Home Birth / Natural Birth

mammaharvey · September 2017

I am currently pregnant with my third child and am planning on a home birth and a non-medicated, natural delivery (previously I've done hospital births w/ epidurals)

Any other moms out there planning anything similar or have done a home birth before? I would like any tips/advice/stories you have to offer!

failuretofly · September 2017

with DS I attempted a home birth, but ended up transferring to the hospital after pushing for 2+ hours to try some interventions, though they weren't needed once we arrived.

I would highly recommend considering a doula. I believe I would have been successful with my homebirth if I had one.

I am planning a home birth again this time around.

Evvi121515 · September 2017

I attempted a home birth with my first baby. Ended up transferring to hospital after a super long labour that wasn't progressing (I was begging for epidural). By the time I got to the hospital I progressed really quickly and there wasn't time anyways. I think if my labour was shorter I could have done it and stayed home. My only advice- if you are using a birthing pool, don't make the water too warm!! I kept yelling at my husband to make it hotter, haha, and it made me soooo tired. The same way you get when sitting in a hot tub for a while. Good luck!

mammaharvey · September 2017

@kvacmak Thank you for your reply! Was it your midwife's decision to transfer you to the hospital or did you personally feel that was the best decision and request to go?

@Evvi121515 Thank you for your reply! I heard the water is supposed to be at 99 degrees for baby safety and such.. also that though the water makes the pain much more bearable, it also slows down contractions therefore possibly stalling birth, did you find this was your experience?

Thanks again for your help ladies!

failuretofly · September 2017

@mammaharvey it was a mutual decision.
Actually, She said "let's try one more push and if you don't make and progress we should think about transferring"
And i yelled "fuck that lets go now!"
I was done haha. I had been awake for 24 hours and pushing for over 2 hours and needed a change.

mammaharvey · September 2017

@failuretofly LOL, I hear ya! Was your experience at the hospital a good one? My last two were just "meh", I know childbirth can be a magical, transformative experience and that's what I feel like I missed out on. Did you still have a great experience?

failuretofly · September 2017

@mammaharvey
I'll give you the long story.
I started pushing at home probably WAY too early. After a while my midwife checked and found I still had some cervix in the way. I also had no idea HOW to push, so looking back I was probably clenching my pelvic floor muscles with the purple pushing I was doing, rather than releasing them to allow baby to pass. My theory is when we decided to transfer, my midwife 'gave me permission' to stop pushing, and in that time (about 15-20 minutes) I just relaxed, though my uterus/body continued to push but I was no longer fighting it.
When we got to the hospital, baby was already crowning, so It was only about 30 minutes from the time we arrived until baby was on my chest. My midwife remained my primary care provider so being in the hospital didn't really change much. We were only there for ~4 hours total, went home 3 hours after DS was born and I was back in my own bed to sleep. Overall I would say it was pleasant, just unnecessary.
This is why I feel a doula would have helped me stay home, she could have helped coach my pushing better and/or advocate to give me a 'break' from pushing rather than telling me to push more/harder.

mammaharvey · September 2017

@failuretofly I see! Here where I live the midwives do not have hospital privileges, so if we have to step into the hospital she cannot deliver my baby

HOWEVER, she is a trained doula as well! So maybe that will help on the home front as to prevent any complications with pushing too early.. that totally make sense that you pushed for so long when you started pushing before it was actually time! Thank you so much for your time, this is uncharted territory for me and I am grateful for any and all info! Here's to us and our December home-born babies!

dilbert890 · September 2017

I'm not allowed to have a home birth..

so I'm a bit bummed about that. but I did get a doula! I would love to hear any stories of your experience with your doula. what did you find most beneficial, how did you use their services to the fullest?

I am hoping for a natural birth.. Right now I'm still in the "I'll be damned if they take an epidural to my back" phase haha... don't ask me what kind of drugs I want in the middle of the night when my leg cramps haha!

