Homebirth General Discussion #15

[meow]

I had a friend have a HBAC in WA last year with no problems. I thought WA was pretty good with HB. Is that a new law?

We're in CA now and it's ilegal to have breech or twins at home but I'm pretty sure VBAC is "allowed".

[Cricket]

Washington state. I'm in the USA and we aren't very vbac friendly

It's the same story here. Things vary a bit from practice to practice. In the neighbouring practice, the midwives can deliver VBACs, but not HBACs. Here in our practice, they can't even take VBAC patients. I think it has to do with the local hospitals and OBs. In our town, it seems the midwives have had a bit of an uphill battle to gain acceptance and recognition. The good thing is, it's improving. They can now hang antibiotics at home for GBS+ mums. And the other great thing, IMO, is that they are recognized and fully funded by our provincial health care system. I don't have to pay a dime for a midwife or a home birth. (Out of pocket, at least - heavens only knows I'm paying it in taxes. ) And it makes sense for the system too - happy mums, healthy babies, and lower costs all around.

[Cricket]

I had a friend have a HBAC in WA last year with no problems. I thought WA was pretty good with HB. Is that a new law?

We're in CA now and it's ilegal to have breech or twins at home but I'm pretty sure VBAC is "allowed".

It could be just a local county thing? Or a rule of the hospital where those midwives have privileges?

[sepata]

Had my appt today. Baby is 1/5 engaged and in perfect position! Mw is very happy with everything, though I could be more organised. She asked if I had anything done yet and i was like 'I washed clothes on the weekend...' She laughed and told me I better get onto it this weekend.

[*The_Mrs.*]

I can physically have an HBAC that's not illegal..it's more so for insurance purposes for the midwife if they deliver at my house. It is illegal to do it in birthing centers. Some of our actual hospitals are starting be more accepting of VBACS. Though for home birthing if something were to go wrong their insurance wouldn't cover it or something like that. It's their way of trying to control it since they pyhsically can't.

[*The_Mrs.*]

And when I say illegal I mean not for myself but the other party. A lot of midwives do it anyway because they figure that its safe so nothing should happen.

[meow]

Ah okay. In Australia MWs can't get insurance for ANY type of HB, so they all occur uninsured. Thankfully, with public health care that is less of an issue though if something were to go wrong and mother or baby needed ongoing medical care.

[*The_Mrs.*]

Yeah the issue here is that sometimes it is hard to find a midwife willing. Luckily I found a great one willing but I was turned down by another midwife

[Arimeh]

Birth pool is in the house!! yipppeee!!! My midwife came this morning for a house check, and she said our area planned for birth was fine, advised on which tap connector to get for the laundry, did her normal check (bp is 105/66 so fantastic!) and we discussed birth plan stuff - like what I wanted after birth, when to call her etc etc.

I have a floating high baby though, so have to try and get him down a bit. He's in the right position at the moment but floating way above my pelvis, so she said if my water breaks, I have to get on my hands and knees with my butt in the air until she gets there. Which would be a very uncomfortable position to hold for 45 minutes, so I'm kind of glad that my waters have never broken early in labour or I might be a bit worried about it.

Gotta try getting this baby to move down a bit - any ideas other than spinning babies and rebozo? She told my DH how to do it and said to do it morning and night, plus I'm having regular chiro treatments to loosen up my pelvis because its super tight on my right side.

[Arimeh]

Double post - but will add that I got the emergency kit in the house too now - getting kinda real now!

[HotI]

does stair climbing or ball bouncing help bub to engage? not sure what activity you are up for at the moment.

i actually read a birth story from a woman who was given similar advice and was in so much fear from it. When her waters broke, she called an ambulance and had her bum in the air when they came, wanted them to check where the cord was (they didn't know how) and so they made her walk out to the ambulance (she was ****ed at this) and then she rode all the way with her bum up in the air..... same at hospital until she could get someone to check. it was like a comedy, and was all a bit wierd.

[Arimeh]

I was given the same advice last pregnancy, its all about the cord prolapsing. Which you know, I understand it to be pretty high risk if the baby is still high and mobile and your waters break. So I'm not fearful of it happening, just good to be aware of it. She also went over infant resuscitation and I'm so glad that DH will be with me in case of an emergency and he's covered that part of his nursing degree!!!

I've got a pretty nice case of SPD happening so I can't go up stairs like normal people, I have to take them one at a time. I have a fit ball that I can bounce on though.

[*The_Mrs.*]

Arimeh I found the yoga really helped with my first! I just sat on it like all day haha

[Arimeh]

Thanks The_Mrs.

I have realised that I have a little issue though, so opinions would be great. We sort of have organised my mum to come down when I go into labour to help watch the kids and take them somewhere if they no longer want to be in the house when I'm labouring. However, every time I mention it to mum she's all negative about the kids not wanting to hear me scream, and that I'm going to traumatise them for life if they watch. Which DH and I don't agree with at all - they've seen birth videos and are really excited about seeing the baby come out. My mum is one of those people who does nothing but talk about the excruciating pain of child birth and how she nearly died having my brother (no wonder I have issues about pain!) and is just really negative about the whole natural birth thing, she supported my sister really well through her 4 c-sections (for no medical reason) and is quite in favour of them over natural child birth.

SO! Knowing all this, I feel that her whole vibe will disrupt the birthing vibes I will have going on - does that sound stupid? I have a friend who lives 5 minutes away who has agreed to be on call to come and watch the kids, however she's only met them a few times, and thats only the girls, she's never met DS before. So I'm not sure they will feel as comfortable with her as they would with my mum?

Or I've thought that I could ring my SIL to come, my kids absolutely adore her - and she's had two vbac's herself, she nearly completed her doula training and she's a nurse. However, she lives about an hours drive away and might be at work.

Should I bother to ask her? Should I give my mum the benefit of the doubt? She saw that Sunday program on homebirth and was texting me that she is worried and all she wants is for me to have a baby thats alive. So I know she hates the idea of a homebirth.

ARGH. What do I do?

[TeniBear]

I'd say have all three "on call". Get your friend to watch them in early labour, while you see if your SIL is able to come (and then while she's in transit if she is). Your mum could be the back-up if either/both of them can't make it or the kids aren't alright with your friend being there. Who knows, your mum might change her mind if she sees you rocking your birth

[Eenee]

Arimeh: are you wearing a belly band/support band? Tha will help push Bub down a bit as have less room especially if you have significant muscle separation.

[HotI]

I had/ have multiple plans forthe kid/s during labour and will use whichever one feels right at the time. not knowing time or day makesit bit trickier to make definite plans.
I don't have anyone that I would be comfortable to come to the house to watchthe kids or even to come in to pick them up, but I also don't know if I want both of them there if they are awake.

I am over being pregnantalready, and I'm only a third of the way there.

[Eenee]

I had/ have multiple plans forthe kid/s during labour and will use whichever one feels right at the time. not knowing time or day makesit bit trickier to make definite plans.
I don't have anyone that I would be comfortable to come to the house to watchthe kids or even to come in to pick them up, but I also don't know if I want both of them there if they are awake.

I am over being pregnantalready, and I'm only a third of the way there.

I had my mum look after DD last time but found it wasn't great for my labour progression, I went and had a shower and my MW had sent her to bed when I got out as she picked up on this...so nor sure what I'll do this time.