Homebirth General Discussion #1

[Trish]

Babylove, if you go and check out the birth and labour montages you will some pics of Schmickers. He's really not that hairy. Or he keeps well covered up

[Schmickers]

LOL...

I am really derailing this thread with discussion of my personal grooming, but here are some pics of me at the birth of Molly... Molly's Birth (I'd put a link to my homepage in my signature, but I'm skirting the edges of the character limit...

[Trish]

Oh Michael, did they HAVE to be topless shots

[Cricket]

Well, you wanted to know how hairy he was. Now you know.

And now for the bigger question - does he pass for a doulo, based on his chest hair, or lack thereof?

[Schmickers]

Believe me, there is no lack...

I am at a Breast Friendly Hospital Initiative workshop today. The suggestion that I would hav to wax my nipples to avoid giving a baby "pash-rash" has been made...

[Trish]

PMSL Michael. You'd do anything to see some boobies hun

[Julie Doula]

Hi Julie Doula - quick question for you...

What is 'pelvic mapping' ?

I am 5' nothing and hubby is 6'3"...I wouldn't consider myself petite but am a bit worried about having a big baby and not being able to birth vaginally (and I really, really, really dont want a CS unless its absolutely necessary!) Is pelvic mapping something I should know about / look into?

Hi Babylove sorry it took me so long to reply.

I should be a sales rep for The Pink Kit, seriously. They should pay me!!! I would recommend The Pink Kit, it really goes into the pelvic mapping so well, and helps you understand & really 'get' the bony structure of your pelvis and the soft tissue as well.

Pelvic mapping - they talk you through it. You feel the pubic bone at the front, and the tailbone at the back. You notice how that diameter actually changes as you move into different positions, like kneeling, one knee up, semi squatting etc. Then you feel for your sit-bones, see how far apart they are, see how they also MOVE when you assume different positions, and which ones make you feel more open and spacious. You feel your birth outlet and you get a really good feel for how much room you have, and the shape of your unique pelvic. It builds your confidence in your own equipment.

Don't worry too much about tiny wee you and big tall dh. After doing the mapping and reassuring yourself of your womanly capacities, and learning techniques for making space in your pelvic, you'll feel like you can birth a bus (OK then, a 10 pounder at least!) You might be little, but through the mapping you may actually find that your actual pelvic dimensions are the same or even larger than other women. And if a woman finds out through the pelvic mapping that a particular dimension of her pelvis is on the smaller side, she can then learn specific positions and techniques that will help make room in that area.

There are workshops around that go into pelvic mapping etc, but The Pink Kit you do in the privacy of your own home. It includes a DVD, audio CD, book, and two PDF files you read on the computer. It cost about $100 but it is well worth it and you'll be mobbed by takers if you wanted to re-sell it.

They also teach techniques for making space such as the sit-bone spread (I used that with spectacular success at one first time mama birth), the hip lift and the sacral hinge.

There's also what they call 'Internal Work" - they talk you through it on the CD. It is gently exploring the tissues of your vagina and perineum. You realise just how stretchy and tensile these tissues are, and how through breathing and relaxation, you can significantly release tension that might block the baby's progress or cause you to tear.

The overall benefit is growing confidence in your birthing body, and from having specific skills up your sleeve for labour should you need them.

All the best Babylove!

[Mummatotwo!]

hi everyone, i am currently ttc #2 and will have a HBAC, which i am so freaking excited about, i am soooo glad that this forum has a section for this.

As i have never had a VB, i am a little scared and feel like i am really jumping in the deep end here, but in reality, its such a natural occurance in my eyes.

I look forward to getting to know every one, and would love early prep tips

[paradise lost]

Welcome Blakesmummy!

You can probably read back but to save you the bother i had DD, my first child, at home in the UK last April fool's day . All fine, had a bit of gas and air and the synto for the 3rd stage (anxious MW and i took pity on her, lol). Very fast active labour, but longer from my point of view Birth story is here.

Did you labour at all with your DS? Tell us about your birth

Bx

[JellyBean]

Our first bub is due in 3 weeks and we are planning a homebirth. I am on the Community Midwifery Program which is sadly the only government funded home-birthing program in WA, as it is run in conjunction with King Edward hospital. My midwife visits me in my home on a regular basis for checkups which is ever-so-convenient, and even better is that so far we have spent zero dollars on my pregnancy and will spend zero dollars on the birth. Save for maybe a present for my fabulous midwife when its all over!! Thinking that a waterbirth will be the wisest option given the soaring Feb temperatures here in Perth... Can't wait until the Ricki Lake doco becomes accessible here so I can show it to all my critics!!

