OHbaby! Forums : Home births https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Wed, 08 Apr 2026 07:10:57 +0000 Thu, 15 May 2008 19:48:10 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.05 360 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=17162 <![CDATA[OHbaby! Forums]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/ <![CDATA[Home births : Tishy - I wasn&#039;t allowed...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=384774&title=home-births#384774 Author: Maya
Subject: 17162
Posted: 15 May 2008 at 7:48pm

Tishy - I wasn't allowed in the water in labour either, I had continuous monitoring of both babies. It was all part of my medical birth plan.]]> Thu, 15 May 2008 19:48:10 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=384774&title=home-births#384774 <![CDATA[Home births : i ha a homebirth with my second...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=384765&title=home-births#384765 Author: 11111
Subject: 17162
Posted: 15 May 2008 at 7:40pm

i ha a homebirth with my second and it was really awsome I am planning this one at home too.]]> Thu, 15 May 2008 19:40:53 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=384765&title=home-births#384765 <![CDATA[Home births : Good on ya for going with the...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=384676&title=home-births#384676 Author: JPP
Subject: 17162
Posted: 15 May 2008 at 6:22pm

Good on ya for going with the HBirth hope all goes well for you As long as your close enough for a transfer if needed, sounds like you have a good and experienced mw though so thats choice ]]> Thu, 15 May 2008 18:22:57 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=384676&title=home-births#384676 <![CDATA[Home births : Yeah I was menaing if u do end...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=384588&title=home-births#384588 Author: Kellz
Subject: 17162
Posted: 15 May 2008 at 5:11pm

Yeah I was menaing if u do end up in there not by choice necessarily,...my best friend had a home birth with her first, and almost with her second but ended up having her in the back of the ambo on way to hosp. She was really traumatised by this as she hadnt even considered the possibility of having to go to hosp at all.
Even if u dont plan to go to hospital, would prob be a good idea to go on a tour around the annex either with you medwife or antenatel class (if u are doing them), just so its not so scary if u do need to go there! The tour was good cos we were told about what all the equipment in the birthing room was for, and in the baby high dependancy room, and general stuff like where the kitchen is etc. Was all helpful for both of us!

Edited by Kellz]]> Thu, 15 May 2008 17:11:02 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=384588&title=home-births#384588 <![CDATA[Home births : I found distractions for the pain...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=384446&title=home-births#384446 Author: Helen21
Subject: 17162
Posted: 15 May 2008 at 3:38pm

I found distractions for the pain to be really good(although I was in a birthing unit) for example watching tv or a good movie, we had one on the tv in the birthing unit and even though the final stages it gave me something to focus on, without it I think I would have used some sort of pain relief.
]]> Thu, 15 May 2008 15:38:30 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=384446&title=home-births#384446 <![CDATA[Home births : thanks kellz - it&#039;s good...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=384274&title=home-births#384274 Author: gypsynita
Subject: 17162
Posted: 15 May 2008 at 1:45pm

thanks kellz - it's good to know whakatane's got a good reputation if it does resort to that.

i'm pretty much sold on the homebirth idea now though! only thing that worries me is the pain relief but i've heard so many people say it's not as bad at home anyway cause you're more relaxed... ]]> Thu, 15 May 2008 13:45:26 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=384274&title=home-births#384274 <![CDATA[Home births : cat007 wrote: This time I have...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=384200&title=home-births#384200 Author: tishy
Subject: 17162
Posted: 15 May 2008 at 12:46pm

Originally posted by cat007 cat007 wrote:


This time I have no choice - hospital only as it is a higher-risk pregnancy with twins. I still might try a birthing pool during labour until I have to deliver - will see.


Unfortunately that's not an option. Well at least my midwife told me that they would be monitoring both babies during labour so wouldn't be allowed in the pool with the bits attached.
I ended up with a c-section anyway in the end, so never got that far


Alia, the only option is Keneperu , which in reality you'd probably be closer to the hospital at home if complications occurred.

