Hey bella hasn't been in in ages... Hope she is ok
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Hey bella hasn't been in in ages... Hope she is ok
Oh k cool. No too far from me then.
Bella's fine :) Was talking to her a couple of days ago about wraps :)
Lovely to see you today Jennifer :) Hannah looked very snuggly in your wrap! Yep it was lovely to cluck over all the new babies! :)
Oh Kelly, talk about a rock and a hard place! Hope the drive is worth it!! I hated driving too but I found a small cushion behind my lower back helped. Those bucket seats in cars are not good.
And you know what I think you should do about your iron :p Mmm... liver! Well, it's not so yum but it hides well in burgers & meatloaf and small raw pieces swallowed frozen go down without any trouble. I seriously zing a few hours after swallowing some raw liver!
Planned a Homebirth and been refused referrals or scripts by a Dr? Please reply to Homebirth Australia request.
Kelly? i think you had problems with this:
If you are a woman planning a homebirth (or a midwife) and a doctor has recently declined to provide you or your client with referrals for ultrasounds or prescriptions due to advice from the Australian Medical Association or insurance companies - can you please contact homebirthaustralia@gmail.com - thank you.
Mr GP was fine with scripts but I believe a lot are not. I was her first HBing patient but I suspect I won't be her last. She is a big believer in woman-focused midwifery.
:
Thanks! This is helpful :) I don't have GP so I just go to the clinic for referrals... And some of those doctors are right ****s about it. I'll be keeping this email handy.
i think i must be very lucky to have a GP that doesnt even bat an eyelid at our choice to HB :dunno:
:
I did but this was in 2008. I couldn't find anywhere up here so when I went for a visit back in NSW my old ob wrote out everything for my Hb MW :)
Qld is a bit backwards :)
Hi ladies - how is everyone?
Cass - so exciting that you'll be home an preparing soon!
Kelly - have you been to see that osteo yet? Mine was such a huge help during my pregnancy and with C afterwards!
Cricket & Em - how goes the baby mooning?
AFM - thing are good, I'm super clucky for another baby and another HB but have to wait until DS is a bit older - I'd struggle so much with 2 under 2 and also want to give C my full attention for a while :)
I also thought I'd post here (hope it's ok?' the link to piece I wrote on my homebirth earlier in the week...HotI kindly posted it on FB! I'm completely blown away by how far it's travelled - it's had over 50 retweets on twitter and 20 shares on FB! I'm really proud of it just because I think it's a really positive piece :) Hope you like!
http://t.co/1ZZRwJrm
Hi all :)
Sorry I haven't post, just have no motivation.
Kell, I hope you have found some relief for your back. You are more than welcome to join in our HB group if you like. Just let me know and I will ad you to the email list.
The local midwife here can do referrals for u/s... Not sure about scripts though. I know she attended the birth of a woman who's uncle was the dr I used for the birth of DD#4 so I am sure he would be happy to write scripts.
I am not using a midwife. I was seeing one early in my pregnancy because I found my pregnancy very stressful and needed a professional to talk with and reassure me, but I got to a stage where I felt more comfortable going ahead on my own. I have a couple of very wise women as well as my family who will be here for the birth and I am very happy with how my plans for birth are coming along :) i suppose at 31 weeks my thoughts of the birth should be in order. Everyone keeps asking me if I have everything ready... Hmmm... I have boobs, nappies and a vagina... Yep, I'm ready ;)
This is awesome!!! Wowsers.:
(P.S. Ms Freedman is a douche)
Eutra: i reckon that you are awesome to take on mia...she makes my skin crawl lol.
This is really great. Thank you so much for writing it.:
Mirimum, Cass & Meow - thanks! Glad you liked it.
Tanya - vagina, breasts, nappies - you're all set!! :)
9 weeks to go and you have that much organized already...! Super-prepared. ;) Especially since you've tried and tested all three.
Yeah, I keep thinking... Surely there is something I should be doing to prepare for the birth, but I really can't think of anything right now. Ahh well, plenty of time :)
I found that the prep I did for my later babies (aside from the cleaning....) was more about getting them something special. I didn't need anything for them, but I wanted to have a couple of new little PJs or a special blanket just for them, or whatever. Couldn't ban myself entirely from getting adorable baby stuff! :)
Things are good here, by the way. Anna has slept through a night or two already, but usually just gets up once. That makes a HUGE difference! I'm feeling very much back to normal, and ready to start up my pilates DVD again soon. Can't wait to get rid of this pregnancy weight. I was fit for the first time in my life before becoming pregnant this time, and it was SUCH A GOOD FEELING!!! I can't wait to get there again. :) I tried to keep it up during my pregnancy, and exercised for a good while, but I was just too sore to keep going - my hips and back were really painful this time. And I was hungry all the time, and I tried to stick with healthy stuff, but even that will put weight on if you keep eating it.... :rolleyes:
How is everyone else?
