Homebirth General Discussion #15

**HotI** · July 25th, 2013, 08:47 AM

Thank you all for addressing my ponderings. With this pregnancy, and getting closer to 12 weeks (where it seems real), my mind is starting to do its thing again.

I was thinking this morning, the thought to go to hospital never entered my mind during my labour and birth. I know that in the BOBB, one or two of them mentioned that they got to a point where they wanted to transfer, but it just wasn't there at all for me. Maybe because i was so sure that i was doing the right thing, and i had the right people with me??

Did heading in to hospital for any reason come in to your consciousness?

At a recent hospital birth, almost everytime someone came in the room they would put their hands on the woman's tummy, usually during a contraction. There was no asking if this was ok, or even what they were looking for. It was overkill, and didn't seem to have a beneficial purpose. When my DD was born, she was placed on my tummy and then rubbed down with towels. Sounds lovely, eh (for a hospital birth), but then when my son was born, there was no rubbing or banging him around, and i realised how unneccessary the first handling of my DD was.

**Jennifer13** · July 25th, 2013, 06:56 PM

I never once thought of going to hospital during DD2's labour and birth. But then, I just *knew* beforehand that we would be birthing at home, trouble-free. I had no idea what it would be like, but complete faith that it would proceed smoothly and we would all be at home together the next day, soaking in our new family.

If my active labour had been longer, maybe I would have felt differently? I dunno, I really did just have in mind that I was there for the duration. I was shocked when I realised my body was pushing so quickly.

I too thought the same as you meow, about Princess Kate and early labour. But if anyone was going to be treated respectfully and have her wishes carried out, you'd expect it to be her. With how well she looked the next day, I'd hazard a guess that she didn't experience a lot of interventions. And I bet there are pg women all over the world signing up for hypnobirthing courses! Personally, I'd love the in-home/hospital hairdresser the next day.

**Cricket** · July 25th, 2013, 09:25 PM

No, I never thought about heading to the hospital with any of my home birth babies. There were times when I wished they could bring some sort of magical pain relief to me, but I never wanted to go anywhere. I was shocked when my midwife suggested that we might have to when I was having a hard time pushing DS out. In my head I was like "What?! Why?! We're fine! I've only been pushing for a couple minutes!" when it had actually been just about an hour and he hadn't budged yet. The thought of trying to move ANYWHERE at that point was completely ridiculous, let alone getting down the stairs, out the door, into an ambulance, and driving 30 min to hospital. Not happening. Thankfully it made me mad enough that I had just a little extra burst of energy that got DS around the pelvic bone and out with the next couple pushes.

About Princess Kate - I figure going in at 6:00am was probably the best time to avoid the ridiculous crowds around the hospital, regardless of where she was in labour. Could you imagine? If I was her, I'd definitely have planned to have the baby at home! I would absolutely hate all that constant attention. And close up photographs of you and how you looked and what you were wearing 24 hr post-partum, to be plastered all over the front page of newspapers around the world. Ugh. She looked amazing. I hope she felt good!

In other news, I noticed they brought baby George home swaddled in the same blankets I have for DS.

**meow** · July 26th, 2013, 12:39 AM

I never wanted to transfer to hospital as such, but near the beginning of my labour I had a freak out and wanted a c-section. I went from easy early labour to very intense and painful contractions where I could actually feel my pelvis moving and opening and it took me by surprise as my first labour had been slower and I hadn't had such intense rapid pain so I was a bit of a mess for a moment. I remember thinking "what am I doing??? Why didn't I sign up for a c-section instead of going through this again??". I realised I wasn't coping though and asked my husband to bring me homeopathics to help with that and soon after I got in the pool and was fine.

I wish I had a hairdresser after birth too LOL I am also glad she's helped promote hypnobirthing!

**Mum2twoBoys** · July 26th, 2013, 09:06 AM

I haven't had a hb yet, this will be my first. But I believe a trip to hospital won't even cross my mind whilst in labour, unless something is going wrong. It would be like drugs whilst in labour with ds, never crossed my mind to ask for any. Going to hospital only really crosses my mind currently, because of the expense of having a hb over a free hospital labour.

**Eenee** · July 26th, 2013, 09:37 AM

Briefly the thought popped in my mind with DD when it took so long with pushing with no progress, was determined to stay home though and trusted in my MW.

Also with DS there was even talk about it amongst the Midwives as my contractions kept stopping, if it wasn't for DD BF to stimulate contractions I probably would of had to go. Haha I would have went kicking and screaming. In all honestly I'd go if I had to if it meant the safety of baby or I but I still wouldn't be happy about it.

**e_p** · July 26th, 2013, 11:41 AM

about 40 hours into my labour, in transition, I asked for a caesarean. I had no intention of going to hospital and pain relief didn't cross my mind but I sure wanted the baby out. My MW very gently said 'no you don't, and you saying that means you'll meet your baby soon.' and I went 'oh duh this is transition, huh'. Glad I was at home or they may have wheeled me off for one (not that they would have 'allowed' me to labour for that long anyway

)

**Eenee** · July 26th, 2013, 03:41 PM

Having symptoms of dizzyness/lightheadedness like I'm going to pass out which lasts most of the morning and worse after I eat breakfast. I'm thinking its a blood sugar issue so MW has suggested maybe I do the GTT considering I've never done one with previous pregnancies to see how my body is processing sugars. As I've never really looked into it with much depth I'm unsure what this would mean if It showed I had GD especially regarding homebirth...any enlightenment or your thoughts appreciated. I dont see MW until next week for our appointment so obviously I'll discuss with her also but want to prepare myself. I'm 23 weeks.

**TeniBear** · July 26th, 2013, 04:09 PM

I'm pretty sure most midwives would be happy to continue planning a homebirth with GD, so long as it was managed properly... That's more opinion than actual fact though, I've not looked into it fully.

Trying to DIY a support belt is harder than I thought

I keep making it either too big and unsupportive, or too small and impossible to fit around my hips. Think ill just have to wait it out until I see Kelly again and hopefully she can help me out!

**Cricket** · July 26th, 2013, 09:16 PM

Trying to DIY a support belt is harder than I thought

I keep making it either too big and unsupportive, or too small and impossible to fit around my hips. Think ill just have to wait it out until I see Kelly again and hopefully she can help me out!

Could you find one second hand, otherwise? On the other parenting forum I'm on, they regularly show up on the "for sale or trade" section.

**TeniBear** · July 26th, 2013, 09:27 PM

Ooh, hadn't thought of that! I've got the one from Amelia around somewhere, but we've moved and I doubt my chances of finding it. I actually thought it had been thrown out, but DH says he definitely saw me pack it and say I wanted to keep it around :-/

**HotI** · July 26th, 2013, 09:29 PM

I have been looking at SRC pregnancy shorts on ebay, and they often sell for around $50. Way lower than new at $189.

**HotI** · July 26th, 2013, 09:39 PM

Em, google 'Henci Goer Gestation diabetes' for some info on what GD is, and the testing. The one i looked at was on ivillage, but i don't think i can link here. if you can't find it, let me know and i can PM you the link.