Homebirth General Discussion #18

Welcome to Homebirth General Discussion. Are you planning a homebirth? Or perhaps think that might be something you would like to know more about? Then this might just be the thread for you.

This thread is for general discussion about all things homebirth. Whether you are pregnant, TTC or just want to support those who are venturing on the path you have walked, please feel free to share your thoughts and experiences.


You might also like to check out these links:
Having a homebirth in Australia
Home Birth—Why It's Necessary By Ina May Gaskin
Independent Midwife recommendations in Australia


Your Moderators of this forum are:
Lily Dust - Moderator
Jaycee - Moderator
Teeki - Moderator
Cassius2 - Moderator

Your Administrator of this forum is Rouge. You can contact her by email or if you prefer one of the moderators.

Moderating Team Contact Details


If at any time you'd like to make a suggestion (which we always welcome!), provide any feedback for this forum or make a complaint, please contact her by email or if you prefer one of the moderators.

We appreciate all your feedback as it does help to make our forums a much happier, relaxed place to chat! Your comments will be taken seriously and treated with confidentiality, so please feel free to contact us anytime!

You can find the previous thread HERE

:baby: Babies Arrived :homebirth:

-2012-
Jennifer13- Baby GIRL born at home 4th January 2012
Bella29- Baby GIRL born at home 10th January 2012
HotI - Baby BOY born at home 21st January 2012
*Ash*- Baby BOY born at home 14th February 2012
loulabelle - Baby BOY born at home 24th February 2012
Cricket - Baby GIRL born at home 15th May 2012
chocorama - May 2012
...Em - Baby BOY born at home 7th June 2012
BellyBelly - Baby GIRL born 11th August 2012
Tanya - Baby BOY born at home 16th August 2012
phynna - Baby GIRL born at home 8th September 2012
lady_neon - Baby BOY born 27th September 2012
Ambersky - Baby BOY born at home 3rd October 2012
Cassius - Baby GIRL born at home 4th November 2012
Ice cream - September 2012
mirriumu - November 2012
Pumpkinzulu - Baby GIRL born at home 12th December 2012

- 2013 -
Sara - Baby BOY born 18th January 2013
turtlejane - Baby GIRL born at home 31st January 2013
Bellany - Baby BOYS born 14th March 2013
Ree*Ree - Baby BOY born 18th March 2013
Aimz - Baby BOY born at home 21st March 2013
Beatrix - Baby GIRL born at home 7th April 2013
Rubyshoes - Baby BOY born at home April 2013
Dollyroux - Baby BOY and GIRL born 29th April 2013
HomeStyleMumma - Baby GIRL born 8th May 2013
ladybirdflies - Baby GIRL born at home 23rd May 2013
Cricket - Baby BOY born at home 26th August 2013
Sepata - Baby BOY born at home 31st August 2013
WilliamsMummy -Baby BOY born at home 17th September 2013
Loulabelle - Baby BOY born at home 17th September 2013
Sunnylove - Baby GIRL born at home 2nd November 2013
Eenee - Baby BOY born at home 22nd November 2013
TeniBear - Baby GIRL born at home 21st December 2013
*The_Mrs.* - Baby GIRL born at home 31st December 2013

-2014-
Jennifer13 - Baby GIRL born at home 1st January 2014
Arcadia - Baby BOY born at home 30th January 2014

:bellyrubs: Babies On Their Way :pregnant:


Special - January
HotI - February
Smoke Jaguar - March
Bella29 - May
Ozstar - May
Sterla -August
Meow - August
e_p - September
Tegam - September

When I am on my phone, on tapatalk, if I click on the link to a new thread, it takes me to completely random threads.... Does this happen to anyone else??

Baby's drawers are all in place so I can start getting her stuff together. My list is shortening as fast as my remaining weeks. DP is under instruction to have an air compressor within a week so we can test the pool. Well and truly nesting here now, but not so much because the baby is close, more because we're trying to keep up.

Sister has booked her flights to be here for the birth. Just needs to figure out how to get her camera equipment here.

Hope everyone has had a nice weekend.

Oh how exciting Jen!!!! So close for you now! Can't wait to hear your news!

