Here is where you left off...
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Here is where you left off...
Hi all. Just popping in as I'm getting closer now - 26wks today. getting very excited. A bit of a woo hoo for me - my PHI approved the homebirth, so we'll be getting $3k back (assuming all goes well and we have an actual homebirth). Very excited! As I have SPD, we're spending a lot of $$ on osteo, physio and acupuncture which we hadn't budgeted for, so this will come in handy.
We're also planning a water birth, though I see it as being a great tool that's there if I need it, but if I end up wanting to birth on land, I can do that while taking advantage of the birth pool to ease discomfort. Apparently with SPD i need to be careful not to slip in the water or something as that could make it worse.
Our IM is also quite conservative and won't take breech at home. I'm fine with that - there's breech and then there's breech. Some can be born safely vaginally and others can't. (though I'm hoping like hell bub isn't breech and will be using the acupuncturist for that too if necessary) the main reason we're having an IM is she is someone I can trust to be 100% on our side and not be intimidated by hospital protocol etc. She has her own rules, like no home breech, but that's cool. She also has a transfer arrangement with RWH, so we have that backup.
I'm also using hypnobabies home study course to prepare. It's very relaxing.
it's difficult to slip in a birth pool at home...not enough room! Plus, with SPD you're best on your knees bending over the edge, with the pelvis at its widest and fully supported. Avoid labouring facing out. I waited till the baby had crowned before turning around to have her pulled out (she took too long for me to wait while she kicked at my insides!!). No idea what it's like to birth on land with SPD, I did water both times, on my knees.
Don't be afraid of the SPD during labour. It's the only time in the pg that SPD will actually work FOR you - it's widened your pelvis and is nice and flexy. As long as you're not moving your feet apart during labour - feet planted evenly and only pelvis width apart for rocking and pelvis swinging, for instance. HTH, if not, there's the Pelvic Instability Association you can google :)
Thanks for that Mayaness - I've been doing a bunch of reading. It does sound like there's an upside to SPD. An it makes me look forward to the birth, not just to meet bubba, but to hopefully have an end to this horrible constant pain! btw - did you have any issues getting in/out of the pool? I can't visualise how to do that without widening my legs apart.
I know the feeling :):
Man I cant wait to do it again
Pool sides are sturdy enough (depending on the pool - you using the Made In Water one?) for you to sit on on the dry side and pivot on your bum keeping your knees together, with support from your partner to swing to the other side. I was in such a hurry to be in water that I stepped over, albeit gingerly, but still separating and doing the uneven weight distrib thing...but I didn't notice cos I was in transition!
Hello.. I'm nearly 7 weeks preg and planning another homebirth, just had my last at home in December! So very close together! I can't wait to do it again!!!
Hi ladies I hope you don't mind me popping in to ask a (silly) question?!
DH & I are looking into homebirth for any subsequent bubs we might have, and Ive just been thinking of random questions!
What did you do with things like the hearing test? Does it have to be done at a hospital? And the heel ***** test? (I know middies can do the heel *****, but does that get done at a later home visit?) Did you still do them?
TIA :)
Welcome stoked! That IS close together :D
Sneakysparkle- I just asked my midwife about these tests. She does the heel p.rick test at a post natal visit. She hadn't had any clients previously bother with the hearing test but as I am hearing impaired I woudl like to get it done. We still need to look into how to go about it. I may visit our backup hospital after the birth to get it done, or else get a referral through the MCHN. Not sure yet...
Thanks Meow!
Sneaky sparkle: Hearing test was done through MCHN and Guthrie was done by my midwife a couple of days after the birth (can't remember exactly how long after!, although i remember i cried my eyes out :( ).
Stoked- how old was your son when he had the hearing test done? Did you ask about it at the first MCHN appointment then book it? We had a terrible time with the heel p.rick test last time too- my son wasn't feeding well so he was dehydrated and they couldn't get enough blood. He was screaming and we ended up having to stop and try again a few days later :(
thanks guys :) hopefully I'll be back in here in the near future!!
Great tip Suga,.... I know with our last homebirth that we did claim our MW fees and other expenses as a tax offset.... Still would be better if we got medicare rebates, but it's better than nothing....
