Hi...Warning! I think this will be long and it will be all about me and my sorry tale.
I am feeling so disheartened. I just spoke to the midwife recommended to me by the last midwife who wouldn't 'take me on'! This one won't take me on either. I told her where I live (45 mins drive from her) and she said she was concerned that I was too far away. Then when she heard it was my 4th baby, and that my last baby was born in 3 hours, she expressed concern that she would not make it in time. She also said that she is having trouble at the moment finding 'back-up' midwives - and she only likes to work with back-up. She mentioned that our local base hospital (5 mins drive from me) is considering a homebirth program. But apparently, they have been considering it for nearly a year! And I would probably have to be booked in to their caseload/community midwifery program to get access to the homebirth program if it 'suddenly' started up.
The last three midwives that I have spoken too have been worried about the distance 'issue'. They are all having trouble finding 'back-up' midwives for the dates that they need them. The town I live in is the largest town in this region. I just can't believe that there are no midwives in my town anymore. I know over a dozen women who have homebirthed in my area over the last 8 years. It is not uncommon here - or, it wasn't uncommon. The current political climate is just so horrendous at the moment - so many have dropped out.
Oh crap, I don't know what to do now I am pretty sure that DH would not feel comfortable with us freebirthing. Our third child was covered in meconium when he was born (my waters broke right at the end of labour) and DH told me later that he totally panicked and thought our bub was in trouble. He said that it was such a relief to have the midwives there. I don't know if i would feel comfortable freebirthing. Could I? I'm not sure. I assume that it is something I have to be completely sure about. I don't think I know enough about what to do after the bub is born!
I don't know who else to contact - my list of contacts and 'leads' has run dry!
A midwife from the community midwifery program at the local hospy called me back, and said that it was a shame I hadn't contacted them sooner because I was 'perfect' for their program. She has put me on the waiting list. It is not my preferred option. It sounds better than the 'general' hospy program though.
I feel sad that this little bubba may not be born at home. How long can I go on hoping that I will find a midwife? At some stage I will have to just accept that it may not happen, and move on.
Regarding the heel pr!ck test, both my homebirthed bubs had their heel pr!ck tests done at home by our midwife. Neither of them had the hearing test.
Hello to everyone, and thank you so much for the support that you have given me.
I came in here tonight to update and say pretty much exactly what you have written. The midwife I went to see pretty much said she would take us on but was highly doubtful of making the birth due to distance. But she would talk dh through it on the phone. we decided against going with her, our leads have run out. We are in the same situation.
I am pretty sure that DH would not feel comfortable with us freebirthing. Our third child was covered in meconium when he was born (my waters broke right at the end of labour) and DH told me later that he totally panicked and thought our bub was in trouble. He said that it was such a relief to have the midwives there. I don't know if i would feel comfortable freebirthing. Could I? I'm not sure. I assume that it is something I have to be completely sure about. I don't think I know enough about what to do after the bub is born!
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