I loved having a day birth with dd2. Started at 7am and finished at 7:12pm. I was so exhausted for my first birth, that it was really pleased to not be dealing with fatigue as well.
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I loved having a day birth with dd2. Started at 7am and finished at 7:12pm. I was so exhausted for my first birth, that it was really pleased to not be dealing with fatigue as well.
Re the manger birth - I guess woman birth however they feel comfortable. My first labour was forced bed labour, but the next two I chose to be on my back in the bath/pool. I think I tried hands and knees for about a minute and one point and wondered how anyone could stand being like that.
Whoops double
:hug: The whole back and forth of "I want to have this baby!" vs. "I don't want to do labour again!" can be kind of miserable at the end. I remember it pretty well. I've experienced it more and more with my later babies, and it stinks. My only advice is to handle it kind of like you handle labour - just take one step at a time. If you're feeling crampy and exhausted and emotional, do your best to find a time to rest, take a bath or shower, a nap, put on a movie for the kids and put your feet up for a bit - whatever it takes. Just deal with today, right now. Don't let your mind wander to how long it might last or how much of it you might have to take. Just like in labour, it will make things worse.:
Your body is definitely getting ready to have this baby, and even though it might feel like you'll never be done with this pregnancy, before you know it, you'll be looking at it from the other side, nursing your baby, and thinking "Wow, that actually went really fast, can't believe it's done already!"
For the back/pelvic pain, maybe some pelvic rocking/cat stretches might help? On your hands and knees, take a deep breath and pull your belly and back up, hold, and then slowly release back to a neutral spine. Repeat. You can do 20 repetitions or so at various times throughout the day. It should help stretch the sore muscles and strengthen them, and help get baby in a good position.
All the best in these last few weeks!
About labour positions - I have chosen to be semi-reclining in the bath for all my home births. (For DS1, when I had to move because he was stuck, I ended up delivering on my back in bed with my knees cranked up to my ears.) I've tried the hands and knees thing also and found it impossible for me. Squatting also is not an option for me - I just don't like it at all. But I think the idea is that you should be free to assume the position that works for you, and that usually that's the position that is best for you.
Pretty sure I just met my MW this morning. Super exciting and I really like her. Only thing is she has only been a trained MW for 3 years . She has worked in birth prior to that as a doula and had three HBs of her own so she does have more experience and she also has good training such as breech training and being MW at two breech home births so I feel like her skills are up to scratch. I guess I just had a niggle of doubt over her not being a super experienced MW and I wondered what you all think of experience? How do you feel about using a recently qualified MW?
I would feel the same I imagine. My midwife with DD (who I am using again this time) has something like 30+ years experience - I feel very safe in her hands. She has been training a lot of midwives in the past few years, so there are a lot of less experienced IM available in my area now too.
Could you try and make sure your secondary midwife is more experienced perhaps?
It would depend on what she had done in her 3 years. I chose my student mw due to her research into breastfeeding and having had homebirths. She was absolutely awesome at the birth, and my midwife only arrived just before baby. However, the experience of my midwife was evident when i had some issues post birth. The student was only starting 2nd year at that time, so i am sure she would have learnt much in that time. I know my birth helped expand her knowledge.
If she had been working for 3 years and quite active then i would be more comfortable than if she had been more quiet.
I'm another one who loved my day birth! Woke up in light labour, had DD2 at 3pm. Good amount of time to bond with new bub, clean up etc and then have dinner and bed.
My m/w had only done 30 hbs when I met her (but had a lot more experience in hospitals). But she worked with very experienced m/ws and gelled with us. She's a fantastic m/w and I'm very glad we went with her.
That sounds similar to this MW Jennifer. She has done 47 HBs as primary MW and works in a joint practice with other more experienced MWs and did a lot of student side-by-side training with HB MWs. I really gelled with her and feel like she'll offer just the perspective and care I'm looking for. Chatted to my H last night and he's comfortable too so I guess we'll go for it! :D
Oh Meow that is FABULOUS!!! wahoo! with that number of HBs under belt I would feel comfy enough i reckon. especially if there is good communication and similar values etc. she will be able to read you and you her and that is important too!
Apparently I'm measuring 28 weeks (I'm 31 weeks) but the doctor won't worry about it unless she thinks it's still a bit small at 34 weeks, then she'll recommend ultrasounds. At this stage, feeling anything but cherished at home (certainly nothing like a goddess!!) and worn down by pain, my resistance to U/S is fading and I'm starting to feel my care factor fade. Hopefully the school return will change things around a bit.
DP's boss wasn't telling me anything knew when he commented that DP had been saying I'm a whinger. I'd like to see DP try the feeling of his pelvis splitting with just about every movement he makes, for 29 weeks and every day back to back and NOT make some comment about the pain he's experiencing :rolleyes: Nice to know he's proud of the effort I'm making to get what I get done and what I'm working towards. Not. I could punch him if it wouldn't throw my pelvis off kilter.
