Homebirth General Discussion #18

[Tegam]

Hello ozstar!

[Special]

I used to plan quite a few things for the time between 40 and 42 weeks, massage, dinner out (or take away) at fave restaurant, special time with my born child, movies.... gives you things to look forward to, a time to relax and if baby comes early you won't mind too much having to cancel.

This is what I did with number 3, after going a bit nuts with number 2. (I've had 40+2, 41+6, 41+3.)

I'm actually not over being pregnant yet. Everyone keeps saying "I hope it's soon" and I don't really care. I know it is in the next 3 weeks sometime and that suits me fine. Maybe I should work on getting everything ready so he feels welcome.


I am not about to book an induction at 42 weeks, but I am wondering what other people do re monitoring and/or ultrasounds? My 2nd was at a Birth centre and I had a couple of ultrasounds after 41 weeks.
I had 1 with my 3rd and it said the placenta was starting to deteriorate (or whatever word they use.) It was fine when he came out though (according to my midwives)

[Tegam]

Ahhh special that's a hard question to answer isn't it.... I guess I'd say to you that it's like me but the opposite. I know 36-38 weeks is due for me, normal, an average, they aren't early. If you have got a history of 40+ weeks then its just 'normal' for you. Not late and no reason why anything should start to fail!! Get what I mean? I'd only do whatever monitoring you wanted/felt like and obviously that's in negotiation with your MW

[meow]

Homebirths after 42 weeks recently got made illegal in our state! It's ****ing outrageous. I was talking to my midwife about it and she said the head of the midwifery board or something like that said she gave it over as a concession to get them to back off on more laws. Great, explain that to the women who safely go over 42 weeks!! It's just a number- I'm personally much more interested in medical signs that birth needs to occur soon, rather than because of the date.

Luckily for me I have had my babies at 39+4 and 41 weeks so it's highly unlikely I'd go past 42 weeks. But I would be comfortable with more frequent care and monitoring after about 41+3 to keep an eye on the health of baby and the placenta.

[HotI]

It's horrible what is happening to laws covering homebirth and midwives across the globe. Over here, heads of midwifery have also sold out in attempts to hold on to other conditions. It doesn't help them long term, or women and their babies.

I need distraction!! Struggling so much at the moment. Some points i think i just can't be pregnant another day or i will lose it. It's not that i want the baby right now, i'm not even thinking of that side of it, i know i will be ok with that when it happens, i am just sick of the physical side and emotional side and everything about being pregnant.

i don't want to hear how big i am, or how i have dropped or how i look tired or even if i am glowing and gorgeous. i don't want to hear that i must be going soon, unless you have a crystal ball and actually know that its true.

i don't need sympathy, just distraction. please distract me.

[Smoke Jaguar]

Go to the newsagency and get some magazines - special interest ones, cos the crappy gossip ones never last long enough I've got books to last me an eternity from the library (well, at least until I can renew no more!), and I'll be grabbing some equestrian mags to take me over the finish line, come March

[Arcadia]

HotI can you download a new tv series or book series? I've watched Orphan Black and house of cards recently (at night), and bought mists of avonlea books. I'm also busy organizing catch ups with friends and pampering time (you might end up discussing the pg though so warn them about how you're feeling).

School starts this week so that's a big distraction.

What about a sewing project?

[Special]

I'm going with distraction too. I am not even over being pregnant, just sick of thinking about "OMG, what if it's today"
Yesterday I went to the beach and then the gym. I've lined up a play at a play-centre tomorrow.
I like the idea of downloading a TV series. My dream right this minute is to nap and watch TV, but our bedroom is like an oven.

The stupid texts have started already. I am sharing them here so I don't have to think about them... sorry for spreading the annoyingness.

From my Dad: "Any twitches?" - I swear I want to smack him for such an insane question. WE can go weeks without talking, he certainly doesn't need a daily uterus update.

From my Uncle: "Hi Livi. Baby????? Love Blabla"

[HotI]

My dad the other day "you are looking very - forward" wtf does that mean?

Went out this morning with kids for early pub lunch for another little person's bday. It was nice, and my head is clearer.

