HT: Home birth
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Topic: HT: Home birth
Posted By: Renata85
Subject: HT: Home birth
Date Posted: 25 October 2011 at 10:15am
| Have you had a home birth? Are you planning to have one? What sort of birth did you choose? |
Replies:
Posted By: rachelsea
Date Posted: 25 October 2011 at 12:34pm
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Yes I had a homebirth for my son 5.5months ago - was great being able to snuggle up in our own bed after he was born and no one had to get kicked out once visiting hours were over lol. Would definitely choose another home birth if we had any more kids (not that we're planning to have anymore). ------------- DD 4yrs DS 2yrs http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 25 October 2011 at 12:52pm
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I know a few people who have, but no, not for me. I just have no desire to - the points that appeal to other people don't hold any real appeal to me at all.
On the other hand, I have no issue with assisted home births; I think things are most likely to go best when you're most relaxed and comfortable. -------------   
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Posted By: Plushie
Date Posted: 25 October 2011 at 1:29pm
| My next will be a home birth. I wanted one for number 1 but was induced + low lying placenta so hospital seemed the place to be. My only concern is that I tore badly with ds and needed a significant stitch up job by an ob and would hate having the same thing happen and have to hospital in afterwards. Light shed on that situation appreciated! |
Posted By: spec
Date Posted: 25 October 2011 at 1:34pm
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I tried for a home birth with my 1st, but ended up at the hospital (2.5 hours away)as he didn't descend and a 3rd degree tear. For my 2nd it was a hard choice but we decided to go for home again. I new what to expect and the labour went well and so fast at the end our midwife didn't make it on time. My partner delivered (caught) her like an expert and she breathed right away, thankfully. our son got up a couple of hours later and seemed not at all surprised to see his baby sister.
I remember thinking how lucky I was to be eating fruit salad for breakfast on our comfy couch that same morning with my little girl beside me. |
Posted By: spec
Date Posted: 25 October 2011 at 3:25pm
I also had a bad tear (3rd deg) in hospital and researched on web, with midwife etc on secondary tear risk. I came to the conclusion there was no extra risk so decided on home birth. My 2nd baby was smaller (8pd 12 as opposed to 9pd 9) but I do believe being at home and in a better birthing position (on knees as opposed to back after an epidural) contributed to having just a tiny tear requiring a couple of stitches which the midwife did at home. Good luck with your decision and birth! |
Bowie wrote:Posted By: Looey85
Date Posted: 25 October 2011 at 6:08pm
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I'm planning a homebirth :)
Having been a student midwife, I feel that this option is best for me and my baby. The research speaks for itself 
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Posted By: pudgy
Date Posted: 25 October 2011 at 6:48pm
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I had a homebirth with ds. Best thing ever. The worst part of dd laboir was the trip to hospital. It was nice to be at home . Much more relaxing and really just better overall.
We had a pool set up and he was born in the water. I totally recommend it. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: nannikin
Date Posted: 25 October 2011 at 7:03pm
i would love to have a homebirth but DH is just not keen  i can understand where he is coming from though. hopefully if we have a "straightforward" birth this time around we will be able to go for homebirth when we have #2------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: rachelsea
Date Posted: 25 October 2011 at 9:06pm
I guess it would depend on how badly you tear and how experienced the MW is. I had a 2nd degree tear (due to DS coming out bum-first and my MW having to pull his head out - sounds worse than it was lol) and my MW just stitched it up herself while I lay on the couch. Luckily for me I had a very experienced MW! ------------- DD 4yrs DS 2yrs http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: jazzy
Date Posted: 26 October 2011 at 6:46am
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I never considered a home birth for my first baby & I think that was down to working at the hospital & knowing the ins & outs. The birth was a very difficult & the midwife ending up needing a team of doctors to help out & deliver, not something she was happy about but DH made her get help. Had I of gone for a home birth I would of ended up in real trouble. After that the hospital classed me as high risk & home births were not options.
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Posted By: High9
Date Posted: 26 October 2011 at 11:36am
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With my first I never considered a homebirth but immediately after having my daughter I did for the next and that is still the plan. However, at the end of the day I just want to go with the flow because the main thing is a happy and healthy baby.
A mojor point that made me decide I wanted a homebirth was basically just the way my partner and I were treated in hospital after the birth where he was pretty much made to feel not welcome by the staff. For us it's important that it's my partner and I and our baby... As a result of being asked to leave constantly etc he found it difficult to bond with our baby for a long time. I'm not opposed to a hospital birth but would want to leave asap afterwards but I want what is going to be best for us. But at the end of the day we'll see. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Babe
Date Posted: 26 October 2011 at 1:45pm
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I had both the boys in hospital. I came home straight after DS2 was born and when I got this BFP I considered a homebirth though more because of where we live and my options at the hospital. I'm not going to do it though, I'm actually headin back up north to a hospital I feel comfortable in to have #3.
