Had midwife visit, were these comments odd?? ....

[EnchantedwithEdwardCullen]

I'm planning a homewater birth and the midwife came to do the 'home check' thing.

She seemed nice enough, very smiley and happy but she seemed obbsessed with baby getting stuck and other things!

She wasn't negative at all about homebirth but kept mentioning it.

DH made a joke about firing a flare gun so the midwives could find the house and she immediatly said 'oh yes if baby gets stuck we could fire one in the house, that would get her out!'

She kept bringing everything back to that.

Then she started on the pool ... she said

'don't get in the pool before a midwife has seen you as you might only be in early labour and it may slow it down OR you may be very far gone and its dangerous to deliver a baby in water alone'

Fair enough, but then she went on to say ...

'but IF you do have the baby alone in water ( ) make sure you lift the baby out ... don't leave it under the water, or lift it up then let go ....

don't leave it bobbing about face down because it will drown'

Is it just my hormones or is that an odd thing to say?

Like Im going to give birth and not bother to lift the baby up??

Very strange...can you get a more supportive midwife?

Sounds a bit odd Maybe she's nervous - has she attended a lot of home births?

If you were without the m/w could you get out of the pool for the birth?

Im not planning on getting in the pool until the midwives there TBH! Its something she said.

No, that is very peculiar. What an odd woman.

I had my home birth visit this week too, only my MW barely mentioned anything I should or shouldn't do. Nothing about not getting into the pool. Lots about old towels though

hiya, I think midwives often come across as negative because they have to make sure you have thought of all possible risks.

mine was also really obsessed with ds2 getting stuck, and even asked me if he had when she saw me postnatally.

getting in a pool too early CAN slow down labour

and it CAN be dangrous to deliver a baby alone, because if the baby bobs up out of the water and then back in again they are likely to have taken a big breath and will then suck in lots of water.

very often you are encouraged not to birth on all fours, or leaning on the side in case this happens

and bear in mind she probably won't be the one actually at the birth, so don't worry too much

I had my homewater birth 14 weeks ago, and as my local hospital didnt do them 'yet'
they provided a mw who did.
however I too got lots of comments very similar to these, but I put it down to them not doing/seen one before.

They asked me lots of questions as I obviously had read alot more than them.

In the end I had 4 mw. one to oversea, my local mw to watch and join in.Head of my local labour ward and head of sup.mw just to watch, as they had never seen one.

In the end they were all suprised how 'hands off' the birth was. iykwim.

WAs wonderful btw
pics on profile if your not too sqeamish

Wow!

Gorgeous pics!! Makes me all teary eyed!!

I've already had a homewater birth so I do know what to expect... I know they have to explain the risks but she just seemed a bit stuck on them, and to say 'it will drown' ... I was just like 'uhhh, yeah ... ok'

I never took photos of my last HWB!

I will do this time

Thankyou

Ikwym I found it quite unnerving when mw kept saying things re lifting head out correct way.

I was determined to have hb as didnt get hospital water birth last time due to meconium.

Had meconium again this time but I had so much confidence in the mw they found me, I believed her when she said she wasnt concerned about it.

Isnt it a wonderful experience.

I had my sister as Birth partner, but at crunch time dh was with me and sister was taking pics in one hand and filming with the other.

So glad I have it on dvd now.

get someone to take some for you.when are you due ??

Due Christmas day

It is fab, I was just left alone, no-one spoke to me, I just got through it and popped my head out of the water to shout 'I can feel him coming out!!'

Its such a lovely memeory, I hope I get to repeat it again.

We are washing and testing the birthpool tomorrow, which is quite scary!

So very different to my hospital birth ... though that was nice too, i was in a pool but got out to deliver ... not a bad birth just bad after care during the hospital stay.

So much nicer to go up to your own bed after labour!

wow what a wonderful xmas gift. Ah I am filling up now

Yes I was pretty much left alone, Other mw wondered why I was mostly asleep and giggling to myself.
My mw told them it was the endorphins kicking in, with effects similar to gas &air.

did feel high as a kite at some points but was lovely.

Yes own bed was great.
My dh cleaned up and ordered us a chinese, then we both fell into bed. Was a very long day. I had never felt so tired (I do now though with 21 month dd and 14 week ds)
Hope all goes well, how exciting.
I am broody already.

Awww. mine are almost 4, 2.5 and new baby

I'm glad you had a lovely time. Hopefully I will be posting a similar story soon

sadly dh says no more

cant wait to here your birth story.
will be looking out for it now.

no 1 GORGEOUS
cant believe that little boy is only 14 weeks!

fabulous pics well done you

Thank you. He does look older I think.
He was 10lb 2 so quite big baby.
Was weighed last week at just over 14lb.

Had to have a nose at your pics no1, they are great.

I have had 2 HBs but on dry land never fancied a waterbirth don't know why. It is lovely using your own toilet and getting in your own bed with your newborn baby.

Enchanted - the MWs comment about not letting the baby drown is up there with the HV telling me not to drop my baby.

gorgeous pics No1
I had both my boys at home in birhting pool (pics on profile although NOT in action like yours!)

I think the comments are odd but I was really lucky as we have a strong community midwife team and a good percentage of homebirths in our area.

Try not to be concerned.

tis in the red book as well. in the safety section

"never drop your baby"

lol

Congratulations. I'm a bit surprised (and concerned) that midwife doing the hospital antenatal course for my first baby had never been at a waterbirth considering their apparent popularity. I'd love a waterbirth but suspect I won't get to have one.

Maybe she was newly qualified or nervous or the the first time she has done the water birth talk. They have to say certain things I think and with more practice, or a bit more tactful put it a bit better.
I wanted to have dd in a birthing centre and they went ON and ON about if this awful thing happens then you can't come/we'll send you to hosp etc etc, it went on and on and I was thoroughly annoyed afterwards. Wasn't allowed to go there in the end anyway!
No1 lovely pics, thanks for sharing with all of us!

I'm going all misty eyed reading this thread. i had a fantastic home water birth with DC2 and it's one of the reasons why we won't be having a third DC. I just know that I won't be able to have such a perfect birth experience again (no one can be that lucky) and i want to end on a high note . I hope you have a fantastic time Enchanted.

Thank you and your welcome pamplemousse

I must say it took a lot of foot stomping to get the HWB.
They tried to fob me off with well you can start out in water but get out to deliver.
I was adamant I would not get out due to their inexperience, I would only get out if baby in danger.
I was very scared of tearing again so wanted water to at least help in that area.
It did. I didnt tear at all this time, and that was a very big issue for me.

awww mckenzie Thats great you had a fantastic experience, but there are people who have had it good more than once.
Must admit I feel very emotional on this thread too, might have to wash my birth dvd again now.