Homebirth General Discussion #18

[Jennifer13]

Sounds very similar to my birth, Special! My m/w has pointed out that there'd be no need to worry about her missing my (hypothetical) next birth - she'd just come when I started getting cx, no matter how far apart they were. We'd just ignore the standard 'when to come' stuff.

[HotI]

my mw only just made my last birth. I will be calling her when things first start this time. also getting dh organised to fill pool earlier.

ive also sussed out the shower and bath in case things happen quickly.

[Special]

Sounds very similar to my birth, Special! My m/w has pointed out that there'd be no need to worry about her missing my (hypothetical) next birth - she'd just come when I started getting cx, no matter how far apart they were. We'd just ignore the standard 'when to come' stuff.

Yep, that is our plan this time. She is determined she won't miss it.

You'd think by my 3rd baby I Would have known things were happening, but even when I spoke to her at 6am, I wasn't convinced things were going to pick up. I'd slept for a few hours, was Facebooking through contractions, and nothing was regular.
But boy, when it started, it started! I did panic at first because I thought that was "the middle" bit of labour and it felt so intense. I was actually relieved when I realised we'd skipped the middle bit and were almost there.

It turned out to be a beautiful birth, just me in my shower - Matthew's hands flapping about underneath me in case I dropped the baby. Bubs came out, I waddled over to my bed, placenta fell out onto the sheet, and I breastfed until the midwives got there.

I'd be fine with it happening exactly like that again.

Makes a cool story to say you gave birth on your own to your 10 pound 7 baby.
Of course, we realise that no matter who is around, Mum is still the one that does all the work. And contractions all hurt, no matter what size the baby is.

[HotI]

has anyone used manuka honey for post birth peri tenderness? mw recommended it last time but I couldn't get any in the early days and then it didn't seem worth it. wondering whether I should have, and if I should get it early this time. also, best place to look for it? can't remember where we found it last time.

[Artechim]

HotI, I haven't used it but google UMF manuka honey. There are a heap of NZ websites that will send over to you, but there are probably heaps of Aussie stockists as well. The higher the UMF number the better the antibacterial properties. If you find it cheaper at an NZ store then I am happy to send it over. I can also have a look at the supermarket/pharmacy if you want - there might be a small size that would suit. We are pretty big on Manuka honey in NZ, it is everywhere

[Eenee]

I didn't really have any tenderness this time. My after pains were the killer this time.

[Cassius2]

I *think* my old local place 'terra madre' in Northcote used to stock a whole range of different manukas. also 'high on high street' did as well...

Special: My IMs along with saying that the moment i began to feel contractions to give them the heads up but they also had us prepare ourselves for a freebirth JIC. we were given alot of the standard info sheets from hospital and other supporting material and we talked it through. thankfully my third birth was a bit slower than my second (by 20 minutes!) so they all made it with about 40 minutes to spare.

Smoke: ooohh getting close for you as well! so so exciting!

Arcadia: I am starting to get so excited for you!

[meow]

Gah! The first MW I contacted missed two appointments to meet as she was at births and then she said she thought I might be too far from her anyway. So I've contacted a couple of other MWs and was supposed to meet someone today but she cancelled because she's at a birth! I feel like I'll never meet anyone at this rate! Hopefully I'll have more luck next week.