SierraGood · September 2017

I'm hoping for an unmedicated birth I will deliver at a hospital because hubby is too nervous to do a home birth. I did and Epidural with DD and hated the experience. So my plan this time around is to labor at home for as long as I can stand then go into the hospital to push.

darkfyre · September 2017

Hi ladies! I'm planning a homebirth. I had an unmedicated hospital birth with my son so my only big concern this time is keeping LO in long enough to stay home. (DS came at 35w so too early to stay home)

ab920 · September 2017

We did an unmedicated hospital birth with our first and are planning the same this go-around. I'm too nervous to stay home--in the event something "goes wrong," I want a doctor there immediately. That could be my anxiety taking over, though!

katiegeminimoon · September 2017

My goal is an unmedicated hospital birth. I think home births are amazing, but my anxiety would never let me do that!

darkfyre · September 2017

@ktcakes87 I am exactly the opposite. If I had to plan for hospital birth I would be a basket case!

katiegeminimoon · September 2017

@darkfyre May I ask why? I am just curious! I am still anxious about a hospital birth, I just have a feeling they are going to try to bully me into a c section because of my size. Some comments the doctors at my OB office have made have me concerned. Apparently it's unheard of to be fat, not have health problems, and have a natural birth **eyeroll**.

darkfyre · September 2017

@ktcakes87 not my weight specifically but just in general being pressured into things. Or being put on a clock. Many things. I have read a lot and know what is and isn't evidence based or even best practice. Generally speaking hospital staff seem very unfamiliar with natural birth. Most of the staff used natural and vaginal interchangeably. Ummm no. An unmedicated birth and an epidural birth are leagues apart. Its all so frustrating.

elcd458 · September 2017

Have any of you researched freestanding birth centers? I know we have 4 or 5 in my state. Basically a stocked and staffed facility with midwives and doulas and no meds or doctors, but within spitting distance of a hospital in case things take a dangerous turn either during labor or when the child is born. I've been impressed with the ones I've interacted with.

ridedatide · September 2017

I plan to have an un-med. Natural birth at the hospital only because my insurance will not cover the only birth center in this area. My original idea was a tub birth with is not an option at this hospital. I do feel worried about being on a time clock and being pushed into interventions. I've told my SO that I plan on doing most of the laboring at home and making a dash to the hospital to push the baby out. I guess we will see. I made a birth plan and my doctor knows my views for a natural "truly natural" birth. I guess we will see how baby plays it out.... fingers crossed!

failuretofly · September 2017

@ktcakes87 I am the same as @darkfyre. I am SO much more comfortable at home. We moved since DS was born, so I was obviously more nervous when I was a FTM having a home birth, but at the time I lived an 8 minute drive to a hospital and within walking distance to a paramedic station, so I was well prepared considering midwives are fully capable of doing initial resuscitation at home.
This time we have moved, so we live ~20 minutes from the nearest hospital but still within a few blocks of a medic station. But I am less worried being that I am a STM and I know what to expect and I have a "proven pelvis" as my midwife would say.
It may seem ironic that being a patient in a hospital would make me anxious seeing as I work in one, but it does. I know how it all works in way more detail than any of you would care to know and know how and any doctors and nurses make the decisions they do and just how little autonomy you have in a hospital, regardless of how much you think you have.
That being said, if everything doesn't happen to line up perfectly for a homebirth, I am absolutely not opposed to having a hospital birth if required, and fully understand that there are many scenarios where it is 100% a necessity.

elcd458 · September 2017

I mentioned this in a previous thread about home births, but I BEG of y'all (especially FTM!) to make sure you know what screenings, tests, etc. newborns would be receiving if born at the hospital and ask your midwife how they recommend their clients receive those services. Around here it's a really mixed bag of which midwives are good about helping families get those things completed, and which ones sort of blow it off or don't educate their clients on their purposes and significance. These are really important screenings (PKU test, hearing test, cardiac screen, SCID check, etc) and the pediatrician won't necessarily be capable of doing all of them in-house!

cait5413 · September 2017

@ktcakes87 my cousin has always been plus size (if that's what you mean) and had 2 successful vaginal deliveries. I think she did eventually have epidurals-with her first, she was in labor off and in for about 72 hours. The 2nd was more challenging due to a couple medical conditions the baby had and almost went to c-section ( nothing to do with her size, though), but her doctor was patient. She did say she thought with a different doc her son's birth probably would have been a c-section. I hope your ob supports your wishes! (But a c-section is not so bad if you legitimately have to go that route.)

katiegeminimoon · September 2017

@cait5413 Yep, plus size is what I meant. My office has 6 doctors and I do believe a couple of them will try to pressure me into a c section because they are being jerks for no reason about my size. I am not against a c section if needed and as a last resort. I'm glad your cousin found a doctor that was patient! I am crossing my fingers I end up with the one doctor I love there.

darkfyre · September 2017

@ktcakes87 do you have a doula? Of not I recommend looking into hiring one. Often new doulas that need hours will work for a reduced fee, you can check the DONA website. A doula can't stop a doc from doing something but they can help run interference and remind you what you want and why. When I had to have my son in hospital mine was a life saver! She was able to talk the nurses into intermittent instead of continuous monitoring allowing me to move in labor. And she was my support when my husband had to go follow where the peds took my son. Excellent investment.

