Considering home birth, anyone else?
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Category: Pregnant
Forum Name: Pregnancy
Forum Description: Pregnant! Wanting to chat to other mums-to-be (or dads-to-be)? Share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas... This is that place!
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Topic: Considering home birth, anyone else?
Posted By: Marama
Subject: Considering home birth, anyone else?
Date Posted: 27 June 2010 at 12:39pm
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hey there, we are considering a home birth for first baby and I'd love to chat with other women having / considering a HB or who have had one...
I can't seem to find another thread on here about HB, please correct me if I'm wrong! We were initially leaning towards hospital for first birth, but the more I read / research about home birth the more I love the idea....and we live 10 mins from hospital & our MW is extremely experienced & I really trust her judgement. No birthing unit in our area. any advice for a first-timer? ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com" rel="nofollow">  |
Replies:
Posted By: MumtoMany
Date Posted: 27 June 2010 at 2:40pm
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Have load's of meal's in the freezer. And make sure people are aware that you are planning a homebirth so you prefer not have people just pop over incase you are in labour.
If you feel safe at home go for it. Make sure you have loads of water if you can for your bath's/shower's in labour. Water realy does help. And just believe in your body 
Im trying to think of other thing's that may help you. ------------- DD 12 DS 9.5 DD 6 DS 4 DD 23 months and here comes number 6 http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  |
Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 27 June 2010 at 2:49pm
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Here you are (there are about 15 threads in total, here are the longer ones) ... http://www.ohbaby.co.nz/Forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=32639&KW=%22home+birth%22 - HB1 , http://www.ohbaby.co.nz/Forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=31618&KW=%22home+birth%22 - HB2 , http://www.ohbaby.co.nz/Forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17977&KW=%22home+birth%22 - HB3 http://www.ohbaby.co.nz/Forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17162&KW=%22home+birth%22 - , HB4 ------------- Mum to two wee boys |
Posted By: mummyto3sons
Date Posted: 27 June 2010 at 2:52pm
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I have had a home birth for my second baby, first baby i had to be induced, Noah was WAY to comfortable in Mummy's tummy and I went 2 weeks overdue.
I am planning another home birth with this little one, due 26th November. My Home Birth with Taine was a wonderful expereince 6 hour labour 11lb 3 oz baby it's so nice giving birth and being in your own surroundings Trust your body, and if you have any trouble you are not far from a hospital :) Not all people like the thought of a Home Birth but my Home Birth was great Good Luck, see you on the November thread, if you have any questions please ask, I will be happy to answar what i can Kirsty :) |
Posted By: MumtoMany
Date Posted: 27 June 2010 at 3:04pm
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Oh i also forgot to say your house will need to be realy warm for when baby is born. Then you can let it cool down alittle. ------------- DD 12 DS 9.5 DD 6 DS 4 DD 23 months and here comes number 6 http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 27 June 2010 at 3:10pm
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Also, there are a number of stories and lots of info on http://www.homebirth.org.nz/ - Home Birth Aotearoa ------------- Mum to two wee boys |
Posted By: fadeless
Date Posted: 27 June 2010 at 4:01pm
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I have had 2 homebirths and am planning my 3rd, due in 5wks time. The best thing i found is a good support network, i had DP, my Mum and Mother in law at my first homebirth (my Mum wasnt at my next one) and they were wonderful with helping out. The best pain relief i have found is hot towels, they are fantastic on your back during a contraction. If you have any questions you can PM if you like. ------------- DD 9 ~ DD 8 ~ DS 7 ~ DS 5 ~ DS 2 ~ DS 14mths ~ DD 3mths |
Posted By: Marama
Date Posted: 27 June 2010 at 5:39pm
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Awesome thanks ladies!
