Homebirth General Discussion #11

Hi girls,

Thought i'd pop in to say Hi.

Jen - Congrats to your Sister. A gorgeous size bubba. DD2 was also 4.2kgs.

Tanya/Kelly - Hows the Babymoon'ing going??

Bellany - Good luck finding a MW. I hope it all works out for you. I'm not exactly sure what your options will be with identical twins as vaginally birthing them can come with some risks. I'm sure its been done before though :) Good luck! xx

Kelly - I had a quick squizz at your birth pics. They are devine!! Wish I looked that good when I was in labour ;)

Hi to everyone and a big welcome to Ice-cream :)

Things are going good here. I'm off to see the MGP midwife next week seeing as I couldn't find an IM to support me. I wasn't really wanting too much antenatal care anyways but seeing as this is MGP, the Midwife went out of her way to "get me" and has birthed 2 of her babies at home, I thought what the heck. Plus we're moving back to Townsville in December anyways so I'll only be seeing her until then. When we get to Townsville I'll likely have my care taken over by one of the IM's up there or just have my friend (also an IM) do my checks. I'm pleased that so far everything has been fairly straight forward so I'm not overly worried about strict antenatal care. I trust myself enough to know if I need to seek further care.

What I was going to ask you ladies was about Homeopathics for bleeding and afterpains after birth. I've never seen a Homeopath but I'm a little nervous about the after pains and with a history of a fairly significant PPH i'd like to have some option on hand come birth day.

Have any of you used herbs for either reasons? Or antenatally for that matter? I was considering getting some herbal teas to drink during pregnancy.

Hope you're all well! Enjoy the weekend!
xx

:baby: Babies Arrived :homebirth:

Jennifer13- Baby GIRL born at home 4th January 2012

Bella29- Baby GIRL born at home 10th January

HotI - Baby BOY born at home 21st January

*Ash*- Baby BOY born at home 14th February

loulabelle - Baby BOY born at home 24th February

Cricket - Baby GIRL born at home 15th May

chocorama - May

...Em - Baby BOY born at home 7th June

BellyBelly - Baby GIRL born 11th August

Tanya - Baby BOY born at home 16th August



:pregnant: Babies On Their Way :bellyrubs:

phynna - August

Ambersky - September

Ice cream - September

lady_neon - September

Cassius - November

mirriumu - November

pumpkinzulu - December

turtlejane - January

Sara - February

Ree*Ree - March

Aimz - March

Bellany - March

Beatrix - April

I may be up for the movie session, as long as i can find somewhere for DD to go.

Both my kids had the flu, and they now have croup. We bought a vaporiser yesterday and set it up in our room, where DS sleeps, and he had a better night. DD has been pretty tired and irritable this week and has had naps a few days. Couple of days they even lined up with DS' nap! On one of these rare times to myself, i got the start of DS birth story written :leap:. Just have to finish it off now.

Phynna, thinking of you and hope baby arrives soon. :hug:

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Tanya/Kelly - Hows the Babymoon'ing going??

What I was going to ask you ladies was about Homeopathics for bleeding and afterpains after birth. I've never seen a Homeopath but I'm a little nervous about the after pains and with a history of a fairly significant PPH i'd like to have some option on hand come birth day.

Have any of you used herbs for either reasons? Or antenatally for that matter? I was considering getting some herbal teas to drink during pregnancy.

xx

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Baby mooning is going well :) but busy!

One of my friends who helped out at my birth is also a naturopath and she gave me black haw to take from 38 weeks to help with after pains, although I only got to take it for a few days before birth I really think it helped. I could feel my uterus contracting but it wasn't anymore painful than mild period pain. Very different from my last couple of births where it was toe curlingly painful! She also gave me shepards purse to assist with pph, I took some soon after birth and ever 15 or so minutes for an hour or so and had no significant bleeding. I was slightly concerned about bleeding considering this was my 8th pregnancy, 6th live birth and my 2nd birth I had a significant bleed.

Julie from blissful herbs sells some great teas for pregnancy birth etc... I think she is a market place member here... Not sure.

hmm good question Sara! i want my naturopath to help me out with something for the afterpains as well (toe-curling beauty with DD2)...and apparently they get even more intense?? I have a homeopathic kit that my homeopath put together...havent even looked at it yet :redface: i know that it has two types of arnica in it (one for straightforward post birth swelling and one for heavy bleeding).

I used arnica, but that's for bruising/swelling. Didn't take anything else. But DD2 was my first vaginal birth, so not at risk of PPH or a seasoned birthing pro like some of you. ;)

My m/w is also a naturopath. If there's ever a next time, we'll do placenta encapsulation, I think.

