Homebirth General Discussion #2

[onthefly]

Good luck Freya! I'm sure it's worth the money - I'd pay if we didnt' have a state funded program here (I suppose it's easy for me to say that, but anyway)

Hope you're having fun with your sister Meow.

Well, I think her name is Laura, but I might be remembering that wrong I guess we'll have to interrogate her a little.
I have a few questions to ask relating to rules/transfers, specifically when post-dates, and breach. Also wondering about Group-B strep - thinking I'll skip the test to avoid blanket IV AB rule (which I'm assuming they follow, but will check that also).

Any other ideas about good questions to ask?

The only other thing is figuring out who will take the photos. I really want a record of my normal birth Our doula took pics of DS' birth, but mostly I don't really want to see them I know I certainly wouldn't want DS to see a birth like he had - but very happy for him to witness his siblings normal birth.

[Freya]

Well Ive decided not to go with an IM. I just cannot convince Dh the $$ are worth it.

BUT good news is I rang St George Hospital and enquired about their birth centre/home birth program. The midwife was infinitely more helpful than whatever stupid one I spoke to about 4 days ago who told me I couldn't birth there; theyve booked me a spot at the birth centre 100% definately so I will get an intervention free waterbirth at the very least.................but she said that Im a fabulous candidate for the home birth program except I live a teeny bit far away apparently. So they are going to discuss it at the monthly meeting because they do have a midwife who lives out this way and hopefully theyll ok it. I should have my first appt somewhere between 12-15wks. If they say no to the homebirth I will fight it, not only am I a shining example of low risk and perfect for homebirthing I have a friend who lives 10min further away than I do who had a homebirth with them in June. If they can let her do it they can let me.

So I shall lurk a bit longer until I know for certain whats happening.

[onthefly]

That sounds very promising Freya!

[Tegam]

Lurk away freya

Marcellus: Skip the GBS test it really is easier. I was positive for DD1 and not for DD2 But they are still wanting to Abs for this my 4th! The AB that were administered for DD1 and DD2 wouldnt have had time to take effect as it was less than an hour from birth and they need atleast 4 hours and then i didnt use any with DS and i wont with this one. If you research it which im sure you will you will see that its the "trauma" that a baby is put under at birth by medical staff that causes a baby to have a high chance of getting GBS. If you have skin to skin and you weigh and baby in a nice manner when its quiet and breast feed there is a lot less chance an say a CS or baby that is taken off mumma, weigh, jabbed with needles and given its first 'unnessasary and traumatic" bath! Letting Bubs get too cold adds another high risk!

Hope that helps a little, sorry for the rant!

[onthefly]

That's pretty much what I was thiking too Tegam

[Cassius2]

i'd skip the test too Marcellus...but that's just my opinion...

Freya: i have everything crossed that you get approved for the HB

Meow: oohhhh you're getting close now too

[onthefly]

Right, have met midwife now
She's brand new to the program - has 3 years as midwife at King Eddy's here - and has attended a few homebirths, but not as caregiver. We'll be one of her first. I'm not 100% sure how I feel about that. She seems nice, and on board with birth as a normal thing, which is to be expected i suppose.
Our backup middie was there too - I like her a lot. She had some funny things to say about our backup hospital and the OB I saw the other week. Can I just say eeek, and maybe I should switch backups.

If we're breech at term I'm booking at king eddy's instead - there's an OB there who specialises in vaginal breach delivery who is fantastic apparently. We can go HB unless baby is breech when labour starts, but best to plan ahead just in case. If baby turns at the last minute and is being born breech then we'll just go ahead here - middies are fine with that.
After 42 weeks I will be referred for frequent monitoring at King Eddy's - every other day. Can HB up to 43 weeks, then get transferred to hospital. Again, if it actually comes to it, might switch to other hospital. The local one sounds a bit too random and our midwives can't actually practice there, though they'd be good advocates for us. Will see.

Anyway, we had a good chat. Will see the backup again next time as Laura will be away for a bit. But she's back on board from the 33 week apt.

Hope you're all travelling well.

[meow]

Sounds like the appointment went well Marcellus Are you happy with those pathways? Did you decide whether to do the GBS test? I had it last time as the birth centre said if I transferred to the main ward of the hospital I would be treated as positive so I did it in the hope of being negative. FBC also said they were happy for me continue as low risk and not use antibiotics if I was positive so it seemed better to do it rather than not. I was negative luckily and this time I'm not doing the test- will just monitor baby.

