Homebirth General Discussion #18

The Mrs- that is a wonderful birth story!!! Massive congratulations to you on such a beautiful birth. I am so happy for you after reading that. Thanks so much for your honesty. I think you really summed up how home birth mothers aren't a 'type'. We don't all come to home birth because we want some sort of hippie ideal... usually it's just about wanted a genuine birth experience that we know is possible. You did so well to face your anxieties and push ahead for the birth you knew you could have. Yay for you mama xxx
Your photos are gorgeous too. Gosh I love that final one of Freya! What an alert little newborn :heartbeat:

Arcadia, I don't feel the level of joy I felt after DD2, or the absolute sense of achievement. I love her to bits, but because it was unexpected (and frankly, nowhere near as hard work), the high isn't there.

The Mrs - love your photos! You are a birthing goddess, great story!

oh my goodness!! TWO babies born!!

:leap: :leap:

Big congratulations Jenn! I too didnt get the amazing birth high after DD3 was born. Like you, it happened all so fast (called an hour before she was born...midwives made it though!) that my heart and mind were not in sync with my body. TBH, i do feel that there needs to be processing of that too. I was a bit disappointed that i didnt get that heady, pure joy that i got after DD2 was born. that said, i too was so immensely proud of what my body could do and do well (especially after such a shocker first birth with trauma). but yeah, a bit bummed that it wasnt as 'joyous' ITMS. also, my photographer friend wasnt there and missed out as did my neighbour who I wanted to help me and be there for me.

The Mrs: SO thrilled for you!! Congratulations on the arrival of your newest addition and a BIG congrats on your HBAC! wahoo!!

Jellyfish: I hope you do choose a HB! i think you will find that it will be totally tailored and follow your wishes in terms of what you do and dont want. the beauty of planning a HB with an IM is that they have faith in you and your ability to birth.

*the_mrs: what a beautiful birth story! thank you so much for sharing!*

Thank you everyone! I'm still kind of in shock I did it..it's very surreal to me. I was kind of also feeling blank afterwards but luckily got my placenta pills and am starting to perk up

Sneaking in... TheMrs congratulations! I adore her name.

My little mans birth story

https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...6/#post3387206


The mrs those photos are just beautiful, haven't had a chance to read the story yet but will when I get a chance.

Wow. Just spoke to a MW today and she mentioned that our state has also now made HBs illegal past 42 weeks. Well, illegal for MWs to attend. So that's post dates, breech and twins now. Lucky for me, so far, I haven't had any of those issues but it's really freaking awful! At least with this MW and some others I've noticed there is plenty of talk of "surprise" breech etc. I told her up front I'd happily fudge my due date and she was down with that. It's madness!!

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Has anyone heard from Special? Starting to get excited now i am close to the top of the list!

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I am here. :) I check in most days but I haven't been posting much.
I am 36 weeks now and finally in the last 2 days am I starting to get into it. I have washed baby clothes and set up the cot (which he'll never use, but makes it look like a baby is coming.)

My first 3 pregnancies I never felt any BH/contractions towards the end, and they all went to 40-41 weeks. This one is so different - I am so very aware of him moving and my uterus doing it's thing.


I met with my back-up midwife and she is lovely, and since that meeting I am feeling quite good about it all.
I haven't organised a birth pool though. Anyone in Melbourne (West) know where I could try? My midwife has a metal one, but I really find the inflatable ones appealing.

Mama midwives in Kensington might hire them out?

Eenee I an about to read your story now!!!!!

If you were in Sydney, I'd lend you mine. It feels a bit neglected waiting to be packed away in the dining room.

First name finally chosen: Charlotte (still deciding middle name)

It means 'free man (person'. She's already shown herself to be a free spirit, so we thought it was apt!

Thanks Jennifer. :)

Has anyone hired through Midwives Naturally? They emailed me back and said they may have one available.
I thought it would be too late, but fingers crossed.


Eenee, I loved reading your birth story.

Charlotte is a beautiful name! I love so many girl names, yet we still have nothing for this boy.

I hired a Midwives Naturally pool. I was using them as MWs too so it made sense. All easy enough- I picked it up from the last person's home and then the next people wanting it picked it up from me.

I love Charlotte, Jennifer. My cousin's daughter is Charlotte :)

Seeing a MW this Friday. Fingers crossed I love her and that's that sorted!

Thanks Meow. I hope you click with the midwife. It's so nice when you just know that they're the right one for you.

