Home Birth/Water Birth

Hello!
I had my third at home in a tub two months ago...A wonderful experience...But I don;t really have the time to give you all the details in this email...with babykinz and all... You can call me at ###-###-#### or we could go for a cup of tea somewhere :)
Genie

Hi G.,

I've birthed in the hospital, at home, and on route to a birth center. My favorite birth was the home birth by far. First, I want to mention that homebirth is statistically safer than a hospital birth given a low risk pregnancy. I can send you sources and statistics for that info if you want -- contact me privately. Planning a homebirth with a midwife you trust is absolutely the best way to avoid unnecessary interventions -- you might not get your ideal birth, but if you've got a good midwife, you can rest assured that anything that happens is necessary. At our home birth, we had my midwife, her assistant, my husband, our doula, our roommate, and my mother present, as well as my father downstairs, and my son was alseep in his bedroom for most of labor. He woke up as I started pushing, his person (always have a well known adult there for any older children so that you and your husband don't have to worry at all about their care -- someone who doesn't feel strongly about being present for the actual birth)and he went downstairs for breakfast, and when they were done they came up and my almost 4yo cut the cord. The birth was wonderful -- I felt completely supported and loved and can't imagine a more beautiful birth. My third birth was unintentionally unattended -- we had chosen to go to a birth center because my current insurance does not cover homebirth, and he was born in my car on the way. Not what I would have chosen, but quite wonderful in its own way.

If you want to talk more about this, you can email me privately. I have many resources about homebirth and on having older children present for the birth of a sibling that I can send you. I also teach Birthing From Within classes -- you can check out my website at www.birthinawareness.com

Best of luck!
-B.

Have you checked out Newport Hospital?
Not sure where you live but I had 2 deliveries there (1 with epidural, 1 natural) and they were both great. I know they have a blow up water tub so may due water deliveries?

HI G. - After about 9 hours of labor at home with my 1st child, the only room available at my hospital was the "waterbirthing room" it has a large jetted tub. My daughter was posterior (turned facing out rather than facing in) and the back labor pain I had - was insane. I was adament on no epi/drugs and my doc suggested I get in the tub, it would help. Right away the pain was cut in half, a completely different experience, my daughter turned HERSELF, facing the right way. It was unreal. Unfortunately I did not take the class on "waterbirthing" so I could not deliver in the tub. When it was time to deliver, I got out and I would of given anything to have been able to stay right there in the beautifully warm water, that was just letting me relax. I knew right then I would take that class and have my next child and any other after that in the water. I've only had 1 more and the experience the 2nd time was all I hoped it would be. I chose to be alone in the water, with my husband and doc behind me outside the tub. I caught my 9 pound son myself, as he gently floated towards me. AMAZING!! I had no tearing, tollerable pain, and no drugs. The next day I felt like I could run a marathon, mentally as well as physically I felt fantastic. Find someplace you can waterbirth - I live in Manchester, NH, thats too far to go. Do some research, its sooo worth it.

Hi G., I wanted to share a home birth story with you. I have had 2 children, the first was born in a hospital, the second at home (for reasons like you mentioned). Anyways, to make a long story short, - - - home birth can be a really really beautiful experience. I don't know how your first 2 births transpired (were they natural in the end or full of interventions?). Regardless, when considering home birth it is really important to be prepared and wrap your mind around what you are trying to do - that is - take responsibility for your birth and whatever outcomes may occur.
Some things to consider:
1) how far are you from a hospital should a situation arise where hospital care is needed?
2) what is the experience level of the home birth midwife and how comfortable do you feel working with her?
3) Is your husband on board? He will have to be, 100%.
4) What support would you have besides the midwife? Have you considered a doula also?

Basically you want to do any and everything in your power to create a relaxing, trusted, warm, safe environment for your child to be born into. You want to work to alleviate all your fears PRIOR TO THE BIRTH so that the only thing you have to concentrate on during the birth is birthing well.

I would totally reccomend having a doula present if at all possible. Another thing that may help you is to check out the book "Birthing from Within" and also perhaps ideas around hynobirthing. I started to take a class in hynobirthing prior to my second child but it didn't work out for me to continue it completely. However, I was able to use some of the positive mental preparation/mind meditation exercises plus some other ones that I found in a book called "Working Inside Out" to help come to a peaceful place where I was able to calm my own fears. Good luck and blessings on your birth.

Hi G.,
I'm not sure how close it is for you, do you live in RI? But I had a waterbirth w/my son at St. Mary's in Waterbury CT 8 years ago and it was absolutely the best thing I ever did:-) I was only there for about 12 hours. No meds = home quicker. My mid-wives were through a practice in Waterbury under Dr. Albini. I only saw mid-wives and there was only one I didn't really like.
Good luck, e-mail me if you have more questions!
E. K.

Hi G.,
I too had a homebirth with my 3rd child. The first 2 were born at a birthing center of a hospital. First birth wasn't the ideal due to a pushy OB. Before the second birth my husband and I took the Bradley Method Birthing classes. I highly recommend these to all birthing women. Find instuctors in your area and go. These classes really teach you about the stages of birth and empower your partner to know what stage you are at to be able to help you. We really felt in control of the birth and as a result had a great birth experience.

For our third we wanted a homebirth for many reasons. We wanted to stay together as a family and to not have to rush off to the center. We also felt it would be a much calmer experience for everyone. We found a pair of wonderful homebirth midwives after interviewing many. The experience was great. My daughter ended up being big-8lbs, 12 oz- and I'm only 5'1". She got stuck on her way out but where the OB for my first used the suction to get him out (he was smaller but got stuck too. It's the way my pelvis is tipped so not something normal), my midwives used the Gaskin Maneuver (named for Ina May Gaskin) and rotated me onto all fours. She came right out then.