I thought that my subscription to this thread must of dropped off seeing i havent seen any new posts.....but you have all just gone quiet.....
I had a pap smear yesterday (lovely - not) but it was with a really nice OB that was public when i had DSs homebirth, so i saw her for the booking in stuff, she was so nice then and supportive. She went private when i had DD3 and her practise wouldnt 'let" her support a homebirth....one of the many hurdles that lead us to making dumb decisions.....anyway i was late having my pap by about a year as i just could not face someone 'down there' after DD3s birth. But this OB remembered me and was lovely again and we talked about DD3s birth, she was so sorry id had a shocking time and was so disappointed after knowning id had three beautiful births before that. SO she said that if i go again she will find a way to support me. Even if that has to be in the private hospital with her as the private OB doing it MY way..... It helps but really not sure if i can face all that again. Seems so sad to not have a child my whole life because im am too scared to face another pregnancy and birth like DD3s.......
anyway just my ramblings...
Belly rubs to all of those due so soon!
Oh thats was AMAZING. Thank you for writting this!:
So, I have an appointment with a midwife on Monday! Finally! A huge sense of relief to finally have some care, I'll be 17 weeks on Monday. Can't wait to book my birth pool and really start planning this.
Question re birth pools; what did you have if you got one? My midwife is Nicola Dutton from Midwives Naturally, and they offer I think 3 or 4 birth pools...3 inflatable at all different sizes, and one wooden. I quite like the idea of the wooden one, for the sturdiness of the edges, I'm not sure how much weight the edges can bear on the inflatable? I had a La Bassine I believe with DD but we never got to use it.
Birth pools are very sturdy, and very comfy :)
Team, glad your pap smear wasn't so unpleasant, I am well overdue for one... And not really in a hurry to get one... :redface:
Not much happening here. Bub is head down ready to go. I have been sewing some liners for pp lochia... Ummmm... Need to get my nappies out and see what we have, I know I have lots of prefolds, not sure how many covers. Bought some nappy gripper thingies from the US, I think they are call boingos? Also got a good matress protector jic :)
And that's about all... *shrugs*
PumpkinZulu - how exciting to have a mw appt! I hope it goes really well and you click with her :)
Tegam so sorry to hear about your experience with DD3s birth not being a good one. I can imagine it would be hard to want to think about doing it again. Do you want more children though? I wonder if a doula or counsellor trained in birth support would be helpful, even if just to debrief some more? {hugs}
I have my 12 week appt on Monday - can't believe it's finally so close! I'm been struggling with a nasty cough and ms as well, feeling like I broke a rib a few days ago from all the coughing. So I can't wait to hit 2nd trimester, but especially hanging out for the weather to warm up! I'm sure by mid summer when I'm heavily pregnant I'll be over the heat, but right now it sounds heavenly! :)
Found out yesterday that a good friend is 7wks pregnant with twins! It was IVF with 2 embryos, but still an exciting surprise to have both bubs doing well! So we're likely to have our bubs around the same time :lol:
I'm still here plotting along.
:)
It's nice to see supportive OB's coming out Tegam.
Can I ask who it is?
Also sorry to hear about your birth trauma. Birthing From Within is a great book for dealing with it if you can get a copy.
Oh how exciting for the MW apps!!!
I'm starting mine this week as well... Only I'll be doing my own lol!
Sorry I can't help with the birth pool question but I will be watching replies with interest :)
I had an Aquaborn pool. I think? The green one. The extra padding on the bottom was good, as were the handles!
Ooooo TJ and PZ - m/w appts are the best! So miss my long leisurely chats over tea and lunch with Mel. I imagine if there's another baby one day they'll be even better, cause there won't be as much birth stuff for me to stress about. Hope your cough is better soon, TJ. And my pg was over last summer and it was so mild I hardly got to use our backyard pool.
My sister has two and a half weeks to go and baby has engaged nicely. Her m/w is on holidays until the day before her EDD, but she knows the other three at the centre well. Hospital birth, but run in a group in anticipation of the birth centre opening next year. Hoping like mad all of our chats have helped her prepare! She's mentally almost there, I'm really excited for her. I think she'll have a good birth.
Hi girls!
