Homebirth General Discussion #1

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I think i'm having second thoughts here about a homebirth, im not sure. Maybe i'm just really scared of the unknown? And like someone else mentioned, i feel a bit selfish for spending all that money... i dunno maybe i jsut need some more reasurence?

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Hey darl, the journey from fear to confidence is a special one deserving of honour.

NAPSAC (National Association of Parents & Professionals for Safe Alternatives in Childbirth) speaks of two things that help to overcome fear surrounding birth:

1. Faith - confidence, belief in yourself, that women can do it, that you can do it, that birth is safe as life gets and it is intervention/interference that is risky. Faith is the antidote to fear.

2. Knowledge

What things may build your faith?

What things will grow your knowledge?

Different things work for different people, you know how you best like to absorb and consolidate new information. It is an exciting journey of discovery you are on - but it is vital that your take responsibility for this journey and for becoming informed and being open to that paradigm shift in your awareness.

Ideas for Building faith and confidence:
- work with your body. Exercise, relaxation & breathing, walking, swimming, dance, The PinK Kit, pelvic mapping, perineal massage, understanding your hormones, optimal foetal positioning

Ideas for Growing knowledge:
- independent childbirth classes
- viewing birth videos of women's homebirths - check out Youtube.
- recommended reading
- hire a doula


Blessings for your journey! You may well blaze a trail for others.

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In your opinion, do you think that there is any way that I can give myself a better chance for a natural birth (apart from having my fingers crossed that I have a good midwife on the day?).

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Yes of course there are plenty of things you can do to improve your chances for having the natural birth that you want. One of the biggest factors seems to be how long women stay at home before rocking up to hospital. The longer you leave it, the less opportunities there are for them to push unwanted routine protocols on to you. Your labour also has a better chance of progressing normally if you're in your home environment and feel supported.

It also pays to decide now what things you might compromise on, and what things you are not willing to compromise on, knowing the risks. Then you can decide how far you're prepared to go to protect your birthing space. Ideally women should not have to compromise, it is THEIR birth, and they are the consumer here. Technically the caregiver works for them but unfortunately that is not where the balance of power sits in our society where birth is concerned.

And yes I am a doula. There is one other in Cairns doing qualifications through CBI same as me. You're most welcome to meet with me and chat if you would like to get things off your chest and see what you can do about addressing your concerns about birthing at CBH. You won't need to scrape together any money. You can e-mail me if you want to discuss this further, my address is cairnsdoulas@gmail.com

I've come to the decision that a home birth would be the safest option for me and am very excited now that the decision is made!

I've hit a fairly big hurdle though. I can't find a midwife who can attend me. I will be living in Bacchus Marsh and if anyone has any info I would really appreciate it. Anyone practicing on the West side of Melbourne. This is my third baby and I want as little intervention during the pregnancy as well as birth so there really won't be much to do!

What are the laws regarding giving birth without a registered midwife? I know in England its illegal, is it the same here?

Do all of you who have home births register with your local hospital 'just in case'? I would be a little hesitant, wouldn't that be the same as stocking up on formula and bottles 'just in case'?

As I said is my first post there is so much to say (or should that be ask??)

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?

Smickers, I wish finances didn't rule the bloody world! The midwifery community is missing out on a leader and advocate for women birthing how they want to birth. Heres to winning Lotto!

Jakana - can't answer your questions about the legalities of home-birth attendants by you, but as far as registering at the hospital goes - it's just in case you run into trouble in labour, so that no one has to go and fill out forms, etc, right before or after the birth. (and, as my midwife pointed out - if people ask where you are having this baby, and you don't want to tell them you are birthing at home, or think they will freak out, you can tell them the name of that hospital! ;)) I don't think it's the same as having formula in the house, just in case, but an extra safety net, sort of. Doesn't mean you're any more likely to transfer, but if you have to, they'll be ready for you.

Baby-love - I've heard that babies are more likely to follow their own mother's size at birth. Don't know if that's true for everyone, but it has been for us. My DH is 6'4", 280lb, (all muscle ;)) and I'm not really so small myself - (5'7" and I have no clue what weight right now - 190?) and my babies have been 6lb14oz, 7lb10oz, and 7lb8oz. I don't think it happens that often that a mother is really too small to push her baby out. And a lot of bigger babies are chubby, which contributes to their weight. It's not like their head and shoulders are that much bigger than smaller babies', they just have chubbier tummies. :) I was pretty worried about a c-section, too, with my first, since my mother had to have them, but all was well. No tearing, even! Don't stress about that right now. I'm sure you'll be fine.