Just popping in here to say hello and thanks to all of you experienced home birth women who are sharing your experiences. We are meeting an IM this Friday to chat to her more about birthing our second child at home later this year. I'm aiming for a VBAC. My son was born by c-section last year - he was an undiagnosed breech. I had a chat to her on the phone today & I guess I broadly know what I want to ask but can anyone give me any tips about things they wished they asked or enquired about in the early stages? Any thoughts would be great.
Suga - I had no idea you could claim the fee for an IM as a tax offset? That's something to look into a bit more.
Hi all...
Hearing test was organized via the mchn, and she was about 10 weeks I think...so not straight away. I went to the Melbourne audiology place on Victoria pd. They did a full scan...very thorough and much better than hospital.
As for heel *****...that was on an antenatal visit a few days after the birth.
Things to know first up. What are the transfer rates, back up plans, second midwife arrangements, on call arrangements and antenatal care. You should also make sure you click with the mw...
Good luck!
I hadn't even thought about the post-birth tests. What's the Guthrie test again? Did ppl have to pay for the hearing test?
Hi girls!
Welcome to the newcomers! :hello:
Suga: ahh thanks for the reminder about the tax offset. so much to remember...
Infinity: for me, i didnt think to ask my midwife for ages about transfer times between waters breaking and labour starting (my waters broke last time without labour for quite a few hours). we discussed it and have come to an arrangement that we are both comfortable with. but maybe just have a good think about what his/her protocols are for EDD and going over, breech, transfer reasons etc etc. i found that questions are still coming up as it is pretty hard to think of it all at once. the BIG thing is that you and the midwife have a CONNECTION and get along. that's the biggest one IMO.
Tashy: yeah i'm not sure if i will end up birthing in the pool. i am very taurean and LOVE my land feet lol. but i did use the shower for a lot of relief last time, but once transition hit i wanted dry land to birth...wonder what this time will bring??!
AFM: travelling along well here. had a fall the other day that resulted in some pretty nasty pain across the lower belly, but bubs was active as ever and i spent the whole night resting. all good now thankfully. got to remember that i am a clumsy person at the best of times lol. seeing my IM soon :dance: it has been awhile between drinks and i am needing some face to face contact now. the calmbirth classes are going fantastically! although DH keeps falling asleep all the time LOL! told him he needs a good coffee beforehand so he can actually listen to the class instead of passing out during the relaxation lol.
Hey Cassius I am like you, I joked to my MW that I am a land animal and don't think I want a waterbirth. Have you hired an IM, or are you HBing through the Sunshine Hospital program like me? Initially the program was only open to women within the Sunshine Hossy catchment but most on the program are from your area - Brunswick, Northcote, Thornbury (ie: the hippy areas ;) ). Turns out I am the most "Western Suburbs" mamma in the program (I am in Glenroy).
Rory: we went with an IM, cause like you mentioned i thought it would be a catchment thing. although TBH cause of my ptsd i guess it worked out for the best to not be affiliated with the hossy...even if in name only lol. i can barely bear to look at the RWH back-up booking booklet that i have...i am a nutcase :redface:
my IM did mention that Northcote and Clifton Hill are their main areas of business lol! i had no idea!! darn hippies. :)
Cassius I can imagine you wouldn't want to go near a hossy having had a rough time last time :hug: With an IM you are much more in control, for sure!
Hi everyone,
I'm booked in for a homebirth with the community midwifery program here in December. Still waiting on my booking interview though - midwife was supposed to get back to me today. Perhaps she's had a run of births lately or something :)
No rush I spose, but I'm keen to meet her.
I'm not sure about a water birth either - last time I didn't really want to stay in the bath. DH says I should have because I was doing better in there but it's not quite how I remember it. I was induced though, so would all be different. I guess it'll be hot though, so perhaps we can set the pool up outside. Pity the backyard is such a mess, not sure how relaxing it'll be. Probably not practical if it's the middle of the night either.
marcellus: oohh i DO like the idea of a summery back deck waterbirth though lol!
rory: how are you finding the program?? i bet the middies are excited that they are trying to pioneer a new approach?! gosh, i hope they keep these programs running after the trials...they're trial programs aren't they?
