Homebirth General Discussion #18

[Cricket]

I have not read 50 Shades, and I have no intention of ever reading it, but from what I've heard, it sounds like the birth story is about in line with the rest of the book - some guy doing something to some girl which he assumes is going to be good for her, even if she says otherwise at the time....


Anyways, birth quotes - I think my favourite is from Ina May, and I just came across it on her Facebook page again.
"Remember this, for it is as true as true gets: your body is not a lemon. You are not a machine. The Creator is not a careless mechanic. Human female bodies have the same potential to give birth well as aardvarks, lions, rhinoceri, elephants, moose, and water buffalo. Even if it has not been your habit throughout your life so far, I recommend that you learn to think positively about your body." Ina May Gaskin, from Ina May's Guide to Childbirth.

[meow]

some guy doing something to some girl which he assumes is going to be good for her, even if she says otherwise at the time....

Pretty much sums up his argument for her to have an elective c-section the second time around despite her vaguely protesting too.

[Jennifer13]

Hmmmm... I wonder if I'll make it to next week after all. After one and a half days of my body clearing itself out I'm pretty sure I've had some contractions in the last hour and feeling a wee bit nauseous. Raced upstairs and put up the Amby hammock just in case! Not saying anything at home just yet, this might just be early stuff and I could have days to go.

I really, really want to make it to tomorrow at least - and preferably the night after when my sister (who's photographing and videoing) is due to arrive! But I guess babies choose their own time. I'm clearing my camera and video camera at least in the meantime and luckily DP is home this afternoon to re-pump the birth pool. Might just go and give the room a sweep...

[Jellyfish]

Not pregnant but thinking about it and one thing of concern is the birth. I've had two in a private hospital which went fantastic really but it still didn't feel quite right. I would love a homebirth but it feels overwhelming not knowing where to start! So reading through this thread and wondering, any tips or recommended reading to ease my mind that I can organise a homebirth? I'm not worried about the birth side as I've done that before lol but just getting it organised, finding someone just right and all of that. Is it all pretty simple once you find an independent midwife to guide you?

[Jennifer13]

Well at least I've made it to today. Happy New Year, everyone. Started contracting again this morning so may have something to report today. Thinking it will probably ease off when everyone gets up.

Jellyfish, you'd rock a HB. It was the first thing that made the news of this surprise pg seem okay. Ina May Gaskin and Sheila Kitzinger are my favourites for reading material. The Face of Birth DVDs are good too.

[meow]

Thinking of you Jennifer!! And you too The Mrs xx

The MW I was supposed to meet today is at a birth so had to cancel. Love the birthing vibes

A homebirth is a wonderful thing to plan and the organisation really isn't that hard. Yes, choosing a MW is the big bit and everything sort of falls into place after that. MWs will have lists for you to prepare for the homebirth and it's pretty simple stuff. I just had to make sure I had some plastic drop sheets and a tap attachment to put the hose on for pool- not much else really. We discussed the birth set up during our appointments and I knew the space my MW wanted me to leave for her to fit her gear. Finding a MW isn't actually all that hard really either. You'll usually just have a few choices so you can meet them, have a chat and see who you gel with

[Arcadia]

Lighting a candle for you Jen. Time to start welcoming the baby into your heart and home.

Put up the flags, put on a birthing necklace and start that dance! I'm super excited for you!

Where are you jellyfish? Getting in touch with midwives is a great first step!

[Cricket]

Hope today is the day for you Jenn, and maybe TheMrs too!

If anyone is still in need of a 2014 calendar, go have a look at the 2014 Homebirth Dads Calendar by Kimberly McGuinness-Rook. (I'd link it, but it's a commercial link - not allowed, I think.) Google will find it for you.

[Jennifer13]

1/1/2014 - Jennifer13's baby girl arrives in a hurry!

Freebirth. Turns out I was right about the midwives not arriving! Physically I feel fantastic - what a difference with only a couple of pushes.

