thread: Homebirth General Discussion #6

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  1. #1
    Registered User

    Mar 2008
    North Northcote
    8,065

    for us DH was at every appt at home. he also did the calmbirth course, read the books to DD, listened to me read interesting bits and bobs from my books and read right through 'birth without violence'. thankfully, he was on board 100% and was the one to insist the year before we got pg to go to the HB rally in canberra

    But, that said, he was a bit nervous about his role and what to do, so we watched alot of inspiring birth vids on youtube that showed other partners doing wonderful jobs, just made the presence of partners normal ITMS. our midwife was also totally awesome in including him and just expecting him to be part of the process as well, which helped as he never felt he had to ask permission ITMS. we also were really lucky to have watched some docos on how male partners witnessing and being involved in the birth of their babies also then produce super high levels of oxytocin (the love hormone) and how this can assist in bonding with the baby and sending off the right smells etc etc. pretty cool IMHO!

    During the really early labour (like when i thought it was just pre-labour or BH) he was super calm, but able to think a bit clearer than me, so was able to guage when to call the m/ws to give them heads up. he was totally awesome and calm for pretty much the whole time. the only time where he was momentarily lost (for all of 15 mins i reckon) was once i was in teh birth pool and in heavy labour and the midwives hadnt arrived. this was mostly because i was in labour land and was not wanting to be consciously present...so was off in calmbirth visualisation land. but within a few minutes of the m/ws arriving he was fine and relaxed and was able to come up to me and just sit and whisper sweet nothings into my ear

  2. #2
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber

    Jan 2006
    11,633

    Hi guys
    Ther was a thread somewhere about the ACM's stance on HBAC. Cant' find it. Want to compose something and need info... anyone know where it is?

    DH didn't do anything to prepare himself. He was just there for me - totally in his element so it was easy for him I think.

    The hippie speak in that book is wild, hey?

    ETA - oh never mind, i found it on google

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Oct 2007
    Middle Victoria
    8,924

    Did anyone make it to the MC movie night last night? it was packed, and they had opened up into 2 rooms. we got seats up front, which was nice.

    i talked to a student midwife who ws there, and noticed she has put a thread here looking for follw throughs. she seemed pretty nice if anyone is looking for a student around melbourne.

    i spoke to a doula who told me she had never heard of women being assaulted during labour. mmm, then why do you think there is a role for private midwifes and doulas if the system is so good? she was a wierdo

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Mar 2008
    North Northcote
    8,065

    i spoke to a doula who told me she had never heard of women being assaulted during labour. mmm, then why do you think there is a role for private midwifes and doulas if the system is so good? she was a wierdo
    maybe she was an OB infiltrator hahaha

    i missed out . was too slow and it had all sold out!! waahhhhhh pretty bummed about TBH. but that was my fault as i got super sick and didnt get my A into G.

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Mar 2009
    Sunshine Coast
    2,075

    For this birth I think DH will mostly stay out of the room and let me be cared for by my Doula and Midwife and friend. He has some major fear issues because of his background. He is really supportive of me personally even if he is less comfortable with the concept of home birth. He has however read all of the studies about home birth and conceptually understands and thinks that it is a safe option for us, but he spent 3 years working as an anaethetist and 18 months of that working in obstetric anaesthesia, so he has seen some really sad things and he would bring those sad and scary experiences with him into my space if he were allowed in the birthing room.

    That being said I think that when the baby is actually being born he will come in and either hold me or catch the baby. Whichever is right in the moment.

    Went and saw a local OB here yesterday to see if she would support us in case of need to transfer and it went pretty positively. I think she is willing to support us but it will be up to whether the rest of the OB's who could also be on call, are willing to accept part of my care given that they could be the ones to accept me. She said they have a meeting on Friday afternoons and then she would call me. Will see how that goes. I know she had 2 women in labour yest so I dont doubt that kept her busy. We will wait to hear back from her.

    PS... I also can't understand a Doula not having come across that.... maybe she got into birth on the other end of the wagon, amongst all the women who love their OB's for the episiotomy they got that tightened up their lady bits and has never met a woman wronged..... With so many ppl becoming Doulas these days it isn't surprising that there are some weird ones in the mix... just like you get medwives and midwives I guess...

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Nov 2005
    Ontario, Canada
    1,624

    Hey ladies! Just thought I'd pop in and say Hi! I'm pretty bad at keeping up with "buddy" type threads - don't have enough time to devote to it these days. But I wanted to just let you all know that I'm hoping for another home-birth with this baby (bub #6, hb#3, if all goes well) and wish my fellow homebirth mums all the best! I don't have any experience with the Aus system of midwives, insurance, etc. since I'm Canadian, but I can share my experiences with anyone who's wondering what a home birth is actually like, etc, and how DH and I felt about it.

    Oh - just a side note about that doula HotI - is it possible she misunderstood what you meant by assault? As in, she thought you meant women being beaten by their doc in labour?

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Jan 2008
    Brisbane
    5,039

    i spoke to a doula who told me she had never heard of women being assaulted during labour. mmm, then why do you think there is a role for private midwifes and doulas if the system is so good? she was a wierdo
    TOTAL WEIRDO!!

    :wave: Cricket! How exciting....most important question "how did you get DH to go for number 6" Im trying to decide if i have the energy to put the fighting gloves on for number 5!!!!

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Jun 2009
    vic
    2,886

    Tegam put those fighting gloves on I say!

    hotI: yes what a weirdo!

    Still spotting here but I see my midwife this week to get a u/s referral to see what's going on.