Well I'm hoping to pop into this thread a lot more frequently now that we've decided.......WE'RE PLANNING A HOMEBIRTH!!!!!!!! Eeeek, I said it! We met an IM last week & both DP and I really liked her and her approach so its all systems go. I just have to phone her and confirm and somehow come up with the booking deposit - from where I have no idea but I'm sure I'll work something out. Cripes, it wasn't so long ago that I had considered birthing at home was a no-go zone for us, but look at us now. BBL another time to post more. Just needed to share the excitement.
So excited for you Infinity!! I'm sure it's a decision you will never regret :) I was SO excited when we had made the absolute go-ahead decision. It feels so good it has to be right huh? ;)
Great news about your upcoming HB too Marcellus. I'm jealous of the Perth community midwife scheme- it sounds great!
I'm really not sure about a waterbirth either. Last time I knew I wanted to birth on land and this time I feel the same but I *want* a waterbirth to assist with avoid tearing so I'm trying to visualise it a lot and talk myself into it :lol: I've booked the deepest pool I could get so I can squat upright and I chose a wooden one so I can hold the sides and feel grounded. Hope that helps me get my waterbirth... we'll see I guess. :D
wahoo Infinity!!! this is great news! so awesome when you find the right IM! :dance: look forward to sharing this journey with you!
meow: ohhh the wooden ones look so good and comfy...you lucky duck!
Great news Infinity - hope it all goes swimmingly!
We are lucky - it's funny when you consider the usual state of affairs for maternity care here. They are quite restricted though in the cases they can take - no VBAC, twins or breach.
A wooden pool - sounds nice. I hadn't actually considered getting my own - i think the CMP provides them.
I found out today that my midwife is away on annual leave for the month - so someone else was supposed to get in touch... I guess it'll happen eventually, lucky I'm in no hurry with another 6 months to go :D
You're with the same group Cassius- can you book a wooden pool too? Or are they booked out?
Yeah- I guess the restrictions do limit the HB facility Marcellus but it seems they have pretty good rules about not "having" to do certain things or transfer you. A friend of mine went through the CMP and she had no scans, a really long labour with baby's heartrate dropping but she still stayed home and all went well :D She bought her own pool, but this was 3 years ago so maybe they provide pools now. So long as you are all booked in then you can sit back now- hope you get to talk to someone soonish though :)
meow: yeah we looked into the wooden one, but it was an issue with transport and then space...we have a tiny tiny terrace house...unless we all wanna sit in there to watch tv i dont think it could happen ROFL!
Marcellus: no doubt the group have someone they know or use for pools...here's hoping!
AFM: all good here. just truckin' along. started 'waddling' this week. oh so glam...but loving every minute of it! just counting down the days til the next midwife appt...8 june!
Hi girls.. Have been meaning to post more often in here but having a six month old BF bub and being pregnant is tiring work!
Marcellus: I am going through the CMP too!! Had my last bub in dec at home and my midwife was so so good! Can't wait to do it all again! They provided my pool in the end because all the other women that were due around the same time had their bubs early, so they had spares, but otherwise you have to hire your own. Do you know which midwife you have been allocated yet?
Hi All!
Thought it was time I came in and said Hi!
I am 10 weeks pregnant with baby #3 and am due around Christmas time.
This will be our first homebirth and I am already very, very excited!
I met with my Midwife a couple of weeks ago and she seem's perfect!
Anyhoo...I will try and keep up with you girls!
Looking forward to getting to you know all!
x
hi sara and welcome! :hello:
woo hoo for the HB! this is going to be my first HB too! pretty excited and also really excited that my DD can be there if she wants. i used to live in brisbane!! have to admit that i do miss the place alot...although it's been a good four years since i lived there so no doubt has changed alot and i probably couldnt find my way around anymore lol!
Yeah, I have a place but still have to have my interview to asses my suitability for midwifery care. I guess it should be fine, just want to get it out of the way so it's official. And I'm keen to meet my midwife. Her name's Susan Cudlipp Stoked.
