Home Birth Anyone?

olivenaturals wrote: Hi All,

I'm new here! I am pregnant with my second and planning a home birth. I am super excited! My first birth was smooth and a great experience, primarily bc the doctor ignored us untill I was ready to push!
I have read a lot and my midwife is wonderful but I am looking for any real Mum advice! Anyone who has home birth stories, advice or tips!

Thanks!
Olivia

kimberley replied: well i havent done it yet but plan to. i am due dec 21 with my 4th. i am thinking about water birth also. did you go natural with your first? if so, then you'll be fine. i am really excited about being in the comfort of my own home with my kids and family close by during birth.

MomToMany replied: Hello! Welcome!

I haven't had a homebirth, but am seriously considering it with the next one. I'd love to experience it. We have a very large whirlpool tub that would be perfect for a home water birth!

Boys r us replied: Congrats on your pregnancy!!! I hope all goes smoothly for you!

I've never experienced homebirth and likely never will unless I get caught off gaurd with a really speedy delivery and can't make it to the hospital. While the thought of a home birth really appeals to me, I think it would be great for me..it's something I've given a lot of thought to doing, I couldn't do it for my baby. Especially not after the two deliveries that I've had. My first child I had severe complications that I nearly died from, my 2nd child, my baby almost died from loss of oxygen due to the cord being wrapped around his neck a few times. I just don't think I could ever forgive myself if something went really wrong and being in a hospital with machines and Dr's would have made a difference.
Sorry..I didn't mean to go off on a tangent and I'm REALLY not trying to influence your own very personal decision. Congrats again on your baby and I'm sure everything will be great!

kimberley replied: everyone's experience is different.

i have no history of complications *except when dr's intervened unnecessarily!* and at one time considered midwifery as a career so i know how extensive their training is here. (5yrs FT - 2 in class, 3 practical and class). more than most docs i've been to because they are always up on the latest birth stats/info. i honestly feel safer with a midwife. they are trained to foresee and deal quickly with any possible complications and do not just allow anyone to birth at home. like any medical procedure, you must be a candidate for it to qualify. the risk for me is no greater birthing here than it is in a hospital. funny how most countries in the world (except us/canada) swear by midwives and don't rely on hospitals but we almost feel a need for intervention here. interesting.

PrairieMom replied: I don't think that home birth is for me. Here is my question, who cleans up the mess?

moped replied: A home birth isn't for me - but I am soooo pumped to hear Kimberly's birth story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't wait!

kimberley replied:
we do but it is an easy clean up. you make your bed as normal then get a waterproof/rubber sheet or shower curtain. put an old fitted sheet over that and pin it down. they bring blue pads, gauze etc. there will be plenty of garbage bags nearby. once delivery is over, all goes in a garbage bag and in the garage and you have a fresh clean bed ready under the rubber sheet. the placenta is frozen then either buried or thrown out on garbage day.

PrairieMom replied: When I delivered I bled all over the floor in the delivery room when I stood up and all over in the bathroom, do you put plastic down on the carpet too?

JAYMESMOM replied: Just a note for those who do homebirth- you CANNOT throw the placenta in the garbage or the other stuff that has blood, etc. on it. IT IS HAZARDOUS WASTE - according to the government. It must be disposed of as medical hazardous waste. You may want to check with your city if they have a drop off. You could be charged with dumping hazardous waste.

BTW - I tried to have a homebirth with Jayme but the midwife that had been excellent for my friends turned out not to be so EXCELLENT. She didnt come for over 15 hours and I was only at 1 cenimeter. Had she been there sooner we could have tried herbals to prevent it.

I would consider very closely your options. If you end up in the hospital due to an emergency you will get the hospital obgyn who will probably be a resident. You will always be required to labor under their supervision before they decide what else to do - That is why I ended up in labor 31 hours. THey had to see for themselves I wouldn't progress.

ALso make sure you know what type of backup the midwife has just in case she has another birth. Also most insurances won't pay for a midwife so be prepared to pay in advance the costs. Also if you end up at the hospital usually nothing is refunded.

holley79 replied: This is all interesting. I can't wait to hear your birthing story. I have an awesome OB that will be there when I give birth. A lot of the other doctors in our area are NOT there when it comes to delivery. You are just stuck with whoever is on call. I'm happy to have my OB.

I hope that you have a wonderful experience. I'm a big baby and this is my first. Maybe if this wasn't and I knew I had someone I could trust then I might consider it.

As for the Hazardous Materials. Anyone that is considering home birth, defiantly make sure you know about disposal. You will get a huge fine from you city/ county for improper disposal.

kimberley replied: dont forget, i am in canada (toronto) and things are a lot different up here midwives are covered by our health insurance.

and you CAN throw the placenta in the trash in my city as long as it isn't put out before morning of garbage pick up and has been frozen solid. i am due dec 21 and it will prolly stay frozen solid for a long time lol.

i have a team of midwives assigned to my case.. not just one, so someone not showing up will not be an issue. there are 8 midwives in the practice and one lives 5 minutes from me so i am not concerned about that. i have met 4 already.

also, in toronto, you almost NEVER get your OB delivering your baby. they don't come in for their patient like they do in the US. if they are on call when you deliver or you have a scheduled c-sec.. then you will. otherwise you get whoever is on call at the hospital.. likely someone you have never met before seeing as at least 30 OB's practice out of one hospital here. and your chances of an intern are high since we have many teaching hospitals.

the midwives here have high standards put on them. they are required by law to turn over any med-high risk case to an OB and home birth is not an option. they are extensively trained to recognize emergency situations and get the patient to a hospital immediately. i am in a big city... ambulance takes maybe 5 minutes to get here and hospital is less than 5 minutes from my house. i have done my homework and this is a safe option for me.

as for blood on the floor, i am not sure how that would happen unless you mean when the waters break and you just wear the blue pads in disposable undies to keep most of the mess in. i have hardwoods so it isn't an issue for me. if i did, i would likely put plastic drop clothes down to catch any drips.

JAYMESMOM replied: Being you are from Canada it does put a different persepective on things. It is very regulated over there compared to here. Anyone - perse - could be a midwife if they work on their own. If they work in a drs office are they ahve to be a certified nurse midwife but are not able to deliver at most hospitals. The one near me where they do I wouldn't take my dog to. I hope it all works for you as that is what I had my heart set on but my duaghter thought otherwise. Good luck and the best and can't wait to hear your birth story.

holley79 replied: Kimberly,

Sounds wonderful. I wish things were that smooth here. Like I said I got very lucky with my OB. I have been to L&D (that was a scary night) floor and it is very well set up. I couldn't believe how comfortable it is in there. There isn't a limit as to how many people can be in your room. The only time it's just you and a team is if there are complications. Midwivery here doesn't seem to be very good. Is this your first home birth, I saw that you are already "jugglin" three.

kimberley replied: lol yes it will be my first home birth. the other 3 were born in the same hospital downtown. i just had a really bad experience with Jade's birth and seeing as this will probably be my last baby, i really want to experience it at home with family and be in control of my labor and delivery. i feel very fortunate to live in a place where the standards of midwifery care are so superior and are available to me.

MyLuvBugs replied: I would LOVE to do a home birth in the tub. But b/c of all my medical issues (asthma, insulin resistance, heart murmur) it's not recommended that I do that.
I'm so envious that you can do that. Good luck sweetie. I really hope it's the most wonderful experience for you.

baileygirl replied: I had a home birth for all my girls! I wish you the best luck with your pg!
~Allison

Kay Bear's Mommy replied: Homebirth is not for us...but good luck to you and everyone else that is planning a homebirth!