I've thought about using music, but am afraid that the pieces I chose would either end up being distracting, or that I'd forever flashback to labour pain when I heard them again! Same thing for using essential oils or candles - if I smell that scent again, I'd be afraid that it would always take me back to labour.
Anyone have any experiences to share?
About the birth pool in winter - won't the water be warm enough, regardless of the temp outside? And, can you make the room a little warmer with a space heater, or something? I know the building codes are a little different in Aus compared with Canada, but wouldn't you want the room to be warm for a birth anyways? Or am I totally missing the point?
Woohoo!!! Jen's gonna visit me!!! How awesome Jen! I am so excited! I can't wait!
How wonderful for u girls having big families . I would like 4 but DH doesn't want more than 3. We will see when we have 3 I guess .
Congrats PZ! Wonderful news! It is lovely seeing so many bumps in here
Afm- well I am still unpacking. Just one foot in front of the other ATM. I just try to get a big box done each day or sometimes two. Oh btw for those who were around when I had that pregnancy scare. I am pleased ro say we arnt pregnant. This time next year hopefully it will be a different story
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk..... I'm probably feeding my cherub
Yes, I'm not pregnant either, Bella. I was concerned when I had a few iffy symptoms over the long weekend and tested yesterday. So phew, my cycle has not yet returned. DD2 is bfing through the night still at this stage, so I'm tempted to wait another month and then tell DP we can dispense with birth control until AF returns. Feels like we're using the damn things for no reason, but there's no way I would want an oopsie before DD2 turns 1.
If I had chosen a different path I'd have half a dozen children. As it is, I'm very happy with the two I've got and I'd be over the moon if I managed to convince DP to go one more time.
Bella - do you think the wonderful birth you've had this time and the transition to no 2 has made it easier for your DH to think about more? I know it's certainly shifted DP's perspective ever so slightly. DD2 has come into our family so seamlessly that his concerns about more children are practical and financial (for the future). Plus, he's aware of his own age and the things he wants to do after we've raised our family. But what's a few more years of doing that, really?
Lady neon- a birth plan isn't about writing done how the birth is going to go, it's about writing down your preferences for whatever may happen. Such as whether you want baby to have vitamin K or hep B shots. Whether you want an episiotomy or if you would prefer to tear. I didn't write my preferences down for my HB, I wrote a list of instructions though such as contact numbers, what music I would want if I asked for music etc and I wrote a birth plan in case of transfer that outlined what I did and didn't want including baby care in NICU such as no formula and a request that my milk be expressed even if I was unconscious.
Cricket: in my case i love EVEN MORE the smell of my essential oils as it brings me back to that wonderful time (but i had one of those disgustingly fun births where there was only one painful contraction....and of course i immediately wished for a C/S...but thankfully after it passed we were back on track ).
Ladyneon: i used music in early labour (what i thought was pre-labour). it really helped to ground me and connect to the baby rather than the niggles and tightenings, so i found it useful. this time i want to to use it during labour as well....just gotta remember to get the ipod in the right room this time!
Jennifer: we were done at 2 kids...until i had that wonderful waterbirth at home! for both of us, it changed immediately and we couldnt imagine life without another. we also thought a few years down the track too
Bella: i had the same strategy when moving! a box a day!
as for warmth, we live in melbourne when DD2 was born in early sept and it was still pretty cold. we cranked the heating up and the pool keeps warm for like 4 hours on its own. we bought thick blankets for lying underneath the pool and for on top in case i wanted to get out and pace around.
Bella, so good to see you back. I STILL have boxes I haven't unpacked and I moved in two years ago!
Lady neon , I used music in labour and it was great, but it did start to annoy me (transition anyone?) and I cracked it and demanded 'dh turn that crap off now!'. Sadly that has tainted that album for me (as you suggested cricket)
I'll probably sing to distract myself! I don't think music will be tainted... but then again I have no idea as I've never done it before. Or, I could just listen to DH's music for distraction, I don't really like it anyway I might do a mix of playlists and they're there if I decide I need I guess.