Afm- well I am struggling at the moment to keep a positive perspective on this pregnancy. My last one I was way more zen and happy. But I am 17 weeks tomorrow and still vomiting at times. I am already feeling heavy and tire easily. The ms weeks I could barely walk, and spent 90% of my time on my back. Anyway I am grumpy. And I am worried if I am this intolerant now, what am I gonna be like at 40 or 42 weeks?? *sigh*. I just wanna enjoy this, it may be my last, but it is taking its toll. I'm 34 this time, perhaps that is making it all worse? I dunno. Please send me some grateful vibes pretty please ladies??

Bella, I found the first 20 weeks hard work but I have truly enjoyed it since. I'm aged 30 this time compared to 25 with DD and I can certainly tell the difference! It's a resilience I think. Don't force yourself to be anything but how you feel. Once the sickness eases you'll find yourself suddenly in a different mindset. No idea about tapatalk sorry.

Jen I really need to get nesting but am so caught up with other stuff!!! Keep posting because it helps motivate me!

oh yeah, bella. I am struggling to find the joy this pregnancy, but still trying. and getting scared, because this is meant to be the good bit before the tough end bit.

it has been difficult to even think about the coming baby, cos im just wishing the.pg to be over. however, recently I decided on boy name and girl name- and DH.even liked them both, so that was a big step forward. also started cleaning out kid's stuff, and dropped first bag to charity bin, and that felt good too.

have had few chats with dd about the baby coming out, and it is kinda cool to watch her working things out. she is talking more about maybe being at the birth, so will see in a few months. I guess it will be exciting news for show and tell if she is there at the birth.

what foods are good to reduce swelling? I have carpal tunnel again, and would like to reduce symptoms if possible.

Hospy appointment all over and done with. It went fairly well, aside from two instances of people trying to be condescending :p

The reception women have each other "looks" when I explained why I was there (they didn't have my appointment in the computer) and the older one wasn't happy I didn't have a "real" referral from a GP instead of a midwife. Then they seemed to think I was transferring care, so I got to do a urine test and they gave me an appointment book that'll never be used :rofl:

After an hour or so I saw some other guy, who I think was a midwife or a nurse, and he was alright. Just filled out some paperwork, had a bit of a laugh over some things, blah blah boring. I got a Bounty bag too, which makes up for not getting one from them in 2009/10 :p

And then came the OB - one I'd never met before. As I said, he tried to be condescending :lol: But I wasn't having any of it so he was a bit confused. He said something like "I wouldn't recommend any homebirth because the risks outweigh the benefits" so I just went "Yep, I assumed that'd be your opinion, but I'm happy to go ahead with it and so's everyone else involved in my pregnancy." He was stumped, and just sort of spluttered at me for a bit. I was perfectly nice throughout, of course, just practising my kill-em-with-kindness, no-bull thing :) I think he tried to take it out on me when he was doing a quick check of bub and blood pressure too, he was a bit rough, but that could just be the way he is with all his patients. He left the room hardly even giving a sign we were done, so that just capped off my opinion of him. I'm glad I shouldn't have to see him again! Even if I transfer there'd be only a small chance of getting stuck with him.

Now on to have a nice couple of relaxing, all-about-me weeks before bub comes :D I still can't believe it's only a few more days until I'm (early) term! This has been such a boring pregnancy, I could do this for a few more months! (Remind me I said that in a few weeks once I'm over it :lol:)

Bella, I haven't really enjoyed this pg and I've had nowhere near the amount of complaints that you and other Mummas generally have. I just felt it more, closer to the last pg and even busier with a toddler and a primary school child. Lots more running around, no time to think or take a breath. I def felt the challenges were a bit more exaggerated this time, although I find my second tri to be more difficult physically. The days I would love to just have an hour to lie down and take a nap...! And the night time interruptions with DD2, esp at the start, really got me down. Not to mention, DP's studies this time around, leaving me on my own with both kids for some weekends and evenings. I wondered if it was because I'm older, but I honestly think it's just because I'm busier. I really do believe that women's bodies get stronger as they get towards 40, hence the great marathon runners at that age, so I'm not going to jump to the conclusion that I'm getting to old for this just yet. ;) Plus, if we do have another in a few years... :o

Starting to feel a bit more worn out at the end of the day now, despite getting plenty of sleep. Pretty sure it's just me slowing down as I drag around an extra 25% on my poor body!