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I can't find a midwife who can attend me. I will be living in Bacchus Marsh and if anyone has any info I would really appreciate it. Anyone practicing on the West side of Melbourne.

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Hi Jakana, here are a few midwives out in the westerly direction. Not sure who is closest to you, but why not give them a call, they would be the best ones to know if there are any indy midwives closer to you.

Tina Pettigrew BMid CBE (NACE)
Midwife in Private Practice
5 Lavina Crt
Moriac VIC 3240
Mobile: 0439398231
Services: Surfcoast Midwifery Services is a personalised, professional midwifery service specalising in homebirth and private childbirth education. Covering Greater Geelong and the Surfcoast, Colac/Otway, Ballarat and Werribee.

Andrea Quanchi
93 Campaspe Esplanade
Echuca VIC 3564
Phone: (03) 5482 6283
Mobile: 0419 246 303
Services: Independent midwife, home or hospital births, antenatal and postnatal care. Has completed a course on maternal and child health.

Kath Maxwell
Location: Geelong/Bellarine Peninsula
Phone: (03) 5251 2021
Services: Independent midwife and Calmbirth Practitioner. Antenatal care and education, labour and birth support in the hospital or in the home.

Wendy Buckland
31 Park Cresent
Wangaratta VIC 3677
Phone: (03) 57221605
Mobile: 0437 196 428
Services: I provide full antenatal care and education, labour and birth care at home or in the hospital setting and postnatal care.

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What are the laws regarding giving birth without a registered midwife? I know in England its illegal, is it the same here?

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Who told you that homebirth without a registered midwife in attendance was illegal? It is not to my knowledge. I'd like to see the law where it states it is illegal if one even exists!

As for Australian law, it is illegal for anyone to practice as a midwife when they are NOT a registered midwife. So that makes lay midwivery illegal. Having support people at your birth does not make it illegal because they are merely there for support, not to carry out any medical diagnosis or protocols. There are plenty of people who have freebirthed on the Mothering community from Australia and the UK. There is an Australian website about purebirth that discusses legalities, women's rights and how to go about obtaining birth certificates for homebirths without midwives in attendance.

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Smickers, I wish finances didn't rule the bloody world! The midwifery community is missing out on a leader and advocate for women birthing how they want to birth. Heres to winning Lotto!

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Awwww ... you, know, that is probably the nicest thing anyone has said to me today...:redface:

It is NOT illegal to birth alone in the UK. In fact a woman is legally protected in the UK to be able to birth wherever she wants. In the oath our midwives take on graduation they accept that if they are called to a birth they must go and in fact a few years back there was a ruckus over that because a woman who'd arranged a homebirth went into labour. She had been told at the 11th hour (38+5wks) there "might not" be staff to have her homebirth, but called the hospital in labour and asked for someone to attend. The midwife she spoke to had done much of her antenatal care, and was about to finish for the night. The hospital said "tell her no, she has to come in", the woman refused to go in, the midwife finished work and went straight to the woman and delivered her baby. The midwife was then fired for delivering the baby without "permission" from the hospital, though she would have been breaking her oath had she not attended. It was all a big mess, i think she left the NHS and works privately now.

In some states in america is illegal to HAVE a midwife, you must have an Ob and be in hospital. Madness!

Bx

I said that Smickers, then I went to check your gallery to see exactly how hairy a bloke-as-midwife we'd be dealing with and guess what??.....no photo!! If it turns out you're Yeti like, I might have to take it back!! :D

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 ;)

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...:D

Oh Michael, did they HAVE to be topless shots ;)

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? ;)

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...

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

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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?

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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!

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 :)

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 :D. 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

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!!

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.

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

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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....

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.... :)

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 :excited: and the anticipation of the entire event is exhausting! Also I am quite bored at home... waiting .... waiting! :lol:

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 :D

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!

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.

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.

Hi AnnaT,

How far are you from a hospital? If your only 15min or so away, it wont take you long to transfer in an emergency... I take it you'll have a private MW and they should know well ahead of time if there is a reason to go to hospital.

I also found that DH and I were a lot more comfortable with our homebirth choice after meeting our midwife, and talking through all the concerns and issues that could come up.

I am more scared about what could happen to me and bubs in a hospital than at home!

Hope you are able to convince DH that homebirth is the best choice for YOU! After all it is you and bubs that need to feel happy about labour/birthing choices!

I should be having my first bub AT HOME any day now!! And I have a great support team to help me through it!

