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 . . .

How are you getting on now rlp?

Hope things are progressing for you!

keep us updated when you can, are you having a waterbirth?

Good luck
x

Made profile public now boobz - sorry.

Hello justbeme. Sending you good positioning vibes.

Crikey Rip - aren't you about 14 days overdue?? They are still "allowing" a HB then?? I take it you must be in labour now - Hope you have a lovely birth story to tell us soon.

Thomas Henry was born at home on 8th May 2010 at 4:30pm, weight 9 lb 4 oz. (Dead on 42 weeks!) He is as big as Naomi was at 6 weeks and I needed some stitches, but so far he seems placid and has slept much of the time. His most spectacular achievement has been to wee on our Wii as soon as his nappy was off!
He didn't feed during the first period of skin to skin (while waiting for placenta to deliver) but latched on well once I was all stitched up and settled.

I thought my waters might have gone at 10:15 this morning as contractions started (every 6 mins from the start but not unbearable) however I was examined at 1pm and the membranes appeared intact with "head not fully applied to cervix" and only 2-3cm dilated. I was able to cope with Naomi without letting on what was happening so they can't have been that bad.

The midwife left and came back at 15:15 to check on me. I asked for an internal because I wanted confirmation that something was happening and because I had read stuff about waiting to get in the pool at about 5cm. I was 4cm and the midwife stayed but still had not arranged for any gas & air etc. I managed with breathing but was getting less happy. Fairly soon she got on the phone to arrange for a second midwife to bring Entonox from the hospital. I got in the pool at 15:50 approx and demanded the Entonox as soon as the second midwife arrived.

I didn't feel it was at all effective for the pain until the point at which it took me into a drunken state (I think - having never actually been drunk) and they started trying to encourage me to take some breaks to avoid my slipping into the water and drowning! I don't think they needed to worry, I hung over the side and was aware of what they said but just didn't feel like opening my eyes and communicating with them.

Thomas was born at 16:30 with only about 2 or 3 pushes. David and the midwives report that the membranes only broke a couple of minutes before he was born. They did not do any intrusive monitoring once I was in the pool. 1st midwife checked baby heartbeat with waterproof probe soon after I got in (before 2nd had arrived) and at the point of birth, I told them I had to push and they made sure I was properly beneath the water so that he was not half in, half out. A friend was minding Naomi in the other room and brought her in as soon as she heard Thomas cry.

I had decided to get out of the pool for 3rd stage (physiological) but didn't really feel like it for a while. I got out about 20 mins later and as I stood up I could feel the placenta moving and expected to hear a splash! The cord was still intact and as it happened the placenta didn't come away fully for another 10 mins or so. The pool looked very red and I was sat on a very soggy towel.

I started with very severe shakes and shivers as soon as I left the pool and these continued for some time as I sat, wrapped in blankets, holding Thomas.

David then cut the chord and Thomas was taken to the other room where 2nd midwife weighed him and left him with David before coming back to suture my 2nd degree tear. This was a bit of a palava with one sewing and the other holding a big torch! It took longer than I expected and I still had not fed my baby.

Once I was settled on the settee he latched on instantly like a pro and the biological nurturing techniques we had seen on a DVD were very useful. He has only really cried as he passed meconium so far so we might have a placid child this time. Daddy has done both nappies so far. Is it unusual that he did not need a nappy doing between 16:30 and midnight? He also goes red in the face as he poos which is a useful indicator.

Overall I think I got everything I wanted. I would rather not have torn and I hoped that the water would reduce my need of gas and air (which it didn't seem to) but as I went from 4cm to birth in 1h 10mins I suppose the contractions needed to be intense.

Congratulations rlp!!!

What a lovely homebirth story!

So pleased everything went well,and just goes to show how quickly things can change!

I am hoping for a similar outcome, home water birth,natural third stage, G&A etc and found your experience and detail very reassuring and a great account of the reality of it all!

Have a lovely day, get lots of rest x

What a great story rlp Congratulations!

Many congratulations Rip and welcome to the world little Thomas!!

Hallo - another hoped for home water birth here. I'm due 6th June which seems like years away at the moment!!!

We're all booked in and have done a dry/wet run with the birth pool and I think DH is enjoying that he's got useful jobs to do to help things along and that he'll be in his own environment. However, I don't think I'll be trying to accommodate his request to keep my legs crossed until Wimbledon starts... I suppose I should be grateful that he's not that fussed about the World Cup!