I think HB can be a great option but I do think that people really need to use their commonsense as to whether its the best thing for them or not, and not just do it coz they want a particular birth experience or coz its the latest fad (I know its not a new way of having babies but its a fad in current society). I was really bothered when my MW said I'd be able to have a HB no problems and the reason I had issues with my last 2 births was most likely coz I was in hospital. That wasn't the reason at all and because it IS my 3rd baby I'm alot more aware of what could go wrong because of how *I* labour so having a MW that was so blase about the whole thing wasn't particularly confidence-inspiring. In saying that if I was certain that I wouldn't run into the same issues as with the boys then an assisted HB would be at the top of my considering list with this baby. -------------   
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Posted By: yermasyada
Date Posted: 26 October 2011 at 2:18pm
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I had a home birth and it was a fabulously empowering experience. I never once considered going to the hospital to give birth, but obviously it was something I had to keep at the back of my mind, in case of an emergency. We don't live very far from the hospital though, so I was never worried.
As it turned out, I would have had a home birth whether I wanted one or not, as my 9lb 3oz boy was determine to make a speedy entrance to the world 
I also hypnobirthed, which enabled me to have a very peaceful birthing experience. My MW was extremely supportive in this. Babe, I'm not sure I agree with your choice of words. I wouldn't describe home births as a "fad". I think more people are considering them in todays society, but as you pointed out, they're nothing new and people have *always* been giving birth at home. People aren't just going to stop having home births as the "fad" wears off. I'm not sure what peoples main fears with home birth are. I'm guessing what would happen in an emergency? I think a lot of women who choose to go to hospital, end up having unnecessary interventions which lead to further problems and medical treatment, c-sections etc. There seems a bit of an obsession amongst medical staff that babies *have* to be born at 40 weeks and if you're 'late' then you need assistance. Obviously, lots of mothers have extremely positive experiences of giving birth in hospital and for a lot of people, a hospital is always going to be their first choice. I think there's a misconception with home births that there is a lot of 'mess'. I can only speak from my own personal experience, but this was certainly not the case. If you'd like to know anything else... just shout 
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Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 26 October 2011 at 2:42pm
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In my case, there’s no particular ‘fear’ of a home birth rather than totally zero desire to when I’ve got a brilliant birthing centre all set up for having babies just down the road. I did want as little intervention as possible, which is one of the reasons I preferred the birthing centre to the hospital. I wouldn’t have considered the birthing centre especially safer, since the only advantage it has in that respect is that there’s always more than one midwife handy to help or give a second opinion. I just felt more comfortable there – being purpose-built they have awesome pools/baths/showers (ours ran out of hot water) and lots of those things that you *might* want but I wasn’t rushing out to stock the house up on like swiss balls etc.
And in my case, there definitely was mess… lots of blood and meconium all over the bed and floor and a big blood trail to the shower that I’d just rather not have on my carpet! Of course, I did tear a bit, I know not everyone does. But none of that’s any reason for someone else not to have a home birth – it’s just why it’s not for me. I know a lot of people get kind of weird about them, but they seem a perfectly sensible option to me if that’s where you feel most comfortable. -------------
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Posted By: Babe
Date Posted: 26 October 2011 at 2:48pm
The whole 'natural' way of doing things is very popular at the moment - extended BFing, co-sleeping, home birthing. Yeah people have done them for countless years but I mean people have been circumcising for countless years yet its currently 'out-of-fad' with a big surge of people against it. At this point in time its the 'in thing' in many circles to go au natural with your baby right from day dot and the keeping up with the jones/coffee group girls could result in people who actually need intervention making the decision to have a HB. If that happens because of the current popularity and things go wrong then its going to give HBing a bad name the same as people who co-sleep without using commonsense and kill their babies give co-sleeping a bad name. I'm not against HB though, I think its a great option if its done safely  -------------
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Posted By: boys.boys.boys.boys
Date Posted: 26 October 2011 at 6:23pm
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^ ^ Totally agree! Same with baby-wearing, cloth-nappies etc etc. Again, not saying it is a bad fad, but it does seem to be the fashionable way to do things!!
And I utterly agree Hopes, I cannot fathom why the amount of mess that was at both of my births at the hospital & birth centre is suddenly going to decrease with being at home!! And man was there mess, I was utterly pleased to not have to clean/wash any of the bed/floors/wall of blood!!! In saying all that, there is something that for me, is vaguely apealing in a HB, dont know why exactly though and I probably never would, would be worried about some visitor/trades/sale person turning up!!!! ------------- 4 boys!! 7 years, 5 years, 2 years and 8 weeks... |
Posted By: CrazyCass
Date Posted: 26 October 2011 at 7:14pm
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I'm planning a home birth with my first (any day now would be nice )
We dont have a birthing centre option, only home or hospital. I just like the idea of being in 'my own space' - I'm not a massive fan of hospitals. And I've been lucky to have a worry free pregnancy... And I like the idea of sleeping in my own bed straight away, and DH & I working out our own methods straight away rather than having hospital MW's giving conflicting information and confusing us 
Having said that I completly understand people's preference to birth at the hospital, everyone has their own comforts and that is what is important. But dont you get SICK & TIRED of people trying to argue with you that home births are dangerous  ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: jaz
Date Posted: 26 October 2011 at 7:53pm
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I had an unplanned home birth with my second and it was great. I loved being able to jump into my own bed straight away and snuggle up to my little boy. I was far more relaxed during the birth and in the weeks and months afterwards. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: T_Rex
Date Posted: 26 October 2011 at 8:15pm
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I should have taken a pic of my birthspace once the mw's were done - but seeing as it was just my regular tidy family room, there seemed little point! The hospital provides a linen pack that the MWs used to cover the couch and the floor around the pool and they packed it all up again afterwards. I waterbirthed so most of the gunk was in the pool which we syphoned into the paddock by the house. The MW's have those disposable absorbent pads they put under you for internals etc. I guess my point is that no it doesn't reduce the mess by having a homebirth, but that it isn't anymore your problem than it was in hospital.