Just popping in to say a tentative hello.

I am 5 weeks pregnant with bub # 3, and hoping very much to have a homebirth this time. With DS I had an emergency c/s, then a couple of years later had an all natural, drug free vbac with DD at an independent birth centre. I have already contacted the midwife I had with DD and she is happy to have me again. When I meet with her at 16 weeks I'll talk to her about the possibility of me having a homebirth this time.

I've talked to DH and he is on board. He said it would just be like my birth with DD, except in our house, and this means we can have our other two with us to experience the birth too.

Anyway, very early days, but I thought I would introduce myself. I'm sure I will have plenty of questions in the weeks and months to come :).

Welcome and big congrats sterla!

Thanks for all the empathy girls. I am really appreciating hearing the stories. My last time I think I had such a good run, that I am struggling with struggling with this one. But I will work on my attitude, and keep trying to maintain a good perspective.

Yay Sterla!!!!! Your homebirth would be amazing with Anna by your side, I just know it.

Bella - I'm sorry to hear that you are struggling with this pregnancy, I've had a few rough ones as well so you have my sympathies. If you wanted to catch up for a cuppa any time, let me know :hug:

I've been somewhat avoiding this thread, its still hard to get my head around DS2's birth - so much so that I'm pretty much avoiding my midwife. I was supposed to go for his 6 week check with her, but I couldn't do it. I feel like a fraud for even coming in here and I'm not exactly sure if I should see someone about it or not. I had the MCHN come and see me the other week, they do some home visits up here in our area, and she asked me questions about the birth. Not only could I not look her in the eye while speaking, I had chills when going through what happened and I started to get all teary. Plus I went to a birthday party with DD1 a few weeks ago and the other mothers there asked me about the birth, and I got teary when telling them as well.

Definitely not a perfect end to my birthing journey, and I fear that I've damaged the kids permanently - DD1 tells me all the time that she is not going to have any children because "it hurts". They all heard my screaming that night (what can I say, a hole in the uterus hurts more than normal contractions do!) so now I just feel stupid for doing that to them. *sigh*

Anyway, thats why I've not been around in here......

Aw, big hugs, Arimeh. You have plenty of time in the future to talk to your DDs about the various birth journeys you've had and why this one isn't what you hoped for, or would wish for them. They're still young enough that the short-term memory will fade, but the way you talk about birth (once you've had time to process everything) will make a much more lasting impression. I know the biggest message I took from birth from my mother was her constant re-telling of my (somewhat traumatic and difficult) birth and not the relatively easy births she had after mine. And I still ended up here! So don't stress, you haven't scared/scarred them for life. You, on the other hand, have a lot more to deal with. :hug:

Sterla - welcome! :leap: Sounds like you'd be a great candidate for HB and to have a m/w you already know is a bonus. Having DD1 at DD2's birth was fantastic. Being at home after the birth is another plus and I think it really helps everyone bond together. I know I really felt the difference between my two births not leaving home. Our family seemed more of a unit immediately.

I'm not intending to have DD2 at this bub's birth at this stage. She's too young and too emotional. Either she'd want to get in the pool with me or she'd be upset watching me or both. I tried watching a birthing video on YouTube with her, a very mild one, and she started getting upset as the baby was coming out, even with minimal fuss! I think it'll all happen while she's asleep upstairs anyway, and she can just toddle in when she wakes up and meet her new sister. She looooooves babies and that will amuse her no end. Then I can pass baby to Daddy and give her a bf and her day will progress as normal, just with the added interest of a little sister. Fx!

arimeh :hugs: I have noticed you haven't been posting, and been hoping you doing ok. I think your story is an important homebirth story. it shows that sometimes circumstances change what happens, and the power of mumma and good support people who recognize when things are not going smoothly. I empathise with your feelings on sharing your story, I hated the mother's group 'birth story' chats, and couldn't participate, and just felt ****. it took me a long time before I could share with friends/ffamily and some still don't know.

go easy on yourself.

