Homebirth General Discussion #7

[Cassius2]

the only issue with the normal hose (garden variety) is that they are not designed to transport hot water and some propenents have argued that there is a potential to release the chemicals used to make it when hot.

[Bella29]

Ok Cas, thanks for that. My outdoor hose often gets really hot in the sun and we have always drank out of them anyway when we were kids. I will see how hard it is to get a food grade hose and other wise I won't stress.

[*Ash*]

the only issue with the normal hose (garden variety) is that they are not designed to transport hot water and some propenents have argued that there is a potential to release the chemicals used to make it when hot.

Ah, very interesting! I hadn't thought of this. We are still undecided on whether to use a birth pool - Our 'back up' midwife has one that we can use; we just have to pay for a new lining ($40). My last labour was 3 hours. I am expecting this one to be quicker. I'm not sure if we will have the time to set it up, and i don't know where to put it either. Can the waterbirthers out there tell me what they think, please?

[Artechim]

Ash, sooo go the water birth!! It is a good idea to have it there just in case - give it a try and hop back out if it isn't your thing. Do you have a spare room or something? A space in your bedroom? We had ours assembled for a couple of weeks prior and just had to fill it when it was time so no stress.

My last two births have been water births (was desperate to be in water with DS but had insulin controlled diabetes so they wouldn't let me). I haven't torn for either of them, and my last baby was a 10 pounder.

Thinking back, the hose we used was a clear tubing, not the normal garden hose.

[Cassius2]

definately don't stress! if it's easy to get go for it and if it aint, don't stress! it's all good! and bubs doesnt stay under the water for long anyway (too scrumptiously joyous to not bring them up quicksmart and revel in their gorgeousness !!!).

i'd always have the option Ash. some women like to labour in water and birth 'on land'. i liked to labour 'on land' for the earlier labour stuff and then once it became pressure waves i hopped in the pool. for the last week and a bit we had it semi-pumped up and all ready to go (with the plastic tableclothes from the $2 shop and old blankets from op shops set up underneath...we used old blankies as it was still cold in melb when we had DD2, so great to help keep water warm). all in all it took DH 20 mins max to finish the pumping and fill it enough for me to jump into (ok, no jumping..rather heaving hahaha). i loved the weightlessness that it gave and took alot of the pressure off the waves, allowing me to regather my thoughts and birth space ITMS.

[Jennifer13]

We've borrowed the pool and hose (which is a food grade one) from a fellow HBing mama. I just had to buy the liner and tap fittings. I'm planning on setting it up this week in the dining room (unfilled). I don't know if I'll use it much, but it's there. And I think I'd prefer to deliver in it at least, given what I've heard of the benefits to me. We'll see, soon enough!

[Jennifer13]

M/w visit today. Baby has moved a bit further down, so I doubt she'll be going any other way now! I keep hoping I don't go into labour at the end of the night, when I'm tired. DD was here today and has decided she would like to cut the cord, so we talked about that with her.

I'm really feeling the need for some physical space right, ie do not like DD jumping all over me! I wonder if I'll want to be left alone a bit in labour?

[Artechim]

Jen, I prefer to be alone in labour. I hate people hanging around watching me, just wanna do my own thing.

[Bella29]

Jen I am feeling the same. Starting to feel the need to retreat from people. It is hard cos it is Christmas and I kinda can't really. No doubt when Xmas is over I will batten down the hatches and try to get some personal and physical space. I hope ur dd is kind to you and stops jumping on ur belly. My dd say "careful, mummy's tummy" right before she leads on it or puts her full weight into it... Sigh. Oh well this baby is going to be used to it I suppose.

[Jennifer13]

Poor DD is only trying to sit beside me on the couch - I just can't bear all the close activity! She's been so nicely behaved that it makes me feel guilty.

A friend was supposed to come by with her kids this afternoon and I was very pleased when she cancelled. The need to retreat you mention Bella is exactly what I'm feeling. Thank goodness I've strictly enforced just me, DP and DD for Xmas Day here. We will visit MIL, but not for long.

Physically, I'm good though. No aches and pains and even the pressure on my bladder is not bothering me now, even though her head has further engaged.

How are you doing, Bella and Hot1?

[Tegam]

Hi ladies. Just wanted to send those in becs belly buddy's a huge hug. I know we all know the realities but it's just never nice to hear them so close to our own births. Much love ladies and belly rubs to those beautiful bubs of yours

[Bella29]

What has happened tegam? Which BB group?

[Bella29]

Never mind tegam, that is my BB group. Bec hadn't posted for ages.... So so sad.

[Jennifer13]

Thanks Tegam. We haven't heard from Bec for a while, although this explains why. Sounds like she's had a very challenging pg and now to have to say goodbye to her angel.

Thanks for thinking of us. TBH I'm so self-centred at the moment that I'm genuinely sad for her, but it's not making me fearful for myself. I've spent so long this pg blocking out the negativity in my own mind that it has become habit. I won't let my mind go there.



I'm sending out Christmas cards today and then I can clear away the dining room for my birth space. As soon as I get my work finished this morning! Is great to be sitting in my office in my PJs though. And I just found out yesterday I'm going to be auntie to another beautiful niece, so it's girls all the way in my family!

[Tegam]

Jen I am so glad to hear that you are in such a fantastic place/space. Good on you not long now .... Well for us not heavily pregnant, still might seem awhile to you girls

[HotI]

Thanks Tegam.


Just a quick one from me. Bub is officially head down! Have to do some binding to help bub to get in to the pelvis rather than just hanging out front in my tummy.

Went through my birth notes from DD1's birth and it was quite interesting, having someone explain some of the finer points helped things make more sense.

Midwife doesn't think i will have a christmas baby but within a month baby will be here.

[Bella29]

yay hot1!!!!! what fantastic news love!! So pleased for you

[Freya]

Just lurking (hopefully will have legitimate reason to be in here in a few weeks ) but wanted to say to Ash: My labours have never been over 3 hours (2 inductions, 1 natural) and my last one was a 2hr waterbirth! So quick births can still get to use the tub/pool. I actually think it enables us to use it to its full extent because us precip ladies generally dialate to 4-6cm pretty quickly. My midwife had a 5cm to use the tub rule and I was 5cm by the time I got to the birth centre. Ds3 was born about 1h45m later in the water!