My options were home or hospital, no birth centre here. And given HB MWs have more safety equipment than most birth centres, I couldn't see the reason to leave home to a birth centre. To hospital if there was medical indication, sure, but otherwise, it didnt seem worth the agony of the drive (i'm rural so its a decent trip to town). I loved birthing on my terms, and I loved how normal it all was. I just got up one morning (albeit a little earlier than usual ), had a baby, and got on with life. I loved that I got to sit down and have toast for breakfast with my toddler just like I had the day before, only this time I had a baby in my arms rather than in my tummy.
And even if its something that might be trendy atm, its not something anyone would do purely for that reason. For most people its a safe option, for those that its not, they go to hospital. No one would gamble with their baby's life for the sake of being trendy I don't think! CrazyCass, yes I do. Especially given my profession - I HAVE done my research. It's the main reason I don't volunteer the information. If people ask, I'm (usually, with a few justifiable exceptions) honest but I certainly don't advertise it. I also try not to push it on others - it's right for me, but everyone has different attitudes to birth and its a very personal thing. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: yermasyada
Date Posted: 26 October 2011 at 9:29pm
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LOL I must have been lucky then, cause I didn't even have to change the bed sheets after giving birth! All that was left to dispose of was one small bin bag which had the disposable pads etc that the MW used. When I stood up for the first time, I just held a pad and a folded towel between my legs and my MW helped me to the bathroom to have a shower.
In fact the most mess that was made was all the tea cups that needed washing up
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Posted By: rachelsea
Date Posted: 27 October 2011 at 10:43am
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Yep I didn't have to clean up anything either! We'd used an old sheet and shower curtain for the birth that got thrown out. MW put disposable mats that she had with her on the couch for me to sit/lie on, and had a towel between my legs for the walk to the shower. And the MWs put a load of towels in the washine machine before they left. Easy peasy ------------- DD 4yrs DS 2yrs http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: jazzy
Date Posted: 27 October 2011 at 11:34am
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wow I am envious of all these straight forward easy home births, I would of gladly swapped my traumatic life threatening delivers for an easy birth in the comfort of my own home
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Posted By: T_Rex
Date Posted: 27 October 2011 at 2:05pm
awww Jazzy, I know how you feel. I felt the same after my first birth 
Normal birth is awesome, scary births can be awful. I wish those kind never happened. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: jazzy
Date Posted: 27 October 2011 at 3:13pm
Oh T_Rex congrats on your new addition
I would of been 1 of those women who would of died in child birth yrs ago...funny thing was with my first I was so looking forward to that natural no intervention delivery & like where you have whales sounds playing & all so calm but I traded all that for a live baby...did not put me off doing it again...& again though at the end of the day I did not care where or how my babies were born just grateful they were born perfect & alive
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Posted By: High9
Date Posted: 27 October 2011 at 3:52pm
I agree with Babe hence why I'd like one but at the end of the day my only plan is to go with the flow and see what happens at the end of the day so I'm not going to get my heart set on one! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: TheKelly
Date Posted: 27 October 2011 at 11:27pm
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I had all three of my children at hospital(one in a birthing centre) and I was and am happy with that decision.
However,after seeing a few videos,hearing a few experiences from people,HBing is looking appealing,If I was to ever go CRAZY and lose my mind and decide to have another baby (so unlikely to happen haha) all three of my births were straightforward,easy births with no complications (very grateful for that) with no pain relief or intervention,so I think I would be fine. Too bad its never gonna happen!!! hahaha! ------------- 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: TheKelly
Date Posted: 27 October 2011 at 11:30pm
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Double post -------------
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Posted By: rachelsea
Date Posted: 28 October 2011 at 10:03am
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Aww Jazzy sorry you had a traumatic experience, I definitely agree that the ultimate goal is a live, healthy baby regardless of how they get here!
