Homebirth General Discussion #2

[LionsandBears]

Hi all. Just popping in as I'm getting closer now - 26wks today. getting very excited. A bit of a woo hoo for me - my PHI approved the homebirth, so we'll be getting $3k back (assuming all goes well and we have an actual homebirth). Very excited! As I have SPD, we're spending a lot of $$ on osteo, physio and acupuncture which we hadn't budgeted for, so this will come in handy.

We're also planning a water birth, though I see it as being a great tool that's there if I need it, but if I end up wanting to birth on land, I can do that while taking advantage of the birth pool to ease discomfort. Apparently with SPD i need to be careful not to slip in the water or something as that could make it worse.

Our IM is also quite conservative and won't take breech at home. I'm fine with that - there's breech and then there's breech. Some can be born safely vaginally and others can't. (though I'm hoping like hell bub isn't breech and will be using the acupuncturist for that too if necessary) the main reason we're having an IM is she is someone I can trust to be 100% on our side and not be intimidated by hospital protocol etc. She has her own rules, like no home breech, but that's cool. She also has a transfer arrangement with RWH, so we have that backup.

I'm also using hypnobabies home study course to prepare. It's very relaxing.

[Smoke Jaguar]

it's difficult to slip in a birth pool at home...not enough room! Plus, with SPD you're best on your knees bending over the edge, with the pelvis at its widest and fully supported. Avoid labouring facing out. I waited till the baby had crowned before turning around to have her pulled out (she took too long for me to wait while she kicked at my insides!!). No idea what it's like to birth on land with SPD, I did water both times, on my knees.
Don't be afraid of the SPD during labour. It's the only time in the pg that SPD will actually work FOR you - it's widened your pelvis and is nice and flexy. As long as you're not moving your feet apart during labour - feet planted evenly and only pelvis width apart for rocking and pelvis swinging, for instance. HTH, if not, there's the Pelvic Instability Association you can google

[LionsandBears]

Thanks for that Mayaness - I've been doing a bunch of reading. It does sound like there's an upside to SPD. An it makes me look forward to the birth, not just to meet bubba, but to hopefully have an end to this horrible constant pain! btw - did you have any issues getting in/out of the pool? I can't visualise how to do that without widening my legs apart.

[Roryrory]

Man I cant wait to do it again

I know the feeling

[Smoke Jaguar]

Pool sides are sturdy enough (depending on the pool - you using the Made In Water one?) for you to sit on on the dry side and pivot on your bum keeping your knees together, with support from your partner to swing to the other side. I was in such a hurry to be in water that I stepped over, albeit gingerly, but still separating and doing the uneven weight distrib thing...but I didn't notice cos I was in transition!