Waiting for the IM to reply to my voicemail to make another appointment - I'm sure seeing her about the birth plans again will lift my spirits. For now, though, I'm feeling like driftwood and seriously wondering why the hell I committed to this.
SJ, I never measured 'correctly' for any of my pgs. For DD2 I got to 36 by 40 wks. DD3 was even further behind - only to 35 (and she turned out to be my longest babe at 50 cm). My m/ws know I carry small. Are you at all concerned? In my case, DD3 dropped low around 32-33 wks and engaged early. What were your other pgs like?
I'm not worried at this stage, and neither is she (GP), and I can't remember what the last ones were like, but I told her they were the same ;) The other two engaged early and this one is head down and right in there atm. I'll have to look up my records. It was all measuring fine until today's appointment - just a flag, not a cause for concern, just yet. I know she'd rather not interfere, anyway, which is a relief.
In other news, I just booked a mini photography session that we'll make our maternity session - beach location in a month's time :)
SJ, I'm sorry you rant getting cherished at home.... That isn't cool. My dh makes jokes about me only not moaning about something for about two weeks in the middle of pregnancy. But I do feel cherished and card for and I guess that is the difference cos I don't resent it. Like you I think he wouldn't not moan if he had to do this work. Hugs lovely. I hope back to school brings you a new measure of down time
Oh SJ :hug:
It hurts massive when you hear along the grapevine that you loved one has been moaning about you :( BTDT...
I reckon he needs a good cup of empathy with his dinner tonight to remind him that we all have our battles and sometimes it is wise to put yourself in somebody else's shoes to feel how it fits.
I hope that your IM can shower you in some nourishing support xx Do you have a baby blessing planned or something like that at all? sounds like you need one sweet Mama xx
Coincidentally, tonight I've been knuckling down to make arrangments to have a blessingway! I've asked a girlfriend if she can help me coordinate it and I'll gather some materials (calico, crafts, string for the beads etc). I'm making enquiries about a henna artist, in the end :) I was thinking that I could buy some henna for guests to do hands and feet etc and I could be done the day before or something, so that I don't have to stay in one position when people are here (might be more comfy for me to just find a spot to slouch in!), depending on cost. I've got a list of people I'd like to invite, and now I'm afraid of leaving people off that I haven't remembered, realising that there'll be declined invitations, too. I've only been to one and it's one that I helped organise. If it's nice weather then our back yard will be perfect, and if it's not then inside is big enough and people could BYO cushion. Anyway, I'm suddenly feeling a lot more positive with the planning.
My poor, housebound kids are so bored they're getting up to ridiculous hijinks - they climbed our 2 week old haystack and decimated quite a few bales :( So much TV watching it's not funny, but I can't even walk around the house without feeling like Quasimodo, until my osteo appt on Friday!
Never mind, I'm getting there, and now just thinking that if my order for a 37 week birth goes through then I've really not got long to go of this :)
Thank you so much ladies, I feel like I've isolated myself from everyone, and I know that I have to a large extent. No Facebook mentions on my timeline and not much time out of the house and all. DP hasn't taken any photos of me, so I've had to do selfies (and I told him that resorting to selfies reflected really badly on him) that don't work out well, anyway.
It's probably time now to prepare my essential oil brew for freezing soaked maternity pads...next mission!
I watched a gorgeous birth dvd with the kids today. Lots of family around, everyone goes for a walk, shares a meal while mum is labouring. Mum and dad in the bath when baby is born, then big brother jumps in followed by another brother. Kids loved it. I showed the next bot that was birth of the placenta. DD thought it was 'ew, gross", but wasn't scared at all and wanted to know what colour her placenta was.
I had a fall a few days ago, and baby moved out of its nice head down position and has been a bit all over the place. Doing lots of strapping again, and holding baby in and over the pelvis, hoping to help her back into position again. A bit frustrating cos baby had been head down and low for quite a few weeks. Makes it hard to do usual active birth positioning cos i also have to get tummy/baby into position. Need a few extra hands.
Have been slowly and steadily getting the house ready. The birth pool got dropped off this week! Got baby's clothes in the cupboard, nappies washed and ready. Kids' toy room all sorted, kids' wardrobe gone through. Curtains in main room all washed. friend coming tomorrow, and hopefully will get all windows washed too. All washing done and almost all put away (again). I have put all my birthing stuff and things for baby and i for first few days in a bag. Bag works best for now, cos kids won't run off with things and i can just move it out when things start happening and everything is together. I made myself a kimono and baby couple of singlets with embroidered pics on the front. Want to get bag packed for DD and DS in case they end up staying somewhere else during the birth. And need to get some more food organised.
