August 2017 Moms
imwithbaby
member
Homebirth/Birth Center Mamas
imwithbaby
member
Hi ladies! I figured I'd start a thread to connect moms who have already chosen to plan a homebirth/birth center birth. (Feel free to jump in if you're doing an unmediated hospital birth as well.) We'll need some good support when it comes time!
I don't know if we have any of these people here, but here's a GTKY thread to kind of connect.
Note: please don't come in this thread and bash people who are choosing out of hospital/unmedicated births or scare us with your horror story. We get enough of that already
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How far along are you?
What type of birth are you planning (home, birth center, unmedicated at hospital)?
FTM? STM?/ Have you had an unmedicated birth before?
GTKY: What made you choose an unmedicated birth and how are you preparing?
I don't know if we have any of these people here, but here's a GTKY thread to kind of connect.
Note: please don't come in this thread and bash people who are choosing out of hospital/unmedicated births or scare us with your horror story. We get enough of that already
****
How far along are you?
What type of birth are you planning (home, birth center, unmedicated at hospital)?
FTM? STM?/ Have you had an unmedicated birth before?
GTKY: What made you choose an unmedicated birth and how are you preparing?
Re: Homebirth/Birth Center Mamas
What type of birth are you planning (home, birth center, unmedicated at hospital)? // Planning a homebirth with midwives (duh). One of my dear friends is a midwife but she's due on the exact. same. day so we're doubtful she'll be one of the two midwives attending the birth.
FTM? STM?/ Have you had an unmedicated birth before? // FTM and nope!
GTKY: What made you choose an unmedicated birth and how are you preparing? // I actually went to midwifery school years ago and was trained as a doula and a childbirth educator. I quickly figure out that the midwife career wasn't for me, but the birth style was. I'm looking forward to being able to be mobile, have no drugs, birth in the water if I want, and be home as soon as the baby is born! We're preparing by reading Natural Birth the Bradley Way (jury is still out on how DH and I feel about that one) and Mindful Birthing which we looove so far.
What did did you think about Birthing From Within? I've heard mixed reviews. So jealous you're hearing Ina May!!!!!
I'm preparing so far by staying in good physical shape. I know it will be a lot easier if I've been training for the marathon of birth. In third trimester I'm going to start birth classes and take some online courses since my small town has limited options. I have very little knowledge on the best birth lectures and methods so I'm glad for this thread!
What type of birth are you planning (home, birth center, unmedicated at hospital)? Birth center
FTM? STM? Have you had an unmedicated birth before? FTM
GTKY: What made you choose an unmedicated birth and how are you preparing? I believe that in a healthy pregnancy childbirth shouldn't be treated as a medical procedure. I always knew that I wanted the least amount of intervention as possible. I haven't prepared much yet. But I'll have classes at the birth center in June/July and am planning on reading Birthing From Within during my beach week. Right now I'm reading The Mindful Mom-to-Be.
How far along are you?
20 weeks
What type of birth are you planning (home, birth center, unmedicated at hospital)?
birth center less than a mile from the hospital
FTM? STM?/ Have you had an unmedicated birth before?
STM and yes i gave birth to my daughter in 2015 in the same birth center
GTKY: What made you choose an unmedicated birth and how are you preparing?
i love the hands on approach you get with a birth center they don't have nearly the amount of patients as a regular OB so it's much more personal. at my last visit our midwife even gave us $120 worth of my prenatal vitamin that i needed for free cause her and DH got along so well. i had DD less than three hours after getting there so this time i'm leaving as soon as the contractions start lol
18wks 3days
What type of birth are you planning (home, birth center, unmedicated at hospital)?
hospital birthing suite, unmedicated water birth
FTM? STM?/ Have you had an unmedicated birth before?
Yes
DS (18) born at hospital unmedicated
DD (13) home waterbirth
DD (9.5) home waterbirth
GTKY: What made you choose an unmedicated birth and how are you preparing?
After I had my first DD (19), I had a very long long labor that included induction (pitocin, stadol, and epidural, and an episiotomy).
I was only 19 at the time, and was kind of traumatized by the experience. When I got pg with my son, I moved across the US, and hired a doula. It made ALL the difference and I found myself feeling more confident and capable. By the time I got to the hospital, I was ready to birth him. After that I ventured into homebirth for my two youngest daughters.
This time I'm opting to be in the hospital with a midwife, and I'm happy I have the option to do waterbirth again.
The warm water is very comforting and I can say that I feel more in control being in the water. It's also nice to be in a squatting position when pushing baby out. It feels most natural to me.