Same as meow, I used same one the MN mw's hire out (it was loaned for free to me by a doula friend) and as I was using MN mw's for the birth I bought their pool liner for about $45. We gave it a test run the week before and the actual run went even more successfully than anticipated.

I had an appt and baby is head down and quite low. yay! baby's body can be easily moved, but hopefully head will stay in place. Everything looks good. Mw will bring birth pool next visit in 2 weeks. :omg: Spoke to another midwife who can help out with a postnatal visit to take the blood from baby's heel for the newborn screening. I had hearing test done at local hospital last time, and that went smoothly so happy to head there for that. I think you have 6 weeks or so to do that one anyway.

Have suddenly realised that i am going to have a baby pretty soon. Have written a list today of things i still need. Also typed up phone numbers that may come in handy on the day.

Have been doing major cleaning out. Just have to now dispose/redistribute things so they are out of the house.

I have a few things booked in Jan/Feb (birthdays, dr appt for DS, DD starting kinder...) and i'm not so sure that bub will stay as late as the other two. May have to do some rearranging if things do happen bit quicker.

I did handsew a pic on a white onesie for baby's first pics. Not very practical or urgent, but it was fun to do.

Hot1, I think we are in similar places. I have some real things to get organised, but instead I let the boys decorate some white onesies.

My due date falls in the middle of 3 days that are First day of Kinder, parent/child Interview for starting grade 2, and first day back at school for my eldest that is returning after much time off - and that won't go well.
I'd normally expect to go over, but this one doesn't have me as convinced.

I think I've finally got my head around the fact that there will be a little baby in the house sometime in the next month. Not so sure I've got my head around the fact I have to birth him. I was so psyched for my last one - I feel a little lost this time.

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.

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

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!

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...

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

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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 :)

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

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!

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.

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

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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.

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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. :)

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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.

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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.

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 ;)

It took me awhile both times to decide on my birth team, even though i chose the same person both times, and knew her from post #1 birth. It is a nice feeling when you decide on your team though. Meow, hope you catch up with some midwives soon.

I can't picture myself having a day labour/birth. Unless dh is home, and dd is at kinder, but still not really. I need to feel ready and secure in order to labour, with my first, i went into labour (on the date i thought i would) and then heard that my best mate had lost her baby and was being induced that day. Labor stopped, and began again the next day. I just think it was too much, and i knew it would be harder if both our babies were born on the same day. Second time, labour began in the evening, but it wasn't until i had got DD to bed that things really kicked off. I needed to know that she was settled first, and could then let go.

My prediction is another night labour, after the kids go to bed (my preference!) or it will be a quick labour when dh is at work, and i am home with the kids. i can see DD being helpful at the time though. I can picture one kid being at the birth and everything going well, but two i struggle with. i have spoken to few of my local back ups if things happen quickly and dh or midwife not here yet, and they have all been really happy to be called if needed.

I love a day labour! DD2s was middle of the day and it was magic! i was hoping (but no luck!) to repeat that again with DD3. i find i am totally shagged after a night birth.

Anybody watch Bones? For a bones dr, not sure why she thought birthing on her back was a good idea! Was impressed that she wanted a homebirth, even though it ended up being a manger birth (its tv!)

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I love a day labour! DD2s was middle of the day and it was magic! i was hoping (but no luck!) to repeat that again with DD3. i find i am totally shagged after a night birth.

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DD1 informed me the other day when she had a baby she wanted it to be just like DD3's birth - middle of the day, quick and not noisy. ;) I told her it might not be that way for her first birth. But I totally love that she sees birth that way. Her iPad screensaver has been a photo of DD3 bfing. This is a very different household to the one I grew up in!

LOVED my DS2s day birth too! Woke up regular time then had a show and early labour started. Progressed to labour by midday and he was born by 4pm. Had dinner and went back to sleep at a regular time. LOVE not losing sleep :lol:

It's weird how TV portrays women birthing on their backs. Like a freebirthing woman in a manger wouldn't be following her body's natural instincts to be more upright/forward facing.

Feeling crampy and uncomfortable today. I had a bad night with reflux which I've never had, alternating with terrible back and pelvic pain. What the hell is my baby doing in there?

I don't know what to make of any of this. It feels like a warm up, but with DS it was a week of warm up and it did my head in. I don't think I could take that again.

I am also feeling unprepared. I haven't even had the birth plan meeting yet.

Urgh. Suddenly I don't want to labour!