Oh Mel :hug:. Of course you still 'belong' in here. I can't even begin to understand how traumatic your birth was for you. I mean, I know the details, but I cannot even begin to comprehend it in any real sense. I did notice how hard it was for you to talk to the MCHN. Your little man is only 2 months old, your birth is still very fresh. I think time and talking about it when you are able to will help. And I am always, always here for you - you know that xx

Thank you for the warm welcome everyone :grouphug:.

Hugs Mel. I think what you are dealing with is really normal given what you have been thru. That was a really tough birth. And i think it will take you time to process it. Especially since you have lots to keep you busy and not a huge amount of space in which to just sit with it and let it be what it is. When you have time and space maybe do a formal debrief. Either with your midwife or with someone else who can help you to unpack it all and look at it. Your feelings are valid and understandable. Big hugs mamma. And I would love a catch up!

:hug: Arimeh. I don't have anything to add that hasn't already been said, so just big squishy :hug:s :)

Hey ladies. I made a huge post but then we moved to a new thread so I think it was missed. Hope everyone is doing well!!

:

---

When I am on my phone, on tapatalk, if I click on the link to a new thread, it takes me to completely random threads.... Does this happen to anyone else??

---

I believe this is an issue with Tapatalk. I will flag for admin though and see if anyone has any other ideas :)

Welcome Sterla! :hello:

:hug: Arimeh. You have absolutely no reason to feel like a fraud because your birth didn't work out as you had planned! You made good plans, you put yourself in good hands, and you and your caregiver listened to your body and went in to hospital when you needed to. Despite the highly unusual and traumatic circumstances you found yourself in, you and your baby were kept safe. Your kids will be OK. You can help them work through what happened too, and remind them that birth IS hard work, but it's totally worth it in the end.
Take time to work through what happened - it was pretty rough. Talk it out - we'll listen.

TheMrs. - don't feel like a downer for getting nervous. It's perfectly normal and reasonable to want some reassurance about your decisions as you get close to the big day. Check out the Midwife Thinking blog on VBAC - she has some really helpful info there. (Google should find it for you.)

For those who are feeling heavy and tired with pregnancy - I really recommend trying a bit of exercise! Go easy at first, but a bit of cardio did WORLDS of good for me! I had a lot more energy in my later pregnancies compared with my earlier ones and that was the biggest difference. It doesn't work for everyone - if you've got serious SPD you might not be able to do it, but if you're feeling OK, give it a shot! :)

Hope everyone else is doing well! Sorry I don't think I've caught up everyone here - life is a little chaotic at our house and spare minutes at the computer are scarce! :)

Welcome Sterla :) can't wait to hear more about your plans.

Massive hugs Arimeh. I always think of your birth as an example of Homebirth working: you had one on one care, a trusting relationship with your carer who listened to your instincts, then you used the hospital services when required to get a good outcome. People like you show Homebirth as a philosophy is not about staying home, it's a way of seeing birth outside the current 'regime' itms? I think when you have more time some counseling might help you debrief a but more.

Cricket!! Hello! It's great to see you in here again. Life with 7 kids must be busy and full. You're so blessed :) I am wondering where I should move to so I can keep having babies :)

The Mrs I will go back and read your other post...a shame it got looked over.

AFM I haven't seen my midwife in ages because I've been away/busy with house renos. I still haven't had the blood test she asked me to get, mainly cause if the whole GTT thing my dad was bugging me about. On that front I stopped talking about it, and when he mentioned it, my mum said 'but she's allergic to sugar' thanks mum! Not quite true but it does make me get thrush, so it was nice to be validated!

I think I love pregnancy at this stage. Baby kicks lots, I have energy, kids are excited and kiss my tummy. To think how much I hated it for a while seems bizarre. I certainly have the happy hormones now!