PZ: woohoo on the MW appt coming up :dance: i *think* i was about 17 weeks as well before i saw Nic...took me ages to realise that i wasnt actually wanting to go to a birth centre or hospital hahaha.
re the birth pool: i had the inflatable 'la bassine' one. really loved it. the edges are strong enough for an adult or two to sit on and support you while you are in there. there are handles and the bottom is nicely padded. super quick to get up and we found filling up also really quick (even without an instant hot water system). I think Meow had the wooden one and can give feedback on that one??
Tanya: sounds like you are well on your way :) I was also thinking about a mattress protector. last time it was a mad rush for a towel hahaha.
Jennifer: wishing your sister all the best for her upcoming birth!
Sara: hahaha, you crack me up lol! i hope the appointments go well :lol:
Turtlejane: i reckon it is so exciting sharing a pregnancy journey and parenting journey with a friend...very very cool.
AFM: all going well here! lots and lots of kicks and rolls now so feeling much more connected and it has made me want to get home now lol. ah well, only 3 more weeks and i will be freezing my bum off lol.
Hey everyone, just a quick check-in as I have to head off in a minute but I am not doing so well at the moment and its really getting to me. I'm in alot of pain with my back, which the osteo I went to yesterday thinks its more my ribs, as its spread all around the side right to the front now. Sometimes I just can't sit, then standing starts to ache too :( Its probably a big contributor to me feeling so down about it all, emotions have well kicked in and I am starting to worry about everything and anything, including my partner coping with all this when he's all the support I have out here. I just want the pain to go away, it would make everything so much more manageable. I am 36 weeks on Monday, so I know there is not long to go, but I just hope that I can snap out of this before then, and we can enjoy the birth and new baby.
Jen: How exciting to have another bub around. Nice to share the journey with others, let alone your sister.
PZ: Its such a relief when you have all that sorted isn't it? I felt the same, being out here I was worried I would have trouble finding someone full stop. Huge relief when they are booked in though.
Re birth pools: Lisa Chalmers from Australian Doulas is a lovely friend of mine and sells birth pools via Simply Birth - they sell two different pools I think which have varying features, i.e. professional models (more heavy duty for use for birthing facilities) as well as ones for in home use. One is the La Bassine which I have sat in non-pregnant before, found it quite good, but we're going for the pool that she has which is a little bigger, it has a seat in it too. Something about Pool in a Box? But I would love my partner to get in with me and we figured the bigger one would be better. He's quite tall so the space will be good. I'll look it up later as I have to take my partner's son to the dentist now.
Sorry to anyone I have missed.
Awwww Kell :( if you would like a visitor let me know your addy and I come over xx . Doyou use a fit ball to sit on? I found it helpful with previous pregnancies to keep everything straight and balanced.
argh that is majorly sucky to be in that much constant pain Kelly :( is it an old injury flaring up? crossing everything that it can relent for you so that you can get into a good space soon. much love xx
I think the one with the seat in it is the 'aquaborn' one? isnt that the one that Jennifer used???
Oh Tegam... would you consider discussing your birth trauma on here to debrief? I was very nervous about giving birth again after my first but I guess I was sort of lucky that he was my first and really had to deal with it as I wanted more children. I would hate for you to decide to stop based only on fear. It should be a decision you can make freely for yourself.
Kelly I'm so sorry your in so much pain. The emotions of pregnancy can be overwhelming at times too. Blame the hormones and keep on trucking. It will all be fine :hug:
I had a Midwives Naturally wooden birth pool. It was massive! My H and I were both in the pool when my baby was born and there was room to spare! I felt a huge urge to be grounded and have a land birth but I really wanted a water birth so I figured the wooden pool would be better for me as the thought of squishy pool sides really turned me off. Once I was in the pool though I was zoning out and would have enjoyed soft pool edges :lol: I was fine resting on my H though. And I did like pushing my feet hard against the wooden walls for resistance when pushing- so I guess that was that grounded feeling I was looking for.
Cassius and PZ- you'll have to get into cook-off wars with your Nic appointments now :rofl:
Jennifer- Thinking of your sister!! My sister went to a birth centre for both her births as it was what she preferred and she was a very informed birther (as it sounds like your sister is) and had two fantastic, empowered births. The first she had an epidural due to posterior & extreme pain/slow dilation but the birth went well and she felt totally in control of all the decisions. Second birth she had an operation afterwards for retained placenta but again she felt completely in control and was able to use all the support in an effective way to establish BFing before the operation and have a speedy recovery. She is super awesome and I'm so proud of the way she navigated "the system". I'm sure your sister will have a great birth.