Last time, most of my friends and family doubted me and thought I was crazy. This time around they don't say anything. And some have even come around to considering natural birth/planning an out-of-hospital birth. Stay the course! We can encourage each other
Also, I need to add some books to my list! Mindful Birthing and the Mindful Mom-you-Be sound like good reads! @LivLew
Side note, I also attended a midwifery school for a short time after my son, and I've also been a doula
I first found the Spiritual Midwifery book in the Boston library when I became pregnant at age 19; circa 1996. So, I think the seeds were always there and the allure of a homebirth, especially in water was an instinctual draw.
Great thread!
(Edited to change my age when pg with first DD. I obviously can't remember much these days!)
I want to read Spiritual Midwifery this time around! Do you recommend it?
How far along are you? 18 weeks
What type of birth are you planning (home, birth center, unmedicated at hospital)? birthing center (on the campus of a hospital)
FTM? STM?/ Have you had an unmedicated birth before? STM; had a waterbirth at birthing center with DD
GTKY: What made you choose an unmedicated birth and how are you preparing? What originally even opened my eyes to the option was seeing the Business of Being Born. After that I knew that I wanted a birth that involved the least amount of interventions. I was actually very nervous and scared of doing it unmedicated but I knew that our bodies were meant to give birth so I wanted to allow my body to do what it was made to do. Since the birthing center was on the campus of a hospital it gave me the reassurance I needed in the event something went wrong... or if I changed my mind!
@thistle8677 ooohh I didn't even think about the other kids thing! I totally get wanting to be taken care of more--good for you for recognizing that.
loving everyone's stories and perspectives!!
How far along are you?
20wks today!!
What type of birth are you planning (home, birth center, unmedicated at hospital)?
hospital birthing suite, laboring in tub but delivering in bed (law in Michigan) with a midwife and maybe a doula if my sister can make it to the hospital in time
FTM? STM?/ Have you had an unmedicated birth before?
FTM
GTKY: What made you choose an unmedicated birth and how are you preparing?
It started because I am terrified of needles being stuck in me. I can handle shots but when I last had an IV I wanted to rip it out of my arm every second of the 24 hour it was there. I couldn't relax which would be counter-productive during labor. So I knew an epidural was not an option either. After that, we watched The Business of Being Born and that really solidified my decision. The only person who supports me right now are my mom and DH (he's falling off the wagon though because I've been such a baby through this pregnancy). I'm currently reading Natural Hospital Birth: The Best of Both Worlds to learn the science behind why epidurals and induction are counter-productive and also how the hospital can help. Our hospital actually has the book in their L&D waiting room which is how I heard about it. Planning to start Guide to Childbirth next month on our babymoon and they learn Hypnobirthing through just the book in the third trimester. We are also taking the Natural Birthing class at our hospital in June.
@budzynb sounds like you've found some incredible resources! Has your DH read any of the books with you or watch biz of being born? I think the more my husband has learned, the more on board he is. And love that your hospital is supportive of that!
21 Weeks
What type of birth are you planning (home, birth center, unmedicated at hospital)?
Unmedicated Hospital Birth
FTM? STM?/ Have you had an unmedicated birth before?
STM, DD was an unmedicated hospital birth.
GTKY: What made you choose an unmedicated birth and how are you preparing?
I always planned on giving birth in the hospital because there are no birthing centers close, and I am not comfortable with a home birth because we live 45 minutes from the hospital. I decided to go unmedicated because honestly I am more afraid of the side effects of the interventions than I am letting my body do what it's meant to. I had a very hard and fast labor last time (DD was born 1.5 hours after my water broke.) This time I am studying hypnobirth to help me control pain.
What type of birth are you planning (home, birth center, unmedicated at hospital?
unmedicated hospital because of lack of options in my area
FTM? STM?/ Have you had an unmedicated birth before?
4th babe yes DS was unmedicated at the same hospital same midwife
GTKY: What made you choose an unmedicated birth and how are you preparing?
i had OBs with my first two and both of them started by my waters breaking befor labor. My first I had an epidural and a episiotomy. I hadn't even been pushing for 10 min and she gave the episiotomy and then threatened vacuum assistants if I didn't get DD out now. Looking back I don't understand why the OB was in such a rush because DD and I where doing fine and making good progress for a FTM with an epidural. I didn't even think about what I wanted for my birthing experience with DD1s birth before hand, and recover was the hardest I've had with the episiotomy.
With DD2 I planned to have a unmedicated hospital birth, but when my waters broke I never started having contractions. I waited until close to 15 hours trying everything to get them going, but I didnt feel DD2 move anymore and it scared me so we went to the hospital where I got pitocin for over 13 more hours and countless threats of csection. I was more prepared this time so I was able to tell I was fine and DD2 was fine and kept declining and letting my body work. She ended up being in a aweful position where her head was not putting pressure on my cervix and when she was born her head was lop sided like really weirdly. It did return to normal after a few days. My nurses where amazing and I went 10 hours with horrible pitocin contractions before opting for the epidural when I ultimately started to give up. But they wouldn't let me and helped me into all sorts of positions to get her to turn into a more favorable position and when she did I went from 6 to crowing in like 15 min.
