Homebirth General Discussion #17

Woohoo, I have a "booking in" appointment at the hospital on Monday... I know it's just so they have everything on hand easily if I end up transferring, but I don't want to go! I have to see the doctor who I saw through my pregnancy with Ianto, and I loathe that man. No idea how he managed to get through medical school, even back then I seemed to know more than him :lol: But at least it's not for any kind of care, just the booking-in stuff. Any idea what I should expect? I'm going from thinking it'll be a full-on interrogation to just signing a few pieces of paper and going on my way :p

Also, here's my obligatory ":eek: I'm next on the list! :o" haha

Isn't the booking in supposed to be with the midwives? Why on earth is a doctor doing it?? As the hospy if you can just do it with the mw, I suggest. Mine went super smoothly with a mw and I told her what my plans were. Try bypassing the doctor, as your first port of call xxx

Congrats, Eenee! I missed your post - sounds like it was gorgeous, and of COURSE you are a champ :) Look at what you made!

if you have already been to the hospital, they will have any info they may need (personal details etc) if you transfer. Just ditch it.

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if you have already been to the hospital, they will have any info they may need (personal details etc) if you transfer. Just ditch it.

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I actually didn't even think of that. That's true. The only reason I went to the booking in was because Monash didn't have my details, otherwise I wouldn't have bothered.

Glad i never had to bother with booking in, being a hospital program my midwives did it.


You know some times its surreal sitting in my lounge room and right now I am watching little miss roll around on the exact spot she made he entrance to the world in!!

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I actually didn't even think of that. That's true. The only reason I went to the booking in was because Monash didn't have my details, otherwise I wouldn't have bothered.

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Yeah, me either... If I get time I'll give them a call, see if it's absolutely necessary. They'll probably say it is, but whatever. I'll call MAMA too and see what they say. I know on Monday Kris said something about it but I can't remember what it was :redface:

Good point on seeing hospy midwives instead of the doctor - again, you're right. My appointments were always written in as being with the doctor but I mostly saw midwives. So that'll probably happen again, if I go.

EDIT: Oohhhkay, it's so they have the most up-to-date information on THIS pregnancy. It'd be in the stuff MAMA sent over, but the Northerm apparently insist on actually seeing the "patient" and not taking the midwives' word for it :wall: So at least I have an answer in that regard :) I don't really mind greatly, I just don't like that hospital. If it were the Women's or the Mercy I wouldn't have as much of a problem, I'm just prejudiced :p

I've never had to go to a booking in appointment. The midwives just sent everything off.

My back up is at the Women's.

I actually enjoyed my booking in! I have never used the hospital here since we moved (thank goodness!) and I am keen for them to have my details, to avoid any delays in the case of a transfer, and I wanted to present myself so that they would have a face to go with the homebirth plans. I think it was well worth it, in my case. The other reason I wanted to go was (the mammalian instinct!) to see the environs I'd have to be in if I transfer, for whatever medical reason. I didn't get to do that with the last one because I was booked in to the Royal Women's, at a time when they allowed that (they don't now - it's all about catchment area now).
I had a great FBC experience the first time, and was apprehensive about going to book in to a maternity ward but the mw was so good in her manner and understanding that apprehension left me as soon as I saw her.
Out here in the country I don't have the luxury of the midwives booking in for me. My mw works out of the further away hospital and we discussed booking into the closer one. It's like guerilla birthing out here for homebirth, and I was really glad to do my bit to raise awareness for what homebirthers have to do that other birthers don't have to worry about, just to plan a safe birth. I'm used to being a standard-bearer, though, for many things ;)
My own mw and I discussed that I could see my preferred GP and the ward mw's for most of my check ups, to keep the costs down, and the hospital is a 5 min drive away and not out of my way for appointments, and it's not an imposing place. So, in a way it sucks to plan a HB out here, and on the other I know the hospital is just in the same town with no traffic lights to get to it!

Teni, I went to two appts for DD2's pg at the hospital - one with a m/w and one one with an ob (as it was a VBAC). But I'd never been to that hospital before. Both appts were actually good, even the ob was supportive of my HB plans.

This time, I rang to book in and they told me I didn't need to come in, just to fax over all the details on m/w notes from this pg and phone a m/w to discuss. Simple. Maybe you could ask if you could fax over your pg records so they have everything? I also included my birth plan.

I didn't bother booking in, didn't tell them anything didn't fax anything. Couldn't be bothered to waste my time there to tell you the truth ;)

I just went and did a booking in appointment this week. I was wondering what the reception would be, but I was just about to be called in and an old friend who is a me there walked out and had a good squeal at seeing me, and she decided to see me instead of going and having her lunch. It was great and uber easy! So no getting to be a standard bearer for me. I just rolled up, answered the questions and off I went again :). But that's it for me. No more appointments, unless there is a problem.