We were going with the flow too, I kept an open mind that we'd be going to hospital if need be. We're 5mins drive from the hospital, if that. If we had known DS was breech we wouldn't have gone for a homebirth at all as the risks are high. But we didn't know and thankfully everything turned out fine. If there was a next time (and like Kelly I would have had to have gone crazy and lost my mind for that to happen lol) I would ask for a scan around 38/39wks to make sure bubs was up the right way! ------------- DD 4yrs DS 2yrs http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: BessieBear
Date Posted: 28 October 2011 at 1:30pm
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THis s interesting. I have thought about a home birth. For My first I was like no way. and my second I thought about it but it didn't appeal to DH MW had suggested it but I wasn't that keen. This one i'm actually thinking about it. We are moving house (In 4 weeks yay) lol and it will be better equipped for a HB. A bath, ensuit not right by the main road where everyone can seee in. Anyway... DS's birth was straight forward. I was in labour for 2 days but had no pain relief or required and assistance other than MW. DD was similar shorter and more intence but still straight forward. So as long as its the same again I'm thinking about it. Need to convince DH though. It would be alt easier, not having to ship the other children off to where ever in the middle of the night. THe other thing is, the mess. There was ALOT of blood after both my children. DH was born in the water and when I got out there was still loads of mess. I don't know what happens with it all, guess it'll be something I discuss with MW. Also, WHe turning up at the birth centre for DS it was quite exciting, the care afterwards we were not imprressed with and I couldn't wait to get out of there. I t really put me off, however I went back with DD for her birth and it was fabulous. It is excitign arriving cause you know this is it, my baby will be here soon. Our birthcentre serves lonestar meals. I'd miss that. Totally selfish I know but I can't ccok that stufff at home. ------------- Sarah Mum to, Boy 07/2008, Girl 03/2010, Boy 05/2012, Angel  07/08/2014
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Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 28 October 2011 at 2:46pm
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Heck, don't worry about being selfish, chosing how you give birth is the one time that the more comfortable you are the better it is for everyone! On the other hand, I'm not sure even the promise of LoanStar meals would be enough to actually influence the birth itself -------------
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Posted By: High9
Date Posted: 28 October 2011 at 3:19pm
MAN! If I could get Lonestar meals then I would so be there! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Lill
Date Posted: 28 October 2011 at 4:17pm
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I watched a love homebirth the other day and I have to say it was pretty beautiful!
I never thought I could ever do it but now I am quite seriously considering it. The birth I watched was almost identical to my last birth.. but at home. I have always been worried I won't make it to the hospital (I only just made it with my last two) The thing I liked about the hospital (or Birthing centre) was having the bath right there and being able to keep it warm with just the turn of the tap (and not having to pay the power bill ;) ) The room will be warmer than my house will be in winter. The lack of mess. And there is always the slight reassurance knowing extra help is right there. I really do like the idea of having my other children near by though the whole thing and getting to see their new brother or sister straight away.... |
Posted By: Bky
Date Posted: 28 October 2011 at 4:38pm
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I'm strongly considering it for whenever #2 happens. It wasn't an option for #1 because of our house layout, but now we are in a bigger place so I'm thinking about it. I wanted to be at the hospital last time just as I wasn't sure how I was going to be in labour, but now that I went through some of labour and didn't want any pain relief until they had to put the spinal in I'm more confident that a home birth is an ok choice for me.
As for it being a fad, I suppose to some degree. However, I was present for both of my siblings home births in the mid 1980s so I guess it just seem like another version of normal to me. If I do want one I'll have some heavy convincing of DH. I think he was more traumatised by my EMCS than I was. ------------- 7/2010, 10/2012 and 1/2015 |
Posted By: SquishysMum
Date Posted: 28 October 2011 at 9:09pm
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I had a birthing centre birth for #1, and an unplanned homebirth for #2. DEFINITELY preferred the homebirth, despite the rush of it! I had to go into birthcare afterwards to meet up with my MW (who never came to my house) and get checked out cos DD2 was obviously large (9lb8oz). Oh, how I wished I had just stayed at home and gone to bed!!! Would have been sooo much nicer to snuggle up as a family and go back to sleep.
On the mess side of things, it was a little messy, lots of towels/bathmat involved and even then it was a little massacre-like on the bathroom floor, but it was all cleaned up before we got home again (yay MIL!). Next time (if I can convince DH to have another), we'll just go for a HB straight away. Having not had great experiences with Birthcare, and not going to hospital if things are all looking well, then I'd rather be at home. I actually hadn't considered a HB before, well, I had, but we have a (male) flatmate and thought it would be weird! But then it happened, and my MW mum was here to catch the baby (DH was a little flustered lol), and it was great! |
Posted By: Kupukupu
Date Posted: 28 October 2011 at 11:19pm
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my first 2 were HB's (9yrs and 6.5yrs ago) and were beautiful, empowering experiences- they were hard work but straight forward. I loved being in my own home during the birth and afterwards, accompanied by my friends and hubby.
I planned for #3 to be a homebirth late last month but she had other ideas and went 2wks overdue so we were induced early this month. Turns out this was the right decision (meconium tinged waters) and it turned into a crapper of a labour unfortunately (due to the induction? We'll never know) and I was glad to be at the hospital. It was disappointing and has been hard to get my head around but it is only one facet- I am over joyed and thankful to have a healthy baby & this is the main thing. I don't think that HB birth is a "fad"... it is a birthing choice that is finally gaining a certain acceptance... instead of being the domain of looney hippies, normal loving parents are choosing it and mostly enjoying it and then sharing their experiences which in turn allows others to consider it as a birthing option they might like to consider for normal, low risk birth. If it is gaining popularity then that says to me that the proof is in the pudding. (good) MW's don't offer HB's to those women who are classified high risk and therefore possibly needing interventions so I don't get the argument that women who need intervention might HB and give it a bad name? Anyway- Happy Home Birth Week! 