Just skimming quickly as I just got back from a couple of days away and need to get the kids once I've unpacked!
Arimeh - don't you dare say the 'f' word!! As for scarring the kids - I feel that's what I risk doing by being so debilitated with this SPD :( My DD is saying that when she's big enough and has a baby in her belly that it won't hurt, so it's definitely in her consciousness and I want it to remain there as a "it doesn't mean it will happen to me"!! By the time she IS big enough she'll hopefully know that births are all different and hers will be her very own package.
Teni - you did really well!! I'd write a complaint about the OB to the midwives and the hospital director. He really didn't sell the "come on over to the hospital system" very well, did he? How dare he treat you like that and just leave the room, no matter where you're planning to birth!
Bella - I'm not nearly as gracious about being pregnant this time as I was the last two! I'm 37 and was making great progress with my surfing and just went up a level in my horse riding...gracious is not my strong suit, but I'm coming to terms with surrender ;)
I had my last surf the other day - I didn't think I'd even get to my knee, but once I I'd lifted my chest up the rest followed pretty easily, just the surf was ordinary. But fun, and surrounded by my supportive crew and we had a gorgeous girls' retreat, all round! I think I know who'll be asked to take part in my blessing way :) :)

:leap: I have pretty much everything I need in the house now! Midwives just came and left the birth pool, oxytocin, etc... TENS machine, which I'd forgotten I said I wouldn't mind trying if I need it... Oh goodness, so so very real now :D There wasn't even a problem when we tested to see if our kitchen tap can handle the hose connection, which I'd been secretly worried about. Now all I really have to do is wait and go into labour sometime in the next month :lol:

You're on the home straight!

Arimeh, I have been fading in and out of BB land and can't remember if I posted in your birth announcement but what I really wanted to say was a big Thank you for keeping HB safe. You knew within your own self when things weren't right, had a knowledgable midwife who listened and you made the decision to seek medical help instead of continuing at home. That is perfect home birthing to me. The choice to do what was necessary rather than what you preferred saved your own life and the life of your son. I certainly don't consider that a failure :hug:

ETA, are you full term tomorrow Teni? How exciting! I love that bit right at the end when you know it could happen at any time. Good luck for everything xx

Arimeh, I also wanted to comment.
I also planned a homebirth and ended up transfering to hospital and while it wasn't as extreme as your situation both my son and I also came close to dying.
I completely agree with what others have said, you have not failed at all. An unexpected complication arose that endangered the lives of you and your son and you and your carers acted brilliantly and managed to save both your lives. You did amazingly well.
It is extremely traumatic. It will most likely take you a long time to get over it. I think I'm now most of the way through dealing with my son's birth, 4 years later. But I know I still have some issues from it.
It will of course also have influenced your children and it must have been traumatic for them as well. I wouldn't worry too much about it though. They will probably get over it with time as well and you can help them to understand that it wasn't a normal birth and they shouldn't base their ideas of childbirth on what happened. I don't know but maybe they'll get a chance to witness another birth when they are a bit older. My mother assisted with a home water birth when I was 9 and I went to keep an eye on the labouring woman's other son. We got to come in for the delivery and that memory has really helped me to form a more realistic idea of what natural birth is like and to recognise that mine was not representative for all births.

Good luck and hugs :hug:

Cricket, the exercise idea IS the best! I can't do what other people can (I tried yoga over the weekend at my retreat and sat out most of it, and totally skipped Tai Chi) and I'm finding my own ways to keep active. Hydrotherapy is a godsend, especially with the first few sessions with a one on one with the physio. I love being able to move and not aggravate my pelvis. The surfing wasn't the greatest idea, but it wasn't the worst and I was desperate ;) Today I skipped hydro because it was too beautiful a day to be in a heated indoor pool...I went to the beach. After hobbling down on crutches I had a gorgeous low-tide swim and did some of my hydro exercises in there and now I feel great. I knew what most of my problem was until a couple of weeks ago, and it was not being able to do anything to get my heart rate up. Warmer weather brings greater possibilities for me, and if you can then get into yoga, at least, because it will make you feel a million bucks. Good one, Cricket :)
HotI, sorry I missed it in my big skim yesterday! I don't know about foods you can take to reduce swelling, but to reduce the swelling you might need to take a really good look at what you're eating and see where you can cut down on the sodium intake. Sorry I can't be more helpful!
Sterla, you're a great candidate for a HB :) Having DS at DD's birth was such a decider for me - he still asks to watch the DVD of it!
Jennifer, that almost slipped by unnoticed...anothery?? Well, if your body isn't being disagreeable, then go for it! I'm out at 3 - I have spent my 30s in pelvic pain and I'm claiming my 40s back, in advance of their arrival :p

SJ, haha. My body is still coping okay, although since the baby has shifted right down into my pubic bone and pelvis, I am kinda waddling. I agree that exercise is a big help. Love my prenatal aqua class. I am also getting in our pool every time the day is sunny. Still doing a fair bit of walking, two-three days a week I walk DD1 to school, with DD2 on my back. That is def helping my core muscles stay strong.