I have done some reading and checked out HB Aotearoa but the Wgtn network seems pretty quiet, no meet ups or antenatal classes, so its great to hear from women who have been through it... our hot water tank is not huge so I imagine we'll need to get the fire going to heat water for the pool, and also keep the room warm, as you say Mummyof2 the amount of mess to clean up puts me off a little but I guess that is what the support team is for (family etc) ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: Marama
Date Posted: 27 June 2010 at 5:42pm
and thanks for the threads Flissty, working my way through them now  ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: themummy
Date Posted: 27 June 2010 at 5:46pm
| hehe the cleaning up would definitely make me rethink :P |
Posted By: mummyto3sons
Date Posted: 27 June 2010 at 7:12pm
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Clean up isn't bad at all my MW and DH had it cleaned up even before I realised :)
Yes I agree a warm house/room is a must, and I agree with the hot towels, also wearing socks and heated wheat sacks are great :) |
Posted By: MumtoMany
Date Posted: 27 June 2010 at 10:07pm
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We didnt need to do any clean up. The midwife brought everything and they cleaned it and took it away again. The only thing i used was a couple of towels of our's for my shower. Also had babies clothing warming infront of the fire. ------------- DD 12 DS 9.5 DD 6 DS 4 DD 23 months and here comes number 6 http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: amme_eilyk
Date Posted: 28 June 2010 at 8:43am
| I was originally wanting a hospital birth but the idea of a water birth at home is growing on me. My parents have a large spa bath and live 5 minutes from the hospital, so I would be looking at doing it at their place. I'm just not sure on the safety of the whole thing. |
Posted By: Madiandmini
Date Posted: 28 June 2010 at 9:42am
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I too am seriously considering homebirth, even dragging DF to MW this Friday so he can get some good ideas etc about the way it works at home vs Hosp.
DD was a induced hospital birth, so hopefully there won't be another induction needed or I will be sent up to base hosp, which is an hour way  !
But your best bet would be to chat to your MW, they usually have heapsa info about it, especially if its something they're really into ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: gypsynita
Date Posted: 28 June 2010 at 7:28pm
we had hardly any clean-up. MW supplied the pool and all the bits and pieces, as well as those super thirsty soaker mat things that were basically just placed wherever i was - on the couch, floor, etc... so no mess! DH emptied the pool before I got out of the shower so basically 20 minutes after giving birth i was relaxing on the couch with my baby and house looked quite normal! it was awesome 
tbh after hearing some stories of people who have had hospital births - i feel (and so does DH) safer at home... ------------- Anita Mum to Cian (Aug 08), Josh (Jun 10) http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: T_Rex
Date Posted: 29 June 2010 at 10:35am
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I tried for a homebirth for my first, but DD disagreed and we ended up doing an emergency transfer and eventually a vonteuse delivery. That said, I'm pretty sure I'll be having a homebirth next time. By staying home it meant the first 20-something hours were pretty good, whereas if we'd started in hosp, I think we'd have had a lot more nasty stuff. My birth story is in Weegee's VBAC thread if you are interested.
Ultimately, the best place to birth is where you feel safest. For me that was home, but it's not for everyone. And you can always transfer if you need or want to. Also, I chose not to talk to many people about it IRL. They were full of negativity and scaremongering. I wasn't interested in all that. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: AzzaNZ
Date Posted: 01 July 2010 at 8:58pm
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We'll be giving it a try for a VBAC this time round... will let you know how it goes ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
http://intermittentblogger.wordpress.com |
Posted By: newme
Date Posted: 02 July 2010 at 11:18am
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I am due Nov 27th, and planning a home VBAC. My midwife is totally onboard, DH is starting to come around and I am feeling so much better about the birth now.
I have a few concerns - we live in the country, about 45 min drive to the hospital, and it is a VBAC, but the plan is to just stay at home and then if needs be go to the hospital if certain things arise - scar pain, failure to progress etc. I am planning a waterbirth. We are not telling our family, and most of our friends however, as they are mostly uneducated on homebirth and will just try and scare me out of it (or annoy me with their wrong information!) |
Posted By: AzzaNZ
Date Posted: 02 July 2010 at 11:23am
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Sounds like we're in a similar position Hila. Although the hospital for us is really close which tends to stop most people giving an opinion (besides my mum!) ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
http://intermittentblogger.wordpress.com |
Posted By: Madiandmini
Date Posted: 02 July 2010 at 1:22pm
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I've got my midwife at four PM today, taking DF in to talk about homebirth etc.