I had a midwife appointment with my secondary midwife, Nicola, yesterday. She's really lovely and we had a good chat. Baby is very low in my pelvis so I'm getting quite sore- she recommended a chiro for me which should be good. I also had a BH when she was feeling my tummy and she mentioned irritable uterus... then today I realised my tummy is almost hard more often than not so I think I may actually have an irritable uterus. Damn. Had a lovely long swim today and I wish I could go to the pool every day- it felt so good.

My birth pool is ready to pick up too which is exciting. We can start planning the space Setting it up in the spare bedroom/office so we need to move the desk out of the room. Going to have the pool and the sofa bed in there which should work well.

I also started buying a couple of homebirth things today- disposable gloves etc. All very exciting

How are you going Rory? Has anyone noticed if she's posted lately? Maybe you're busy with a baby Rory!
ETA: Just saw you posted elsewhere rory- so good to see you're still coasting along. I'm looking forward to your big event

[onthefly]

Yeah, we're feeling ok about it. DH just commented that it seemed to be our luck to always get the 'green' midwives. At least she has been a midwife for a while, if not a HB one. Last time she'd been in the job for 3 months or something.
Our terms of service thingy means we agree to accept clinical advice from our middies. But as they pointed out, if they send me off for an obstetric apt, it doesn't mean we have to do what the OB says. The backup also mentioned that they had had a couple refuse to transfer at 43 weeks and they were able to negotiate to continue (and birthed at home a few days later).
bugger, birth pool. That's what I forgot!

[Tegam]

Right, have met midwife now
She's brand new to the program - has 3 years as midwife at King Eddy's here - and has attended a few homebirths, but not as caregiver. We'll be one of her first. I'm not 100% sure how I feel about that. She seems nice, and on board with birth as a normal thing, which is to be expected i suppose.
Our backup middie was there too - I like her a lot. She had some funny things to say about our backup hospital and the OB I saw the other week. Can I just say eeek, and maybe I should switch backups.

If we're breech at term I'm booking at king eddy's instead - there's an OB there who specialises in vaginal breach delivery who is fantastic apparently. We can go HB unless baby is breech when labour starts, but best to plan ahead just in case. If baby turns at the last minute and is being born breech then we'll just go ahead here - middies are fine with that.
After 42 weeks I will be referred for frequent monitoring at King Eddy's - every other day. Can HB up to 43 weeks, then get transferred to hospital. Again, if it actually comes to it, might switch to other hospital. The local one sounds a bit too random and our midwives can't actually practice there, though they'd be good advocates for us. Will see.

Anyway, we had a good chat. Will see the backup again next time as Laura will be away for a bit. But she's back on board from the 33 week apt.

Hope you're all travelling well.

I think its good to have a newbie. That way there are full of energy and normally totally unto date on the new reaserch rather than just doingg things the way they have always done them.

Our MW was new to HB but not being a MW. She was great!

[Arcadia]

Meow, so close for you too! I had/have an irritable uterus and it is a bit annoying. I would get BH all day and night, and in fact I think they've started already! I like to think it made my uterus extra toned for pushing

Marcellus I agree with Tegam about the newbie midwife...she is more likely to be up to date with her training too.

I feel like my homebirth is aaaaaagges away. I have started collecting crystals already though.

[Tegam]

Oh Arcadia: My BH at the start of this pregnancy were INSANE! You know what i think it was, my pants and undies rubbing up my fundas the wrong way!! As soon as i went to maternity pants they went down heaps. It was nuts!

Hope yours settle soon!

[Arcadia]

Thanks Tegam...hehehe...I had to laugh at your pants "rubbing your fundus the wrong way"...I wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of a fundus!

But your advice sounds great, thank you...*off to find the maternity pants*

[onthefly]

Tegam. You girls and your grumpy uteruses...
Thanks for that - I didnt' think of it that way. Good point.

[meow]

Haha! Glad to hear I'm not the only one with a grumpy uterus (I'm stealing that name Marcellus).

I agree there could be real benefits to having a fresh HB MW. She could be bursting to get into the HB scene and be a great support for you. Choosing an IM I personally went for one with heaps of experience as I wanted the option to birth breech at home etc but I think there are benefits to newbies too

[Cassius2]

oohh meow! it's so exciting when the birth pool enters the home! i'm totally excited for you!! i shoulda given you our gloves lol. i bought a massive packet and we only used 2 pairs lol.

Marcellus: happy to hear that the meeting went well. and i guess every midwife has to have a first time! it will be her first HB baby...a memory and experience that she'll never forget!

Arcadia: ohh my BH also started quite early with the last pg...so crazy!

[Tegam]

I didnt even think of it that way!! My uterus is sensitive not grump

[Tegam]

Idcall it new aged but this being its forth run, nothing is new hehe