Teni - so exciting! DP got the pool out last night to check the hose connections and he's ordering his new air compressor (why just get something to blow up the pool, when you can get a full-on power tool version :rolleyes:!)

I had a dream last night that baby was coming early. Honestly, she feels so low I think she will just fall out come January. I really need to start sitting on my fit ball. Her head is so low that chairs are very uncomfortable to get up from.

My blessingway is next week and my bunting flags just arrived today - yay! I'm also going to get some body painting stuff and let whoever is game have a go at decorating my belly. I like the beads idea, anything else I can organise though, that doesn't involve anyone bringing anything? It's a mixed bag of friends.

Air compressor! We didn't have one last time, but we got one after DD was born...I didn't even think of it! I'm sure DP would have, though. I reckon we could grab some strips of left over silage wrap (season is just finishing and I'm sure the dairy hasn't used up all its rolls!) for our hired pool liner AND ground cover...could come in handy, this farm living ;)

https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...1/#post3379788

*subbing*

Woohoo, pool's blown up so we can check for air leaks in the morning :) The pump was a lot louder than I expected though! And a touch difficult to work out, though once I figured out the "trick" I was fine. Just wasn't pushing it far enough into the valve - and trying to use the wrong attachment :lol: I think we might leave it half-inflated in the back room so we don't have to have the pump on for long when the time comes. I just know the noise will scare the living daylights out of Amelia :( Its a bit smaller than I imagined, but I suppose it doesn't really need to be that large. Fits perfectly into my chosen birth space in any case :)

So, there's my update. How are the rest of you going? :)

Hehe I obviously blew my pool up the hard way! I used a hand pump! Lol not easy doing that heavily pregnant! I leave it fully blown up in another room, as it takes long enough to fill it! When in labour I waited what like felt forever and ran the hot water out in the shower (luckily it reheats in about 30mins)
How exciting Teni, not long now!

My little man is going well, took awhile for him to settle as took longer this time for my milk to come in. I think due to the fact I had gastro when I went into labour and had barely eaten or drank in two days, so I don't recommend getting sick! I'm just exhausted as well, DH went to work the day after and so been doing everything on my own. Mum was down for a bit but other than that I've struggled doing it on my own. Frustrates and gets me upset that DH can't see how hard it is all for me to manage on my own. He actually told me off for co sleeping and said next week he'll have to go in his own bed to sleep. He woke me up when he came to bed mind you, and I hadn't slept more than 45mins since DS was born so sleep is precious. i just ignored him and pretended I was still asleep. He won't get up to him if he wakes so no way will I be getting out of bed as that will be even more exhausting!

I've been thinking of you lots eenee. Your DH needs a kick up the bum. Sorry, but you need more help and support. Going back to work after one day is just plain ridiculous! DH did that to me after DS and so when I fell pg this time I told him he needs to take a month off. No questions. It's too too hard otherwise.

Eenee, I think it's time for harsh measures to make sure you get your rest and some headspace from your DH. I think YOU need to tell him when he's going to the spare bed. You decide what night he'll start and tell him that you can't have him waking you up when you have hardly had any sleep and you are just as important as he is in the functioning of the family (I know my DP likes to point out how important he is for bringing in the money, so I tell him that it's a bit pointless if I'm not able to keep us running on the home front...a point he is understanding now that he's had to pick up a lot of the slack with me being out of action so early).
It's time ;) Blame the hormones - I mean, he's left you for that hormonal influx period, and if he thinks he can just escape it and come to a made home he's got another thing coming!! :hug:

Everything is going well here. Getting nervous slightly and hoping she waits until the 16th so we can get through all of our Christmas plans but I know that's not how babies work haha! I'm also just nervous in general because I have no idea what I got myself into! I've started taking alfalfa supplements to help boost vitamin K. Other than that just hanging out. Lots of irregular contractions but nothing to actually get labor going. My first was born early term at 37 weeks so I'm hoping this one doesn't take after sissy

The_Mrs spinning babies website had a story of vbbac2 with a bicornate uterus today. thought you might be interested. if you can't find it, i can send you the link.

