Homebirth General Discussion #11

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?

:

---

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 :(

---

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.

:

---

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.

---

Thanks Sara, that would be awesome.