In the meantime I'm trying to keep my blood pressure down as it keeps bobbing up. It hasn't gone over limit yet - but it's enough for the MWs to make "Hmmmmm" noises.... Fingers crossed.

Hi, I'm another homebirth/waterbirth/hypnobirther here - seem to have gone all out on the 'natural' labour approach this time! I had my booking in with a very lovely mw yesterday - hope she's on duty when it's time! I'm due June 14th, DC2, my first birth was in a hosiptal, with a mobile epi, and while it wasn't too horrendous, all I wanted afterward was to be at home in peace and quiet...

Really looking forward to it actually. No, I tell a lie - I'm not looking forward to having the placenta delivered, I don't know why but I'm feeling very icky and squeamish about it. What do the MWs do with it after, is it taken away with them for disposal? Anyone know? But apart from that I'm very excited!

PS - loving reading all your birth stories on here, they're very reassuring.

Welcome Unrequited and Shipsladyg!

Ships-I had a bit of an issue with BP early on which also raised eyebrows,thankfully it was a one off! Fingers crossed yours will as well!

Unrequited - ditto on the placenta,I was shown mine after both my previous labours and TBH would rather not have seen them!

I asked if they take it away and they do dispose of it,I won't be taking them up on the offer of burying it in the garden, or worse, cooking it for tea!

(39+4 DC3)

Hi All, just popping in to say I had a lovely homebirth on Monday at 1.40am, my gorgeous little girl was born in the pool!

7lb 2oz, no name as yet we were fully expecting a boy!

Will update soon!

Good luck to everyone !

Many congratulations morethemerrier

Many congrats Morethemerrier!!

Am feeling abit down tonight - had a scan and seen registrar who said I should probably have a c section due to fibroid - but if I want to try a vaginal birth, then we could see what happens . I pointed out that I delivered ok last time and the fibroid is only marginally larger and that I really want a homebirth - and she said she wouldnt recommend a HB due to possible shoulder dystocia and that I could haemorridge post birth. I said that the HB midwife seemed ok with it before, so I've left her a message to call me. But now Im worried that she'll just say she has to go along with the registrar. .

That's sad justbeme. I'm supposed to have a higher risk of Shoulder Dystocia because of BMI - but I've read round and it looks like it's no worse than any other risk in child birth so I don't see it as a risk to me. The "normal" rate of occurance is about 0.5% so it's worth asking how increased the risk is and how it compares to other risks. Have a look at the RCOG website, they've got a good article about it.

Well, after finding out that the HB Midwife is on holiday and has switched her phone off - I spoke to her Co Midwife. She can't believe what I was told by the Registrar and has said I can still have a home birth. If I go into labour before monday (when my Midwife is back on duty) - then I have to phone the Delivery suite and they'll get Midwifes out to me. You can imagine though - they'll take one look at my notes and say "No", plus I havent done all the relevant HB paperwork yet. She said that abit of paperwork wouldn't stop me delivering at home.......

Why is everything always so complicated!!

Bum. BP has hit 140/110. Guess that excludes me from a Homebirth. I know it's only a day out of a whole lifetime, but it would have been so much nicer.

Well done Morethemerrier - fabulous news ? you missed my birthday by a day! Come back IMMEDIATELY for a birth story, I want to hear all about it and need to know the name for the arrival list...

Welcome newcomers - Justbeme, just 5 days away! and Shipsladyg, due a few days before me. Also got Unrequitedskink added to the list.

Justbeme - I hope you get your complications untangled and get the environment you want for your birth. I would say stand your ground, that you understand the risks, but want a HB regardless and see what they say...

Ships - You?re not due for a while yet ? surely your BP can be monitored until then to see if it comes down? Mine went up at the end of my last pregnancy but then came down again on the actual due date and I was already in (latent) labour then, so was able to stay and labour (and deliver) at home...

So I managed to not give birth in France (returned on Saturday at 37+4) and DH has returned to Sudan for the next 9 days with work, and doesn?t come back here until June 4th. So I?ve got to cross my legs for at least a week to make sure he doesn?t miss the birth! Am now on my tod again with Penelope (15 mo) and the dog (mad as a box of frogs) and am KNACKERED all the time. Still, given that I only have to give birth, look after the toddler and move house from London to Africa in the next couple of months, what am I complaining about really?! Makes me tired just thinking about it.

Right, off to get waxed and feet pedicured as I imagine these items will be low on my list once baby arrives...

Also, anyone heard about Nocoffeenoworkee, Toady, Holytoast and Speedy?s babies? Did I miss announcements?