Tegam: i thought after the birth trauma of DD1 that I would never face another pregnancy and birth. It is so real birth trauma; i had no idea that the experience with DD3 was horrendous (I knew that it hadnt gone to plan...but had no idea of the extent, I am sorry for my ignorance) :( :hug:
I won't lie in that it does take work to work through it, but I tell ya what, DD2s birth was the MOST empowering and beautiful experience of my life...so it is possible to birth after trauma, i promise xx
Kelly: I'm so sorry to hear you're in pain. Does it help of you lie on your side? Are you doing too much? It might be time to start putting those phone calls on hold, put the jobs off and just relax in these last few weeks. Do you have a birth alter? I would recommend setting up a space in your home where you can go, light a candle, read some affirmations and talk to your baby. I'm pretty sure I have pictures of mine in my album here on bb.
PZ: yay for the finding a midwife. Those first weeks without a carer are looooong!
Sara: are you having a midwife? Or a free birth?
Cass: yes! Come home so I can finally go meet you irl! Hope the packing and traveling aren't too stressful!
Jen: it's almost time to start lighting a candle for your sister. Let us know when she's in labour and we can all have an online blessing.
Argh kids crying...sorry to those I've missed.
Thanks for all the kind words and support everyone. I don't think its an old injury, but everyone seems to be commenting on how big I am, and bigger than my other two. I feel like my rib cage is being wedged open and stretched to the max from the inside, and the pain which started mid back right next to my spine, has spread around my side and it aches all the way to the front. Last night the hot water bottle only worked for a very short while, I took 3 panadol (my IM suggested 3) and jumped into bed - and it was already hurting. I found a bit of relief from turning onto my stomach as much as I could. But again this morning, sitting down, its there. Its kicking in quicker and less is helping it. I have osteo again next week, but I am thinking I might book myself in for an hour long pregnancy massage, to help get to every area and relax.
Tanya - have sent you a message via FB x
Arcadia - that sounds like a nice idea. It is bothering me that I have been so focused on other things that I haven't even talked to the baby or connected with it like I hoped. I enjoy feeling him/her move, but there's been so much going on, I think I need to send more energy bubs way. I'll check out your photos x
My partner is off shooting today after work (yep, urgh - there is a fox problem up here but I still hate it) and will be going with his son, so will have a quiet house in here, maybe I will spend some time focusing on bub for a bit. I feel a bit antsy because he wont have phone reception, and I am not enjoying being alone so much living up here, and especially on a Friday night. But looking forward to next week when we'll both be kid-free. He'll be working and has 3 days in the city with work, but I am going to go down, luckily his work made an exception and said I could stay with him.
Going to get some pregnancy photos shortly as I don't think I am going to make it to Aug 6. I've also been crampy every day now (on and off) and the BH are increasing, and I am just exhausted, sore and more over it than I ever remember with my two - they both came a bit early and I was surprised as I didn't expect anything and was happily going about things as normal. But this time its trying to deal with things day by day, already. One month today, far out.
Morning girls,
Kelly - Big hugs hun. Sorry to hear you're having a tough time. Have you thought about a belly belt? Or do you know anyone who ask Rebozo experience? There's probably not much I could tell you that you dont already know but just all the OFP etc to help baby move down etc. A pregnancy massage could help. Might be just that everything needs to be relaxed and softened. Big hugs hun! xx
Jennifer - Good luck to you're Sis :) Very exciting. My Sis has been TTC for a while now and had her second m/c a little while ago. Its hard to know what to say etc around her but I try support her as best I can.
Meow - I've seen those wooden pools before. They look pretty awesome. I don't know of anyone who has one though. I've always wanted to birth my next baby into water but I like you am a real land birther. I tried the bath with DD2 but got out shortly after as sitting was too painful. I hope I do get to birth into water this time. But I guess we wont know until the day :)
Cassius - Hehe. Well I dont have a midwife at this stage and since I havent had any bleeding this pregnancy I'm just gonna treat it at a normal pregnancy. Once I get towards the end of the pregnancy (or if any compliations arise) I'll either see my GP or ask a Midwife friend to do my checks.
Arcadia - I havent decided yet. I dont have a midwife at this stage. I've contacted one who may be able to fly back for my birth but she is on leave at the moment and is going to contact me once she returns. At this point we are just flowing. There's a lot of possible change floating around us at the moment so its hard to know exactly what we're gonna do.
Hi to everyone else! xx
AFM - Not much to report. Had a scan last week to check on the hematoma and all is well. Hematoma is still there but apparently very small. Babe is growing well. MS is starting to settle (touch wood). Tiredness hasn't really let up though :(
We're thinking about moving away from Brissy to Rockhampton. I have family up there which means more support for us and there are way better job opportunities for DP as well. Its just a big thought at the moment. If we do move, it will mean a definiate freebirth or definate hospital birth. As there are no midwives in the area, there is no in between. There is a large alternative community with a few mums who birthed freely or with midwives who are already offering support. So its just a matter of making a decision. Lots of weighing up to do I guess.
