Homebirth General Discussion #10

[HotI]

My midwife was about an hour away. For some of our appts, i met her at my Mum's which was closer. She made it to the birth, just! Ths was a second birth though, so a bit quicker. I also had my student midwife who was 10 mins drive away.

My student midwife kinda acted as a doula.

[BellyBelly]

As long as your midwife doesnt have a problem, its not. My IM lives in Melbourne, I moved to country Victoria and am 1.5hrs from the city, a little less from her place. I trust my body, I know it wont all happen in an hour or hour and a half, and if it does, DP has instructions on how to catch lol. Hospital is only 5 mins away too, but I would much rather her be here than hospital 'just in case'

[Cassius2]

My midwives in good traffic live a good hour away. bad traffic and the meter is counting lol. i had a quick second birth (2.5 hours) and they were able to get there for the last 45 minutes (which was the important end anyway lol) before she was born (and then of course hung around for a few hours afterwards etc etc).

[Jennifer13]

Both my midwives were at least an hour away. I didn't think it'd be a problem and the first arrived in plenty of time, just as my labour was 'established'. Second nearly didn't make it. If there's ever a third time I'd have both come straight away. If it wasn't for the fact that pushing took 50 mins this time I'd have only ended up with one at the birth.

My doula was only 15 mins away.

First baby especially, an hour is fine.

[lady_neon]

Welcome Aimz & Ree

At my birth: midwife, back-up midwife & student. DH of course, mum, and if I'm in labour for long and DH/mum are tiring and needing a rest, we may call DH's sister just to relieve them for a sleep/whatever is needed. Circus I know but it will just be DH & I till for first stage, then we'll call midwife. Will call mum when DH starts to tire, and the student will come when for shortest time poss (ie when midwife thinks birth is around half hour away). Basically just keeping options open. Mum, and SIL if she comes will be asked to leave the room when baby is being born.

As for where midwife lives - I actually don't know but I am on a midwifery program (CMWA) so they do allocate you to be close (within half hour I believe). The student is 10 minutes away.

8 weeks to go! Still haven't hired pool. Must sort that out tomorrow!!

[Aimz]

Visited the Mercy FBC last night for a tour and to book in. This is our Plan B if we decide not to go with home birth. In all honesty it looked fine, midwives were all gorgeous and I'm happy to do all my antenatal care and classes through them. But the big turn off is the policy against water birth. So home birth is definitely preference one for both of us. I love how worded up DP is on home birth now. He asked heaps of questions and outlined to them why it was a silly policy. They agreed with him but it is still a hospital at the end of the day.

Really great experience to go and find out how it all works though!

[Ree*Ree]

Thanks so much for the warm welcome everyone!
I'm glad i'm not alone in feeling that the reaction from my FS was apalling. I definitely want to make a formal complaint, even though my Mum and DH think I'm overreacting and should just let it go. One of the clinic's nurses rang me today to ask why I hadn't been in yet for my weekly bloods (I just couldn't make it on Monday so will go tomorrow, promise ) and I asked her what the complaints procedure is. She gave me her email and will pass on my written complaint to the head Doctor, and the head Dr will then write me back. So now, to compose the letter. Any suggestions? I'm assuming I should not make it too emotive, and just explain the situation, and how unacceptable I found his reaction to be.

Aimz the no water birth option at the FBC sucks! Your DP sounds awesome though

lady_neon I am also hoping to birth through the CMWA, really need to finish my application and send it in! When did you find out that you were accepted, and when was your first appt?

I am starting to feel a bit nervous about opting out of the 12 week NT scan. The stubborn and confident part of my head says that there is absolutely nothing to worry about, and to just wait until the 18 week morph scan. The insecure part of my head worries that something bad will happen between now and then, and it will be missed... I should just suck it up and be strong!

At my birth I'm thinking that midwives, DH and doula is enough. Maybe my Mum, maybe not. Might be good to have her there to be DS' support?

