Homebirth-Any advice?

Question

I am planning to have a homebirth, with a midwife and my sister attending. I am due in 40 days. Any good advice from anyone who has been there? I have everything on the supply list the midwife gave me, but would like advice from someone who has actually experienced this. Anything that helped you, or you would have done differently, etc. Thank you!

Answer 1

Good for you Mamma!! You are about to embark on the safest way for your precious baby to enter the world!!
I had three wonderful homebirths, aside from what was on the Midwife's list, I also had:
-postpartum pads, frozen in the freezer, yeaaahhhh, feels great post-birth
-lots of food and snacks, for your guests and the Midwives in attendance
-massage oils, back-rubbing devices etc
-tell your hubby and sister what you expect of them during the birth, what you may need etc
-some celebration champagne
-candles if you end up wanting nice dim light
-camera, video camera, extra film and batteries (make sure to give instructions to whoever will be operating)
-a copy of "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" or "Jack Newmans Guide to Breastfeeding", just for reference postpartum
If this is your first birth, you'll soon realize that no matter how much you prepare, you'll always do things a little different next time. My 3rd homebirth was nothing like my 1st. After having done the labour, I knew better what to expect and what I needed so the 2nd and 3rd were better.

* Just wanted to add: Ignore all the previous posters that had nothing better to say than how risky your choice is. Phooey!!
People like that are uneducated and misinformed.
Hospitals are dangerous, they are FULL of harmful interventions that lead to scary birth outcomes. Your Midwives have been trained to rule out women that are unsafe to deliver at home and are experienced in medical resuscitation and transport if neccessary. If you were to look at the odds as a whole, you would find that more babies are born safely and unharmed at home then in a hospital.
I think you have made a wonderful choice.
I second the poster who mentioned reading "Spiritual Midwifery", it's a little bit "crunchy", but still inspiring. Ina May also wrote a book called "Ina Mays guide to Childbirth". Her Sphincter Law theory is FANTASTIC, check it out for sure.

Happy Birthing Vibes your way ~*~*~*~*

Answer 2

This mom is a homebirther. Advice? You've got a good midwife, a good support person and everything on your supply list - which you most likely won't need most of. Sounds like you're fairly well prepared.

Don't know if you've thought about doing anything in the way of candles, music or maybe water? Aside from that, it's just a matter of remembering that this moment belongs to you and your baby. Whatever position you feel most comfortable in, take that.

The good thing is you won't be held to a schedule or 'managed', so you can go through your labor at the pace nature intended. The best thing is you'll be able to rest up and bond with your baby without all the b.s. and interference.

Baby started out as a private affair. Nice to see them for the first time the same way. We prefer to birth our children at home and on our own. Wish you a gentle birth.

Answer 3

If your midwife is experienced, everything should be just fine. Umbilical tangling is rare, and happens only about 1 in 500 births. I had all 3 of my kids in different positions. The first one I was laying down (the most painful) the second, I was laying on my right side (very painful) the third, I was upright squating..(painful, but quick!) Don't worry about all the grossness...it's totally natural.

Answer 4

I'm hoping to have a home birth with this pregnancy, it will be my 3rd home birth ( had 2 hospital births )

i think as long as you have everything how you want it your labour will be great
for me i have focal points, like your fav pic or plant ( you get the idea ) then when the pain is getting to much you focus on that and it should help take your mind off the pain.
i also try to carry on as normal a little house work walking round the garden etc anything to keep your self active.

i hope it all goes OK hunni i think there is nothing better than having your baby at home .

Answer 5

For my first child I had a midwife because I was younger and I thought it would be more inexpensive. BIG mistake. You need to go to an OB, and do it in a hospital. The agency I went through was a very large agency and it was through a big hospital, so obviously it looked like they were very skilled and knew exactly what they were doing. Absolutely wrong. It was the most horrific experience Ive ever had. Im not going to get into any details because I dont want to scare you, but I would ABSOLUTELY go to an OB and do it in a hospital. You cant possibly know about any complications that could happen, and what you need to be prepared for. Think of it as wanting the very BEST for your baby. You wouldnt go to a dentist for heart surgery now would you? There are OB's for a reason.

Answer 6

Being youthful does not immediately placed you at intense threat. you will possibly prefer to touch a stable midwife. If she feels a house delivery may be risky for you, she would be ready to not take you as a shopper. (And if any problems upward push up between now and annoying artwork, or for the time of hard artwork, she would be ready to refer you to an M.D. for a scientific institution delivery.) having mentioned that -- if the only reason you desire one is so which you do not omit your first toddler's birthday -- the percentages of going into hard artwork on your due date are exceedingly low, and you're purely in the scientific institution for a pair of days besides. so which you will in all possibility be domicile on your daughter's Bday. And in case you at the instant are not... she's a 12 months previous. She doesnt' know it is her birthday, so which you would be able to rejoice formerly, or after, and this is going to be only as lots relaxing.

Answer 7

Home birth is o.k. but you need to know what risk are involve in it, my anut had her first son home. just remember when you push out the baby, lay there for a while don't get up. And drink a good supplment after, that will help regain your energy.

Some time you can ripe down there, and you might need a doctor to attend to that cause.

Answer 8

I would reconsider your decision to deliver at home. I had a friend who did and delivery took too long and the baby wasn't breathing when born. The baby died.
Giving birth is natural, but there are too many risks. My youngest came out not breathing also. They gave her oxygen at the hospital and she is healthy now. You never know what could go wrong with the baby or you. After 9 months of pregnancy and caring so well for the baby, continue to do so and go to a hospital and have pediatricians on hand.

I hope what ever decision you make is the best for you and the baby. Good luck and God bless.

Answer 9

These things usually turn out OK but there are risks. Something can go wrong that only immediate medical attention can maybe fix. What if you bleed out? You wont make it to the hospital in time. What if baby is blue when born? I do not think I would risk it.

Answer 10

Have the baby in the tub the water is said to ease the pain a little and don't be scared your child has been in fluid since it was conceived so a little more water will not hurt him.