A question for those of you who booked into a hospital as well. I wasn't planning on doing it, even though our midwife suggested it (but also said I won't need it anyway), but I need a free physio, and a public hospital is the only way to access that. So, if you booked into a hospital too, did you still need to go to the appointments? An initial one, all of them, or none at all? Do you mention that you're birthing at home or not bother? I'd rather not go to any of their appointments if I can manage not to, I see it as such an unnecessary waste of time.

With my first I booked in but told them I was doing shared care with my .gp and im so they didn't book any further apps for me.

Hmm interesting about the homeopathic afterbirth options, I've never had an issue with bleeding but like most multi gravida women after pains were pretty horrendous (take panadol for them but nothing for labour or delivery! :O so it may be something to look into if another bub enters the world for us)

PZ as far as physio goes sorry not sure. I was 'booked in' to a hospital as per cmwa regulations but I didn't have to have any meetings or appointments there or with anyone there :dunno: hope you can work something out tho, can your gp just give you a physio referral??

PZ- i have no idea about booking into a hosp.. Im sure since my home birth unit based at the local hosp I am booked in.

Now im worried about the after birth pains.. i remember how bad they were every time i feed DD3 last time.. do you think 5 years diff will make then nicer?


and Im already beginning to freak out about birth again and no one making it in time.. last labour of 35min.. either no one will make it or we will have lots of fake starts with me freaking out at every pain. i trust my body knows what to do but I would really much prefer a midwife with me.

Beatrix try not to stress/worry about the labour and birth (easier Saud than done usually I know!) But if it can be at all encouraging to you my 3rd was less than 1 1/2hrs from first sign (waters breaking) and only about 45mins that I really knew it was gonna happen soon, and then #4 was closer to 6hrs (approx 2hrs I was sure :)) so what they say about every time being different is so true. And the after pains are apparently no worse from 3rd onwards usually.. mine probably were I'd say but I don't really mind as I'm sure its why I have such a small amount of bleeding and uterus is back to pre-pregnancy size by day 2... Hth in some small way to ease some worry :)

PZ: i've always been booked into hospy but have never had anything to do with them. like at all! You get a patient number so that is what you use for all appts that you might have (ie with the physio, LC etc).

Beatrix: i am also hoping for a slightly longer labour this time. Like you, i'd much rather them be there, but when i mention it to my IMs they are so reassuring in that even if they do miss it, it would only be by minutes as generally you have half hour from call to arrival for the quick 'uns ITMS. How far away is your IM?

PZ, i tried to get physio, but the hospital (birth centre) midwife wouldn't refer me after i said i was thinking about homebirth, so just don't mention it if you can avoid it.

PZ I booked in and took along my birth plan (which only really applied if I transferred) for them to keep on file. I booked in at 32 weeks, saw the m/w, no dramas. I just wanted them to have my details, including PHI. I went back to see the ob as I was a VBAC, but I wouldn't bother next time. She was lovely, positive about my HB, but I wouldn't waste my time if there's a third bubba. ;)

Had a little cuddle with my baby nephew Ethan yesterday, he's gorgeous! Makes DD2 look like a giant. DP and I had a chat and he doesn't want more but has said if we are financially set in a few years, he'd consider it. I want DD2 to be at least 3 before falling pg again. I'm wedging my foot in that slightly ajar door! ;)

Just wondering if I could pick your brains if you dont mind. Long time lurker but looks like Im successfully expecting this time and thoughts of the birth are already consuming me.

Im a huge advocate of homebirth and 100% want to homebirth our next baby BUT unfortunately we have no control over where we live and at the moment home is Townsville. As far as I know there are no local homebirth midwives and so I am stuck with the options of birth centre, public hospital or private hospital.
Now the birth centre is a viable option as I had my last baby there and was 100% happy with the care and outcome. Neither the public or private hospitals are viable imo. Ive been loosely thinking about the option of freebirthing. To me, it sort of falls between homebirth and birth centre on the scale of where I want to see my birth going. None of my labours have been over 3 hours or at all complicated (my spontaneous was 2hrs) and I never feel like Im in labour until its almost pushing time so I definitely wont rush to the birth centre until I really feel I need to...............but the possibility of a roadside birth is high.

If homebirth wasnt an option for you, was freebirthing a possibility in the aim to get the birth you wanted? I would consider pushing for a few tweaks in the birth centre experience to make it more 'homey' but unfortunately the BC is closely monitored by the public hospital OB's and although the midwives are supportive ultimately they have to comply with the hospitals wishes :(

PZ - I didn't book in to a hospital but I think if I wanted to my IM just sent a booking letter to the hospital so they could assign me a file number - no need to attended any appointments. Not sure
how it would have gone if I wanted to access a physio through the hosp though. Can a GP give a referral to a physio that will give you access to Medicare rebates?

