Homebirth General Discussion #14

[meow]

I had RLT in both pregnancies. I had amazing labours with textbook buildup of contractions and a very well functioning uterus. I had some blood loss at the end of the first labour but honestly I think that was more that my waters broke as baby was born and there was so much blood and muck everywhere the MWs erred on the side of caution. Blissful Herbs has a tea you can drink straight after birth to help prevent PPH and I know there is a tincture you can have on hand too, I'm just not sure what exactly.

[Eenee]

Am going to get some stuff from blissful herbs this time I think. I had a 800-900ml know it was 800 or 900 but can't remember which) loss with DS. And will try the placenta smoothie...will have to make myself though I think as DH not keen, he's happy for me to drink it just not make it.

[TeniBear]

I'm glad I now know what arnica does after this discussion The list of things I should get on the MAMA website says arnica but I hadn't got around to asking why

I'm also glad I can go to them for appointments, because my house is an utter dump at the moment and I'd be scared they'd tell me it wasn't suitable for a HB I really need to get rid of one of the couches from the loungeroom, move the bookcases, and give the floor a really good scrub. It's too cramped at the moment to get the floor clean enough for my liking. I kick myself every time I go in there, I had the chance to dump that couch but I thought I could make it work. Nope, it's gotta go.

[meow]

Arnica is the bomb. I took a high dose of it every 20mins after birth then every hour then a few times a day for about a week.

[TeniBear]

Ah boo. There's going to be a story on homebirth on that Sunday Night show tomorrow. The title is "When Birth Is A Crime" - reckon it's going to be overly positive? The preview says it's about HB gone wrong, and seems possibly sympathetic towards the parents, but it could go either way when it comes to midwives etc... Exactly what I need my mum to see before she meets Kelly on Wednesday She's the one I have to convince the most. She's supportive-ish but doesn't get why I won't just go to hospital. I'm hoping a good talk with Kelly will set her mind at ease, and I'd prefer her to meet Jan as well. I think she'll respect and listen to Jan a little more because of the age/experience thing...

[Beatrix]

Teni- I saw the ad for the story as well.. and cant say i believe they will paint home birth in a positive light

BUT I am going to say that whole its sad from what I can see that the police too the baby as part of evidence etc and by the sounds of it in not a nice way I do understand why they needed to take it. I don't believe its a crime but it is a coroners case because the baby passed outside of the hospital environment. My BIL was recently found deceased in his house and it too was treated like a crime scene and he was taken away.
They need to make sure no foul play occurred unfortunately and if it could have been prevented.

[TeniBear]

Yeah, they do the same with SIDS cases too I understand the legal reasons behind it - they need to see if someone's at fault - but they're not always nice about it. The parents (or whoever else is there) are treated as guilty until proven innocent rather than the other way around. Awful all around. I just can see this devolving into another HB attack, especially if the parents turn out to be of the opinion the midwives could have done more. Even if they could have saved this baby in particular, not everyone should be tarred with the same brush.

[Cassius2]

I have yet to see a positive HB story in the mainstream media full stop. which is funny considering that HB success rates far outstrip hospital success rates. ah well.

Teni: do your research on the arnica too. there are some that are not as effective as others (dosage wise) and you want to make sure that you have the right amount. i would ask Kelly at your next appt what dosage they recommend and then go from there

Cricket: i dont think the RLT would negatively impact on PPH or suchwhat. My understanding is that it is not recommended so much for women who have had 3 or more babies simply due to risk of precipitate labour (super fast). I was recommended not to take it after DD2s birth as it was under 2 hours. and DD3s even without the RLT was 1h50mins lol. Definately go the arnica! i would recommend a first dose of 200ch and then a second dose the following day of 30ch (that's what i was told would be good). means you have to buy two different lots but seriously it is the best stuff to have around the house for any bumps and bruises. even for babies and kids. i give it to our kids when they take a tumble as it really reduces swelling and bruising.

Also, i remember seeing on Etsy that you can get girls to make up postpartum teas that can help...being that you are over that way it would be awesome to get some! here in Oz we have blissful herbs but not sure on import restrictions.

[glorious]

I highly recommend a herbal suppliment called 5W, I have seen it used on women who had previous PPH's, "grand multi" and go on to have very normal blood loss. It is from NZ and you have to order it from there but it is definitely worth it.

[Cricket]

I highly recommend a herbal suppliment called 5W, I have seen it used on women who had previous PPH's, "grand multi" and go on to have very normal blood loss. It is from NZ and you have to order it from there but it is definitely worth it.

I'll check into that - thanks!

And I don't need my labour made much more efficient either - the last few have all been under 3 hr, by the time the "real thing" actually starts. Guess I'll forgo the RLT. Are there any contraindications for arnica?

[Arimeh]

I looked into that 5W stuff - I'd never heard of it before. I think its basically the same as the stuff I get from the Meher Clinic on the Sunshine Coast, they have a pregnancy and birthing kit - and you get stuff to take before the birth, during birth, and after birth.

I took the pre birth stuff last time, although I don't think I was very good with taking anything during birth and after birth.

Does everyone think I should take RLT this time around? DD2 was a 13 hour labour but only 4 hours active - and DD3 was a 7 hour labour but only 2 hours active. So I guess it appears that my uterus takes time to warm up a little? Maybe they would have been heaps longer if I didn't take the RLT? Argh now I'm all confused.

Cricket - I don't know anything about Arnica so I can't help you out on that one!

[Chrispe]

Home birth on The Midwives ABC2!

[Jennifer13]

Thanks for the info on RLT, girls. I will definitely stay away from it! My uterus is efficient enough, considering my first active labour with DD2 was under 3 hrs. Arnica I did take afterwards, but not immediately. Will bear it in mind. From memory my blood loss was less than 500 mL, but I'd have to check my notes to know. Isn't it great that you get all your medical stuff when you have a HB, without even asking.

[Eenee]

I'm going to drink RLT by the bucket load then haha

[Mum2twoBoys]

Shared eenee, thanks

[PumpkinZulu]

Shared as well. I'm not sure whether I'll watch or not, it's likely going to stressor out way too much, I don't see the point.

[TeniBear]

Yeah, there's no way I'm watching. I could hardly handle the preview. Plus it looks like I'm stuck at my mum's and I definitely don't want her to see it

[HotI]

i have heard both of these women speak about the human rights violations that occurred after they lost their babies. Heartbreaking stuff. I was hoping that if they were involved in this show that their stories may be told sensitively and appropriately, but reading the letter it seems they are being screwed over again. disgraceful.