a question on homebirths

[danielou]

Sorry if this has been covered but was wandering about homebirths. Had both dc at hospital very quick labours 7hours and 1hour.

If I opted for a homebirth what would I need also what happens 2 all dirty sheets/placenta does it all get took by midwife? Also what happens if I find I can't manage pain at home would I be able to go to local hospital? (Which luckily its about 4mins up road)
And what did u do with your dc while in labour at home?
Sorry for all questions would just like to make sure its right for me

I bought a bunch of old sheets from a charity shop (washed them first!) and just binned them afterwards. Midwives will take the placenta away and all of their equipment. If you're lucky they'll tidy up before they leave, otherwise get your partner to do it. Generally there's surprisingly little mess tbh.

Yes, you can go into hospital at any time.

My parents looked after the other dcs, just as if I'd been in hospital. If they're asleep, there's no need to wake them but probably worth having someone on standby for them in case you go in.

HTH

yep, you can transfer to the hospital any time you need/want to.

For mine, the midwives put a disposable pad over the bed sheet, but we'd used an old one with a cheap waterproof protector underneath it so both could be thrown if needed. Both were fine after a wash (and that was more for sweat and bleeding afterwards while I fed DD rather than the immediate birth stuff. The midwives cleared up most of it and took it all away. I think my mum changed the sheets for me while I was having a bath.

It was my first though so I don't have any experience of having existing children around. I think DD (7) would probably like to be involved next time, but it will depend how I feel!

I have had two homebirths. Both times the midwives helped clean up, we used about three or four large bath towels which just went straight in the washing machine after at 90.
My first DS was present at the birth of my second DS (he was 2.5 at the time) - he was fine throughout, and actually helped me breathe etc... I found it comforting having him there. However when my second DS was actually born he got upset for a couple of minutes during which my DP comforted him. Then he was fine again. It was really just a little moment of upset.

We did have some friends on standby ready to come and whisk him away if needed.

I had my dd2 at home. Midwives gathered up all the sheets we had on the carpet and put them into bags (my labour was pretty messy, meconium in waters and DD pooed everywhere as soon as she came out!) my mum took the away to wash for me!

You can transfer to hospital at any time. Even if you go into labour and decide you do want to be in hospital after all you can just phone and say you're coming in.

I went into labour in the evening, let my mum know at about 5am so she could be at the house to get dd1 as soon as DD woke up at 6am. That worked well for us because it meant do was with me all the time, my mum got DD ready so I didn't have to see DD (I was in established labour by that point and couldn't have spoken to her/reassured her so I think she would have been scared). DD came back late afternoon after everything was cleared up and i'd had a few hours sleep.

HTH

I changed the bed, put lovely clean sheets on, a plastic dust sheet (packs of 3 from a DIY shop), then some old towels/sheet, MW can whip off layers from plastic sheet up, bag and bin. Lovely to have a shower and slip into your bed, with your sheets and your new baby
My first HB was in the middle of the night, so no problem with DS1 who was asleep (as was DH!) DS3 came at breakfast time, DS1 was stirring, I told him I was about to have the baby, DH settled him in front of the telly in the living room, I had DD1, DS2 then woke up - neighbours whisked them to theirs for Brekkie, I got cleaned up and settled and we all got in to bed together
DD2 came in the early evening and things moved a bit too quickly for my liking! Got DS2 and DD1 to bed and asleep, DS1 knew things were happening and asked to go to bed (the one and only time!) and I had DD2 in time for 'Enders.
All you can really do is try to prepare for any scenario. We don't have any family near by, but neighbours and friends were delighted to help and be involved. I think it helped that DH didn't really want to be at the birth, and I was fine with that, so he could look after the DCs, and I think that helped.
As far as pain relief goes, I think it's easier to manage when you are in your own environment. A bath helped, and gas and air.
It really is lovely. Sorry I have gone on - haven't thought about it for a long time - such happy memories