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Posted By: yermasyada
Date Posted: 29 October 2011 at 11:18am
 
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Posted By: Isabella
Date Posted: 01 November 2011 at 4:26pm
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Posted By: Free2BeMe
Date Posted: 03 November 2011 at 12:40am
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Yes, I've had two homebirths, planned three, but the first didn't go exactly to plan, so I transferred briefly and was home again within a couple of hours of giving birth :)
My second birth was straight foward with the same mw as my first birth, lovely 4 hour labour, and my third birth I couldn't get the same mw, so opted to have a doula in attendance instead, and she was awesome, probably my best birth in many ways, nice and short too... 3 hours :) I'd never do it any other way (except I'm not having any more kids) and I have always been very jealous that NZ is so accepting of homebirth, my 3 were all born in Australia, where you have to search out your own mw, pay thousands of dollars out of your own pocket for them, and have to put up with rude comments from 99% of the medical establishment, and have them telling you that you are stupid, and that you really should birth in a hospital! 
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Posted By: newme
Date Posted: 03 November 2011 at 1:50pm
Are you serious? Having a home birth is not about 'loving your child more'. Birth is a normal natural procedure, that in most circumstances does not need to be medicalised. I am perfectly aware that for certain people (myself included, I have had 2 x c-sections) it is not an option. Labour progresses best when a women is comfortable and relaxed, and a lot of women feel that their home is the ideal setting to create the right 'head-space' for them to labour and birth in. Home birth statistics speak for themselves in terms of safety - as safe or more safe than a hospital birth. So that is better for both mother and baby. |
Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 03 November 2011 at 2:42pm
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I get what you’re saying, Isabella. If it helps explain another point of view, I didn’t have a home birth, but a birthing centre birth which, like I said earlier, I don’t think you could argue is ‘safer’ than a home birth. Although I would have had no issue having Bubs at hospital if that was needed or was the only option, I wanted to avoid a situation where interventions might be offered that weren’t strictly needed. From what I understand, most interventions – while they can be very valuable – also have some kind of cost or negative side effects. I didn’t want them unless they were strictly necessary, and I know that in a hospital environment you’re much more likely to end up with them just because they’re there. Hence, choosing to avoid that environment.
On the animal side of things, I totally agree and (although I don’t like to raise what could be a hot topic) that’s why I’m really not keen on unassisted home births. With a good MW there, however, you’ve got an expert on hand to pick up on trouble signs – like having a vet handy when a dog’s whelping or something, to say when it looks like things are more complicated than they should be and that it’s time to go to the vets. -------------
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Posted By: Free2BeMe
Date Posted: 03 November 2011 at 2:58pm
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Can I ask, are unassisted homebirths very common here in NZ? I would have assumed that because it is 'fairly' easy to get a hb mw here, not many people would bother.
They are becoming far more common in Australia, as it is getting increasingly difficult to find a mw, as most are being deregistered for attending homebirths.... Also there are always the group of people who believe birth to be a family only event, or prefer to have only very trusted friends as support etc... |
Posted By: TheKelly
Date Posted: 03 November 2011 at 6:10pm
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I have heard of a lot of people that have homebirths,I haven't yet met or heard of anyone thats had an unassisted birth,(unless the baby came too fast before MW got there etc) but thats just my experience,I didn't think Unassisted births were as popular here,but I could be wrong -------------
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Posted By: Plushie
Date Posted: 03 November 2011 at 6:26pm
| I believe the unassisted or free birthing movement is pretty small here, I understood that its so big in places like aus and the us is because its so hard to find a m/w. Of course there are some who do prefer to birth alone, though even then I've heard many have a mw on hand or in the next room just in case. I'm not anti intervention and I'm pleased we have the technology to save lives but I do believe birth is a natural event and could go better in its natural ebviroment (ie. Your own home) then in a weird sterile unfamiliar hospital environment. |
Posted By: T_Rex
Date Posted: 03 November 2011 at 8:43pm
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Just on the animal thing, I think it's totally different. If I have to call the vet to assist a calving or similar, I'm going to be lumped with a bill that's bigger than the value of the calf, and there is no guarantee the vet will get a live calf anyway. I have plenty of experience delivering calves myself, so I DO only call the vet when things are pretty dire and I don't think I can deal with it myself.
As a homebirther, where the lives involved are mine and my baby's, there is no waiting and seeing, no trying to fix it myself first. I'm not going to be faced with a giant bill for transferring to hospital. So no, you don't wait until it's dire before transferring, the decision is totally different. I'd been in hospital for 6 hours before things became an emergency with DD1's birth. Transferring if necessary is part of the birth plan, always. As for having specialists on hand, true they could come in handy if you have a true emergency, but as Hopes said, having them there often leads to interventions just because they are there. I don't want that. And for most labours, there is no emergency, and for most emergencies, you see them coming or you have time to transfer when they happen. You can still get that care if you need it. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Spacette
Date Posted: 03 November 2011 at 9:56pm
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My 2 cents: really loved having a homebirth for our first. It was more about considering the whole experience and how the relaxed home environment helped it all happen smoothly rather than following any kind of fad or ideal.
