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 . . .

Thanks Mousey, nanny & Boobz

Just thought I'd tentatively pop my head in!! I'm 40+6 today & really hoping to have a home birth! We were initially on hold with the idea until we'd confirmed that my placenta had moved out of the way - that was confirmed a few weeks ago so I've been excitedly building my nest, packing bags, stocking up on tasty treats, etc.

We're now under investigation for possible early pre-eclampsia after discovering some protein in my urine! I'd kinda prepared myself for the thought that I might have to be transferred from my home birth but all of a sudden they're talking about induction so I wouldn't even get to do the first bit at home! So frustrating! They wanted to induce last night, despite the fact that my blood pressure is fine & I'm not having any other symptoms! I think it was just a bit of a 'she's overdue so we might as well get it out, just in case' type thing!

We're due to go back to the assessment unit tonight after refusing induction last night, although I did eventually consent to a sweep! I'm really hoping that I can convince them that, since everything else is fine, I can just be monitored regularly by the comm. MW & see how things go! Still clinging to the tiny bit of hope that I might be able to have my homebirth, especially since I'm about 90% sure my plug went this morning - It's my first time so I'm not entirely sure what it's supposed to be like!! Fingers crossed that means things might be happening sooner rather than later & I don't get anymore pre-eclampsia symptoms!!

It's lovely to get to hear about others' experiences though! Makes me feel a little less daunted by the whole idea!!

Good luck Jojo - the plug going is always a good sign, so fingers crossed you start contracting when the sun goes down...

Good luck Jojo - stay strong & remember they can't force you to leave home...sounds like LO is on the way now anyway so if there are no other signs of pre-eclampsia it seems worth waiting a day or 2. Are you trying any natural induction methods at all?

We're trying every natural way we can think of!!
Just got back from the assessment unit & everything seems the same as yesterday so we're back in again tomorrow for more monitoring! Seeing my community MW tomorrow as well & the doctor said there was a possibility they may not let me have my homebirth now anyway incase I develop full blown eclampsia while in labour! Will have to wait & see what the MW says tomorrow! Hopefully I can convince her that we can just be a bit more cautious & transfer into hosp for smaller things than we might otherwise have done!! :)

Good luck JoJo and don't forget, no one can force you to do anything. No doctor can 'allow' you, they just advise based on the facts and it's your decision. According to the WHO you are not officially overdue until 42+1.

My IM had pre-eclampsia in one of her pregnancies and she said it's not just the hight bp, protein, swelling etc you also just don't feel right and know something is up. She has also said that as you approach labour your body can spill a small amount of protein and that's fine.

Hope things start to get going soon!

Good luck jojo, hope the contractions have started by now - get yourself some reflexology and do pressure points if not, I swore by them for DS's birth.

Welcome MrsA!

Hello. I'm a lurker here as some of my antenatal thread ladies are on here (hello Mrs Arch ) I just wanted to say I have tested positive for protein in my wee every single time. Thank goodness I have a common sense consultant this time. If there are no other indicators of pre eclampsia or infection then it is normal, usually from the increased discharge we can get. I never usually comment on these matters but induction due to absolutely nothing but a touch of protein in urine and no other symptoms seems utter overkill.

I'm too scared to have a home birth but good luck to all of you.

I sound like a stalker. I'm not I promise, just full of admiration of those of you home birthing.

Any progress Jojo?

Hi Katie

Morning all!

Today is birth story posting day, I am going to do it just as soon as I get out of bed...

girlwith glad you mentioned pressure points, I've had acupuncture throughout pg and am seeing her soon to have mt final 'get labour going' sessions and she will teach me the pressure points.

kelly is all going well? Sounds it. Just for hints/tips how are you managing to stay in bed with DD1 around. Is DH getting her up? Just thinking ahead cos I'd love a few days in bed :)

Er, Kelly, I'm waiting....

:o Boobz :o Don't think we're going to to be able to drag KK out of bed if DD1 is letting her sleep. I'm hanging around to read your birth story too KK when I should really be working :) so please post soon!

Are you & Mr Boobz planning a live birth thread again Boobz? Don't think I could manage it with hypnobirthing but I loved reading your first one :)

Had MW 34wk appt yesterday where I mentioned that I was considering writing a letter to PCT, MP etc to complain about lack of community mw's (2 retired last yr & they decided to save money by not replacing them ) Anyway MW got very excited & dragged me in to see another MW who gave me a long list of people to contact :o so if anyone on here is in the Helston, Penwith, Lizard or Falmouth area please do complain the MW's are desperately overstretched & are being very vocal on our behalf but no one's listening to them :(

Hey Honey... KK said she was going to post! I am only holding her to her word...

I had planned to post live throughout DD2's labour, but because it happened so much more quickly, I didn't really get to - only about 3 or 4 posts when in established labour and then poof! She was there! So if it goes like that again, I don't think I will have the chance... but maybe this one will be another looooong one, who knows? And then all you lovely ladies can keep me company again.

go for you honey. Ridiculous because I thought the NHS was trying to put more money into homebirths as they save the NHS money - my midwife heads up her community team and when I had DS 3 years ago they were very understaffed but now have a full complement of midwives so they're even taking hospital births again.

Can't wait for the birth story KK

MrsArch I had reflexology when I was 9 days overdue, she drew the pressure points all over my feet and ankles, DH applied pressure every hour that evening and I went into labour at 2am....who knows, maybe DS would have been ready anyway but it worked for me (anything to avoid an induction, have so much faith in it that this time I'll only use it if that threat is hanging over me, DS def needed cooking those extra 10days)

Apparently the MW's received a memo this month telling them to push for as many low risk ladies to have a homebirth as they can...but when they go into labour mums are being told to come into hospital because there are no mw's available It's madness.

My waters broke this morning! I wasn't getting regular contractions before I had a nap but since then I've had one every 6-7 minutes! Not v strong though so I'm not sure if it really means much! Midwife should be coming to check on me sometime in the next 2 hours so hopefully I won't have to go anywhere!!

OMG Good Luck jojo so pleased it's all working out!

Good much Jojo I had fairly regularly contractions throughout Saturday but things only got going when DD1 was occupied safely with DH.

Sorry everyone, I had breakfast in bed (DH is indeed occupying DD1) then quite a long shower. Tried to tidy the bombsite kitchen, 3 hour MW visit and then I came to bed with DD2, some snacks and the tv remote. Just woken up!

I will post it soon, I promise.

Quick question - did anyone not get the baby blues post birth? I haven't so far but MW reckons I still will.

I have woken in a bit of a grump so I mist cheer up before I venture downstairs.

Midwife's just been! She's happy for me to stay at home! She doesn't think I'm in labour yet though so it's still a wait-and-see situation! Not sure how long I'll be happy to be leaking fluid but not be induced! I doubt it'll be as short as their 24 hours though!!

If you go past 24 hours you can always ask for antibiotics instead. No need to induce then as it takes away the infection risk. Also, there's only a risk of infection if it's introduced to your body so you can always refuse vaginal examinations. Keep us posted!

That's a good point! I'm allergic to penicillin but I'm sure they must have an alternative! :)

eeeeeeeeek!!! get bouncing or anything to bring on the contractions then - Ina May swears by "making out" with your DH!

& I swear by Ina May!! He's a little busy fixing a lock onto the bathroom door at the moment... a little last minute man-nesting I think!!
I've replaced the computer chair with the birth ball & am bouncing my way through lots of braxton hicks! Babi was only 3/5 engaged yesterday & is 1/5 today so not much further to go!! Hopefully the contractions will start once Babi is properly engaged! :)