[meow]

Squee!!!! Congratulations Jennifer!! So excited and can't wait to hear all about it. Enjoy a lovely rest with your little bubba mama xx

[HotI]

Babies Arrived

-2012-
Jennifer13- Baby GIRL born at home 4th January 2012
Bella29- Baby GIRL born at home 10th January 2012
HotI - Baby BOY born at home 21st January 2012
*Ash*- Baby BOY born at home 14th February 2012
loulabelle - Baby BOY born at home 24th February 2012
Cricket - Baby GIRL born at home 15th May 2012
chocorama - May 2012
...Em - Baby BOY born at home 7th June 2012
BellyBelly - Baby GIRL born 11th August 2012
Tanya - Baby BOY born at home 16th August 2012
phynna - Baby GIRL born at home 8th September 2012
lady_neon - Baby BOY born 27th September 2012
Ambersky - Baby BOY born at home 3rd October 2012
Cassius - Baby GIRL born at home 4th November 2012
Ice cream - September 2012
mirriumu - November 2012
Pumpkinzulu - Baby GIRL born at home 12th December 2012

- 2013 -
Sara - Baby BOY born 18th January 2013
turtlejane - Baby GIRL born at home 31st January 2013
Bellany - Baby BOYS born 14th March 2013
Ree*Ree - Baby BOY born 18th March 2013
Aimz - Baby BOY born at home 21st March 2013
Beatrix - Baby GIRL born at home 7th April 2013
Rubyshoes - Baby BOY born at home April 2013
Dollyroux - Baby BOY and GIRL born 29th April 2013
HomeStyleMumma - Baby GIRL born 8th May 2013
ladybirdflies - Baby GIRL born at home 23rd May 2013
Cricket - Baby BOY born at home 26th August 2013
Sepata - Baby BOY born at home 31st August 2013
WilliamsMummy -Baby BOY born at home 17th September 2013
Loulabelle - Baby BOY born at home 17th September 2013
Sunnylove - Baby GIRL born at home 2nd November 2013
Eenee - Baby BOY born at home 22nd November 2013
TeniBear - Baby GIRL born at home 21st December 2013

-2014-
Jennifer13 - Baby GIRL born at home 1st January 2014

Babies On Their Way



*The_Mrs* - December
Special - January
HotI - February
Arcadia - February
Smoke Jaguar - March
Bella29 - May
Sterla -August
Meow - August
e_p - September

[Sterla]

A huge congrats Jen! Made my day seeing those beautiful pics pop up on my facebook

[Smoke Jaguar]

So awesome, Jen! Well done xxx

[Beatrix]

Lol Jen love a quick free birth!! Kind of empowering to do it on your own with a dash if scared!

Congrats again hun

[Jellyfish]

.....

[HotI]

I see your 'concerns' as benefits of homebirth. many midwives are happy not to see you until 20 weeks or later, most are happy for you to choose the tests you want to have done. the ones I have spoken to would be fine not to discuss the ins and outs of things that weren't relevant to you (the woman).

when you are ready, meet one or more midwives and you will know if you click and if they are the right match for you.

[Jellyfish]

You're right! I'm probably already starting to overthink things. And talk about cart before the horse haha going to lurk and read and absorb and let it all work itself out. Hopefully I'm here planning a homebirth really soon

[e_p]

wow - Congrats Jen!! That's amazing!

Jellyfish - my IM didn't go through all of the ins and ours of every possible scenario unless I prompted her to. She really left it up to me to bring up any concerns I had and we explored from there. We discussed the risks and benefits of the tests on offer (I declined them all) and discussed what would happen if we needed to transfer but the great thing for me about homebirth is being able to build a great relationship of trust with a midwife who I know will be able to intuit what I need to know at any given time Goodluck with your journey x

Thank you all for the congratulations - it's early days but we decided to tell our families over Christmas while they were all together. We got a pretty mixed reaction so it's lovely to come here and read/talk with women who get it! I can't WAIT to labour and birth again