If there was any reason, of course I would have no issue to hospital asap. I don't think it's very different from going to a birth centre really. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: Delli
Date Posted: 04 November 2011 at 10:18am
As a vet Isabella, 99% of the time you are seeing animals that require a vet. For every cow you have to help calve, there are many hundreds that calve without needing intervention, and you don't see them. Many also that calve with the help of a farmer only (a cows midwife, if you will). Would you have a vet be present at every animals birth just in case it needs a specialists help? The same is true of obstetricians. The vast majority of cases they see are cases that require medical intervention. Normal births are not "normal" in their line of work. Surely, due to your profession and training you will have been through hundreds of research papers and case studies. The research is available for home births. There is much evidence out there to suggest that home births are just as safe as hospital births(for low risk pregnancies). To infer that midwives and woman won't know when to transfer to a hospital when intervention is necessary and to infer that woman are doing it for one-upmanship and bragging rights and to say that they love their child more (you really think that is why people have homebirths?) as opposed to having been through the research, talked with their midwife and weighed up the pros and cons is a little insulting.
To answer the original questions - No, I haven't had a homebirth, don't know if I will plan a homebirth if we were to have another child and I chose to birth at the hospital with a midwife with my first two. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: EmDee
Date Posted: 04 November 2011 at 4:12pm
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I chose to have our kids in birth centres as *for me* they are a good compromise between home and hospital. Actually I was reading one of Hopes' earlier posts and nodding with everything she wrote, lol! Oh yes, and the food is awesome!
In general (healthy woman, 'normal' pregnancy etc) I think that where she chooses to birth should be based on where SHE feels most comfortable whether that is home, birth centre or hospital. And no, where you give birth has no bearing on how much you love your child. ------------- DS 8 DD 6 DS 4 DD 2 |
Posted By: Isabella
Date Posted: 04 November 2011 at 9:19pm
Good call Delli, good call... Youve got me on this one Perhaps I had just never thought it through all that well 
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Posted By: Isabella
Date Posted: 04 November 2011 at 9:41pm
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Although... Many bitches/queens and puppies/kittens die during whelping. Most litters of puppies or kittens born there will be one or two die. How many lambs get piled up at the gates for collection? Would that be acceptable in our human population?
Animals seem to be a bit more expendable than humans - when someone having a litter at home looses a puppy its no big deal, if they had been in the clinic I may have been able to save it by giving various treatments. Many bitches will loose the entire litter and that is acceptable because they will just get her in pup next year - but all of those puppies may have been saved by a caesarean section and adequate monitoring? And to be honest - I am far to busy being a vet and a mum to read hundreds of research papers on homebirths when it is not something I would consider doing - so please all do excuse my ignorance
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Posted By: Isabella
Date Posted: 04 November 2011 at 9:44pm
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Oh and just to also add - good vets are always involved with good owners and the whelping of their puppies/kittens before it gets to the "oh sh*t" stage (technical term ) so I disagree that 99% of the time we see animals who require our attention. It is more about the prevention of problems than the ambulance at the bottom of the hill stuff
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Posted By: Delli
Date Posted: 04 November 2011 at 11:17pm
That's totally fine Isabella. Though if you had read some papers you might "get" a little more why people choose to have homebirths . There are good reasons for it. It's all fine and dandy to have an opinion but is it not better to have it be fact-based rather than emotionally-based?
You talk about adequate monitoring - the midwife is there the whole time, monitoring. At any time, if she/he feels it is necessary for you to go to the hospital - you go. You talk about mortality rate of animals during the birthing process but who is to say how many of those animals a vet could have saved had they been there at the right time - there are far too many factors to consider. Most sheep, dogs and cats also do not have one on one monitoring throughout the whole labour and birthing process as humans do with midwives (and I think you are really underestimating the role and expertise of midwives in your arguments) The fact is that mothers and babies die in the hospital too, under the care of obstetricians - at the same rate or higher than those who have midwife-assisted home births. Just as animals die at home as well as under vet care - not all can be saved.
Sorry, totally made up the 99%, I'd still say it is the vast majority though.
For sure, it's all about prevention. That is why good midwives talk with their clients and run through all the options. It's why there is constant monitoring throughout pregnancy, labour and birth. Just because you are having a home birth does not mean you haven't thought and planned for all outcomes. It doesn't mean that your midwife won't recommend you go to the hospital if it is necessary - before it gets to the "oh sh*t" stage. Sorry, I hope that doesn't come across as too harsh - just trying to give more of an explanation of why women choose homebirths, as it still seems you associate it with being too dangerous and risky, even though the evidence points to the contrary. I don't mind if you feel it is too dangerous and risky for you but to say that it is too dangerous and risky for everyone as if it fact, is quite wrong. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Booski
Date Posted: 05 November 2011 at 12:06am
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Ha! Um, I love that extended BFing, co-sleeping, home birthing were compared to circumcision on the first page .
Really good discussion tho, very interesting as I am considering a HB this time around. ------------- 
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Posted By: Nutella
Date Posted: 05 November 2011 at 10:26am
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I didn't even have the option of a home birth since we lived 1.5hrs from the hospital but I am glad we didn't as my darling son would not be here now. I think as long as you are sensible and are close to a hospital then it is no big deal, whatever works for you.