:goodluck2:

Well in our new house we'll be no more than 15min away, probably less. Our health fund covers homebirths/midwife fee's etc so we could be choosy about what middie we pick. I can understand his concern, but I honestly feel that Im so lucky to have great labours/deliveries why not take advantage of that by having a homebirth. Worse case scenario I end up in hosp or induced. I would probably see an OBGYN too just in case and book into the private hospy on the off chance it goes bottom up.

I plan on NOT being induced unless neccesary next time round and with the way my labours go it could end up being a homebirth even if he doesnt want one lol

Thanks for the help! I hope your birth goes smoothly, take lots of pics for babies album!

Hi AnnaT
I am in Maryborough, about 300k from you. If you want I would be haqppy to meet you and your DH somewhere and have a chat about homebirth

He agreed to a homebirth on the proviso that I see an OB through my pregnancy just in case :dance: Although now he has idea's about helping me birth the baby :lol:

So I will be lurking in here until next Sept and then hopefully we'll be pregnant and can start planning the birth.

Yay Im so excited :clap:

Wow AnnaT that's great!

My DH is planning to catch bubs! As long as everything is okay with the cord etc... I think partners would feel more comfortable being more involved in a homebirth, which is great!

Good Luck!!

Hi Everyone,
I am 30yrs old and planning my first home birth in less than 10weeks. I have had to really positive hospital births but this time it just feels right to have this one at home. I am living in the Brisbane area and have found two private MW's that tag team each other and both should be at the birth. Its such a pity as we have only just moved from NSW where there was medicare funded home births now its going to cost me $3500. Lucky for the baby bonus :)

I think i have all the normal concerns/fears/hopes/excitment as most but am looking forward to talking with more people who are going on the same journey or have been there themselves.

Cheers Milly

Hi Milly, congratulations and good luck with your homebirth!

Mine is costing the exact same amount... I say its a good way to spend the baby bonus!

Hopefully I will be in labour soon! Any moment now!! Its kind of weird that all we do is call Sonya (midwife), and not worry about leaving our home to go to hosp!

Do you guys not have health insurance? Is $3500 what it costs when you dont or is that an excess?

Sorry for being nosy but I want to plan ahead so if we need a lump sum to pay then I better get saving.

A lot of midwives have a payment plan option - pay some now, pay some on the way, pay the rest after the birth.
Sometimes it works out better not to have insurance, I reckon! We have been paying a premium for about 4 years now and it's been such a waste. All the money we spent on premiums is more than I would have paid for an op I had, for the osteo treatments I've had, the dental we've had...and still would have paid for a homebirth if we had put that money towards one! We'll cut our losses (because HBA might be bringing in HB cover at the end of the year) and pay for it without insurance cover, because all that we'll pay in premiums until I fall pg again (DS is really being an efficient contraceptive with his BFing habits!), not to mention the out of pockets we'll face anyway, will come to about what we'd have to pay for a homebirth. I just don't care anymore, I want my HB and I'll pay for a good midwife of choice when the time comes, even if I have to take out some kind of loan until the Baby Bonus is paid (those installment payments will suck big time!).
I was talking to a friend of my SIL's who had a HB, over the weekend, and I've got even more of a hankering now! So, someone have a word in DS's ear to stop feeding overnight...;)

Some health insurers pay out small amounts towards home midwifery services, but as far as I am aware, none of them even approach covering the full cost.

DW charges $4000 for the full package - antenatal care and education, birth support at home or in hospital, and postnatal care. One of the midwives who was there when Molly was born in Sydney now charges $5000.

Welcome aboard, AnnaT - I think you've made a great decision.

Wow, i know you guys are envious that the NHS does homebirths for free in the UK, but if i HAD decided to get my own midwife to do my birth (and gotten the one-on-one care i'd have loved) it would have been about 3000-5000 GBP! A LOT more expensive! Also we don't get the baby bond or anything like it. Those on benefits get 250-500GBP for big baby items like pram/cot etc. but you have to be in reciept of a particular benefit to qualify. We qualified for both the benefit and the lump sum but because the department that processed the benefit took 6 months to look at our claim the window of opportunity closed and i didn't get a penny. I think the UK theory works better than the practice!

DP gets medical with his new job and we're secretly hoping they'll pay for a homebirth midwife. If they do i'd CERTAINLY get a private middie, though i'd go NHS again no worries before i paid out of pocket. There's a difference between someone who supports your wishes and someone who is paid to support your wishes...

Bx

AnnaT - I think you were in my due in group when I had my daughter Harriet in Sep 2006. I had to rejoin because i lost my password. I am planning a home birth this time too. Although I am going for midwife only care.