We are an hour away from Taranaki base hospital, but only 10mins from Hawera hosp, although they don't offer anything other than a birthing unit really.. My birth plan goes along the same lines as you Hila1, I intend to stay home but am happy to o to Hosp if neccessary. And also am avoiding telling people due to their lack of knowledge on the subject!! I am however taking a huge gamble here as bubs has to be overdue so DF can be here with me during the labour & birth. He is away over the due date!!  ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: kakapo
Date Posted: 02 July 2010 at 9:07pm
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Wellington Home Birth Association have a meeting coming up on 15th July - check out their http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=121135894337&v=wall - Facebook page for details. My second child was born at home. We live 45 minutes from hospital but I felt perfectly safe at home. It was definitely more relaxing and less stressful than the hospital birth I'd had previously. And quicker - only 4 hrs of active labour! |
Posted By: Marama
Date Posted: 03 July 2010 at 9:58am
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Thank you Kakapo, that is very helpful! I am really wanting to meet other HB parents or those considering HB! Have joined the FB page and look forward to meetings... ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 03 July 2010 at 10:48am
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I had a home waterbirth in January for my 2nd baby. I totally recommend it. I felt safer at home than at the hospital TBH. My labour was longer this time due to his heads position ( chin up not tucked under) but my midwives were awesome and got me doing lunges to make him drop his head. I'm fairly certain if I'd been in hospital there would have some sort of intervention.
Make sure you have a couple of electric jugs and big pots for boiling water if you run out of hot. I think they put baby's clothes in the dryer. There is never as much mess as people think. DH empited the pool I think there was a load of towels and thats it. And you get to use your own shower and own bed I definitly felt much more empowered and relaxed after my homebirth. |
Posted By: kakapo
Date Posted: 03 July 2010 at 2:19pm
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No worries greeniemum. Jessica and Emily are just lovely - I'm sure you'll enjoy meeting them and the other members |
Posted By: MumtoMany
Date Posted: 03 July 2010 at 2:55pm
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Yay Azza good on you for giving home birth a try hun. So excited for you hun. I have heard of a few ppl have csections for there first and then go on to birth at home for there second and thing's went alot better due to them feeling rather safe at home.
Im am still on the fence about having another homebirth or not. Only for the lack of suport i am going to have once baby is here. ------------- DD 12 DS 9.5 DD 6 DS 4 DD 23 months and here comes number 6 http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: rachelsea
Date Posted: 30 August 2010 at 1:35pm
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Hi greeniemum I'm in Lower Hutt too and planning a homebirth this time (just found out I'm pregnant yesterday so a wee while to go yet!).