]]> Thu, 15 May 2008 12:46:55 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=384200&title=home-births#384200 <![CDATA[Home births : My best friend had a waterbirth...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=384167&title=home-births#384167 Author: Jay_R
Subject: 17162
Posted: 15 May 2008 at 12:16pm

My best friend had a waterbirth at a birthing centre with her first, and a drug free home birth with her second. She is very pro home-births and would encourage any woman considering it to go for it.

Me on the other hand, will be having an elective c-section for number two (if there ever is one!) after my emergency c-section with Joshua. I'm incredibly pleased I was in hospital when I had him after all the drama that occured. And, I have to say, yay for being near the drugs!! I'd planned a drug free birth using water as pain relief, and ended up with all the drugs and a c-section!

]]> Thu, 15 May 2008 12:16:53 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=384167&title=home-births#384167 <![CDATA[Home births : Yeah prob is the same Sue,..hope...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=384084&title=home-births#384084 Author: Kellz
Subject: 17162
Posted: 15 May 2008 at 11:31am

Yeah prob is the same Sue,..hope it is cos shes excellent! I found Whak Hosp really good, you dont have anything to worry about if u do have to go there. All the staff were fab, we got excellent care ]]> Thu, 15 May 2008 11:31:14 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=384084&title=home-births#384084 <![CDATA[Home births : good on you for wanting a homebirth...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=384020&title=home-births#384020 Author: Phat_Cat
Subject: 17162
Posted: 15 May 2008 at 10:43am

good on you for wanting a homebirth and if your not too far from hospital then theres really nothing to worry about. Good luck!!

I was induced with #1 so no homebirth there but I did labour with no painrelief for 6 hrs in the birthing pool and it was great. Unfortunitly contractions stopped so couldnt continue.

This time im going to birth at a birthing centre - would like to do home but DH not too keen and we are 1 1/2 hrs from the nearest hospital so probably not a wise choice...

]]> Thu, 15 May 2008 10:43:43 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=384020&title=home-births#384020 <![CDATA[Home births : MW is twink drayton - she&#039;s...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=383994&title=home-births#383994 Author: gypsynita
Subject: 17162
Posted: 15 May 2008 at 10:17am

MW is twink drayton - she's been fantastic so far I think the "second" she mentioned bringing in for a homebirth was a Sue... wonder if it's the same one? ]]> Thu, 15 May 2008 10:17:05 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=383994&title=home-births#383994 <![CDATA[Home births : Who&#039;s your mid-wife? I had...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=383858&title=home-births#383858 Author: Kellz
Subject: 17162
Posted: 15 May 2008 at 7:55am

Who's your mid-wife? I had Maggie Daddler for most of my pregnancy,..but then she left indep midwifery to become in charge at the maternity annex,..so then I had Bernie Sharp. Her partner Sue is great- Amber (baileyandastin) had her with Astin!]]> Thu, 15 May 2008 07:55:21 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=383858&title=home-births#383858 <![CDATA[Home births : I had an unplanned homebirth with...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=383850&title=home-births#383850 Author: jaz
Subject: 17162
Posted: 15 May 2008 at 7:45am

I had an unplanned homebirth with no.2 (labour was very short and ran out of time). It was great being in my home environment, very relaxing, and I slept much better than I would have in hospital. We were lucky that all went well. If I wasn't coping with the pain or things went wrong it would have been too bad though because I couldn't have coped with getting outside to an ambulance to go to hospital.

My midwife had a policy of not delivering in water as they've had an incident of the baby getting stuck and needing intervention (fortunately in hospital). ]]> Thu, 15 May 2008 07:45:06 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=383850&title=home-births#383850 <![CDATA[Home births : I love the idea of a homebirth...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=383213&title=home-births#383213 Author: caitlynsmygirl
Subject: 17162
Posted: 14 May 2008 at 1:03pm

I love the idea of a homebirth too, i didnt even think of one for Caitlyn , since i didnt get the epidural or any pain relief i wanted at the hospital i may as well have had her at home lol.
Next time i would like too, dunno how DP feels about that,too bad , hes not the one pushing the baby out his vajayjay....