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
Speedygonzalez, due late April, planned home birth
Justbeme, DC#3 due 30 May
Shipsladyg, due June 6th
Smurf26, DC#2 due 8 June, planned home birth
Boobz, DC#2 due June 9, planned home water birth, South London
Unrequitedskink, DC#2, planned home water birth
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
rlp, Thomas Henry, arrived 8 May, lovely home birth
Morethemerrier, Girl arrived 17 May, at home. Details needed!

congrats morethemerrier glad I managed to find you again, hope all is well

Thanks Boobz. Had an appt at the FAU today. My BP changed from 160/110 down to 130/80 in the matter of minutes and all because they decided to change cuff and take it manually. They tried back with the electric monitor and they got a high result again. So I've now got to insist on a manual reading and a man's cuff to get a correct result. I'm feeling soooo much more chilled about it all. So Homebirth back on. Now to get this baby out.

Quick update here -
The "HB Midwife" - has said that maybe I am better off in hospital.
but - when in labour to call her and she will come to my house to assess me and if I do need to go into hospital, she will come and deliver the baby in there.
Sounds good - but in reality - she has a fair bit of holiday coming up - so if this baby isnt out in the next week, it could all change again! Both my DD's were 11 days late - which is bang smack in the middle of her holiday....

Phooee. That's no fun justbeme . Any indication as to whether LO is thinking about putting in an appearance? Did you ask for a sweep? How annoying that they only appear to have one HB midwife.

Hey everyone, especially Shipsladyg and justbeme - it's all very close for us 3 now, non?

Justbeme, I'm sorry to hear it's not going your way, but it's not a definite that you won't get your HB yet. Have you had your 40 week appointment? What did they say? I know how you feel about the MW off-duty roulette... my MW is not on call on the 4,5,6 of June, so I don't want to go into labour in those days! But DH is back from Sudan on Friday (4th) so ideally I DO want to go into labour on those days as it means we will get the most out of the holiday / paternity leave stay he has booked (he HAS to go back to Sudan on June 24)...

but DH has also said I can't go into labour on the 7th as he's got a 3 hour tattoo appointment booked for that day (it's not as bad as it sounds - it's very "tasteful" and not at all chav - he works for the FCO for pete's sake!) so the earliest which is convenient for all (DH being home; MW on call and DH not other-wise tied up) is the 8th. SO a week today! I've had 2 nights in a row of very vivid labour / birth dreams, so it's definitely coming... happened like that last time - vivid dreams about contractions started about a week before I gave birth in the end...

Knackered but almost ready I think! Still got to get the birth pool down from the loft and stock up on the essential oils to burn, but waiting for DH to get home on Friday... only 3 more days...

Hope everyone is doing ok... Smurf - you're due a week today - any signs?

Updated the list with removal of no-shows:

Due

Justbeme, DC#3 due 30 May
Shipsladyg, due June 6th
Smurf26, DC#2 due 8 June, planned home birth
Boobz, DC#2 due June 9, planned home water birth, South London
Unrequitedskink, DC#2, planned home water birth
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
rlp, Thomas Henry, arrived 8 May, lovely home birth
Morethemerrier, Girl arrived 17 May, at home. Details needed!

How's it going ladies? Still hanging on in there? I found out today that Junior has deigned to start engaging - but if she's anything like DH or me, she'll do as she likes and will take whatever time she needs to do it in, so I'm not holding my breath! I'm getting rather impatient (patience has never been one of my virtues). Even beginning to wonder with all the curry/pineapple/nipples/sex/clary sage whether your body can become immune to the them!!! Or is it just that they are simply old wives tales to make us ladies feel like we're doing something....

Boobz - my DH has been suggesting days that would be preferable to go into labour on too (although we're not as pressured as you)... not X because of a client dinner; not Y because of a lunch at the Guildhall; etc. Ideally he'd like me to wait until the start of Wimbledon And although there's enough tidying and sorting out to be done in the house for at least three weeks, I am NOT keeping my legs crossed that long.

I wish I'd been having labour dreams (kind of). I've not even had a full on BH yet. I know that there is a time for all things and not everyone gets them, but it would be nice to get a hint that things are going to happen and "heiferness" isn't interminable.

Hi there - still here = Have MW tomorrow - so will update then. Have been getting loads of Braxton Hicks, but as my other 2 were both 11 days over, I really don;t know where I am!!

What are these Men like - we can hardly cross our legs can we??