I like the look of the facebook page but won't join at the mo as I'm not ready to let all my FB friends know about the pregnancy just yet
We live 5mins drive from Hutt Hospital, and had our daughter there. I had a good birth with her, but didn't really enjoy being in the post natal ward with different MWs doing things so differently, and people coming in and out of the room all the time, so DH and I are both very keen for a homebirth this time, am looking forward to it ------------- DD 4yrs DS 2yrs http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: High9
Date Posted: 30 August 2010 at 6:01pm
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OMG! Rachel congrats!! Will be keen to hear how the home birth goes as I am V keen for #2 to be a homebirth! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: happymumma
Date Posted: 06 September 2010 at 8:01pm
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I had an unexpected homebirth with my first baby and it was pretty great really. Having said that, I had a straightforward, eight labour labour. Because it was unplanned the midwife just turned up and used the resources we had on hand - towels, heater, jugs etc. Although I wasn't exactly focussed on it, there didn't seem to be much clean up afterwards - although my mother can tell you that it took 14 towels (or thereabouts!) as she is the one who took them home to wash afterwards! With the second baby I was in hospital (my choice as personally I like knowing that any staff or equipment is just down the hallway if you need it). Labour was an hour in total and she was born about 6 minutes after getting there so to be honest it really made very little difference where we were because it was so quick. I'm pretty comfortable in the hospital setting so it has never really bothered me whether I laboured / gave birth at home or in hospital though I was lucky in that neither labour was particularly long. Both were great experiences. My advice re a home birth is: - have a MW you absolutely trust and who you believe will transfer you to hospital at the first signs of any difficulty. - have lots of towels and at least one room that you can warm to the appropriate temperature!! - have a support person there for afterwards (unless your MW will do it) - it was great to have mum there to make me scrambled eggs and milo as I was starving after all that hard work. - read up on accupressure and other options for pain relief - there is a really great book 'Ina May's Guide to Childbirth'. I found some of the ideas too much for me but there were others which got me through the first time round. Just a really nice way of thinking that promotes the bodys natural ability to cope with labour. - line up people to bring food, help with housework etc because it's not the same as being tucked away in a hospital ward somewhere - life just continues and it's much easier if you do have people just turning up with food etc for a wee while.
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Posted By: Marama
Date Posted: 07 September 2010 at 11:11am
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Congrats Rachel!!!
Thanks for the Happymumma, good advice. Yep I have just started the Ina May Gaskin book & its good! We have a very experienced midwife and I trust her judgement. My parents live nearby and will be on hand for food, housework etc for first wee while. I haven't decided if i will ask my mum to be at the birth or not - part of me doesn't want too many people around (there will already be 2 midwives & a trainee as well as me & DP) but i see your point that it's handy to have someone else to cook food, give DP a break etc. And it would mean a lot to her... and we have just had advice from a builder that the floor of our upstairs flat will be able to support the weight of the birthpool we are hiring - that has been worrying me for a while!  ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: happymumma
Date Posted: 07 September 2010 at 1:17pm
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I would never have asked my mother to be there but the MW arrived at about 2.30am (after I finally convinced them that I was actually in real labour) and said that it was pretty much too late to go in to the hospital so it kind of felt right to phone her and see if she wanted to come over! I think it meant a huge amount to her - and she ended up being there for the birth of my second as well (so did my sister) because DD was in such a hurry. It was kind of neat to have them there in a way. You will know once you are in labour what is right for you so you could always leave the decision about who is there until you are actually in labour. I found that I kind of went in to my own head space so it didn't matter how many people were there or who they were - we just chatted between contractions really. With DD because there was the potential for it to become an emergency there was suddenly a whole swarm of hospital staff as she came out! I have no idea how many but they were definitely there!! I couldn't have cared less - trackpants around my ankles, standing next to the loo - you may find you feel the same. In any case, a home birth is pretty neat really if it all goes smoothly. Sounds like you are thinking about all the right things. |
Posted By: 4thtymlucky
Date Posted: 11 September 2010 at 9:43pm
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Congrats and yippee for considering a HB. I had an HBA2C on Xmas morning last year and I'm planning another one for this bubs too. My mum was more anxious than anyone else so make sure your birth team understand your rules..hehehe...I had told mum that she was to pray and read the bible as I wanted spiritual covering/blessing for the home and the birth and while she did do that she also cried..a lot (when I was in third transition) and made my mw worry about her as well (thanks to her facials..lol) but my younger sister and SIL were fantastic, looked after me very well..hubby was reluctant to hop in the pool (we had a waterbirth) but eventually did so after I growled "get in the pool" in my incredible hulk voice..lol..it was good that my girls were there to witness this amazing event and I was and am still grateful that my mw gave me the chance. All the best in your preparations. You will love it
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Posted By: Spacette
Date Posted: 13 September 2010 at 9:21pm
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I'm keen to try HB for our first...just need to find a home by Feb ;-) Not so keen to have one in the current shared flat! Should be ok though, we'll look around in Nov. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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