Humphrey is 3 months already. We've been on holiday and everything.

My homebirth went swimmingly. Not literally, no water involved, but you know what I mean. Baby Flora was born at 40+7 on 1 May at 5.55pm, an hour and a half after the MWs got there. I had some g&A in the last 25 mins, which I didn't have in my last labour but I found myself really wanting this time.

My hasband sat on the sofa and I leaned into his lap. We had constant eye contact, which I found SO helpful. The waters broke five minutes before she was born, and she started crying whhen her head was out but her boddy wasn't. It was the strangest sensation to feel her fill her lungs before her shoulders were out.

It was such gentle process, start to finish. Were it not for the fact that Flora is DC4 and my family is now complete (!)I'd certainly do it that way again.

Hi everyone, sorry for the radio silence - it has been ages since I last posted! I have updated the list below - I hope I have got everyone on there. Congratulations to all those who have had their babies since the last update - some lovely stories and names on there too.

So we have nocoffeenoworkee, Toady, Holytoast, rlp and speedygonzales to come back and let us know if they've had their LOs, and their birth stories! I hope it's all gone / going well...

... I am coming up to 35 weeks tomorrow, so on the home-straight now. DH left to go to Sudan a week and a bit ago, so me Penelope (13 months) are home alone with the hound, waiting for the arrival of babe. We do have a French holiday planned before the due date (leaving here when I am 36+3, back at 37+4) which DH is coming back for, so I'm doing ok without him at the moment, knowing he is back with me soon! He then leaves again and returns on June 4th, 5 days before due date. Fingers crossed I don't go into labour in the 10 days between France and him coming back on the 4th...

Feeling ok in myself - still doing lots of yoga, dog walking and running around after Penpots which I hope is all getting the baby into a good position again in prep for my home birth. Think I might take a couple of birth books on hols again, just to brush up on what I read last year! Here's hoping the latent stage doesn't last 80 hours again...

Looking forward to hearing everyone's stories and updates - pictures of Richard, Bay, Jude, Alexander and Flora please!

Will defo be popping in more often to try and keep this thread active again - and perhaps another live birthing thread like last time for me!

Due

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
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
Motherofsnortpigs, Humphrey Peter David arrived 20 January at home (very quick labour!)
MamaLazarou, DC#1 arrived 20 January, transfer due to transverse lie.
Bellaballoon, DC#1 arrived 24 January at home.
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
Mad4mainecoons, Holly Eleanor arrived 13 March, lovely home birth, Cornwall
Caitni, Richard Walter arrived 16 March, by C-section
Donttrythisathome, Bay Amaryllis arrived 18 March, transfer due to lack of progression
PrincessTweetz, Jude Allistair Charles arrived 23 March at home, Coventry
Opalfruity, Baby girl arrived on time 28 March, lovely home birth
Bettymum, Alexander arrived 19th April, transfer due to lack of progression but lovely hospital experience none the less, Berkshire
Flybynight, Flora arrived 1 May, lovely home birth, Leeds

Hi Boobz! Thanks for updating, looks like I'm next on the list?!?

Have had very strong BH for the last few weeks, just hoping I don't go too overdue!

You sound like you are keeping yourself busy, we are going to France later in the summer!

MIL has given us a list of 'dates' that I can't go into labour on?!? Oh, and told us not to bother calling before 7am!

Considering she was our first standby choice for looking after DS1&2, if they wake up we have decided to only call if we absolutley need someone!

Hoping they sleep through!

Getting very excited now, got my G&A, the Vit K drops for baby and evrything is set up, just need DC3 now!

Not long now indeed - and the 14th is just 2 days before my birthday which I will be spending in France - woo. Obviously not going to be able to enjoy all the wine and cheese as much as one would hope on one's birthday, but still - I hope the weather is at least nice!

I hope Pen sleeps through too - but if it's anything like last time, I think my moo-ing will wake her up... hmm.

How much G&A have you got? I can't remember if this is your first hb or not? Get at least 4 cannisters is all I can say... I got through that much and shouted for more (but there wasn't any and I was about to push anyway...)

Yep, I'm a bit of a mooer as well!

I actually posted a thread when I had the G&A delivered as they only give you two cannisters in advance!!!

Will make sure I tell them to bring more when things kick off, just in case!

It is my first HB, got my birth pool and planning on using a Tens machine early on, if nothing else just to fiddle with!

DS2 was three hours established labour so hoping for a calm but speedy delivery!

Mainly looking forward to being able to relax without the threat of being 'sent home' as both previous labours I was constantly told nothing would happen for hours..................only to give birth within about an hour of those observations!

Convinced if I hadn't stood my ground last time, DS2 would have been born in the carpark!

Oohh French wine, cheese, croissants, yum I won't be having them either this year, as will be breastfeeding! And trying to regain control of my body!

Just to let you know, pics of Jude are on my page...also, if any one could be kind enough to change the list for me please...he was born 25 March and I'm a bit not-so-clever- to know how to alter the list without losing it!!!! x Thank you!!!

I'm still hoping for a homebirth but I was due 24th April so I am 41+4 now and fast approaching the point at which my options reduce. I am going in daily for monitoring from friday but can still have my homebirth if labour starts spontaneously. I have booked for induction on Monday but might just try to stall. I really do want this baby out though and have a 4th birthday party organised for my daughter sat 15th so may not really want the delay.

Oh rlp - the waiting is horrendous isn't it? It's so annoying to have this tick tock thing going on, counting down to induction when your hopes are pinned on something much more natural. Any signs at all yet? Everything crossed for you...