My DH doesn't take pics either, so ive only got selfies. and i can't get the camera back far enough to fit me all in now rofl.
i've decided not to do a blessingway now, i am ok with it. I am trying to share special moments with the kids and trying to limit my grumpiness. DD was using bath crayons on my tummy the other day. Have thought about letting them paint me and get some pics, but not sure how it will go. Maybe just let DD have a go.
Far out, I hope baby settles back into position PRONTO!
I was just thinking today that I'm going to need some help gathering our baby things from the shed, container and caravan at the farm so that I can start preparing the spaces in this house. I could barely fold towels and put them back in the cupboard, so good luck to me organising the nappies, clothes and blankets!
I started rewriting my birth plan tonight, too. I still haven't teed up a support person for the kids.
I think it's time to rewatch the last HB DVD - thanks for the reminder, HotI :) How gorgeous to have that time with your kids! Mine were hugging my belly again, telling DP how big my belly was getting...he didn't respond much, but I had two kids wrapped around me, so he can sod off :p
I am in awe of you organised people!
Matthew washed lots of baby clothes - we seriously have way too much considering we ditched it after number 3. I have been staring at the piles to fold for a while now.
Picked up the birth pool, but it's still in the bag. I suppose I should examine it or something.
I need to get a pile/bag sorted. The midwife dropped her stuff off but I need to get our things ready. Just towels and a drop sheet, icecream container or something. I'm sure I'm forgetting lots. I had trying to be organised.
That reminds me - does anyone do anything with their placenta? I haven't before. My midwife mentioned she's learning how to make capsules. I'm not feeling compelled to do anything in particular.
I am getting mine encapsulated this time. I am also retaining some to bury. Which reminds me, I need to get a container for it!! Icecream anyone?
Ha ha, when reading Special's post, i thought oops, i need an ice cream container!
I buried the placenta last time. It killed our plant. If you are going to bury it, leave a long time before planting a tree on top.
I would like to get it encapsulated, but money is a bit tight atm. I have thought about doing it myself, but i don't think i could cut into it. The rest would be ok. Also considering smoothie. If i did any of these, i wouldn't make it public knowledge bc my 'real life' people are just completely grossed out by it.
In the vid, they made some placenta prints. Kinda cool, but i don't know what i would do with them after that!
SJ, maybe its time to call upon some friends or family to help with some of your baby stuff. I got Mum to help me sort baby stuff, also a friend and i went through some too. Most people would be happy to help out, and you can chat as you get things sorted.
We buried DD2's and are getting a tree for it (gave it time to decompose and then disorganised); will do the same for DD3's. My m/w does encapsulate, but I don't lose much blood and have an over-productive milk supply as it is, so I don't want to encourage it further! I told my m/w that if I did have a big bleed or something to do mine. We just used a kitchen bowl with plastic bag liner to catch it.
Hot1 - you do sound organised! Can you see a chiro or get your m/w to do rebozo to help with positioning bub again? Are you okay despite that?
Special - I got out baby clothes less than a week before DD3 arrived, only to find my sister hadn't returned my 0000s and was on holidays in NZ. Grrr... I had to go baby clothes shopping.
I"ve still got our other two placentas frozen! We'll freeze this one, too, and decide what to do with them after. We had thought we'd plant them at the farm, but now we're aborting our building plans and selling the farm, so more limbo time!
HotI, great idea about a friend to help sort clothes - of course!
Osteo was good today, and I just need it to last at least till Sunday because I have a gig on during the day I need to make it through.
I worded up my girlfriend about the blessingway and she's on board :) I need to turn this pregnancy into a positive before it gets to the pointy end of things.
I can't wait to see my mw next week to organise the birth plan and pool!
SJ - I hope you can get a friend to come help. My pelvis is 90% good now and I still hope my brother's girlfriend will come help me. She wants to stick the stickers on the baby's wall too. I won't stop her - that's the kind of stuff I just don't have the inclination for.
I'm guessing this baby is engaged. Every time he moves down towards the bottom now I flinch or squeak in discomfort. It only lasts a second or 2 but my cervix feels abused and the big movements make my sciatic nerve feel weird and/or my right leg go tingly.
I have never had any of this with my last 3. I said to Matthew today that I'm worried I won't realise I'm in labour since I get all these other feelings that I have never experienced before.
Of course I am sure it will be obvious at the time. Lol.
We've picked up the Birth pool. Says birth pool on a box, but it's in a bag. I couldn't find instructions so I hope it's obvious.
Does everyone do a practice run? Or should I blow it up at leave it up?
I feel like a newbie. I hope my brain works again soon.
I have found my cervix more sensitive each time. This baby was grinding on it a few weeks ago and I truly thought I was in labour! You'll know though, because you'll recognize the la la labour land and the pains will be unrelenting.
