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 . . .

Hi - goodness had forgotten about this thread that I joined way back when....

Well, am now 38+1 and all set for hb...eek! The pool is set up in the living room and think I have everything ready...will trawl through the posts on here but will welcome any advice you hb'ers can offer. Am keen to do it, but am getting nervous at the prospect now...mainly because I'm starting to recall the pain from last time

Good luck to any other ladies waiting

Boobz - then you are the matriarch !

Thank you for the link. Threads like that are what maternity leave was made for! I will get onto it straight away.

i would love to revive this thread.

i followed boobz all the way thru and she inspired me to go for a homebirth with dc3.
thanks boobz!

i am 17 weeks pregnant and feel like a whale already. i had my first hypnobirthing session last night. and am generally getting excited about the arrival of my bubba.

still occasionally get panicked about the whole thing so would appreciate a hombirth thread to keep me looking forward.

looking forward to hearing about all the arrivals.

[WAVES]

I'm still here too, still on for a homebirth, 38+3 and waiting.

This baby is back to back like DD was so I have been spending a lot of time on all-fours but the little bugger just spins back again . I'm not too worried though as DD span all the way through the last weeks and labour too, eventually being born OP.

Decided not to go with the pool because our boiler is dodgy and it would probably take hours to fill. I have a TENS machine and a gym ball which both worked very well for me last time.

I'm glad this thread has been revived, looking forward to some more inspiring stories!

I think I am carrying a stubbornly posterior LO too DingALong. Just spent two hours on my front in the bath in the hope she would turn. Haven't been kicked in the navel yet so fingers crossed...

Reassuring to hear they keep spinning though!

My body moved DD to OA in labour as with every contraction I was only comfortable bending over and leaning forward, sat on a gym ball and leaned onto the bed/DH. She only went back to OP after being forced on the bed to be examined (about an hour before birth) and I couldnt get her back again, ended up delivering over the end of the bed but it wasnt too painful- my pushing stage was recorded at 3 minutes . I have it written down this time that if they want to examine me it has to be in the position I am in, I wont lie down to be checked.

The gym ball seems to be most effective at moving the baby, just a shame when I am leaning on it I can see all the dusty spots I cant reach to clean! I also have my laptop on a small table in front on me so I have to lean forward to use it which also seems to work.

Ironically when I have moved it to the right position the panicking starts because the movements are so much less in that position, just cant win!

is it wrong to want to get the pool out and filled, just to sit in it for an hour. I'd love to feel weightless right now, but I can't be arsed to sterilise the sodding thing again!

detox - have you got a wooden one you lucky lady?

This thread seems to hve died again but I'll just add my little bit. My DS (Sebastian) was born at home on 13/09/09 after 19hours of contractions and 3.5 hours of actual active labour.

Contractions started at 2am and my forewaters trickled out while DH was attaching my TENS machine at 4am. Midwife arrived at 5am and we discovered I was only 3cm dilated. Contractions were irregular (every 3 minutes when I was upright and every 7-10 when I was lying or sitting down) and not so painful so the midwife headed off again at 6am as my mother and her partner arried to take care of DD. DH got busy with the shower curtains and gaffer tape and covered our lounge floor and corner sofa with plastic and sheets. I listened to music for hours which really helped-lots of songs that reminded me of happy memories-even the Ghostbusters themetune! Nothing had changed by 2pm when the midwife came back-still 3cm and sadly my named midwife had to clock off and I was transferred to one who hadnt met me before and wasn't very empathetic and told me she would have to check to make sure I could still stay at home as my waters had broken 12 hours before. She told me I should go and rest as it could be hours longer, so I lay down and dozed for a bit and had a cry. The pains started getting stronger but I wasnt really aware of how bad, because I had convinced myself this baby was never coming out. My mum came and sat next to me and rubbed my stomach and held my hand whilst DH rubbed my back during every contraction. I stopped talking and went into myself but was vaguely aware of DH phoning the midwife at 5pm and telling me she would be there by 7pm. DH also called his mother to look after DD as my mum's partner was getting tired.

By the time the midwife arrived I was in lots more pain and was standing up with the entonox. I ended up on all fours against the sofa screaming and crying because I was getting lots of short contractions with intense pelvic pain. The midwife examined me again at 8pm (I was only 6cms) and suggested the intense pain was because the baby was turning inside me to the correct position. After the exam I sat on the very edge of the sofa supported by DH and my mum and suggested to the midwife that the pain got less when I gently pushed. She told me not to push yet so I laid back with the entonox and relaxed. It was at this point that DH decided to show my mother how the TENS worked and gave me lots of electric shocks in my back by accident. Everyone thought it was a contraction and I had to beat back the entonox mouthpiece with my hand and explain/complain! After a while I couldnt bear it any longer and pushed tentatively and felt my waters break down my legs.