Hey Sara, thanks for the suggestions - someone replied to a post this week which gave me some answers - a few BB members had posted about the exact same problem and said it really sounds like a condition similar to how sciatica works, but affecting the thoracic area. I got down to Melbourne tonight, in alot of discomfort, almost bawled my eyes out at dinner, but I am going to try and see if I can book in to someone she suggested seeing - she said it sounded very treatable. Just have to find someone who knows exactly what it is.
Had my midwife appointment, bubs is ROT and down quite low now, in my 36th week. Next visit at 38 weeks. Bought my pool, the Pool in a Box one as I wanted something bigger so my partner could get in. Those who bought birth pools, what did you do with them afterwards? Keep them? Sell them? Most things are organised, going to sort out the car seat / capsule this week and apart from that I think its all I need thats important.
PZ - How did your first midwife appointment go?
I hope the new plan of attack is helping Kelly and you have found someone who can help!
I would love to hear how your MW appointment went too PZ.
We have a friend staying here at the moment whose wife is pregnant. I don't ask about birth plans generally because I know I don't want to hear it, just stick to pregnancy progression and baby plans. But he mentioned another friend is due at the same time as them who lives really close so I asked if they were having the babies at the same place because it would be funny if they end up being there together. But he said they are going private and the friends are going public. Then he said that there are different ideas about whether private is better or whether it's just the same. I couldn't bite my tongue and said "or that it's worse". Had to keep talking to cover it over as obviously it is their choice but he was surprised and had no idea at all why I might say that. I feel frustrated how uninformed about intervention risks people are :( They've had a bunch of scans with their ob "because they can" and "it's fun to see the baby". Again, no idea what the risks of multiple scans are. These obs should be ashamed of themselves for the lack of information they provide clients.
Oh it's so hard isn't it meow :( very hard to bite your tongue and you shouldn't have to keep quiet but really it's not worth the emotional investment if you ask me :(
meow and Tegam I know the feeling :( It's so hard sometimes. Homebirth is not at all the norm in my circle of family & friends. My SIL just found out she's pg and has booked in with a private OB and private hospy with a 47% c-sec rate. She's terrified of pain, surgery, needles, strangers and vaginal exams :( Last year her sister had an induction, 3 traumatic (her words) failed attempts at an epidural, then c-sec with forceps for 'failure to progress' followed by slow recovery. Her bub has been very grizzly since birth, she switched to formula because she was getting no sleep overnight and just now (8mths) took her to see an osteopath (after very gently saying a few times how useful it was for us to take C to see ours since he was very young) who asked about the birth and told her the bub's cranial plates were in very bad shape and that she's probably been battling a headache for 8mths :( This sister's husband said to pg SIL 'I don't think you're going to be able to handle labour' when she announced her pregnancy :( It all just makes me so sad - I know she'll make her own choices and I need to stay out of it but I'm so worried for what might happen, and hate that because I did something 'extreme', any gentle suggestion that she could do some research into xyz, or consider some independent antenatal classes will be seen as me pushing this hippy homebirth judgemental agenda :( I hate feeling so silenced for doing something counterculture that was such a wonderful experience
I find it hard to! My sis wants a baby and she lives in Sydney and I'm trying to gently convince her to at least get into a birth centre rather than hospital. Thank goodness mum backed me up on this too. I can't go to harshly though because she already thinks I'm some weird gomebirthing extended tandem breastfeeding hippy. But she's my sister and of course I worry for her. I want to get her a book to read (she's not pregnant yet though) because she loves reading. Any suggestions? But something that's not to you know (can't think of the word). Don't mind me I always have blank spaces for words because I can't think of them half the time.
One of my sisters is going with a group midwifery program at the public hospital (it's the precursor for the birth centre they are building), but the other went private and after numerous interventions had a c/s. I'm confident my other sister will be fine after all the discussions we've had. C/s sister has had issues with bfing related to the ABs she was given in labour (thrush undiagnosed, mastitis, thrush still, it's a vicious cycle).
My SIL is a farm-raised NZer and had total confidence in her ability to give birth first time around at a public hospital. Short unimpeded labour and no intervention. She's having no 2 next month and will likely have another good birth.
I have talked in detail to all three, gave my sisters my birth plan, favourite books, etc. because they know I had such a great homebirth they did listen, just my sister who went private was quite afraid and very much trusted her inadequate care model.
I was stressing so much about my sister who went private (for good reason), but am just excited about the other two.