Go with what you feel most comfortable with i say, my daughters stepmum had a home birth for her first and loved it :-) ]]> Wed, 14 May 2008 13:03:34 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=383213&title=home-births#383213 <![CDATA[Home births : Good luck to all you ladies who...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=382916&title=home-births#382916 Author: mum2paris
Subject: 17162
Posted: 14 May 2008 at 7:53am

Good luck to all you ladies who want a homebirth - i quite frankly could have had one with ayja, i really should have but was too chicken after i had a bleed moments after having paris.

The main thing to think about, apart from all the good stuff which obviously is very wonderful.... Is just how far you live from the hospital, anything more than half an hour is really not ideal, in terms that well, if things do go wrong (god forbid) you want to be able to get the best help as quick as you can.... and taking 30mins or more to get there can delay that help.

I am all for homebirths, as i say i would have loved to have one (mike freaked out at the idea...) but being in a NICU I have seen my fair share of the results of ones that have gone wrong unfortunately.. i definately don't want to scare, just saying if you are really out in the wop-wops ages from a hospital, then have a really good think, or really make sure your m/w is super duper experienced in home-births so that she can tell really early on if thing start going pear-shaped and can transfer you before things get to the point where it's urgent.]]> Wed, 14 May 2008 07:53:34 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=382916&title=home-births#382916 <![CDATA[Home births : Jadey wrote:my friend, who...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=382913&title=home-births#382913 Author: gypsynita
Subject: 17162
Posted: 14 May 2008 at 7:51am

Originally posted by Jadey Jadey wrote:

my friend, who has had 3 homebirths and 1 of those 10pd 11oz no water and no stiches


wow - that's pretty impressive!! My major concern is the pain issue but i guess it would be a bit naive to ignore everything that can go wrong. Hospital for us is only 15mins away so I'll keep an open mind and bundle myself into the car at the first sign of trouble! My MW has done quite a few homebirth/waterbirths and she said we'll have another MW there to help out, so I trust that they'll have everything in hand...

Thanks for the book recommendations Jadey (love an excuse to buy new books !). ]]> Wed, 14 May 2008 07:51:57 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=382913&title=home-births#382913 <![CDATA[Home births : I want a water birth this time....]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=382906&title=home-births#382906 Author: gemsmum
Subject: 17162
Posted: 14 May 2008 at 7:40am

I want a water birth this time. I laboured in a fairly deep bath last time but it wasn't big enough. The water was awesome though. I was going to have a homebirth with ds but my haemoglobin dropped too low so ended up in hospital. This time I plan to have bubs in hospital, hopefully a water birth, then get home ASAP!
Homebirths always look fantastic, so relaxed. Good luck to everyone, I hope you get the births you want!


]]> Wed, 14 May 2008 07:40:44 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=382906&title=home-births#382906 <![CDATA[Home births : Personally I take my hat off to...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=382873&title=home-births#382873 Author: cat007
Subject: 17162
Posted: 13 May 2008 at 11:03pm

Personally I take my hat off to any mum that has her first baby at home or a waterbirth. I have assisted with a homebirth and I would have loved to be at home but just cant face the thought of having to clean up afterwards - you go through an amazing amount of towels etc. A waterbirth scares me but the idea of being in a birthing pool during labour and then getting out to deliver really sounds tempting.

I decided after my waters had broken that I wanted to go to a maternity unit instead of hospital but as labour didnt progress enough I had to be in hospital to be induced. (FYI - maternity unit is only 1 hr 20mins away, and hospital is 3 1/2 hrs away from our house!)