[PumpkinZulu]

Ree, my midwife recommends someone aside from yourself and DH be there to support any kids that will be present in the house if they need it. We'll have our doula there, and if DD really needs someone more familiar, we have my mum as a backup to either come and be with DD here, or take DD to her place...but we're hoping that won't be necessary.

[Jennifer13]

My DP wanted to be DD's support person, but I had my Mum here so we had an extra. DP understood that he couldn't be there for DD should an emergency arise, so understood the need for a back up.

[BellyBelly]

Children definitely need their own dedicated support person. My kids have my partners mum here for them.

Ree, with the complaint, cc the health commissioner (I have her mobile number ) and it makes health organisations take you seriously and act fast. Thats how I got the hospital dramas sorted out here Doctors and hospitals need to know that behaviour like that is not acceptable and womens choices are to be respected. The more women complain about how they're treated wanting a human right of a choice, the more the issue will come to attention and action taken (even media).

[HotI]

Kelly, do you know if there is a time limit to registering a complaint with the health commissioner?

[BellyBelly]

I'm not sure sorry, I think if its in recent years you should be able to? I havent kept the paperwork I have gotten from them but I should have. I will see what I can dig up, lots has been put away, cleared or culled for the upcoming birth.

[Jennifer13]

Sad to see a long term Homebirth midwife up before the HCCC tomorrow. She'll be unable to deliver babies at home for two years if their complaint is upheld. Heavens knows we already have a HB m/w shortage in Sydney.

[Cassius2]

Hi girls!

Ree: on the complaint front, i guess you are lucky in a way that it will be easy to keep to the facts: his response was inappropriate and showed a lack of professional integrity.

For the scan, what part is it that is making you uncomfortable? if it is the scan itself (rather than the diagnostic purpose) then you can opt instead for the maternal serum screening which can be done between 14-18 weeks. It can provide odds of risks of many chromosomal disorders etc without your baby being exposed to ultrasound.

AFM: had our first m/w appt yesterday ahhh so nice to see a familiar face at the door and have loads of hugs and laughs again. i almost broke her teeth with my shortbread...i let it burn in the oven when i was going through a serious nesting moment hahaha. so stoked as well because she told me that our local clinic do collaborative care with her so now we get medicare rebate on all ante and post-natal appts...sooo different to a couple of years ago i tell ya what!

[BellyBelly]

Oh really Jen? Who is it?!

[Tanya]

Ummm... It seems to be August

Getting stuff ready, but getting nowhere! Have had a good body clean out this morning.... I really hope it's not a sign of baby coming... Maybe something I ate?

[HotI]

One of Sydney's most respected independent midwives, Sonja MacGregor will be attending a hearing tomorrow before the Nursing and Midwifery Professional Standards Committee.
The Health Care Complaints Commission lodged a complaint of unsatisfactory professional conduct against Ms Macgregor within the meaning of section 139B of the Health Practitioners National Law (National Law).
The Health Care Complaints Commission has recommended conditions be placed on Ms McGregor's registration. These conditions will mean that she will be unable to practice as a homebirth midwife for at least 2 years.
The Nursing and Midwifery Professional Standards Committee will hand down their decision tomorrow.
If you would like to attend tomorrow's hearing and support Sonja, it will be held at 477 Pitt St Sydney (just up from Central Station) and starts at 10am.

this is on today. hoping things work out.

[lady_neon]

lady_neon I am also hoping to birth through the CMWA, really need to finish my application and send it in! When did you find out that you were accepted, and when was your first appt?

I received the paperwork/info pack etc in the post at around 12/13 weeks, then the midwife called me to have the first visit which was at 16 weeks. I applied at about 9 or 10 weeks I think.

AFM: had our first m/w appt yesterday ahhh so nice to see a familiar face at the door and have loads of hugs and laughs again. i almost broke her teeth with my shortbread...i let it burn in the oven when i was going through a serious nesting moment hahaha. so stoked as well because she told me that our local clinic do collaborative care with her so now we get medicare rebate on all ante and post-natal appts...sooo different to a couple of years ago i tell ya what!

Yep that's what I love about homebirth, except my amazing midwife left CMWA however I've met my new midwife and we hit it off, she seems great