Question for moms who have had homebirths

Sonja - posted on 06/11/2010

I had a great homebirth with my last child (one year ago) and hope to have another one in the future. It is so relaxing and calming to be in your own home around the people and things that you love. I was really nervous too...it it went very well. To get prepared we purchased our birth kit and didn't even open it until the midwife got here, just make sure you have your favorite foods around, and since we don't have a TV in the bedroom, my husband set up Netflix on his laptop so that I could lay in bed and nurse and watch movies during my recovery.

Allison - posted on 06/11/2010

PS Forgot to answer your question about preparing - Our midwife helped us prepare. She had a sheet of supplies we needed, and we also took a home-birth class - but I don't think the birth class was that helpful. And I asked her lots of questions and looked up tons of stuff online. I also had OB care for the first 7 months, with a couple ultrasounds. That was everything we did to prepare. I think the most important thing is to choose a good midwife - we interviewed 4 to find the one with the most experience who we trusted and felt most comfortable with. I know people who have had bad midwives - just as people often have bad doctors or nurses or other care providers - so definitely look around and do your research :)

Allison - posted on 06/11/2010

YES! I had a BEAUTIFUL home birth.



My 9 lb. 7 oz. sweetie was born (2.5 weeks OVER due!) in our bedroom April 2007, healthy and strong as can be :) My water broke 26 hours before active labor started, so I was very careful and had NO internal exams after that. Midwife came over as soon as my active labor started, and stayed by my side the whole time. I was able to sit in the dark rocking in my chair or in the bathtub for my 12 hour active labor. Was SOOOO peaceful and calm, which made the pain totally bearable. Midwife checked my BP, heatrate, baby heartrate and movement regularly, and kept a very close eye on us EVERY minute (something you could never expect from an OB) - but only did internal checks on my progress when I requested it. I could move around and eat or drink as I needed.



After 1.5 hours of pushing - at MY lead and discretion - squatting on the floor with my mom holding me, I caught my son with my midwife's help, and held him for the first hour after he was born.



Just to add, in case you are worried about complications - I had severe post-partum complications (class IV hemmorhage), but my midwife knew EXACTLY what to do. And I was able to hold my son to my breast even while she worked on me - something they would never allow in the hospital, I think. After that, I had to transfer to the hospital by ambulance for surgical care and treatment - but the home-care was SUPERB and I would not change a thing :) And my baby did not have to be admitted to the hospital - he got to stay with me as a "visitor" :) Our midwife handled most of his care and then we took him to our pediatrician for a full check-up shortly after.



Also, for worries like cord wrapped around the neck, not breathing, etc - cord around the neck is REALLY common (like 30% of babies, I think?). My son's was wrapped a couple times around his, but the midwife just slipped it right off of there, no prob. Also, my friend's baby was born not breathing, but the (same) midwife used oxygen to get her breathing. After all my experiences, I would always use a trusted and experienced midwife and not do unassisted homebirth. Also, I would highly recommend that you are within a 20-30 minute drive of a hospital, and check how they handle homebirth transfers - my transfer would have been much smoother had we known the local hospital politics :) Studies show that with the care of certified professional midwives, homebirth is as safe as hospital birth (see large, comprehensive scientific study here: http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/330/...).



Sending positive vibes your way :) Hope you have a safe, healthy and beautiful birth!

Rhonda - posted on 06/11/2010

I had a wonderful home birth with my third. I would say to relax and trust the process, your body knows what to do. Remember that very few births have emergency complications so statistics are on your side. Make sure that your mind is in tune with your body. Do not let fear overcome your body! I went into labor at midnight and my 9 lb 11oz boy was born at 2:05 am. Husband had to catch, the midwife didn't make it in time, but made it for the placenta delivery, husband was happy about that. My firefighter son loves to tell everyone that he was born at home. Prayers going up for you and have a wonderful birth! You will not regret it!