Freya - congratulations on your pregnancy! I can't help with a MW in Townsville although there is a thread on one of the HB groups on FB from a woman in Cairns in a similar position to you and she has approached some of the hospital midwives asking if they'd support her at home? I'd find an experienced doula and freebirth - I wouldn't go to any of the hospitals (all major teaching hospitals) near me unless something was wrong (no birth centres near me)

Greys maybe pm Sara she said something about IMs in Townsville just the other day... Hope I'm not speaking out of turn saying that but I wouldnt think it'd be the kind of thing shed put on here if she wasn't happy to talk about it itms?? Sorry I have no other ideas atm :dunno:

PZ I'm booked into a hossy, but it's a part of the homebirth program here. Saw Ob last week to discuss hypotheticals if I transferred etc. Other than that haven't been to any hospital based appointments.

Freya, freebirthing wasn't/isn't an option for me. I would lean more towards the birthing centre personally - but being my first there is an element of the unknown of course!

4 weeks to go here! Some serious cramping and tightenings the last week, increasingly intense yesterday and today. Fingers crossed this bubba comes sooner rather than later - Ob was speaking of drug induction should I go over!

LN yay for only 4wks to go!! Woo Hoo only one week before they won't make you go to hospital if labour occurs :) I don't suppose your MWs first initial is M by any chance?

No but I think I know who you're talking about - my student MW (and friend) is on her prac with CMP with 'M' :)

Haha that's funny coz my close friend (and trainee mw) did prac with mb earlier this year! Mb was only backup mw for last baby so I only met her once. The other two MWs I've had through cmwa have left the program.

Yeah I was with DF but she left :( I loved her - we gelled together so well! The MW I have is new staff so you probably woudn't know her.

Freya, i would have strongly considered freebirth if my midwife wasn't available to me.

LN the initials of my MWs were MB (obviously a different one with same initials) and VB, I'm pretty certain I was her last hb with cmwa which we were both quite happy about :D

Seems to be a few things happening with cmp, hey? I know they've had some policy changes lately. My mw left two days after the birth so my back up became my primary. Actually, I don't know if she left, I have no idea what happened. I have a feeling she was fed up with the system. She is an amazing and passionate mw and I'm hoping she's still doing homebirth at least as am IM.

Loulabelle we ladyneon & I are talking about the program in WA but I'd guess its very likely its similar in Vic to. I spoke fairly extensively about all the 'changes' with my MW last year. She was unhappy about it and was in the process of organising a 2mw 'team' with an already independent MW (she was due to go on holidays just after I birthed but had no intention of returning after). I haven't actually spoken to her since it all became official but i think that it did... My MW for dd2 had already quit last year and had apparently left the medical profession all together because she was so unhappy with how cmwa had changed, and she had been an adamant hospital MW before but wouldnt even go back to that! It's so sad.

PS it seems a little strange ur mw wouldnt contact you to let you know she wouldnt be continuing to see you pp... Did you ask your back up or just leave it?

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Just wondering if I could pick your brains if you dont mind. Long time lurker but looks like Im successfully expecting this time and thoughts of the birth are already consuming me.

Im a huge advocate of homebirth and 100% want to homebirth our next baby BUT unfortunately we have no control over where we live and at the moment home is Townsville. As far as I know there are no local homebirth midwives and so I am stuck with the options of birth centre, public hospital or private hospital.
Now the birth centre is a viable option as I had my last baby there and was 100% happy with the care and outcome. Neither the public or private hospitals are viable imo. Ive been loosely thinking about the option of freebirthing. To me, it sort of falls between homebirth and birth centre on the scale of where I want to see my birth going. None of my labours have been over 3 hours or at all complicated (my spontaneous was 2hrs) and I never feel like Im in labour until its almost pushing time so I definitely wont rush to the birth centre until I really feel I need to...............but the possibility of a roadside birth is high.

If homebirth wasnt an option for you, was freebirthing a possibility in the aim to get the birth you wanted? I would consider pushing for a few tweaks in the birth centre experience to make it more 'homey' but unfortunately the BC is closely monitored by the public hospital OB's and although the midwives are supportive ultimately they have to comply with the hospitals wishes :(

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Hi hun! Congratulations!!

Im moving back in December and will be birthing this babe at home.

There are actually 3-4 Midwives supporting women to birth at home in Townsville. I'm not sure of availability etc though.

I'll try and track down some numbers for you and pass them on when I'm able to :)

Congratulations again!
xx


Thanks for the advice re: the Homeopathy girls. I've asked a few of my friends and they've got some Homeopaths lined up for me back in Townsville. I also did know that Julie Bell does sell herbs however I wasn't sure what to buy.

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Hi hun! Congratulations!!