Nothing could have stopped me pushing after that and I pushed with every contraction, and feeling him descend was an amazing feeling. When I felt he was near delivery I called over the midwives who were chatting in the dining room. I felt him crown and slowed down the pushes automatically- suddenly there was a slippery feeling and everyone cried 'look up' and my son was deposited onto my chest. DH told me we had a boy and cut the cord while I just stared at Sebastian who is perfect (and was 9lbs 6oz!). I fell instantly in love with him, in a way I never did with newborn DD who was a traumatic hospital birth (which makes me feel so sad); all I felt was total elation and joy and in all the photos of me I have a really goofy enormous smile! The midwives afterwards said it was a perfect gentle birth and they wished they had had a student there to show them it could be done without drugs. They then tried to persuade DH to write about it to convince other DHs to let their wives birth at home, which was an odd conversation considering I was nude and covered in blood at the time! I had a small tear which was stitched whilst DH showed the baby to his mum and my mum's partner who were in the kitchen - I have to say the whole experience really healed my relationship with my MIL who took first pictures of the baby and was so happy to be there (not originally planned). My mother was ecstatic she got to see him born and even though that wasn't the plan originally I wouldnt have had it any other way. BFing went well and he latched on quickly and fed like a pro, which was fabulous and very healing after the problems I had with DD (only latched once, 3 weeks of pumped milk, very upsetting)

I can 100% recommend homebirth, it really helped to stay at home amongst my own things, much more relaxing. There was no staining, all the messy sheets etc were taken away by the midwives and being tucked up in my own bed after a shower in my own bathroom was amazing. DH was not shooed away as he was after DD's birth and DD was introduced to the baby in my bed in her own time which was lovely.

Oh DingALongCow - what a fabulous story! Am very envious of your short labour and birth but am so pleased it has helped you heal from your first hospital birth.

My DH is a complete fanatic about homebirths now and although we're not quite ready for another baby yet, I know he's looking forward to that part even more than last time!

Well done - Sebastian is a lovely name. Any pics?

Can I join in ? I'm hoping for a home water birth, although that hope could well be rapidly disappearing out of the window.

Was due 14th Sept but those dates are inaccurate, I think my due date was 19th.

We did a 'wet' run with our pool the other weekend, I got in and just didn't want to get out again - it felt fabulous !

I also did hypnobirthing with DS 2.5 yrs ago for anyone interested - in hindsight whilst it didn't diminish the pain, I think it kept me calm and in control and managing the pain well. I also did homeopathy and active labour & stuck it out at home till I was 6cm - so I know I should be able to cope OK at home, should they let me !

There are some lovely, lovely stories on here and Boobz - you are a legend

Just noticed all the spelling errors etc hard to type with baby on shoulder!

Thank-you Boobz, it was an amazing experience but if I hadn't read this thread and the other one then I probably wouldnt have had the courage to do it and would have missed out.

DH is a total convert too- but there wont be any more children here I think- DS was 1 pound heavier than DD, dont think my pelvic floor can take a 10 lber!

Have added a few pics to my profile including one of the aforementioned goofy smile!

He's a genuine stunner Ding - lovely lovely photos. I'm glad this thread has inspired people - it's a shame the old one with all the info on it ran out of room as it has so much stuff on there which I think could help people thinking of having a first homebirth.

Welcome Puffy! I hope you're going into labour as I type - come back and tell your story, homebirth or not!

Hi...keep stumbling on this thread so thought should update with my story....

Harry was born at home on 8th Sept, 1 day early...soooo pleased I decided to go for a hb this time - a fab experience

Woke at 4am with the same achy feeling in my leg that I had when labour starte with dd. Told dh not to expect to go into work that day! Tried to rest as much as possible, but by 6.30am I was timing the pain - which was very slight at that stage - every 10 minutes

Dd then got up so I dressed her and had a shower myself. By 7am the contractions were every 8 mins so dh took dd to my mums which thankfully is only 10 mins away. I called the delivery suite to let them know and she arrived at 9am. I was 3cm dilated then, so I carried on just working and breathing through the contractions while she began the paperwork!

At about 10am the contractions were every 3 mins and I got into the pool which combined with the breathing exercises was a real relief and a great way to cope with the pain which was really picking up by this point. The water seemed to slow the contractions down to 5 mins but they were longer and stronger so I started with the gas and air

After an hour I got out and immediately they increased to 3 mins apart again. I carried on pacing round the room and started hanging off dh as the pain intensified! My waters still hadn't broken and it was clear that this was holding baby back...but the mw explained that it wasn't practice to break them at home births so I had to wait. After what seemed an eternity, they broke at about 1pm and I got the urge to push. Despite being told to pant through them, I could not stop the pushing so the mw called for the 2nd mw who quickly arrived. Finally at 2.21pm my beautiful boy was born weighing 7lb 9.5oz

He is a little belter, feeding well and sleeping like a dream! My hb was one of the best experiences ever....good luck to everyone else planning on one too

The mw arrived at 9am that should read! Doh!

Thanks for sharing your stories, DingALongCow and detoxdiva!

I hope you get your home water birth, Puffy.

