Homebirth General Discussion #13

[Eenee]

Arimeh: each time I had a space set up I always ended up moving into the bathroom with the bright heat lamps and totally opposite to my space lol

[Cricket]

I have a question for everyone - how did you pick what room to set up your birthing space?

I had both my bedroom and my main bathroom (with the big whirlpool tub) ready to use. They are only a few steps apart, so the midwives had access to their "stuff" wherever I chose to be. My main floor rooms don't have enough privacy for me to feel comfortable, there was enough space for everyone to move and work, and I knew I wanted to be in the bath anyways. It worked out pretty well that way.

[HotI]

Sorry for delay in updating the list. Thought I did it earlier but gremlins must have eaten the post.

I have a question for everyone - how did you pick what room to set up your birthing space?

Most of my reasons were practical - I set up my birth pool etc in the kitchen (kinda open plan kitchen/lounge area). It had easy access to water for the pool, close to outside for emptying of pool, enough space, non carpet on floor. I would have liked the bathroom but it was too small.

In order to make it more birthy, I ran an elastic wire along ceiling to hang large celtic mural bedsheety thing down that provided bit of privacy/intimacy. I was able to cover windows/doors with blinds. I had all my birthy stuff arranged on the change table that was in another room but the plan was to bring it out when labour started into the birth space and so everything would be on hand. (DH didn't listen to that part of the plan and so he had to keep going to get stuff).

It worked well. Afterwards, the midwives could sit at kitchen table doing their thing while I was in the pool still. At one stage, we closed the curtain and I could hear them chatting and having a cuppa etc with dh, while DS and I were just hugging and waiting for placenta.

We also dragged a mattress in later for me and DS to have a nap on.

[Arimeh]

Ahh yeah I wondered if I had to be close to a bathroom for water! I guess it's better to be close. Hmmm. I'll have to think about it now, not sure which room would be best.

[TeniBear]

I have a question for everyone - how did you pick what room to set up your birthing space?

I now I haven't done it yet, but I'm already fairly certain my space will be in the corner of the lounge room (literally the only corner of the room ) because there's a big window for me to look out of and connect with outdoors as well as inside. We'll have to move the bookshelves around though, "my" spot's currently taken up by a hundred DVDs or so...

I've thought about setting up in the bedroom, but I feel like I'll want natural light and there's not much in there. If I do end up in there, it'll be because of the easy access to the shower and toilet in the ensuite. I doubt that'll happen though.

When we were looking houses to rent, I was specifically looking for good spots I would want to birth in The house we're in now was pretty much perfect, although my original thought was to set up in the area now taken up by my sewing machine and Amelia's toys

[Beatrix]

39 weeks today.

This is now the longest pg I have ever had.

Had 2-3 false starts where when I was just about to call midwife and it all disappears. It's so frustrating.

Come on baby mummy and daddy want to meet you!!!

[Aimz]

Arimeh - we chose the dining room. It is a smallish space but enough room for the pool and space for everyone to be in there comfortably, and it's directly opposite our laundry for water

[Arimeh]

Thanks for everyone's input. I think we will put it in our bedroom, just have to move some stuff. Main reason is it was either there or in the open plan kitchen/dining area and that's really close to my neighbours house, plus its a huge bright room so thought I might feel too exposed? Plus its really echoey LOL

Thought if I was in my bedroom near my ensuite then I would feel secure and in a safe place. That's the theory anyway...

Go Bea!! Not long now!

[HomeStyleMumma]

Arimeh both my hbs were in the bedroom. I didn't have a birthpool either time because A) I may not have had time to bother and B) which was the main reason, because I'd already birthed before and knew I liked labouring in water but am definitely one of those women that prefers/needs to be on terra firma for actual delivery I didn't see the point. Turns out I only had time for a quick shower with dd2 and tried shower and bath with ds2 and hated both

Yay ness! Anytime now... Last night?? hope you're feeling ok, my longest pg (39 +2) seemed to drag on FOREVER then all of a sudden everything just fell into place perfectly (albeit a little to fast for my liking). Rest up and enjoy this last bit of quiet time with your girls and dh

[HomeStyleMumma]

Double post

[Beatrix]

Nothing so far.

Been having bloody show (lots) since 4am but no contractions or anything. Midwife seems to think any day now. Lol I seem to think baby has inherited it's fathers stubborn PITA gene and wants to drive me mental.

[Eenee]

Lol Beatrix. I went 40+6 and 42 weeks with my two! But anything after 37weeks seems to drag!

[Cassius2]

Beatrix: i feel for you!

I had DD1 at 38w and each pregnancy after that always seemed long lol. DD3 felt especially long as we had to try so hard to stop her from coming early at 34 weeks that once i hit the magic 36 week mark the rest of the time was sooooooooo slow lol.

[Beatrix]

Thanks ladies

Im ok.. spoke to my midwife this morning and they arnt worried about the bleeding just said to rest up and they think the next few days will be it. Its just DH goes back to work tomorrow so now Im going to have 9 hrs a day where I am home alone with the kids... and I guess I just like having him around all day.

at the most baby has 17 days otherwise it will be forced out, so the end in near.

[Jennifer13]

Beatrix, sounds like we might hear something soon. My bet is you'll go very quickly! Sending labour and beautiful birthing vibes your way.

[Cricket]

Beatrix - the end is in sight, but those last few days/weeks are so hard! Hope you can find some enjoyable distractions to help you wait out this last little bit. I'm sure it can't be too much longer now.

Has anyone ever heard someone ask for a home birth for kind of odd reasons? I just heard someone (again, on another forum) say they REALLY want a home birth because they can't take pictures in the hospital. Now, I'm not a photographer, so maybe pictures aren't as important to me as they are to some people, but that seemed like a bit of a surprising reason to choose a home birth. Everyone is free to birth where they want for whatever reason they want, I guess. I just never considered the picture taking to be such an essential part!

[Cricket]

double post

[Cassius2]

I would hazard that the 'no taking pictures' thing is probably just a highlight for that couple of how constricting the hospital is?? I for one, would avoid like the plague ANY hospital that banned picture taking...like, what are they doing in there that they seriously dont want documented?? eeewwwwwww.