This time I have no choice - hospital only as it is a higher-risk pregnancy with twins. I still might try a birthing pool during labour until I have to deliver - will see.]]> Tue, 13 May 2008 23:03:17 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=382873&title=home-births#382873 <![CDATA[Home births : I&#039;m pretty sure we have absolutely...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=382389&title=home-births#382389 Author: AliaDawn
Subject: 17162
Posted: 13 May 2008 at 5:07pm

I'm pretty sure we have absolutely NO birthing units in the area Helen Otherwise it is an option I would consider. You're lucky to have one near you!]]> Tue, 13 May 2008 17:07:36 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=382389&title=home-births#382389 <![CDATA[Home births : Lol at the poo comment, one of...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=382360&title=home-births#382360 Author: JPP
Subject: 17162
Posted: 13 May 2008 at 4:46pm

Lol at the poo comment, one of the first questions I asked about the waterbirth hehe, midwife said they just sift the crap out (literally and the other goopys) and put it in an icecream container with lid. I can recommend 2 books my friend, who has had 3 homebirths and 1 of those 10pd 11oz no water and no stiches gave me and a great magazine.
ActiveBirth by Janet Balaskas and HomeBirth by Sheila Kitzinger. The magazine is called TummyTalk and it is put out by Active Birth Taranaki
It's great cos it is written by mums and mw's who believe in the activebirth philosophy and has wonderful birth stories from women who not only have natural activebirths at home but those that choose to do the same at the hospital. In saying that it is easier to go to a maternity hospital than a public as the public health system has a 'checklist' that it likes to go through which often leads to a major cascade of intervention. My major piece of advice though is what is in big bold letters on top of my birthplan 'no matter how hard I try if baby needs out then he comes out even if its hospital'. I am aware that not all births go according to plan and hospitals do have their upsides hehe, baby needs to be out safely at the end of the day, but even if I were to go for a c/s I think I would feel more positive about it knowing that I tried the other way first without putting my boy at harm.]]> Tue, 13 May 2008 16:46:08 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=382360&title=home-births#382360 <![CDATA[Home births : I also had a very bad experience...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=382290&title=home-births#382290 Author: Helen21
Subject: 17162
Posted: 13 May 2008 at 3:49pm

I also had a very bad experience in a hospital with #1 and really didn't like the idea of going to one for #2, I thought about a home birth after watching a home birthing video but then I got really paranoid about something going wrong so we decided to go with a private birthing unit. It was a private room and we even had our own bathroom with a birthing pool. There was only my midwife and one other midwife running the clinic so there were no horrible over worked nurses like I had in the hospital.

I enjoyed being in the birthing pool during labour but I was told that some women feel the strong need to get out of the water as the baby is being delivered(half way out) which you can't do because the sudden change of tempt can panic the baby. Oh and the idea that if I pooed while pushing, would it just float around, yucky!

This is just what my midwife told me so it would be worth getting some books from the library so you understand the full process they have heaps there by the pregnancy books in most places.]]> Tue, 13 May 2008 15:49:31 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=382290&title=home-births#382290 <![CDATA[Home births : I absolutely couldn&#039;t stand...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=382261&title=home-births#382261 Author: AliaDawn
Subject: 17162
Posted: 13 May 2008 at 3:30pm

I absolutely couldn't stand hospital, would've loved a home birth for Seb (but wouldn't have gotten one even if I'd planned for it, ended up being induced for pre-eclampsia)

I guess it depends on your personality - if you don't mind being around strangers, can sleep through someone else's baby crying, wouldn't be fussed sharing a room, love being brought meals in bed, and having nurses there to help then go for the hospital birth.

If you like your privacy, would rather have your hubby/partner with you all that time (some hospitals won't let them stay - esp if you end up in a shared room, for me it was torture) can con someone else into bringing you meals in bed anyway () that actually taste like real food.

