Homebirth Preparation Questions

[Mummato2]

After being completely disappointed with the medical system for birthing options, I've decided (a little late) to homebirth this baby.

My mother is a practising midwife with over 40 years experience so the general instruments for birth won't be an issue - but I would like to source an oxygen canister and regulator as a just in case (peace of mind for me mainly) and also if it isn't too hard to get - some entonox (I understand a script may be required from my GP?)

If you've homebirthed and used oxygen as a backup (to resus bub in an emergency) and/or you've also used entonox that you've sourced, which companies did you use, roughly how much was it and what did you need to do to go about it?

I've read all about alternatives to resus - but to be brutally honest I will only feel 100% if I know there is oxygen there in case. As for the entonox, it would be nice to know it's there if I feel I need it - hoping to not to have to need it but not stressed if I don't have it.

Thanks in advance

[Oorki Galoorki]

my midwife supplied the oxygen.
with the gas i think working on pain management is better then relying on having painmeds. i found that also not having drugs took the temptation away for wanting them.

the use of water is great for pain management. have you got a pool? a shower head on a hose?

[Mummato2]

We've just completed a Calm Birth course - so water is definitely something I want to try.

Because my mum is not a Home Birth Midwife (she's been practising about 40 years the first 20 as an Independant Midwife but the last 20 years has been in hospitals) she has access to everything except oxygen and entonox (which is fine for the gas - I don't mind not having that) but I feel as though oxygen and a regulator to resus bub just in case is necessary

[Alan]

You can rent oxygen and a regulator for about $30 per month.
Air Liqiide Healthcare
(03) 9311 0444
They have outlets in most states

[Mummato2]

You can rent oxygen and a regulator for about $30 per month.
Air Liqiide Healthcare
(03) 9311 0444
They have outlets in most states

You are a GEM

THANK YOU xxx

[Oorki Galoorki]

you may find though your mum might struggle with HB side of birth, long term hossy m/ws start to depend on the machines that go ping.
but i hope not for your sake

[Mummato2]

Yeah I had a big chat to her and thank god she is the kind of midwife that feels as though there is too much intervention in the medical system. She is pretty low key re: monitoring etc.

She was with me in my first birth (hospital induction) and from the beginning of that told me that there isn't any reason I can't Home Birth.

She didn't persist - but thinking about it - it's really the only model that will fit my beliefs and she is prepared to manage it.

The only thing she said she won't support is a physiological third stage purely for reasons of blood loss - but if that's what I have to compromise, then so be it.

Thank you for caring though - this is such a loving site

[Alan]

Ask your mother to do some research on physiological third stage and the speed that syntocinon works. If she does this she may find that she is willing to only give you the injection if you bleed and not because there is a small chance of bleeding. You may also want to look at the effectiveness of breastfeeding in stopping bleeding.

[Mummato2]

Ask your mother to do some research on physiological third stage and the speed that syntocinon works. If she does this she may find that she is willing to only give you the injection if you bleed and not because there is a small chance of bleeding. You may also want to look at the effectiveness of breastfeeding in stopping bleeding.

Funny you should mention that - it was actually something mum did say - that encouraging bubs to feed will actually encourage uterine contractions because of the oxytocin release so that can be used. I'll ask her about the speed of syntocinon because if it is fast acting, we can then play it by ear.

[Oorki Galoorki]

i am pretty sure you are Less likely to have a bleed if the placenta comes away naturally. as the syntocinin contracts the uterus hard and fast causing the placenta to come away very quickly. you could still have a physiological 3rd stage with the compromise of if you bleed then she can gab you with the synto.

will you be allowing the cord to stop pulsating before clamping?

[Oorki Galoorki]

Alan gee i love your work!

[Mummato2]

will you be allowing the cord to stop pulsating before clamping?

Oh to be honest I hadn't thought about it. When we were going through the hospital system we were going to cord blood bank - but Home Birth will void that option.

I might read more about it and have a chat with mum about it.

I have to be honest here I have just fallen into Home Birth rather than had the passion that I've noticed some women have. So because of that, I feel so unprepared but looking forward to the experience iykwim?

I've just finished a Calm Birth course and the practitioner went through the benefits, and I'm lucky in that I have a mum that is very respectful of what I want and how we manage it so long as all the risks are covered.