I had my 35 weeks appointment this morning and the midwife palpated my bump and kept going lower and lower to feel the head... eventually found it buried deep in my pelvis... already.... she then asked if there was a spare seat available for her on the train to France with me with a glint in her eye... eeek, I really hope this baby doesn't come 3 weeks early and arrive in France! But then at least DH will definitely be with me!

Hey Boobz

Jusst popping on to say hi and apologise for disappearing after the birth of DS who you can see on my profile! only at 1 minute and 1 week old but you can see how GORGEOUS he is from those

Just a quick update for you and for those who worry about their limits...
I was in latent labour from the wednesday afternoon until the Saturday night. Naughty DS had turned almost back to back and was basically stuck and therefore not progressing down - obviously i did not know this at the time. Anyway by the saturday night I could not wait any longer. DH had very sweetly set the scene for me night after night so the candles fairy lights and pool were all good to go. he asked me not to get in til the midwife arrived (i had to practically beg her to come) but I couldn't resist. As soon as i got in i nearly fainted with relief - it felt amazing - and even nicer when DH pumped some more hot water in there. I was so over the tens machine by then. it had helped alot as all my labour pains were in my sacrum - so much so that I kept thinking that I was constipated - hence some luverly piles []
Anyway when she arriced which i think was about 1am I was already 9 centimetres much to everyones surprise so that was good. But the little love turned totally back to back and too another 8 hours to do the last centimetre! i got a lip or something apparently. Anyway I actually did enjoy the part where i was puffing away on the gas an air floating away through contractions and all was quiet. I sent DH back up to bed as I could see little point in him staying up. The worst bit for me was transition. I could cope with the ctx and totally breathed through them counting random numbers by the end and humming amazing grace they wouldn't let me push until I was out of the pol for an examination and then all of a sudden they would and out he came in two pushes. all 4.5 kilos of him!! I have never been so relieved in my whole life. that bit where they wouldn't let me push was horrendous and I wasn't sure what I was supposed to be doing but I was sure that it wasn't biting the end of the gas and air tube.

Point is that a back to back massive baby is not something that any GP or consultant would ever be happy about you doing for a first time baby - had they scanned me they would have booked me in for a section or tried to persuade me to so I am so relieved. And if I can do it you can ALL do it. seriously. There was nothing nicer than the feeling of it all being done and me being all tucked up in bed with DS suckling away all day knowing that nothing more was expected of me that day. It's such an amazing thing. Good luck to all those about to do it. It's a million times better than being in hospital. THey even make you tea and toast and shower you!

Boobz I will watch out for your live action thread. Love a birth story, me. Bet this one flies out. WIll be interested to see if it does given our similar first labours.

Apologies for hijack and me me me post but thought it might be of interest to those playing the dreaded waiting game

shit pressed post instead of preview!

rlp you must be feeling under immense pressure, here's hoping you go into spontaneous labour soon x

Despite my feelings on sweeps, (had two last time neither worked!) I think I will probably be asking for one a week on Friday on my due date!

I went 9 days over with DS2! Really admire your resolve, sending you labour vibes!

Boobz,good news re heading in right direction! Would make an interesting story if born in France, make sure you know the words for Gas and Air!!!

How would we follow your infamous live birth thread #2 though? Ohh la la!

Well I've had a scan, heart trace and a stretch & sweep today so fingers crossed for the weekend. I found out that the Bradford midwives do not offer S&S whereas the Halifax ones do. This seems odd but as I live (and will hopefully have HB) in Bradford, but originally booked for hospital delivery in Halifax, I seem to be able to get a sweep in Halifax then drive back home to Bradford and hope things happen!

Welcome back Bellaballoon! Long time no see. Although it looks like you've been hoarding a great story all this time - am so glad you got your homebirth and after all that effort! (and isn't he gorgeous...) Here's hoping I cough my second one out so you know what to expect for your next one...

Fingers crossed indeed rlp - will be thinking of you over the weekend. Come back on Monday and let us know if you're going in for an induction or not...

Will take my blackberry and do live updates from that Morethemerrier... am a bit worried about the whole French hospital thing as apparently episiotomies and epidurals are routine over there...

Hello everyone! I hope all is going well. I am beginning to forget what being pregnant is like now. I have put a photo on my profile of DD2. It is of her with the MW examining the placenta. It makes me smile, but I didn't really think I wanted it on FB.

boobz don't worry about baby being low, mine all sat there for weeks making me walk about like I'd just got off a horse...

rlp I hope the sweep does the job. I'll be checking. Although I seem to get on MN about once a fortnight now. (You'll definitely have a baby by then!)

Hi - can I join?
Am due 30/5 - although both my 2 other DC's were 11 days over. (now 15 and 2).

Im hoping to have this one at home, although there are issues with a low lying fibroid (near to delivery canal but ok at last scan), baby may have flipped back to transverse position (will be back on "Spinning babies" website - did semi headstands 2 weeks ago and baby turned) and have also been told that I have too much amniotic fluid. Next scan on 17th - so will have to wait and see!!

Feeling so large, but great to be on maternity leave. Have been listening to hypnobirthing cd's and am hoping this is the way to go this time.

Loving reading the homebirth stories!

Your profile isn't public motherofsnortpigs...

I've phoned the midwife because I am having pains (presumably contractions but I don't feel a tightening)every 6 minutes. She is going to come and have a look.

It might have been a hindwater leak but my forewaters are intact and I'm only 2-3cm dilated with head "not fully applied to cervix". So it could take some time however my contractions are every 6 mins!