[Fairy Princess]

We are VERY lucky to have the Community Midwifery Program in WA! But I'm not sure it is run in conjunction with KE Hospital. My understanding is that it is an independent program run through the Health Department with offices in Fremantle, Leederville and one opening in Joondalup March/April? I always liked the idea that they were not associated with any hospital, it made me feel like they were truly independent. Maybe I had the wrong idea? Does anyone else know?

Unfortunately the HD keeps playing with their funding so we need to encourage everyone to spread the word about how good they are. The program didn't cover our area for our first home waterbirth so we paid privately. The funding was then extended to our area and we had our same midwife and same service for our second home waterbirth but no fee - Yippee. Then they cut the funding so we are again paying privately for our third home waterbirth in April.

But I am not complaining about having to pay - it is worth every penny!

I maybe off topic, but I am interested to hear from anyone who has had a lotus birth.

[~kaos~]

and even better is that so far we have spent zero dollars on my pregnancy and will spend zero dollars on the birth.

I think that another important fact is that it the cost to the taxpayer is significantly reduced due to your choice to have your baby at home. It is an all round win-win..... Those who need emergency care and the hospital beds get it, those who have normal, healthy pregnancies and don't require all that stuff don't

The bill for us at the end of the pregnancy is going to be quite big, once we take into account the MW's fees, the private ultrasound I had, the additional GP fees (my GP, who is supportive does not bulk bill) and all the natural therapies I've been having to keep in tip top shape. But you know what, my family is in a situation where we can afford (our baby bonus will pay for most, with a little contribution from us) and it has been so worth it for the continuity of care, the home appointments, and being able to birth the way I want, not having to fight against the hospitals and their policies....

[Helly]

Hey there girls and boys (I feel like a kindy teacher)

I'm a naturopath having my first, and I'm opting for a homebirth! I've been VERY lucky to find a midwife willing to do private homebirths in my town (I would have temporarily moved to Perth if I had to!).

I wanted to homebirth ever since I first knew what it was (as a young girl). It just makes more sense to me - I'll go to the hospital if I'm ill, but if I'm not, why not stay home! My midwife is currently applying to get public funding (would be SO awesome for her if she did, and cheaper for us ), fingers crossed that goes through!

So yeah, just wanted to make the connection, say hi to everyone....

[EJM]

Hi, I am set for a homebirth, in water and hope there is no need to go to the hosp! I feel great, so I am confident the waterbirth will happen.

We moved from Canberra to Toowoomba at about 16wks, so our pregnancy care was a bit stop-start. We only decided on the homebirth half way through the pregnancy - the information we got from drs etc was not very helpful and motivated me to investigate other options. This led me to the only private midwife in Toowoomba and luckily she was able to book us in (she takes 4 due per month).

I have less than 4wks till due date and am really excited! My husband gets a month off, so will be able to share in the initial family bonding, this is our first baby, so it is going to be a special time!

I have had a showing 4 days ago, and I can feel a few different sensations down there, so things are progressing.

I just wanted to share my story as I have found it so helpful looking up bellybelly info whenever I needed a bit of information, or just to read experiences of others.

Might post some more as I get closer as I am VERY excited and the anticipation of the entire event is exhausting! Also I am quite bored at home... waiting .... waiting!

[Trish]

Congratulations on your pregnancy and welcome to BB.

Hoping that your HB goes just the way you want it to.

Both of my girls were born at home in water. It was just perfect not having to be in hospital, having to leave the house in the middle of labour, or have strangers look at my bits or handle my baby.

Can't wait to hear how it all goes for you

[EJM]

Thanks! I am so excited! I cant wait!

I am definitely looking forward to the comfort of being at home and creating a relaxing environment for the labour and birth!

[Cricket]

Welcome EJM! I gave birth to my 3rd baby at home in the water. It was a great experience, although I had nothing against the hospital really either. I definitely will try for another birth at home, if I get the chance.
All the best for your upcoming labour and birth! Hope everything goes exactly according to your plans.

[Freya]

Homebirthers I have a mission should you choose to accept it

Ive decide for baby #3 I would like a homebirth. But my Dh is adamantly against it because my first preg ended in pre eclampsia and the 2nd was fraught with pre term labour etc so he is gung ho about being in hospital "just in case". I dont see any reason why I couldnt have a homebirth as every pregnancy is different and it isnt the labour/delivery that has the complications.

So I need some info to give to him that might make him see that our child WONT die or be seriously at risk if I have a homebirth.