Homebirth/ hosptial transfer experiences

[Alan]

Hi Sarah
I have my fingers crossed for you.

[Talia*L]

We are planning our HB with an IM, and have had our first few appointments (at home on the couch, how awesome!).

This is something we have discussed a LOT (DH has no experience with HB, while it's more common in my family) - the safety elements, with DH asking loads of questions.

Our IM books us in at the Royal Womens as a backup. She does this with all her women - it's just a formality, and in fact she does ALL the paperwork! It's already done and I didn't even know about it til she mentioned it.

She is possibly a more 'conservative' HB MW, but that sits really well with me. She has told a few stories of times when a transfer was required, and there was always ample warning, discussion etc. DH is really feeling very safe now. Having a MW with yeaaaaaars of experience IMO has helped me feel really calm about it. I trust her completely to know if something is not right, before it becomes a problem (she was the MW for 2 cousins, and my little sister).

I really recommend asking your IM what she would do in all those situations (PPH, prolapse, breech etc) because I found the calm and sensible answers from ours to be most reassuring!

[LionsandBears]

Thanks Talia - I think we have the same IM We're with Jan Ireland. Had our first meeting (on our couch) on Saturday afternoon. Feeling good about everything - she explained what would happen. I'm also booking in at Monash MC as a secondary backup, as it's closer to us. We're happy with her being "conservative". We just wanted someone sensible we could completely trust, so if she says we need to transfer, we're transferring!

[Talia*L]

Yay! Midwife buddy! Yes we *heart* Jan.

Agree completely about wanting a sensible MW... When push comes to shove (so to speak lol), I trust that if she says "we need to transfer", then we need to transfer!

[Tegam]

I didnt need to tf but we had talked a lot about when/when/why/how! I felt calm that the MW new my wishes and i new going into my labour that i trusted her enought that if it got to a point that she said go i would go!

Just think how much we plan all these what if?? and people say that we are not taking the safe options. How many people planning a hospital birth even think through these same situations?

Also try to think of all the reasons why you will not need to tf, there are a million to one positives to neg!

Hey Sarah, enjoy your birth, i look forward to reading your birth story!

[sarah.forbes]

Hi all,

I thought I should share my recent homebirth experience here! I gave birth to my second child, a baby boy, at home, with two IMs present, Gaye Demanuele and Jan Ireland, and a Doula, Julie Bell. Our boy was born after three hours of active labour, with no complications, and I couldn't speak more highly of the care I received from everyone present. Both Gaye and Jan were respectful of our plans for privacy during labour, and for few interventions during the birth and afterwards. I would recommend both of these wonderful women to anyone considering hiring an IM for a hospital or homebirth.

And I'd also like to thank you, Alan Rooney, for supporting me through my first birth, during the long labour at home, and eventual birth of our little girl in hospital. Your unwavering support helped prepare me and my body for our second birth, at home.

Hooray!

Sarah.

[fionas]

Just subscribing as a homebirth is an option I'm considering but it would be quite a lengthy transfer if I needed to be transferred which is a definite downside ATM.

[Talia*L]

Hi all,

I thought I should share my recent homebirth experience here! I gave birth to my second child, a baby boy, at home, with two IMs present, Gaye Demanuele and Jan Ireland, and a Doula, Julie Bell. Our boy was born after three hours of active labour, with no complications, and I couldn't speak more highly of the care I received from everyone present. Both Gaye and Jan were respectful of our plans for privacy during labour, and for few interventions during the birth and afterwards. I would recommend both of these wonderful women to anyone considering hiring an IM for a hospital or homebirth.

Hi Sarah!

Do you mind if I ask who was the lead midwife? I am having Jan and Julie too, which is great! i think I am having Andrea Bilcliff as my second, not Gaye...