Don't get much kid free time for tv series, some mags might come in handy. I have friends wanting to catch up, but i don't know if i am in right headspace. I have finished off a few sewing projects which has been nice, but DS tends to get into mischief if he knows i am in there, so it tends to be not very relaxing. I used to set my machine up in the lounge, but have cleaned up in prep for the birth might be time to bring it out for a little bit.

[Jennifer13]

Get photos organised from the last year (of your bigger kids - I'm planning on doing photo books for every year).

Finish your pg journal (or start it...), for this one and the last (if you're anything like me!). I plan on just cutting and pasting all my old BB posts into a Word doc and printing it out, but you might be more imaginative than I am!

Fill out the PPL forms online (you can do it before bub is born and then it's ready to go after the birth) via Centrelink, or the App.

Start knitting/crocheting/sewing for baby and other kids for winter. I got started on a cardy for DD1 about four months ago and it will be finished by winter. Really, it will!

Does that help? Lol (And if you are so organised that all those things are done, would you be at all interested in doing mine??? Or at least passing on your secret... )

[Artechim]

Hi Ozstar! I thought you might be planning a HB. I still stalk in here, even thought there are definitely no more babies for me Good luck with all your plans xx

[Special]

(And if you are so organised that all those things are done, would you be at all interested in doing mine??? Or at least passing on your secret... )

Hehehe, same here please. I'd settle for finishing the baby clothes (At least I started!) and testing the birth pool.

Other things that would make me feel better if they were done. Scrub the shower and sort out my clothes. They are everywhere, they don't fit, I don't even wear 70% of them, and I can't fit the good ones I actually like in the drawers.

It's too hot here today to be all domestic though.

[Smoke Jaguar]

Good lord, it sounds like it's time to start ignoring text messages for you girls! I did, the last two times Text messages make it easier for people to ask questions they wouldn't call you up to ask
Ozstar - if you hadn't popped in I might have outed you!
I'm thinking I might distract myself in the last weeks with my huge pile of sewing repairs that keeps being ignored...before the kids grow out of the clothes I'm meant to have repaired, even...
I've got the tireds up and I can feel this pattern is going to set in until D Day, but could also be from the hot day we had yesterday. Whichever way, I'm happy to surrender to it, particularly after tomorrow when DS is back at school and DD can't get up to nearly the mischief her and her brother together can when I'm napping!

[Tegam]

Dd1 started yr 5 today, Dd2 started yr 2 and DS started prep happy, sad confused.... Feeling old, so many people said 'oh only one to go....' Oops.

First meeting with my midwife tomorrow then scan Friday, a bit late for the scan so hopefully everything is whe it should be. Feeling tired but I get why I feel tired but can someone please tell me why my nipples have to be so sore and sensitive??? Lol crazy.

So sorry to those that a tired and at the end stages, it's so very hard waiting those last few days/weeks!

[meow]

Yay Tegam! I have my first home visit and booking in appointment with my MW tomorrow! I have met her but it was a freebie "meet and greet" in her office so this feels like we're really starting now. I'm excited. Good luck with your scan too xx

Ugh to sore nipples. I was convinced I was weaning my DS2 for a few weeks there and I have cut him down as I just couldn't handle it for a while. I seem to be okay now but he's doing fine without night feeds so he's just down to breastfeeding in the morning and even then it's not every day.

Thinking of all our 'at the end' mamas too. Any niggles yet??

[HotI]

Had midwife appt this morning. Feeling better about being on baby/body time. Don't think things are going to happen this week or the next, but feeling ok about it for now.

Bub is head down and seems comfy again which is nice.

Mw brought her grandchild with her to appt. Kids had fun together. I remember her coming once before DS was born, so it feels like another thing that had to happen before baby time is here.

Might youtube some baby belly dancing to see if i can bub bit lower and hitting cervix.

[meow]

Sounds like a good appointment HotI xx

[Smoke Jaguar]

Glad you're in a better place in your head, HotI
I've got an appointment with my mw tomorrow - she's heading overseas on the weekend, so I thought I'd go for a drive to her place to make it easier...and I could do with a change of scenery! So, it remains for my mw to be happy with fundus height as to whether I'm going to have a scan with this pregnancy or not.
Took the kids for a spider treat at a local cafe today, to change their scenery around a bit after spending all week boringly at home - after I had a nap, of course.