Homebirth General Discussion #18

[Jennifer13]

Thinking of you both, Hot1 and Special. These last few weeks trying to get everything organised are busy.

One week in with three and doing okay. Bit daunted about the return to school/work and trying to ignore the reality for another few days at least. DD2 starts preschool next week, so that will ease us back into normality.

Had a lovely long chat with my m/w yesterday to debrief the birth. I think the greatest impact was on DP though. The photos of him with DD3 an hour after the event and his face is still completely set in shock. He was completely unprepared, whereas I at least had read enough to feel like I knew what to do. Mind you, he now gets to quite proudly tell everyone about his vital role in her birth and that gets him quite a bit of kudos.

I have come to the conclusion that (each) birth is a journey all of its own and thinking it would go a particular way was just unrealistic on my part. I consider myself so incredibly lucky to have my two homebirths and have everything go so smoothly that any disappointment/shock has been dissipated.

And I did spend my whole pg saying that I didn't want to push for 50 mins again. Kinda expected more than three pushes (and that was me slowing it down!), but I certainly can't complain.

Might write up my birth story tomorrow.

[HotI]

love to read your story, Jen. you need to change your ticker whenyou have time too

[Sterla]

One healthy, happy baby at my scan yesterday. Bub was asleep for the first part of the scan, then woke up and had the hiccups and was playing with the cord . I was measuring exactly to dates, so I'm 11+4 today. Only a bit over month till I have my first appointment with my midwife (I'm using the same midwife I had with DD). I can't wait to see her again and start discussing the birth!

[Arcadia]

Great news Sterla. I hope you're not too sick.

Jen, it sounds like you've reached a good place wrt the speed of delivery. I must admit your experience has made me let go of my expectations about this next birth, although I still have t made arrangements for the children if it's a day labour...I just cannot see myself birthing in the middle of the day!!

I am starting to gather birthing stuff and finalizing baby's things. I am conscious of getting dd all ready for school too since I am due the week she starts prep.

Feeling that emotional fragility associated with late preg for me. I'm retreating into the cave...

[Smoke Jaguar]

We're off camping for a week...then it's preparation time, with 9 weeks to go when we get home!

[Special]

I am being reminded to also let go of some expectations and/or fears.
Lovely chat with my midwife and today, after a good cry to Hubby. I feel much more on top of things.

My 3rd baby was my first homebirth and it went very quickly for the last bit. Overnight contractions, that never really got regular or closer than 10 minutes.
Then somewhere after a text I sent at 7:45am it was all go! Contractions picked up, waters broke, I jumped in the shower and a baby was out a minute later. I never even got the water on me. I have a pic of me at 8:35am about to get in the shower. His guestimated time of birth is 8:37 - and that is just based of my Sister being on the phone to the midwives and them checking.

They got there 5 minutes later and all was fine, but it was definitely emotional.

[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.

[Sterla]

Oh, that's really a shame meow . I'm sure you'll get to meet someone soon. Fingers crossed you find your perfect midwife!

[Special]

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.

Yep, we've had a similar chat.

It's not like I have super fast labours. From the first sign they've been 13, 14 and 12 hours. It was just the last one didn't seem serious until it was really serious.

No idea what to expect this time. They all started and progressed differently.... I like that it's a new experience every time. Just like babies.

[Special]

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.

That's disappointing about the first one. I hope that when you do meet this next one it works out well.
I know that if I was the birthing Mum, I'd be very grateful my midwife was with me - but how unlucky for you to cop 3 in a row.

[Cassius2]

oh Meow! that sucks! it is so hard to get into the zone and start really imagining it all without knowing who will be your support peeps. hopefully it wont be too much longer! that said, it took me until I was 17 weeks before i met Nic