39 weeks on Monday here. Birth altar is set up, made my birth necklace, I've printed affirmations and birth art and done some of my own art on candles and some on paper. Contact list is on the fridge, box of birth stuff is organized, had birth plan meeting.
Yep. Oh and hubby is on leave so baby, you're welcome anytime!!!
Hello so many familiar faces! And new faces :) have been stalking for a week. Anyone one that knows me knows how totally over the moon announcing that ill be happily joining you ladies in here again. Baby number 5 has decided to join our little family. Again totally wanted but very much a surprise. I've been pregnant now 7 times.... I still went to bed with a pad on three nights running, expecting my period!!! Then started googling low Hb and missed period as I'd donated blood just before Xmas and my Hb was only 117 so I knew I would be fairly low for a while, I was tired but I'd been working, sore boobs....well that just means my periods can't be far away, right? Then DS says 'there's a baby in your tummy!' I still didn't do anything for another 24hrs, then I brought a single test and still didn't want to do it cause I thought I was being silly! If I'd thought I was pregnant I would have brought 5 test to satisfy the the whole pregnancy **** on a stick addiction! So then I got a positive, well just the second line was faint.... I sms'd a photo to Ennee (thanks em) and she said that it was that positive that its was the control line that's as faint!!!! Oh wow. 24hrs to admit it to dh, which thankfully he has taken it so beautifully. I mean we did the deed at the 'wrong' time, used withdrawal (which has worked for 16yrs for us) and I only have one tube. Bubby was meant to be :) now to have a scan next week to rule out another ectopic and to meet my midwife that em also helped me find :) what a lovely friend you are xx
Shhhhh on Facebook. We didn't tell any one with our last until 20weeks, I'll be aiming for longer this time :)
All these sound familiar to me! It my DD who told me before i had worked it out.:
Congratulations! Can i add you to the list now?
I guess Hoti: I'm due September :)
Yay!!!! So freaking excited for you!!!! Haver everything crossed for your scan and looking ahead to planning a wonderful home birth xxx
:baby: Babies Arrived :homebirth:
-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
*The_Mrs.* - Baby GIRL born at home 31st December 2013
-2014-
Jennifer13 - Baby GIRL born at home 1st January 2014
:bellyrubs: Babies On Their Way :pregnant:
Special - January
Arcadia - February
HotI - February
Smoke Jaguar - March
Bella29 - May
Sterla -August
Meow - August
e_p - September
Tegam - September
Awesome, Tegam!!
Special, I'd do a prac run and deflate the pool - I didn't trust my son last time and I don't trust either of the kids this time not to put a hole in it! The air compressor means we won't be wasting too much time inflating it, so if you don't have one see if you can borrow one (lots of people have them, put out a FB call!).
DP's brought the bag with the MCNs, so I can get started on them, they're easy. The hard part will be finding the newborn clothes and then sorting them...
Just preparing here for my last singing gig (pretty sure) and feeling positive about it, instead of feeling like I want to get it over and done with like I did in my other two pregnancies :) Not only is this the furthest from due date I've had a last gig (4 weeks for the last two), but it will be nice to do SOMETHING I love with this one inside, being that I had to give up the other two loves of my life early on... And I hope to do a gig with this one in a sling - took far too long to get back into gigging after the other two (3 years-ish for each).
Anyhow, I hope everyone's having a lovely Saturday!
Welcome Tegam! I've often wondered how you were going :)
Hi Tegam, a huge congratulations to you and your family!
Thank you SJ, I am quite sure my BIL who lives 1km away has a compressor, so that should be easier. I wasn't even sure you could use them.
I just noticed I'm at the top of the list! I don't feel ready. Any Feb babies thinking about saying hi earlier?
My middle boy turns 7 on Feb 5th, I keep assuming that this Bub will come then too. I know it's unlikely, but it helps to have a date to think of. I certainly can't convince myself he's coming on his due date.
I can relate to what you're saying about doing something you love. I teach gym classes and quit at 11 weeks because of how I felt. I've been popping back in occasionally, but actually done a bit more in the last couple of weeks. I taught this morning (With another pregnant instructor) and it felt really good to be doing something that was "me."
Welcome back, Tegam and congrats! Great to see our list for the year growing.
SJ and Sunny love.... I think you have changed your user name????
Here's my birth story: https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...d.php?t=196016
Yay welcome back Tegam! And congrats!
I'm a contender for next baby born. I haven't gone over 40 weeks yet...but there's always a first! Due date is 3 feb.
i was hoping to have baby last night. i had a massage yesterday, and DD stayed at my mum's overnight, so only one little person at home. and i'm over it. but the bump is still there this morning. i will prob still be pg in March
Aww Hot1, hoping both you and Arcadia get a Jan bub.