The thing for my situation here in the country is that homebirthing is so under the radar that when the laws do eventually change the caregivers around here need to know that people want it and need to know that people have been prepared to have freebirths without their ridiculous hospital and doctor collaboration.
What I'm saying is, lucky for you ladies who don't have to do booking in yourself or don't have to be the brave minority who front up with their homebirth plans out in the open. Really. Because I was one of you and then I moved to the country.
I KNOW how much easier it is for you metro people to access homebirth, despite restrictions on hospy programs...you have hospy programs! I wish we were all in a position to take for granted that we didn't need bookings in. Please be mindful in your responses of those of us who actually have a bit of a struggle to get what we have a right to plan. It is coming across as dismissive, just to let you know. It used to feel a lot more supportive in this section, and I'm in here to get the support I don't find IRL, increasingly in vain (in general, not just this section) :(

Is that aimed at me SJ? Cos it wasn't meant to be dismissive. In fact I was prepared to have to tell them my story this time, be the standard bearer so to speak. And it is a big deal for me cos my husband is a senior dr at that hospital. Last time I just lied to not have to deal with the bull**** of having a hbac. And also to protect my midwife and husbands reputation. I'm was surprised it was so easy, for a huge amount of reasons. Partially because I just don't know what the response was gonna be.

Anyway, I am sorry that this group is not helping you feel supported. Is that because we arnt all in the same boat? It doesn't bother me who has a hospital supported bh as opposed to an independent etc. I can see the draw backs of some peoples situations, but I am not effected by it in a personal sense. I am just worried partially for you, and also wondering if I am missing something? Would you like to elaborate?

Sorry you're not feeling supported SJ. I've considered moving to the country many times but on researching birth options we have decided to wait until all our babies are here. I know I'm in a privileged position. Sorry if you felt the weight of that privilege in my response. It wasn't intended and I'm certainly not ungrateful for the freedom metro living gives me for birthing options. I honestly have never heard of a booking in appointment. Ignorance is bliss hey?

How are you otherwise? I'm also concerned you're not getting the support you need.

I live semi-rurally and have no support locally. My birth support is not part of any clinic or hospital, hell, she is not even registered. In addition to distance, many IMs were not comfortable in attending my birth due to my medical condition. In the current climate, having a second birth support person is incredibly difficult due to my primary not being registered. If a registered midwife were to attend my birth, she would legally be considered responsible for the event, regardless of the position that she was hired for, or volunteered for.

I have not booked in to a hospital, because if i transfer if is due to an emergency. in an emergency, i have notes that have my personal details. I do not believe that the hospital needs to know my personal details, or what my blood pressure or measurements were at each appointment (if it is not relevant to why i am at the hospital). I don't need to hear their judgement or face their questioning. Additionally, dependent on what the emergency is, i may go to the local hospital or i may travel to one of 3 other hospitals. Circumstances will dictate where i go, i am not going to pre-book in all of them jic.

I think it is important to question why we do things. why you want to book in to a hospital. I can understand that some people find comfort in having that option sorted. Having an interesting birthing history might make checking out the local hospital beforehand a more attractive option.

When offering responses to Teni, i considered that she had already been the hospital, including at least once this pregnancy. She doesn't like the person she is booked in to see, and my impression was that she was expecting an interrogation on her birth choices. Teni has mentioned she doesn't like confrontation and it didn't sound like she had a support person lined up for the appt. So my suggestion was to not go to the appt. Question what benefits there are in going. What harm is there in going, particularly as Teni heads in to the last few weeks of her pregnancy and should be surrounded by loving and supportive people.

We come from many different backgrounds and circumstances. A number of discussions here i feel isolated, and sometimes frustrated, because they don't apply to me. But for other topics, it is here i come for support because i think that there others who may have or be experiencing similar.

Wow didn't realise my experience or feeling a aren't valid because of my 'luckiness'.

No one is down playing the struggles others have, especially not on purpose nor should I have to be mindful about saying exactly what happened with my pg and birth in fear that some people who yes are more disadvantaged then I am due to the programs available to me might be offended.

Because IMO if programs like The one I used are extremely successful and seen in positive light more often the chances are that they will be expanded and become more available throughout Australia, which I believe would be a great outcome.


Every homebirth or attempt at one is fantastic and I feel that sometimes it seems to be a competition of who has to jump through the most/less hurdles. We should all be working together to promote homebirth and by being vocal with differences/hurdles or ease with all options is the way.

Hi mama's
Sorry I haven't posted in awhile. I'm hibernating from the cold and because I'm trying to finish up all the wraps I need to weave for before baby gets here(I'm a weaver). I'm so exhausted and drained and can't believe baby girl will be here soon. I'm actually hoping I go late so I can get everything finished but I know that's not how babies work haha! I have all my supplies for the birth and just need towels. I've started taking some alfalfa to boost my vitamin k as I'm still a little nervous about hemorrhaging. Also, recently I've started to become scared of having a HBAC. I know it's just my mind getting anxious/nervous for birth. I hate the what ifs and hope my uterus won't rupture. Bleghhh sorry to sort of a downer!

Hope everyone is doing well!!