Homebirth General Discussion #16

[meow]

Watching a TV birth/adoption show and the mother describes the birth. "I was induced at 7. At 10 they checked me to see how far I was dilating and I had stopped at 1cm. I just wasn't dilating anymore so the doctor said I needed to go in for a c-section". Seriously?? Does this logic even actually make sense to people or do they like just being able to hand over accountability like that?

[Artechim]

No it doesn't make sense and I can't watch those medical birth shows because it is all so artificial and removed from instinctive and natural birth.

[Jennifer13]

I turned one on today, don't usually and it reminded me why. Mum induced at 38 wks because she was term and baby was measured via u/s and supposedly IUGR at an est 5 lb 10 oz. Not surprisingly, epi, drugs and 'failure to progress (plus all the ILs kept visiting during labour). C/s after 24 hrs when baby's heart rate was decelerating. My biggest issue with these shows is that you can usually accurately predict the outcome at the beginning.

Very glad I'm not a part of that system. I had a mum-to-be in my aqua class talking to me about the Birth without Fear blog and my waterbirth last night and then tells me she's being induced on Monday by her ob at the private hospital. I wished her the best. I hope she beats the odds. She's not overdue or anything, so not exactly sure why the ob has recommended induction.

[Arimeh]

People just put their faith in OB's because they are the experts. When I asked for my elective c-section with DS and the OB asked for my reasons, I gave what I thought were perfectly reasonable excuses why I should have a c-section instead of a vaginal birth and he just nodded away and booked me in.

However, I think had I been with a midwife, they would have seen all my reasons were crap and fear based, and actually given me information to make an informed decision, instead of just letting me go off what I assumed was correct from what I had been told.

FWIW - at least I know now that women suffering with IBS can give birth vaginally lol

ETA - and OMG Jen!!! You're 22 weeks!!!!!

[Bella29]

Hey girls, just found out for certain that my Betsy is preg with twins!!! Yaya!! She wants a natural birth if possible, but also wants private care cos she has had heaps with really really bad endometriosis and her babies are ivf. Anyway I don't know where to start looking for info on natural birth of twins. Anyone got good links?

[Jennifer13]

Bella, my m/w group supported two twin births this year. Their policy is to attend them in hospital but one m/w has practicing rights at Westmead. One was IVF twins. The IVF twins were a water and then land birth (breech for number two) and the other twins were a speedy vaginal delivery about ten mins after arriving at hospital. Their stories are in the last issue of Homebirth Access Sydney's mag (can buy online).

My best gf gave birth vaginally to her twins under a private ob at our local private hospital 11 yrs ago, but with interventions she believes were unnecessary.

[Bella29]

Do you know which issue that is Jen?? And thanks btw

[Jennifer13]

Variations of Normal, Bella.

[Bella29]

Variations of Normal, Bella.

Thanks lovely

[Cricket]

Hello all! Just thought I'd pop in and let you know that we're doing great over here. The midwife just came over and Caleb is 6lb 10 1/2 oz today - just about back at his birthweight already! Everything has gone so very well - I'm feeling good, Caleb is quiet and content most of the time (although he does definitely like to sleep right on top of me at night, which isn't super restful for me!) and the rest of the kids have been really happy and excited about their new brother. DH is keeping the house running nicely - I will sure miss him when he heads back to work next week. But then the bigger kids will be starting school too, so things will be a little quieter during the day at least.
Hope everyone else is doing well - how are the other September mums feeling?

[Arimeh]

This September mum just woke up from a dream where I had two contractions, then felt a head, then gave a push and baby was out.

Geez that was a nice dream, I was so efficient LOL

So hopefully I will go into labour in September and not October....

[Cricket]

This September mum just woke up from a dream where I had two contractions, then felt a head, then gave a push and baby was out.

Geez that was a nice dream, I was so efficient LOL

So hopefully I will go into labour in September and not October....

It could happen.
I found that reading the "Midwife Thinking" blog was quite helpful and reassuring. Maybe go have a look if you have a couple minutes.

[*The_Mrs.*]

So I ran into a sweet girl who happens to be a doula and she is awesome! She will do my encapsulation as well all for $500! This is a steal over here. She is newer but really seems passionate about birth. I'm looking forward to it! So I guess I will have a doula and my midwife will. Just have to get over it

[HotI]

had a nasty dream with medico type people telling me I had to go back to the hospital where Dd was born. was feeling my energy drain, then realised it wasn't their decision to make, and their argument was flawed. felt stronger when I realised this, but hated the earlier weakness. why is it so easy to slip into patient mode, even when you don't want to?

[meow]

why is it so easy to slip into patient mode, even when you don't want to?

Maybe it's not so much weakness but deliberation? You're a reasonable person and for reasonable reasons you would go back there. The 'weakness' is perhaps while we pause for thought. But it's just a moment of reflection and deliberation while you consider someone else's point of view.

So excited about your doula The_Mrs. Sounds perfect!

[Arcadia]

So good to hear from you Cricket ! I still can't believe he's here!

Arimeh: it's good to have positive dreams like that. Your body knows exactly what to do. Even your subconscious is reassuring you. You can do it!

The mrs. Good news about the doula! Your bub is due on my birthday! Awesome due date!

Bella: I hope your friend gets the care and support she is looking for. My midwife would do twins at a hospital. I think going to a midwife group and getting them to use the ob they trust would ge a good start. Down here we have an Ob they nickname vaginal Lionel because he is very pro vaginal deliveries.

HotI I really like meows interpretation of your dream. Pausing and consideration is not weakness, it's rationality. Raging and refusing based on fear is irrational.

I understand that 'patient' mentality you speak of though. I feel incredibly vulnerable when pg (also very strong) but I think this plays into the whole patient mentality when really we just need some extra special nurturing and care.

[Mum2twoBoys]

Had some prelabour pains last night. But they stopped as soon as I had to get up to ds at 1am. A bit sick of mixed signals. But have to keep thinking, it's not pointless, my body is preparing for labour. And I'm one step closer to d-day.

[Arimeh]

All in good time WM! Hang in there lovely - we're all here for you.

I don't think I would be able to have one of those labours Cricket, this baby is so high still, if you were on facebook I could prove it with my 38 week photo I just put up LOL I might believe it was possible if he was locked and loaded and ready to fire, but uh, no. I will look into that blog though, thanks.

My DH tried a trick last night to help baby get out of oblique position (recommended by text by my old chiro from Tassie who is a good friend of mine now) - I was laying on the couch on my back, with a pillow under my knees and he had one hand under my sacrum (I think thats what its called - the bony part above your butt) and one hand on my lower abdomen, its supposed to help baby get in a good position. He definitely changed position during it, cos my belly went all squishy instead of firm like it always is.

Another chiro appointment today with my new chiro and I'll tell her about it too and see what she reckons. Have my midwife appointment today too so its a busy day!