Lovely community midwife has organised for me to see consultant and supervisor of midwives tomorrow to discuss my options re homebirthing post 42 weeks. Scary ! Wish me luck

I just need to hold firm about my dates and make it clear I uderstand the risks - they just need to cross their t's and dot their i's to cover their backs I think. I haven't fully decided that I will insist, but she says its good to have a plan in place regardless, as I will be 42 weeks on sunday and she doesn't want a mad panic on monday

Did you get your HB Puffy?

A fresh year and a fresh bump for the home-birther thread!

I started the original thread here back in July 2008:

First time home birthers thread

but we ran out a space and here we are on the new thread - but it has run into disrepair... I want to revive it again as I am pregnant again and gunning for my second home birth! Penelope, my daughter, is now 9 months old and I am 4.5 months pregnant with my second, and due on June 9th! Anyone other home birthers want to come and join in and share their advice, opinions, hopes and stories? The first thread turned out to be pretty inspirational (to me anyway) so I'm hoping we can do the same again.

So who's hoping to have a home birth in the next few months? Crazycat, I know you're out there....

hi boobz,
i am 37weeks with DC3 and your thread way back when inspired me before i was even pregnant.
Congratulations on your pregnancy and am in awe as to the age gap! i have left 4 year + between my 3.

i must admit to being very laid back about this whole planning a homebirth thing and have done very little to prepare. MIL has got me some old sheets to cover couch with, i have a few plastic sheets and a pack of inco pads. i am not having a water birth so can't think of anything else i might need. If you have any tips they would be much appreciated.

i am packing mine and baby's bag on wednesday for any transfer that might happen and so everythign is all in one place for midwives and Dh but really can't think of anything else i need to do.

i remember distinctly your DH black eye as he pumped up the birthing pool.

Hello, I will hopefully be having a home birth within the next couple of weeks. This is my first baby. I think we have everything we need except the G&A (and the midwife!).

Me too! Numero uno.
Have my birth pool in a box - tho wtill waiting for the proper pump. A big dust sheet. a comedy little sieve, some fairy lights left over from the christmas tree, some smelly candles, biscuits for the midwife. the baby's first outfit...
I haven't finished my work yet but that's a whole other story have a a feeling that i am going to be overdue so am very happy to have been given the link to the original thread. will read through the whole thing.

have been listening to my maggie howell cd but won't be up to 20 times i don't think. hopefully it will still help anyway.

How exciting, 2 homebirths within the next couple of weeks! I was, as you might remember Rain, a bit of a planner and over-prepared homebirther, so I had loads of crap I perhaps didn't need when it came down to it.

All I would say, is that because my latent labour was so long, I needed loads of distractions to get me through those 3 days and nights before I got to 4cm... this included:

-- Spotify
-- Tens machine
-- Aromatherapy oils (for massage and for burning - I still can't smell lavender without it giving me phantom contractions)
-- The Wire / Grey's Anatomy
-- Swiss ball to lean on
-- Big towel to put under my knees for each contraction - I could only cope with them on all fours
-- Sweet tea and chopped fruit

Loads of other stuff I reckon, but those are the things I remember helping me through the early stages. Once I was at 4-5cm, only the G&A and leaning over the sofa helped (and moooooo-ing like a cow!)

Am so excited to be doing it all over again - I was exhausted the first time but strangely I enjoyed the process and was really proud of myself that I gave birth at home in the end. Here's hoping #2 is as straight forward (but half as long!)

Mama - where abouts are you, in London? What made you opt for a home birth?

Hello Bella! Ooooh, I feel a list coming on:

Due

Boobz, DC#2 due June 9th, planned home waterbirth, South London

Add yourselves ladies!

Hi Boobz - we have recently moved out to Kent from London. What made me opt for a home birth? Well, it had just never really occurred to me to want to go to hospital to have the baby, unless I really have to, and the idea of my DH being sent home afterwards, without us, just seems unnatural. I much prefer the idea of the three of us piling into bed together afterwards and starting life as a family all snuggled up happily. Start as you mean to go on! That's the main reason, though there are many others... I could go on all day!

Boobz, DC#2 due June 9th, planned home waterbirth, South London
MamaLazarou, DC#1 due 24th Jan, planned home birth, Kent

Hi,
Cai I tentatively join? I had DD two years ago next week, she was a planned homebirth but after having contractions from Wednesday night to early Saturday morning and getting nowhere, we transferred to hospital for some drugs and sleep . Ended up with an epidural and a ventouse delivery about 24 hours after we'd arrived. It was a long and exhausting process but I'm glad I escaped a cs and DD was fine, so it all ended well.
DS due in April and we are planning a hb again, I'm a lot more nervous this time. DD was back-to-back which I think accounted for the slow labour, I'm hoping that the next time will be somewhat quicker and easier. It doesn't help that I have two SILs that have basically pushed their babies out in three pushes .

MamaLazarou, DC#1 due 24th Jan, planned home birth, Kent
Bettymum, DC#2 due 7 April, planned home birth, Berkshire
Boobz, DC#2 due June 9th, planned home waterbirth, South London

(I have put us in date order).