I should do some sort of rough birth plan for hossy, I'll probably wimp out and end up there anyway but either way, I'll have my DH, mum, SIL, midwives & student midwife and they all know what I want! So hopefully one of them will stand up for me if I get transferred, or stick up to me if I wimp out haha. All I want is as natural as possible and no formula for baby. I'll source donated breast milk if I have to!
So experienced homebirthers.. must haves for homebirth? What should I prepare that I might not be told about? I'm starting to get quite nervous! I've had nothing but support from everyone about our birth choice but I still can't help but feel some doubt. Does that ever go away?
I'm in Perth Cassius so it'd be a bit warmer, either way we've got an refridgerated air-con & a gas heater in the lounge so I think I'll be ok. (Seriously, 35 degrees in April, WTH Perth?!)
Sounds like you've got a great support team, Lady Neon! I've never written out a proper birth plan either - just sort of talked things over with my midwife and made sure we were on the same page about the essentials.
An episiotomy is a cut made in your perineum as the baby is about to be born to allow him/her to come more quickly if he/she is in distress, or if the doctor thinks that you will tear really badly, and wants to try to minimize that by making a controlled cut instead. The second reason is generally considered a bad idea these days - usually tearing is better, but you can discuss the pros and cons with your midwife/ob.
My MWs said if we transferred they were better able to advocate for me if I had a list of birth preferences. Then they can point to it and say "see, she wants xyz" rather than it looking like they are trying to push their own agenda.
I gave a copy of my birth plan to the hospital so it would already be on file if I transferred. They seemed fine with everything except leaving the cord to pulsate after a c/s, for reasons they explained to me. I came away feeling that if I needed to transfer it would be easier with everyone on side.
I'm not going to bother with planning music this time, i put so much time in last time and never used it, between contractions i wanted to chat.. and during i needed SILENCE! maybe if i had been labouring longer or over night... i don't know. If i want music this time i will just put ABC Dig on i think.
I hope i still have my birth plan from DD2.. Mine was also a list of my choices more than a 'plan' as much as anything it was a reminder sheet for DH should i not be able to talk for myself. Lady Neon, I took mine to my KEMH booking appointment last time and the OB had a read through and put a copy on my file so if i was to transfer it was already there.
Hello homebirthing mamas.... I came in to give you an update but you already got one.. thanks cricket, I am a bit slow in recovery mode. The miscarriage was nowhere near the experience I had last time, the first time was quite profound, and this one has been the total opposite, yet somewhere amongst all of the mess I still find these amazing things happening. This is a shortened version here if you feel like a read. https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...gs-179632.html
I am still stuck in bed for a few weeks yet, but our community is feeding and supporting us and our family is healing slowly. I WILL be back for a homebirth, when we are able to start trying in a few months.
Much love and beautiful birthing blessings to you all xx
Ladybirdflies I am glad you have the support and time to rest and recover. I hope we see you back in here again soon.
Ambersky, you sound exactly like me in labour (except I didn't organise music at all). The jokes and chats were just what I needed right up until DD2 was almost crowning. I quite liked listening to everyone else in between pushes even when I couldn't talk.
Ladybirdflies: Again, i am so sorry that this little bubba couldnt stay It sounds like you and your DH have a lovely wee community surrounding you, which is so special xx
Oh ladybirflies, thank for the update. I am so sorry for your loss I'm very glad to hear you are getting plenty of rest and have such wonderful support around you. Thinking of you xx
. I would like 4 but DH doesn't want more than 3. We will see when we have 3 I guess 
I was concerned when I had a few iffy symptoms over the long weekend and tested yesterday. So phew, my cycle has not yet returned. DD2 is bfing through the night still at this stage, so I'm tempted to wait another month and then tell DP we can dispense with birth control until AF returns. Feels like we're using the damn things for no reason, but there's no way I would want an oopsie before DD2 turns 1.
).
Babies Arrived 
Babies On Their Way 
Mums of Babies Who Left Too Soon 
(as you suggested cricket)
I might do a mix of playlists and they're there if I decide I need I guess.
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