Information about Unexpected Birth at Home

[Bloom]

Hi all,

I know its early, but I am interested and excited about giving birth again! With DS I dilated quite quickly (for a first timer), tho DS got stuck on the way out (posterior with a hand up beside his face), so that slowed things down a bit. I was warned by the midwife to expect a quick labour this time, all things going well. I don't want to turn up to the hospital early, but neither do I want to be unprepared.

So what I am after is a good source of information for DH and I to read on the basics of dealing with an unexpected homebirth. (I assume also that the ambulance phone people can talk you through what do to?) I am NOT preparing to freebirth, but I just want to be prepared in case we don't make it to the hospital.

I know this has happened to at least on BBer, so please share your thoughts etc.

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

I am not 100% on reading material or how to 'PLAN' for it, the 2nd time round for me i called the hospital and told them i was coming, i was certain they would send me home but they didn't.
My OB told me the minute my contractions were regular to go in, whether they were 15 min or 10min apart.

For IF you do have to labor at home and very quickly you will need:

Towels, a soft comfortable place for you to lay or sit etc.
Blankets to wrap bub (preferably ones you don't care if they get ruined) - keeping yourself and bub warm during and after the birth can def help.
Use your shower or bath tub to your advantage, nice warm showers or baths will relieve pressure.

CALL 000 they are so so helpful and they will instruct you through the labor (if needed) - they do a fantastic job.

[Kazbah]

First aid course. Go do one now, you and your DH. Check that you've chosen one that does emergency childbirth and ask questions.

[Nelle]

If you realise 'this is it', go find somewhere calm and comfy to birth and do what you need to do. Not much else you can really, apart from focus on your job.
Your partner should call 000 and hang out with you to support and keep an eye on you. I don't remember anyone giving me any instructions though. When I birthed, my dh just popped in the bath and caught bub, wrapped him in warm towels. To be honest, the ambos I had weren't particularly knowledable about birth (as in, they know the basics, but they have to know the basics of everything!). They could have kept me alive, but they didn't notice I was haemorrhaging, it was my student midwife who did and sent us on our way. They were very good at making sure baby was breathing and warm, but I certainly felt glad to have my birth support partner there to keep an eye on me! (I have a bit of a tendency to haemorrhage though, I don't actually know how common it is).

I guess read a few birth stories, particularly homebirths or accidental births at home, so that you can read about what happened, and feel confident that you can do it, and also be aware of how birth works so you can accurately describe things to 000 and the ambos. For me, labour was really intense and erratic, it felt really powerful and out of control until I started to push, which eased the pain. So perhaps, don't wait for all contractions to be x mins apart to head in. If you have gaps of 8 min, 2 min, 5 min...it might be time. Having said that, if I realised birth was close and I might not make the hospital in time, I'd be staying home and calling 000. I'd not want to risk birthing on the side of the road, and I can't imagine holding off pushing while having to sit in a seat with a seatbelt...

It's really good that you're working out the logistics early - but who knows, you may not need it in the end. Each bub is different, maybe this one will be bigger and slower? (I say that cos my second was smaller and quicker, I don't know if that's how things work, it's probably just one variable in a complicated equation!)

Anyway, that was a bit haphazard, but hopefully it's helped a bit.

[Inertia]

My sister labours rapidly and has had 2 accidental home births. 2 others births the hospitals induced early to try and prevent it from happening again so find out what your hospitals policy is on that. With her last baby our dad just called an ambulance and explained that she has precipitous labour, so they sent an ambulance straight around.

[Maruschke]

Watch lots of gory birth videos with DH, and have a plan for what to do (quickly!) with DS.

[Sagres]

Excellent question - I'm subscribing because I don't plan for this to happen 'next time' but some information on what to do if it does would be very useful. I know my dad got a few pointers from our doctor after I was born 'just in case' no. 3 was quicker - and no. 3 was a lot quicker! I have inherited my mums 'instant' dilating skills!

[Bloom]

Thanks everyone this is really interesting. I will be getting out the first aid manual too and having a look at that and also figuring out what to do with DS.

LOL Sagres at instant dilating skills - not something you'd put on your resume!

[Sagres]

LOL Sagres at instant dilating skills - not something you'd put on your resume!

Err no