I'm sorry but for me, my idea of fun isn't having to spend the night away from my DF after one of the most major things that's ever happened to us, with bubs in the NICU, and nothing I would eat but cold toast and sharing a room with an asian lady (only point out her race because she had constant guests who talked loudly all visiting hours in a language I didn't even understand) I ended up not even sleeping, and just crying all night.]]> Tue, 13 May 2008 15:30:16 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=382261&title=home-births#382261 <![CDATA[Home births : thanks for the thoughts guys --...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=382184&title=home-births#382184 Author: gypsynita
Subject: 17162
Posted: 13 May 2008 at 2:24pm

thanks for the thoughts guys -- DH and I aren't particularly fond of hospitals in the first place, and until we moved down here I was planning on having bubs at waterford in hamilton - but a three hour drive is too far!!

Jadey - any books or resources you can recommend? I've had a look at the homebirth association website but feel like it's too one-sided . Can't wait to hear how yours goes!]]> Tue, 13 May 2008 14:24:02 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=382184&title=home-births#382184 <![CDATA[Home births : Heya, I&#039;m having a homebirth/waterbirth...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=382124&title=home-births#382124 Author: JPP
Subject: 17162
Posted: 13 May 2008 at 1:20pm

Heya, I'm having a homebirth/waterbirth this time around and I'm soooo excited and looking forward to it! The hospital is only down the road so if I need to transfer its no biggy. I firmly believe that your birthing is a personal choice and that you must do what is comfortable and feeling right for you or you'll 'tighten up' from anxiety. I know a couple of people who have done it for their first birth and everything went great, so don't let the fact that it's your first put you off, just be well informed about all the choices, read a lot about it if you can and go from there. Hope this helps a little ]]> Tue, 13 May 2008 13:20:18 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=382124&title=home-births#382124 <![CDATA[Home births : Homebirths personally aren&#039;t...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=382070&title=home-births#382070 Author: Maya
Subject: 17162
Posted: 13 May 2008 at 12:05pm

Homebirths personally aren't my thing, but my aunty has a home water birth using a hired birthing pool with her first and she said it was awesome. She planned the same for #2 and was gutted when he went too far over and had to be induced in hospital.]]> Tue, 13 May 2008 12:05:16 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=382070&title=home-births#382070 <![CDATA[Home births : My brother&#039;s girlfriend had...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=381947&title=home-births#381947 Author: Kim
Subject: 17162
Posted: 13 May 2008 at 10:18am

My brother's girlfriend had a home birth just last night. They had problems with the birthing pool - it had a leak that couldn't be fixed so had to get another one delivered urgently.

The labour and birth were fine but she ended up passing some blood clots so had to go to hospital to be checked out for that but she is fine now.]]> Tue, 13 May 2008 10:18:16 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=381947&title=home-births#381947 <![CDATA[Home births : My midwife asked me about having...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=381855&title=home-births#381855 Author: Shezamumof3
Subject: 17162
Posted: 13 May 2008 at 9:04am

My midwife asked me about having a home birth aswell. I think for my second baby I would be ok, but I said no for my first cos I dont know what labour will be like and how I will handle it, and Id feel better about it being in hospital.

But I think having a home birth would be lovely, being in your own enviroment and all, I say if you feel comfy with the idea then go for it, and like your midwife said, if you chicken out or anything goes wrong you can go straight to hospital.

Edited by Sheza]]> Tue, 13 May 2008 09:04:31 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=381855&title=home-births#381855 <![CDATA[Home births : Hiya I&#039;ve just been reading...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=381840&title=home-births#381840 Author: gypsynita
Subject: 17162
Posted: 13 May 2008 at 8:54am

Hiya I've just been reading feb's topic on water births and was wondering if anyone has had a water birth at home?? My MW has a birthing pool I can use and we also have a (not very big) bath, so wondering what people thought, if they would recommend it, any tips, etc ??

I'm a little nervous as it's our first, but MW says if anything goes wrong or I chicken out (LOL!!) we can always transfer to the hospital...

Any thoughts? ]]> Tue, 13 May 2008 08:54:32 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&PID=381840&title=home-births#381840