Homebirth General Discussion #16

[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!!!!!

[Jennifer13]

WM - sounds promising. Everything is getting ready. Sending positive birthing vibes to you!

Arimeh - good idea to talk to your chiro. I really hope that's your labour story and not just a dream!

The_Mrs - you sound really pleased about your doula and to have the placenta encapsulation as well is a bonus.

Cricket - glad to hear he's doing so well! And you're making me clucky for NB snuggles...

Bella - someone else mentioned a good ob for the m/w group to work with and I thought I should add that the ob was the same one for both those twin births I mentioned. He basically does what he's told when it's the m/w he trusts. Lol There's also a great ob in another hospital with a similar attitude. Both of these hospitals are also pro-vaginal birth for breech, so I'd recommend looking into the hospital's attitude and policies around other pg/birth situations as they're a good indicator. Unfortunately in Qld you can't get stats on birth outcomes by hospital.

[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.

[Jennifer13]

My doula had had a VBAC too, The Mrs, so I think that's a plus.

[Special]

Hi :-)

Is there any protocol here for joining in? I feel like I should introduce myself or something.
I'm in Vic, pregnant with baby number 4, second homebirth, due around the end of Jan.

It was so nice to read along and just feel like people like me were chatting here, so hi.

Congratulations Cricket!

[HotI]

Welcome Special

there are a few victorians here. this will be my #3 baby, 2nd homebirth, due middle of Feb. Do you have the same midwife this time as your previous homebirth? Will your kids be at the birth?

[meow]

Welcome special! It's nice to have a group of like minded birthing women in this thread.

I had my homebirth in Melbourne

[Special]

Welcome Special

there are a few victorians here. this will be my #3 baby, 2nd homebirth, due middle of Feb. Do you have the same midwife this time as your previous homebirth? Will your kids be at the birth?

Thanks for the lovely welcome. Yep. Same midwife. I did look into the Homebirth program through Sunshine hospital because money was very tight but it is just too box-ticky and I wouldn't have felt safe. 1 appointment in and all the "big baby" talk was already there. Just had my first appointment with my IM and I immediately felt all comfy and happy.

I have 3 boys, 13, 6 and 4. 13 year old doesn't want to be home for the birth and is taking time to adjust to the whole baby idea. Mr 4 loves the whole thing, watched birth videos and tells everyone he is going to be the first one I kiss the baby. Apparently I get to hug it first since it needs to "smell the boobies"
Hahaha, funny what info they pick up.


I haven't planned much for this birth. Suppose I could get a pool. Work out who will be here, other than Matthew. I'm not an organiser.... Much more a see what happens kind of person.


I'm so excited for those of you having your first homebirths. I just felt like it was special.

[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