What happens if Little Girl comes fast... and at home!!!

[Pretty Butterfly]

My labours have been...
* 8hrs
* 4 hrs
* 2.5 hrs
* 1 hr and...
*45 min...... from first contraction!!!! I am completly worried little girl will come at home.

With my last two births, (nearly identical!), I needed to bear down, was checked to be 6 cm, waters broke next contraction, started to push, told "dont" and checked again, and was 10 cm both times!!! Pushed, and bubs were out within minutes from being 6 cm. I was barely at the hospital with Kane when he came!!

So if she comes at home, what do I do?? I am very confident I can do it alone, drug free, as I have had 5 vaginal, drug free good births, stitch free (bar 2nd, epi and forcepts used) but I dont know what to do afterwards!!

Obviously call an ambo, but then what??

* how long can I leave the cord? My placentas have all come away quickly and cleanly so far....

* will I have to go hospital? Would prob want to stay at home...

* how hard will getting her papers done be?

Anything I've missed???

(Homebirth up here isnt a choice so far, but ill keep looking!!!)

I just want to be prepared that when contractions start, esp if I'm home alone with the boys, I can do it ok till someone arrives!!!

[Phteven]

Most births that happen to fast to get to a hospital are quite straightforward.
There is no need to rush cutting the cord - you can leave it for the professionals.
If you've birthed and you feel fine I see no need to go to hospital, especially if you can get a home check-up.

[paradise lost]

If you don't have time to get medical assistance then chances are you won't need it.

Do nothing to the cord, the baby will not bleed. The cord will go white and then the placenta will come away - leave it attached until the ambo arrives as it will make it easier for them to catergorically say it was your baby and you gave birth to it (the only problem i can foresee with papaerwork is that there's no "professional" to say they witnessed, not sure if DH would do, but with the placenta still attached there's no WAY the ambo's can think you stole tha babe and are passing it off as yours.

If baby is breathing and eating and your bleeding is not excessive and you have no tears needing stitches then you can absolutely stay at home - just tell the ambo's you'd rather stay put and arrange to have your GP call in ASAP (the next day if it's the middle of the night) to do all the normal Ped checks and make sure you're ok. They will probably stay with you an hour or two, to make sure your bleeding isn't going to increase (the first 2 hours after birth is the highest risk bit for PPH) and *might* pressure you to go in so they don't have to wait about, but you don't HAVE to go in.

I don't know about paperwork, it'd probably depend on situation and state, but these things MUST happen sometimes, so there will be a way, don't worry

If i were you i'd be planning a homebirth to save myself the worry!

Bx

[Pretty Butterfly]

Thanks guys!!!

I wish a homebirth was possible up here, but so far, no one, including midwives, knows anyone that will do it!!

We would never get a home check by a doc up here!!!

BUT the midwives are great, and do home visits!!! So i'd call them in first!!!

I bleed VERY heavy after my babies, but lochia is gone in 4-5 days, so to them it will seem very heavy.

Being my 6th, are the chances greater for too much bleeding??

I will leave the cord!

[Freya]

Ah this a a great thread, Ive been wondering the same thing Jodie as my first two labours were 3hrs & 90mins!!

[myson]

interesting to me too. my second labour was 45 mins and only about 5 pushes. and since then i have moved 30 mins away from the hosp. although dh swears he can make it in less than 15 ( and is busting for the chance to try!)

from what i understand, and feel free to correct me if im wrong...

when bubs head is out stop pushing and feel to check if the cord is around neck. lift it over the head to untangle bubs if it is.... this is all just theory, believe me I have no idea of how that works in practice.

when bub is out lift it up and hold to your chest for warmth. If placenta delivers before aasistance arrives just wrap it up and leave it. dont cut the cord and keep the baby elevated to a higher position than the placenta.

I just heard a story of a baby delivered in perth on the weekend. she arrived in the front seat of the car, on the side of the road. delivered by dad (no ambulance arrived til later) she was footling breech with legs all tangled up in cord. and she and mother both absolutely fine. father also well but upholstery not so great

[Nelle]

I had Si at home in around 50min.

Head to the hospital at the first contraction I reckon. If you have good enough support (someone to stay and watch the kids), I wonder if you could be admitted? Someone suggested that to me for my next...

Leave the cord, some don't cut it at all, but leave it attached to the placenta. The ambos should cut it.

You might need to get to a hospy if you've torn, or are bleeding. If you're not sure of anything, won't hurt to head to hospital to get checked out, you can always make it clear that you want to head home the same day if you like.

My papers were done by the hospital when I went in.

The only thing I'd be concerned about is your bleeding, if you tend to bleed afterwards...if the ambos tell you to go in to hospital, perhaps ask them why. Because I felt fine, but my midwife friend (who came just as Si was sliding out) said no, you're torn and bleeding too much. So I wasn't the best judge of my situation then, I'd just had a baby on my own, I felt fine! :P

I would also chat with your doctor/midwives, say I'm NOT planning on a deliberate homebirth. But I DO need to know what to do if it happens. Maybe bring your dh or any other older person who'll be home to that one. They will be able to tell you what to look for.

Perhaps even have two phones, the ambos will want to stay on the phone, perhaps have your child or dh talking to them, and I'd call the hospital and have them on speakerphone. They can tell your dh what to be watching for down the business end of things. My dh delivered Si just fine on his own, but the midwives said, if it happens again, feel free to call us for a bit of guidance.


ETA: WOW Myson! Footling breech on her own!! Amazing!

[PinkPalace]

Obviously call an ambo, but then what??
Yes call the ambos to let them know that you are in labour and have had a very short history of labours... tell them to bring a humidcrib incase they dont make it in time for bub.

* how long can I leave the cord? My placentas have all come away quickly and cleanly so far....
You can actually leave the cord until it falls off if you really wanted to (look up lotus births). I wouldnt attempt to clamp or cut it AT ALL at home - hate to do the wrong thing and have a bleed!

* will I have to go hospital? Would prob want to stay at home...
I think this depends on how things go - ask them, you should have a dr check bub out - it might be an outpatient review in the maternity ward or your GP. - check with the hospital that you have been booked in to. MOst hassle free births you can go home after 6 hours later anyhow so shouldnt be any reason they make you stay at hospital other than a check of you, the baby and the placenta.

* how hard will getting her papers done be?
Shouldnt be a problem once you have been seen by a dr for checks - they will be able to do this as the attending MO


Anything I've missed???
Just remember to have lots of skin to skin contact and wrap bub up in warm blankets (not hot be careful). Get DH to throw some clean towels in the dryer on warm when you are in labour so they are ready - and wrap them around both of you (not just bub ) - the best warmth bub can get is wrapped up against your body!

Havea warm wet washer ready too to wipe over bubs face - he might have some mucous/muck in his mouth and nose .... not sure how you would get this out but i am sure you will get some ideas.

Have some icepacks ready in the freezer incase you have tear or bleed down there to help stop the bleeding until you can be sutured!

And best of luck!

I have been looking up things to do myself as DD was a 2 hr labour and i am nervous this one will be quicker!