I also love being able to talk freely about homebirthing and all things related here. Too much judgment everywhere else. I remember once while I was pregnant and was at a bridal shower, I was having a chat to a girl there and homebirth somehow came up and she was like "that's wrong, I think that's so wrong". Lol. She was a really sweet girl, I felt sad that she wasn't aware of how wonderful a homebirth could be and how much it can help women feel confident and empowered in their ability to birth naturally. I didn't dare pipe in with "well, you'll be surprised to know then..." despite being slightly tempted to.
With my next pregnancy though, whenever that is, I'm considering just saying "I'm actually planning a homebirth" when anyone asks which hospital I'm booked into. I might change my mind though when the time comes. :P
At work last night three out of four of us were pregnant. Conversation nurse 'is this your first or second' me '5th' her 'oh, which hospital are you having it at' me' at home' nurse 'oh' end of conversation
I did that this last time dot face. First time I hbac'd, when ppl asked me what hospital we were going to, I told them "we are booked in at x hospital". I didn't lie, I just omitted the rest. This last time, I just told people. No one came back and said anything negative, just a few comments regarding my 'bravery' because of the pain I think. And yeah I found this last one a bit harder mentally, because I think I knew my body worked and I think I was more just aware of how hard it would be. I panicked in the middle and then settled down.
Isn't it amazing what a few government policies do the the perception of things! In NZ there is much more public acceptance to HB. The worst I ever got was the comment of "I couldn't do that myself, what if something went wrong" which wasn't really anything negative about my choice. Perhaps it would be a different attitude in the cities though - where we were it was somewhere around 20-30% HB, then another 20-30% at the birth center (actually no more resources than a home birth lol) and then the rest went out of town to a hospital. I was the first in the area to get a birth pool sent up, I know of about 4 ladies that used it after me and eventually they had to get a second one up because the home water births were getting so common! I guess it helps that it is free here - we actually have a choice without any financial barriers.
Artechim: I can't imagine how much it would change if it were free. sadly i think that the cost rules so many people out so early on that they don't even have time to research why it could possibly be worth it. Last night another one of the nurses said "but its so expensive you may as well have an OB" I said " But with an ob you get the birth they choose not the birth you deserve" She actually said "Good point". I was glad that i was brave enough to bring it up as the other pregnant nurse ended up getting my midwifes details as she is 34 weeks and the hospital is talking about an induction at 39 weeks just because she is GD! Not fair. Sometimes its worth the good fight and sometimes its better to internalise our choices
I loved telling people that 'baby will be born at home' I think also that i dont 'look' hippy or whatnot would really rattle people lol. I have also always been quite confident in the choice and have always seen it as a valid option (even when i felt that it wasnt for me prior to DD1s birth). so when i tell people I tell it in the same tone etc that one would say which hospital they are booked into. it was interesting as because i never treated as something different it or anything, people would be shocked but then forced to accept it as normal as well haha. love it.
phy: that's a bummer that your DH doesnt see it as worth it. financing a HB can be really tough. but i suppose you need to ask yourselves if that 5K fee includes her total support come what may. For me, that 5K will be ESPECIALLY worth it if the need for transfer arose. TBH i have NO IDEA how i would of coped being at the RWH without their support and advice...
I didn't really read any water birth books, Sterla. Mostly videos on YouTube too. Although there was one I read, forget the name, she talked about swimming with dolphins and how that inspired her to look into water birth.
Artechim I had no idea homebirths were free in NZ! I have been considering convincing dh to go to another state for my next birth because I hated seeing people those first couple of weeks, maybe we could go NZ instead lol *only in my wildest dreams*
DP now walks around telling ppl how lucky we were to HB, or else DD3 would have been in the front yard or by the side of the road! At least we were prepared, aware and help was on it's way.
Sterla: i like kitzingers book pregnancy and childbirth as she has cool pics of different positions that you can consider in the pool. but mostly i stuck to YouTube for all my waterbirth inspiration
Can I join In here :-)
After two private hospital births we are having a home birth in September .
I'm so so excited i Have booked in with my midwives and it already feels so so different to last time!
I ended up going to hospital last night to check on bubs, I had very decreased movements for about 20hrs and was starting to worry. Everything is fine, bubs has not stopped moving today (of course). It really reminded me how much I don't want to birth in a hospital, so unwelcoming and cold. The midwives were lovely (I always get defensive at hospitals) but I'm glad I got a reminder why I choose homebirth.
Re: Homebirth General Discussion #20
I think also that i dont 'look' hippy or whatnot would really rattle people lol. I have also always been quite confident in the choice and have always seen it as a valid option (even when i felt that it wasnt for me prior to DD1s birth). so when i tell people I tell it in the same tone etc that one would say which hospital they are booked into. it was interesting as because i never treated as something different it or anything, people would be shocked but then forced to accept it as normal as well haha. love it.
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