katiegeminimoon · September 2017

@darkfyre I have thought about a doula and would love one, but I'm not sure it's in the budget. I'll have to check that site out. I honestly have NO idea how much one might cost, but in my head it's a ton. Thanks!

ab920 · September 2017

I will say this--my nurse REALLY wanted to give me pitocin, even though I listed it as a "no-no" on my birth plan. I must have rejected it 8-10 times. Finally, I just left my room and walked around labor and delivery to (1) get away from her and (2) progress labor. Walking helped with both!

Just have a plan with your support person prior to going and stick to it. Don't let them bully you! You got this, mama!

blueskies17 · September 2017

I'm planning for an unmedicated birth in the hospital. What is everyone doing to prepare for natural labor? We hired a doula and I've been trying to research everything possible on preparing for labor, coping mechanisms, etc. Also have been listening to The Birth Hour podcast which is occasionally a bit traumatizing.. but overall I think I'm learning a lot!

We went to an info session at the hospital the other day, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that their approaches are even more natural birth friendly than I expected. They offer intermittent monitoring for low risk moms, provide birthing balls, beds with squatting bars, showers with seating, encourage walking (only allowed if you're not on epidural) and allow eating/drinking. They are a certified "baby friendly" hospital and encourage best practices for breastfeeding- immediate skin to skin, all procedures done with baby skin to skin, lactation consultants on standby. I don't think the eating/drinking is official hospital policy, but the nurse who ran the session said that there is nothing to prove that this is dangerous since anesthesiology has made significant progress since that antiquated rule was made, so nurses will generally turn a blind eye on it. I was shocked to hear her say that in the hospital but very happy about it!

carolinefriesen · September 2017

We just decided to plan for a home birth for this baby. We see midwives at a free standing birth center near Seattle. My 1st required a hospital transfer, my 2nd was a water birth at the birth center, and hopefully this baby will be born at home. We've hired the same doula as we did for the first 2, and we even have the same midwives. WA is the most regulated state when it comes to standards of care for midwifery, so we've always felt incredibly safe and well cared for. Good luck, mammas!

ab920 · September 2017

Something I'm doing differently for this unmedicated birth is having a "birthing board." It's basically one of those science fairs board that you put pictures, quotes, and reminders on for during labor.

Last time, I was so focused on the contraction that I frequently lost sight of my breath and relaxation. I also said the same prayer over and over again and once I got to 8cm, I started forgetting it.

Someone suggested the birthing board. Might be something to consider!

dilbert890 · September 2017

@carolinefriesen have you had a doula before? How did you like them? I'm having my first and hired one. My hubby keeps calling her a "rent a mom". I'm hoping it's worth the investment!

@ab920 the birth board sounds like an awesome idea. I might steal your idea! My doula taught my birth class and talked about finding a ritual like that's to get you through. I have to have a hospital birth, but want to stay home As long as possible. That board sounds like it would be easy to pack and move to the hospital

ab920 · September 2017

dilbert890 said:

@carolinefriesen have you had a doula before? How did you like them? I'm having my first and hired one. My hubby keeps calling her a "rent a mom". I'm hoping it's worth the investment!

@ab920 the birth board sounds like an awesome idea. I might steal your idea! My doula taught my birth class and talked about finding a ritual like that's to get you through. I have to have a hospital birth, but want to stay home As long as possible. That board sounds like it would be easy to pack and move to the hospital

Right?! I'm actually eager to start working on it. Photos of baby girl, ultrasound of new baby girl, favorite "birthing" quotes, reminders ("BREATHE, YOU DUMMY!"

).

darkfyre · September 2017

@ab920 also add "Relax your face" This was the most common prompt I got from my doula during my son's birth. It REALLY helped. Once I relaxed my face my neck and shoulders relaxed and I could move downward without thinking.

blueskies17 · September 2017

@darkfyre I read a similar tip in Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. TMI- I've also tried it in the bathroom while battling pregnancy constipation and I swear it helps!

ab920 · September 2017

darkfyre said:

@ab920 also add "Relax your face" This was the most common prompt I got from my doula during my son's birth. It REALLY helped. Once I relaxed my face my neck and shoulders relaxed and I could move downward without thinking.

YES! That's such a good one--I had my husband who kept reminding me to "relax my jaw" (that's what our Bradley teacher suggested). But I like "face" better--more encompassing!

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