But in saying that, there is no way I would have a home birth next time after the scary last birth haha! Happy to have the 'intervention' a hospital can provide. I am grateful we live in a world of c sects lol. ------------- 
Oct 11
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Posted By: T_Rex
Date Posted: 05 November 2011 at 8:20pm
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Hehe, well I think most midwives would recommend someone expecting a litter should birth in hospital And in sheep, starvation exposure is a bigger killer than birthing difficulties usually - and again, many of the birthing difficulties come about from it being a multiple birth so lambs get round the wrong way.
In beef cows, where births are largely singletons, the death rate at calving is usually well under 5% of calves (and very very few cows). The majority of these are the result of malpresentation - which would normally be detected in people in time for them to be in hospital; misadventure - probably not too many people are going to birth on the side of the creek and then not be able to fish the baby out if it falls in! and exposure - again, not too many people are going to birth outdoors in the pouring rain. So I still don't buy the animals argument, sorry
The research really does say it's safe for low risk pregnancies. I'm curious though, several of you have said that you find birthing centres a happy in-between option. What if you didn't have the option of a birthing centre? (I don't). Would you have considered home then, if it was there or hospital? ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 05 November 2011 at 8:55pm
Actual lol
On the birthing centre question, I probably would have just gone to the hospital. There'd be pros and cons on either side, but I think that's the way I'd feel most comfortable. I'm glad the birthing centre is an option, though, best of both worlds for me. -------------
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Posted By: EmDee
Date Posted: 05 November 2011 at 9:01pm
Yep, I would have considered it for #s 2, 3 & 4 if we didn't have birthing centres in Hamilton. Other than a retained placenta after #1 I've had really straightforward births. ------------- DS 8 DD 6 DS 4 DD 2 |
Posted By: Isabella
Date Posted: 05 November 2011 at 9:02pm
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Its funny on this forum... As long as you have an opinion on the non-conventional side you are OK, as soon as you have an opinion in favor of using intensive, conventional medicine you get slated by everyone. Oh and also, as long as you put "personally" you can get away with saying anything.
I dont do large animal medicine, I do small animal medicine so if you would like to tell me how to do my job there - go ahead.. Just make sure you start it with "personally..." |
Posted By: pudgy
Date Posted: 05 November 2011 at 9:26pm
I don't think that it's conventional vs non conventional. I am sure most people choosing homebirth are making an informed , educated decision and have usually done a load of research and talked to various people. I think you are taking this too personally. I've not read any nasty posts , just people with good information trying to help you 'get' homebirth. As in one your posts you said you didn't. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Isabella
Date Posted: 05 November 2011 at 9:35pm
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Good call Pudgy - fair enough.
ETA - and I dont think people choosing homebirths are not doing their research and any decent MW would never allow someone who doesnt know exactly what they are up for and the risks etc (same as for in hospital), and the stages at which hospital transfer is needed... I had a very well respected MW who straight out said to me "I dont do homebirths" - this may have been for various reasons but to me she said it was because she "preferred having the expertise close at hand in the hospital" While I was in (induced after 16days overdue) labour she had to rush out to attend the alarm in the room next to me. Turns out the baby had plummeted in its heart rate & stopped breathing, it was something that had to be dealt to within minutes - the baby was delivered after the OB rushed in and intervened - then was straight into neonates for resuscitation. My MW told me that she had an uncomplicated pregnancy. (and yes - this is an extremely uncommon complication - dont want to freak people out!!) So personally, homebirth is not for me. I am sorry I used the animal analogy (even though I still see my point). Everyone is entitled to their own views. We have been having babies at home for centuries. More woman used to die during childbirth in hospitals than is imaginable because the Drs didnt understand infectious disease at that point. (Interestingly, it was a maternity ward where "sepsis" was discovered - one ward wore gloves to protect THEMSELVES from becoming dirty with the blood etc and they had a lower post-natal death rate than other wards... Turns out they changed gloves between patients too --- ohh stop spread of infectous disease! - Cool huh?) So lets call peace then and please feel free to provide no further information for me to "get" the topic - thanks! 
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Posted By: Delli
Date Posted: 05 November 2011 at 11:06pm
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Sorry Isabella, I didn't mean to make you feel like that!
I thought I was engaging in lively debate . Hehe, the old conundrum of tone of voice being absent in forum posts. (and also me forgetting that not everybody likes a good http://www.google.co.nz/search?q=monty+python+argument&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&client=safari - argument . )------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: T_Rex
Date Posted: 06 November 2011 at 9:08am
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Ditto Delli, I wasn't trying to make you feel stink at all Isabella ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Nutella
Date Posted: 06 November 2011 at 9:53am
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I didn't even know what a birth centre was til moving back to NZ and I quite liked the country hospital I was in lol.