Great birth. We were able to just settle in then as a family without all the hospital stuff going on and the nurses bugging you all the time. Nursing was calm. I was happy being in my own bed surrounded by those who I love the most.

Finish reading Ina's book. Look into the Bradley Method classes. (Their website will help you find instructors in your area) And good luck to you. Remember your body has done this twice already. It knows what to do. Believe in that.

Hey G.,
I just wanted to let you know that I had a homebirth here in RI, I'm assuming with the same midwife. It was nothing short of perfect. I don't know what your previous birth experiences were like. I don't know if you're concerned about the possible need of medical attention. I do know and have full confidence in the fact that your midwife is not one of those ladies who needs to prove anything by promoting homebirths at any expense. She also has a plethera of reading materials and research for you to borrow so that you can make a well informed decision. There is also a lot of video footage of homebirths out there that may/may not help to ease your mind. The only thing that concerns me is how nervous you are. Sometimes we just need to go with our gut instincts. Unfortunately, this is a decision that only you and your family can make. The only guidance that I can really give you is that knowledge is power and your mama instincts are usually right. If you can get to a place where they both line up, you'll know what is right for you and your family. May God bless you on your journey and lead you to the decision and outcome that works perfectly for your family.

Hello,

Have a homebirth!! You will be satisfied with your experience.

Have a happy birthing day.

Hi G.,

I have 3 daughters under the age of 6, and none have been born in a hospital. They were all natural, all non-medicated, and very healthy.

The first was a waterbirth in the Wellesley birthplace (now closed, unfortunately - it was wonderful), the second in our truck on the way to that birthplace, and the third at home in our tub, and she came too fast for the midwife or the water! (My husband has become a good baby-catcher.)

The midwives I've had have all been great, caring and wonderful.

I read "Mothering" magazines (still do) and the "Birthing from Within" book and got a lot of helpful advice from them.

Good luck, and I wish you the best however and wherever you decide to birth!
~J.

We did a waterbirth at a birth center, and it was fabulous. We will be doing homebirth next time. If you have a normal pregnancy, homebirth is just as safe as hospital birth; in fact, some studies show it's safer, because in hospitals you have all kinds of interventions pushed on you that can cause further complications. I encourage you to go for it!! =)And use hypnobirthing, as another mama said. My whole labor was 11 hours...didn't get to the birthing center till I was 9.5 centimeters and loved the whole experience!

This is the list of midwives in MA who homebirth and if you look by location, some are close enough to RI to be okay with helping you birth across a state line!

http://www.massmidwives.org/?page_id=9

My advice: Meet with a home birth midwife. A few actually. Talk about calming your fears! Ask all your questions, express your fears and listen carefully! (or if you don't gel with a particular midwife, you'll know she's not your midwife). They are lovely and delightful and I can't wait to try again (my first birth was a planned homebirth turned hospital section but not because of the midwife).

Good luck!

G., hello! congrats on expecting again! what a blessing. i give you the best of luck in your descion. from my own expirences i would never ever again even think about having a child at home. you never know when something can go wrong. my child ended up suffering a severe lack of oxygen from toxsemia not being diagnoses soon enough. i did have all 3 of my children at a hospital. 1st baby at a hospital with out a nicu..the other 2 at a hospital with a nicu. my first child was expected to not live when he was born. he died at age 3 yrs & 3 mos old. i would do anything to have him back. just think about this: if you have a home birth with a midwife & something truely goes wrong. how will you pay for all the medical expences that your child will have thur out it's life? you more then likely wont win a lawsuit with a home birth. only doing a lawsuit if you felt something didnt go well. dont get me wrong im not a sue happy person by any means. my 2nd child's delivery was perfect with out meds & my doctor only being a couch for me. my 3rd child was born 3.5 mos premature. i almost had her at home...if i did she probably wouldnt have survived. she is now a super happy/healthy 14 month old. anyways i just hope you think about th pro's & cons thouroughly. i wish i could change the past & have my son here with me again. i did nothing wrong but try to deliver my children naturally. good luck on your descion & the birth. ~C.~

Hi G.,

I gave birth to both of my boys at home in my bathtub. I have a 3 year old and a 3 month old. My first labor was very long and hard ... but I used no meds and the experience was great because the midwife was so calm and reassuring. The second was quick and easy. Being in the tub feels great and makes pushing the baby out so much easier and more pleasant. I recovered very quickly from both births and would do it the same way again. please let me know if you have any specific questions or if you want to talk.
Allie

I had my third and last child at home in a birth pool in my dining room, attended by my husband, mother, and my midwife.

It was peaceful, safe and empowering. Trust your body!

Hi G.,

I just wanted to send some encouragement your way. We did not get to have our planned homebirth because my little one ended up being breech, but I completely support you in your research of this option.

We did hypnobirthing, which helps some people and not others. I'd really recommend you ask around/look around for a second-hand hypnobirthing book and CD and check it out to see if listening to the CD helps relax you. I didn't expect it to relax me at all, but it did. I did this method and was completely relaxed through several centimeters of dilation. I got to 7 before the c-section, and I don't know how much of how fine that felt was the hypnobirthing, but I know that I felt pretty great until right before surgery and the pain I felt was due to my baby's position. Also, Birthing from Within seems like a great book to augment a homebirth, so see if the library has that. It's the kind of book where there are exercises to do, so you're not just stuck trying to focus on a page and keep reading, you know?

Trust your gut, and best wishes!