So there's somewhere you can hire pools if they run out? That's good to know.
yeah, it seems like as long as your midwife (and you) is happy then they're much more flexible than OBs/hospitals. One thing I was really interested to know was about going post-dates. Seems they get antsy after 42 weeks also. I really don't want to go that long again - hopefully it wont' be an issue.
Hi Sara and congratulations
Oh Marcellus you will LOVE your midwife! She is also my midwife!! hehe! She is the greatest!... they won't even look at my application til i am 12 weeks but i have already told Sue and she is very happy to be there for me again! I was so sad to say goodbye after our journey together and told her it wouldn't be long til i'll be calling her again... i don't think she expected it to be THIS soon!
Hello and congratulations to everyone else!! It is such an exciting journey, homebirth is just amazing and i wish i could convince everyone to give it a go so no one missed out on such an awesome experience!
xxx
Hey ladies! Just popping in to see what everyone's up to. It's amazing how many more women there are having/considering homebirth compared with a few years ago when I was expecting DD3. :) She was a home waterbirth, which went wonderfully, by the way. DD4 was a hospital birth, due to GBS, but this bean will be a homebirth again, if we can manage it!
Stoked - I hear you on the fatigue! My littlest is just about 10 months old, and I'm just over 5 months along now and the first couple of months were HARD! The whole family also got the flu and bad colds, etc. at that time. :( But don't worry - it will get better. :hug: I'm feeling pretty much like myself again now.
Hope everyone is doing well!
Oh yay, I'm so gald to hear that Stoked! I bet she'll be surprised to hear from you so soon. Oh boy at being pregnant with a baby - you gals must be knackered!
ETA - just realised that "being pregnant with a baby" is a bit ambiguous... d'oh. you know what I mean right?
:ROFL: ha ha! that is pure gold!:
I feel the same way. I'm still surprised and saddened by how 'revolutionary' homebirth is perceived and how many women say "that sounds fantastic, but it's not for me". Why not??? It's not a political statement, it's not some crazy-wacked-out-hippy-nutcase idea. it's normal. It's about normal women and families birthing their babies in a normal way. No fear, no drama, just birth :):
I can't wait to have my homebirth!!! I was crazy not to have one last time and I'm just glad the birth still went well. Bring on the homebirth :D
Ugh. I'm currently still booked into the birth centre till after the 20 week scan. I had been told I would deemed "low risk" this time due to having such a straight forward pregnancy and drug & intervention free labour last time... but just got a call that the OB who looked at my file wants a face-to-face appointment before classing me as low risk due to the fact that I had a big-ish baby last time!!!!! He was 4.3kg- not even 10 pounds FFS!!! SOOOOO glad to be ditching the hospital system this time. SO SO SO SO SO glad!!!
I KNOW!:
For me, homebirth is just a sensible choice, especially with a small family. The fact that I have my appointments at home and don't have to arrange babysitting or drag my kids to the hosp for every appointment (and have to endure the big wait) is such a hugething. That when I go into labour, there isn't a big contingency plan for what is going to happen with the kids..... The practicalities are one of the biggest bonuses for me. If my midwife is running late for an appointment, no big deal, I'll just keep doing the housework, or playing the with kids or resting :) And like you said, no fear, no drama, just birth :)
meow: so so true. so many in our society see HB as something 'Other' and not normal, like something whacky and therefore crazy. had to endure a different GP today for my routine BT and she was so deriding and tried to make all these 'small' jokes. so when asked about pain relief (cause obviously that's what EVERYONE first asks about :rolleyes:) i told her that my MW can do water injections if we want, and she just laughed out loud and goes, 'oh that's a good placebo...ha ha ha...oohh a bit of saline (and insert drumroll for emphasis on how ignorant she is) IN THE LEG. i didnt even smile back and went, yeah, not really and left it at that lol. THEN she tried to talk DH out of it cause he didnt want to be in the room when i got the blood drawn (he has a thing about those blood vials lol). and she's like, you know, birth is gory...you're not going to handle it. i was furious. i will make a complaint to my regular GP as i found it really offensive. never had trouble before at that clinic, so was pretty bummed.
do you have to keep the booking at the BC? i cant imagine how they would class you as high risk?? surely it would all be conjecture on how 'big' your next beautiful bub is going to be??