DS I started having real contractions on my due date and had him days later haha. But I would choose the prodomal labor over broken waters to start anytime. I also took vitamin C with my DS to help strengthen the caul(amniotic sac) to try to prevent waters breaking befor labor. I'd say it worked because the midwife broke my waters per my request when I started pushing as I wasn't making progress with them in tact, and I wanted to be done.
Sorry for the book. TLDR;
DD1 and 2 born with waters broken before contractions, DD2 taking longest, DS great labor and delivery.
Also so have to add Birth Without Fear is one of my favorite sites to read birth stories.
What type of birth are you planning (home, birth center, unmedicated at hospital)? I'm undecided at this point, but the hospital I'm at has a birth center on campus where they offer unmedicated birth, but have some things I'm interested in like water birth and nitrous oxide.
FTM? STM?/ Have you had an unmedicated birth before? FTM
GTKY: What made you choose an unmedicated birth and how are you preparing?
I'm strongly considering it since I've heard too many "I got induced and then labor turned into a multi-day ordeal" stories. I'd prefer the least amount of medical interventions as possible. I think I'll have to check out all the book recommendations so I can get more informed.
As for my episiotomy, I didn't even know I was cut until AFTER DD1 was born, and it was my first time going to the restroom, then a nurse was helping me learn to care for my stitches( I knew I got stitched up obviously just didn't know the extent). That's been almost 5 years ago. The OB that I had then is since long gone from that practice and hospital. She was also just a resident at the time. (Not that it's an excuse.) I asked her before I was discharged why she needed to cut me and her answer was "well since baby was sunny side up we had to make the opening bigger." At the time I didn't even know that was load of BULL SNOT. DD was sunny side up, but was progressing well and I likely would have had way less of a recovery letting her come out on her own.
19+4
What type of birth are you planning (home, birth center, unmedicated at hospital)?
Unmedicated at hospital with DH and a Doula (I highly recommend a Douala if you are doing an unmedicated hospital birth where they don't have midwives)
FTM? STM?/ Have you had an unmedicated birth before?
STM, I had an unmedicated birth with DS. It was always my plan but it was a good thing it was because once my water broke DS came in 1hr 45 min. Before it broke my Douala said I was probably around 4 or 5 cm and my contractions were slowing down, so we weren't even at a point were it was time to go to the hospital.
GTKY: What made you choose an unmedicated birth and how are you preparing?
I choose to do an unmedicated birth because I figured are bodies were built to have babies and I liked not having any side effects of medication. We are in a new town so I need to find a new Douala, other then that not much. I feel more mentally prepared this time since I have already done it. My entire labor last time was 9 hours if it goes longer I am not opposed to an epidural I would just prefer not to have one. For me looking back the lack of sleep because my contractions started at 9pm was almost harder to deal with then the pain.
@shyviolet 100% recommend a doula for anyone delivering in a hospital!! Gah they are your voice of reason!
18 weeks
What type of birth are you planning (home, birth center, unmedicated at hospital)?
Home birth
FTM? STM?/ Have you had an unmedicated birth before?
STM, i had an unmedicated hospital birth for my first
GTKY: What made you choose an unmedicated birth and how are you preparing?
I feel that hospital birthing is not necessary (if you are low risk that is) and i feel that the place where a mother is the most comfortable is where the birth of her baby will be the easiest for her. For me that place is at home. I am not doing any planning, my mw will bring everything we need with her. My first labour was only 4 hours and i didnt use anything like music, tub etc, so happy to play by ear again. Will practice my hibnobirthing breathing!
mrsmatt1212 @LivLew thanks for the encouragement! We watched Biz of being Born together about 2 days after BFP, so it was slightly horrifying to both of us. He's never seen a birth besides in Hollywood movies so he was more in shock the whole time. He's also the type of person that wants to hear both sides of the story before making up his mind. He's told me since it's my body he will support whatever I want, but he's also reminding me that if I can't handle a belly ache from morning sickness how am I going to handle birth without help. I've been reading him segments of my books that are interesting like about the science behind how Pitocin actually slows labor, but I'll be lucky if he gets through his 1 dad book in the next 20 weeks lol
At this point, I am way more nervous and terrified of breastfeeding than I am of birthing unmedicated. I can read about episiotomies all day long but as soon as I read "cracked nipple" I gag and feel nauseous and have to stop reading. lmao