I recently heard that it is better to not have the pool fully blown up for a long time before filling (even though thats what we did), there is higher chance of punctures or something when you fill it. I will have mine pretty close to blown up though, and just need a blast to make it tight.

I stored mine in the shed on a blanket. It's where the air compressor is too.

Start filling it before you think you will need it. (get someone else to i really mean) YOu can always top it up with hot water, if it turns out to be too early.

Hot1- I read that story today!! And loved it

Oh wow! i have missed so much with our move out of melbourne and losing internet for way too long!

Eenee: YOU HAD A BABY!!!!!! :dance: :leap: :dance: Congratulations!! Sounds like it all went awesome....you HAND PUMPED your pool??!! dude, you must have the best and strongest guns in town after that hahahaha!

it sucks butt that DH is dropping the ball. that is not fair. especially given the not so easy pg journey you've had. does he always tend to go a bit distant after a baby is born? i know that my DH suddenly feels the need to fix everything that is wrong with our house which drives me bonkers as it makes him totally unavailable to help me out with the new baby...but it passes. it's like he needs processing time. but that also means that i need mothering time too: which is something i have never had. might consider a post natal doula or something if there is a next time.

SJ: argh! so uncool that the support network is just not there for you :hug: it is such a sad reflection on our society that what should be a time of togetherness and specialness (growing and birthing babies) is, instead, a journey fraught with judgement, fear and isolation. I mean, there are supportive places and people out there, but in general, the environment in which we bring our children into the world kinda sucks. i felt that isolation this time around more acutely as i too have found the lack of belly buddy group activity a bit sad. and despite living in what is almost the HB capital of victoria (just behind the country town i have just moved too lol) at the time, i knew no other HBers in the area and would of loved loved loved to have had other women and families to connect to on that level. also, being my third, there was just less celebration of the pregnancy and upcoming baby in general which i found confronting. there was no blessingway or connection/anticipation by my community: it's almost as though they felt that because it was my third that i didnt want/need it to be still special?? maybe?

Teni: you are awesome. so happy that you were able to get along to the booking in appt. I thankfully have never had to do one as my IM has an arrangement with the womens for that paperwork stuff. it wouldnt really suit my PTSD to have to go in, but i guess if i did have to i would cross that bridge....maybe...could i keep calling in sick at the last minute?? :rofl:

Jen: so close! sounds like you might end up with a bedtime birth then if you would prefer DD2 to not have to be there!

Sterla: welcome! so exciting! planning a HB is so much fun!

Bella: i found my third pg the most challenging. so much less time for recuperation. my MS lasted a lot longer and was much more evident. i lived in seabands for 22 weeks lol.

The Mrs: i can highly recommend the blog 'birth without fear' as they have fabulous stories and support for HBACs :hug: the big fear of uterine rupture must be scary. i guess it may be worth keeping in mind that there is a bigger risk of it happening in a primagravida woman who is induced...and they do that allll the time in hospital without emphasising the rupture risk IYKWIM. have you spoken to your midwife about your fears yet? it can be very cathartic to do so :hug: (and apologies if you are freebirthing...i have been out of the thread loop for too long!)

AFM: well, have just moved to a new town where the HB rate is 22 times the national average :lol: DH is keen to give the HB services a go...me, less so haha. I was so rocked by DD3s first year of seizures etc that i am yet to feel strong enough to have another...despite the awesomeness of having a gaggle of little people underfoot.

Ahhh, been watching birth videos for a good portion of the day and I feel sooooooo relaxed and calm about this birth, here in this moment. So good to take a break from my busy head :)

I got together most of what will go into my transfer bag last night - but I can't find the actual BAG I wanted to use :wall: I'm sure I won't need it for transfer, but some of the stuff will be used after the birth in any case - baby's first outfit etc. - and I want to have it all together. Ooh, new thought, I might pop a wrap in there too so I can wear baby in the hospital :think: But which one?