I think in Chch it is a dumbo thing how if you give birth in the hospital (like I will 'have' to if I have another) you will then get shipped off the to the birth centre after a couple of hours (assuming all is well). A little off topic but makes me think I would rather just come home with a ten minute drive rather than a half hour drive with seriously little newborn!! So in some ways, though I am sure birth centres are great, I wish the hospitals were a little more accomodating in regards to letting new mothers stay..why is there not a maternity wing? I don't get it? I would rather in this situation just stay at the hospital! Unless this is just a weirdo post earthquake thing? -------------
Oct 11
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Posted By: T_Rex
Date Posted: 06 November 2011 at 11:52am
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It is a pretty stink thing to do, I agree. I don't think it's just post-earthquake? Maybe it's to try and encourage you just to go to the birthing centre in the first place? But that is pretty unfair for those who need to be in hospital and don't have a choice in the matter! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Nutella
Date Posted: 06 November 2011 at 8:22pm
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Yeah that's what I think, that it is dumbo to those who HAVE (according to the medical people that is) to birth there. -------------
Oct 11
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Posted By: Isabella
Date Posted: 06 November 2011 at 9:28pm
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Posted By: Bky
Date Posted: 07 November 2011 at 8:23am
Definitely not a post earthquake thing. I really agonized over it with the birth of DD, but then decided I'd rather be at the hospital and have to leave soon afterward than not be and have to go there in labour. I had some things that were worrying the midwives that turned into needing an EMCS (though it was one of those we think we're going to do an EMCS...an hour later) so I guess it was a good choice. Next time, unless circumstances warrant otherwise, I'll definitely be planning on staying at home or at a birthing centre. Mainly as I know what I'm like in labour now and I feel a ride to the hospital if necessary would be tolerable. And you only get sent off to the the birthing centre right away if you had a normal vaginal birth. Complications warrant extra time (though with my EMCS they were trying to turf me out after 24 hours when I was 'allowed' to stay 48. I was ready to leave though, freaking cookie service waking me up at 9pm when I hadn't slept in 40+ hours!)------------- 7/2010, 10/2012 and 1/2015 |
Posted By: newme
Date Posted: 07 November 2011 at 9:55am
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I had a baby in chch at the end of last your, emergency cs. I kept trying to go home, but they kept insisting I stay. I spent 4 nights there! I wanted to go home after 1 night, but they kept telling me to stay and get as much rest as I could. I could have stayed longer too, if I had wanted to.
Was strange as virtually every other person I know is booted out almost immediately. I wasn't sick or unwell, and neither was my baby. |
Posted By: Nutella
Date Posted: 07 November 2011 at 12:57pm
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Yeah but you had major abdominal surgery lol!
I will have to birth at hospital coz of c sect last time and coz of *maybe* wanting a vbac and if all goes well instead of going to birth unit I reckon I will just go home! But then I don't exactly have to worry about this since I need to get knocked up first haha! -------------
Oct 11
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Posted By: TheKelly
Date Posted: 08 November 2011 at 7:53pm
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My friend's mum is pushing for the minimum stay girls are offered to be a week,she thinks girls are pushed out to early (shes not saying they HAVE to stay,just that she thinks the option should be available)
I was at hospital for about an hour I think after Mila was born,then I transferred to Botany,where I was for 3 days,with my eldest I think it was the same deal...with my son I birthed at Botany anyway,so just moved a few doors down to a postnatal room -------------
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Isabella
Date Posted: 08 November 2011 at 8:45pm
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Wow - I had DD via emergency c/s at 11pm, stayed one more night then was home before dinner the next day! So I guess, I stayed one night in hospital!
She was born the day before the Feb earthquake and they were transferring ladies up and needed the room. So I just kinda said "oh when can I go home" and she just replied "well if you want to go home we can start the discharge now"... Was a bit shocked as I was expecting to have to stay a week. But (shock horror when reading my previous posts..) I was really glad to get home - in hindsight though I think it was probably a bit early... Struggled a fair bit the first few days out.. Especially since DH couldnt take any time off work.. Kelly I think it would be good pushing it out a bit longer if people need it |
Posted By: Nutella
Date Posted: 09 November 2011 at 8:50am
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When I had my c sect (in Aussie) it was a stay of 3 days for second time mums and 5 days for first time which I think is reasonable. That was for c sects only tho!! I only stayed three nights tho coz I was busting to get home as I had to stay away from home for the two weeks before baby was due and he was a week late....but actually think I should have stayed for the 5 days!
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Oct 11
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Posted By: rorylex
Date Posted: 09 November 2011 at 10:50am
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I have had 4 very straight forward "easy" births that all could have been done at home, with my last 2 I seriously considered it but decided our hot water might not last long enough but they both ended up being dry births so didnt need a birth pool anyway, so next time if there is one we will be having a homebirth.
my only worry is that we are an extra 10mins from the big hospital than the birthing unit is and there are no ambo's here, but i guess if by some unlikely chance i need the hospital we would just get in the car and meet ambo in town proberbly get there before ambo does. I would never consider an unassited birth I dont want a homebirth that bad. ------------- Mummy to 4 boys Samuel - 18.6.05 Rory - 15.7.06 Mason - 13.06.08 Emmett - 24.01.10 Baby #5 - cooking |
Posted By: whipersnapper
Date Posted: 21 November 2011 at 10:29pm
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I am 100% orp home birth!!!
baby 1, homebirth, great delivery, no probs, birth was fantastic! baby 2, induced in hospital, 11 days overdue, 10 pd baby, quick great birth, only stayed as long as i had too... baby 3, homebirth without assistance of midwife,(too quick) went fine, a trippy experiance, but fun baby 4, homebirth without assistance of midwife, again, too quick, were getting quite good at it by this point. babies 5 and 6, hospiatl delivery, aminly due to the speedy arrival of last 2, went absolutely fine, could have had them at home, but glad i din't just in case. |