Im moving back in December and will be birthing this babe at home.

There are actually 3-4 Midwives supporting women to birth at home in Townsville. I'm not sure of availability etc though.

I'll try and track down some numbers for you and pass them on when I'm able to :)

Congratulations again!
xx


Thanks for the advice re: the Homeopathy girls. I've asked a few of my friends and they've got some Homeopaths lined up for me back in Townsville. I also did know that Julie Bell does sell herbs however I wasn't sure what to buy.

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Thanks Sara, that would be awesome.

Sorry, I'm in WA too, just haven't changed it on bb. Same cmp we are talking about.

I did ask what had happened but just got a very vague answer. No confirmation of her leaving even, just that she wasn't going to be around anymore. My friend who was due 3 weeks after me was meant to have her as mw too, so was given a new mw 2.5 weeks before giving birth. Her initials are AR and she's received awards for her work.

I wouldn't freebirth entirely because I'd have a doula. Not sure what I'd do if there were no IMs - but given I live in Sydney, hopefully that's not a possibility!

If they were all deregistered i'd still have one of them, their skills would remain without the piece of paper.

Congrats Freya! GL with finding a m/w.

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I wouldn't freebirth entirely because I'd have a doula. Not sure what I'd do if there were no IMs - but given I live in Sydney, hopefully that's not a possibility!

If they were all deregistered i'd still have one of them, their skills would remain without the piece of paper.

Congrats Freya! GL with finding a m/w.

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Thanks Jen! Im going to book into the BC anyway just to keep a tie with the hospital system to keep DH happy and as a backup should the whole homebirth thing not work out.

Loulabelle- ah fair enough! I was scratching my head a bit coz I thought Vic didn't have a gov program (unfortunately) but would've been stoked to be corrected :D

Freya I hope you are able to find a mw that will support the birth you'd like. I don't know if I'd freebirth completely with ds2 it was kind of a possibility if I found I was at home rather than the 'home' in Perth I had listed with cmp, but even then had my dh and mil (whos a grand(grand!)multi-paras woman who'd be well and truely qualified to assist a 'normal' delivery. I feel confident you'll be able to find a wonderful mw though, keep us posted! :)

Vic does have gov t hb programs through casey and sunshine hospitals.

You're right it does. A bit different to wa's though.

I think for me, next time I won't go with a gov't program. So much has changed even since February. Luckily even in Perth with the cmp, there are plenty of IMs around. Actually met a lovely one the other day at the baby expo.... Like it really matters! I'm not even pregnant!

Congrats freya! I really hope you can find a mw. Xx

Is anyone thinking of going to the 'childbirth rights on the fringe' forum Sat 13th Oct in sydney?

nah, by then i will be too fat and grumpy :lol: are you thinking of heading up? I reckon it could be interesting.

I might go. I am in Sydney, after all. ;)

Is it in the school holidays? We are planning on going away...

just got to organise the kids. hopefully ds will be happy and healthy and can come with me, and dh or my mum can look after dd. i should be good just to come up for the day. would love to catch up if you make it Jen.

i think nsw school hols start 21st sept

:rofl: cassius.

Well we met our midwife on sat. She is lovely!! So laid back. Very willing to trust me and my instincts in regards to my body!!

She talked to hubby about what they supply at 37 weeks to stay here and what she can do. Explained there is 2 midwifes that will be here. Reassured him to trust my body. So he is more willing.
She also said that when I do go into labour both midwifes will head out immediately rather then just sending one til established labour with my history and def said much safer to stay home then birth in car.

So feeling pretty positive as long as my BP stays down (which it never has but I can hope)

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just got to organise the kids. hopefully ds will be happy and healthy and can come with me, and dh or my mum can look after dd. i should be good just to come up for the day. would love to catch up if you make it Jen.

i think nsw school hols start 21st sept

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Hot1 have you seen the forum that's on the day before (2-7pm) on Childbirth and the Law? If you're interested in coming to that as well, I'm keen to give it a try. Will be taking DD2 with me. If you like, you're welcome to come and stay with me and that way we can go together. There's a website for the forum and I would love to hear some of the speakers. Some I already know and/or have heard, but I can't ever get too much of them. ;)

Went to a birthday party for an old BBer's DD on the weekend and she introduced me to another of her HBing friends. I know, I know, I always run into HBers. She had a HBAC and another HBAC2. Love being able to get into the nitty gritty of our birth stories!

Beatrix, that sounds like it went well. Give your DP time. Mine was happy to support me, but not convinced until much further down the track. Now you can't shut him up about HB!

Cassius, you look gorgeous in your last birth photos, so I can't believe you'll be too fat. ;) But totally understand not making the trip. Although that could be a very fun weekend, if it was both you and Hot1!