Any Homebirth Mom's Out There?

just read "Pushed" by jennifer block, and "the thinking woman's guide to a better birth" and they both convinced me on homebirth.

I know a really good midwife that I was gonna use , but I had to have a C-section, but she is really good. if you are interested,i'll give you her info

A.,

Sorry for the late reply. I'm a midwife (homebirth and birth center births) in San Antonio. There's a fairly new organization here called the Citizens for Gentle Birth Network. I think they have a local homebirth support group (or at least can tell you the name of the contact person who leads such a group). You can find them at www.citizensforgentlebirth.org.

Of course I'm biased, but I have yet to have a client who's had a homebirth (or birth at our birth center) purposely want to have a hospital birth in the future! Having a homebirth is so wonderful. I just had a beautiful birth on Wednesday and this mother went on and on saying how much easier this birth was than what she had expected or what she had experienced with her first 3 babies in hospitals. I visited with her again today for a postpartum check up and again she commented on how much easier her recovery seems to be this time.

Birth is a very natural process we should trust, just as we trust all other physiological processes that occur within our bodies. Birth is inherently safe. Unnecessary interventions do nothing but alter the process of giving birth and therefore turn it into something to fear. It's sad how our society and culture have taken something so wonderfully good and turned it into a nightmare.

Congratulations on your excellent choice! I wish you all the best.

Blessings,

R.
Midwife (LM, CPM), Doula (CD(DONA), ICD, CLD), Childbirth and Lactation Educator (ICCE)
Multiple Blessings Childbirth Services
San Antonio, TX
###-###-####
____@____.com

Well, I didn't have home births but I did have 3 kids with no drugs at the hospital. You are right it is not common to have a natural birth, ESPECIALLY at the hospital. My husband never feld comfortable with a home birth and then after one, she was still too little to have seen it all... but I admire your plan to have one. Good luck. If you have anyquestions, I'm not sure i can help but would be glad to chat with you.
C.

A.,

One thing you need to know -- research says home birth (planned) is as safe if not safer than a hospital birth for low-risk moms. So many people think home birth is "SO dangerous", but it isn't. The midwife brings items that might be needed in an emergency and watches for signs that a transfer to a hospital might be needed. It really helps if she has a backup doctor available, but so many doctors in this area are not willing, so she may not. One thing to ask her -- will she go to the hospital with you if a transfer is necessary and continue to act as one of your support people? I've heard horror stories about midwives who decided a transfer was necessary, but just dropped mom and her group at the emergency room door and vanished.

I've had one medicated birth and two natural ones, and I DEFINITELY preferred the natural ones. Yeah, it hurt for a while, but I felt so much better afterward. I think it would have even been better had I been able to be out of bed, but I delivered years ago (the first round of natural births) when being out of bed was a real no-no.

As for herbs, my niece just had a great home birth, and she drank lots of red raspberry leaf tea in the days leading up to the birth (she went a week past her due date and in June was getting miserable, so was doing whatever to go into labor). Her labor was very short, and she feels the tea did it. I've had other moms who used a preparation called L6W that some midwives recommend, but I haven't found any.

Best wishes on your birth. Let us hear from you after you birth.

A.

I had both of my girls (4 yrs and 18 mo) at Nativiti Birthing Center in the Woodlands with a midwife. Completely natural and wonderful. I know its not a home birth, but its as close as you can get without actually being in your house. Also, my cousin has 3 girls and her 3rd (now 9 mo) was born at Nativiti while the other two in a hospital. She loved her experience as well and swears that she bonded better with her baby at Nativiti. Our Midwife was Melanie Dossey.

Homebirth would scare me to death. But I will tell you that I had both of my children naturally. If this is your second child, your labor should be shorter. Be sure to take lamaz (sp?) and have a good coach. Keep a positive attitude. You may feel like you can't do it once the contractions really start to kick in but labor does not last forever and you can get through it.

I’m a 30 year old Mom of a wonderful 15-month old boy. I'm very healthy and fit and my pregnancy went absolutely smooth and was uneventful (in a good sense). My husband and I took Lamaze classes (which included generic information on other methods –Bradley was one of them) at Clear Lake Regional and decided to try for a natural birth but at the hospital vs. home. With positive attitude and in good health I went into labor at 5:30AM. My water broke right away and we came to the hospital at 8:30 AM. Clear Lake Regional has wonderful labor rooms/suites, my husband and Mom stayed with me as well as my super nurse, who helped me with breathing and didn’t leave my side for 9 hours straight. After 7.5 hours of drugs-free labor my dilation stopped at 9 ¾ cm. I didn’t make any progress in the next 2 hours, was exhausted and demanded an epidural that I originally though was evil 

I reached 10 cm as soon as I got my epidural. I pushed hard and all readings (baby’s and mine) were good, but my boy was a bit too big for me and I ended up having a c-section at 5PM because all my hard work pushing wasn’t effective.

My advice to you: try natural homebirth. But make sure you can get to the hospital in minutes if need be. Once again – I was and am very healthy, had wonderful pregnancy, all support one can ask for from my family and most of all – positive attitude. Ended up having a c-section. Please, consider all options and listen to your doctor before making a decision. You can have a great experience at home but it’s also possible to have a great labor at the hospital.

Good luck!

Dear A.,

Yay - I wish you a very blessed birth! I have had a hospital birth (attended by a midwife), a birthing center birth (run by midwives) and lastly, a homebirth attended by a midwife and her two apprentices. Each experience has definitely been better than the last. It was so nice not having to drive anywhere while in hard labor. It was also wonderful renting a birthing tub to labor in (planned to birth in, but it didn't happen that way). How wonderful to be comfortable at home instead of fighting stress at the hospital. OK, here are some detailed recommendations:

Midwife: Cathy Rude (in Katy) ###-###-#### - tons of experience, wonderful Christian midwife. Mother of 6. ____@____.com

Herbalist: Shonda Parker - http://www.naturallyhealthy.org/ - you can call her for personalized help, and she has wonderful books and herbal formulas. They REALLY work!

Birth Kit: http://www.birthsupplies.com/ - click "Catalog" then "Custom Birth Kits" - then click Deluxe Birth Kit. You can add other things from the catalog as well. Owned by Shonda Parker (herbalist, above). I recommend the Arnica Massage Oil for labor, Soothing Sitz Herbal Bath Mix for after birth & Contract Ease for after birth contractions.

Birthing Tub: Carol Schumacher ###-###-#### (hard sided spa - comes in a box - easy to set up - can sit on the side of it - has jets & snap on lid. Comes w/ all the accessories like chemicals, underwater mirror, flashlight, scooper etc.)

Have a wonderful birth!
Blessings,
R.

Supporting you as you nurture your family.
www.NurturedFamily.com

Hi A.--congratulations on your forward thinking! Because I am a Certified Nurse Midwife running my birth center, I ceretainly agree with what you are planning. I have several friends--certified professional as well as certified nurse midwives doing home births. They are all very busy, and love their work.

I have never done a home birth practice, but provide support of natural, healthy birth in the birth center. I recommend Lamaze International website (www.lamaze.org) for any more info you may desire. Let me know if I can help you further.

Kathy ###-###-####.

Hi A.!
I'm a 28 years old mom of a 14 months old litlle beautiful boy. I came to Houston few months ago from The Netherlands- where I gave birth to my baby at home.
I gotta tell you- in the begining I was pretty scared about this idea but there this is very normal if the mother is healthy and has no problems during the pregnancy. So actually- I had no choice, but now when I look backward- I'm very happy that I did it at home. Altough my delivery was very long (12 hours) and I didn't get any painkillers or so. My contractions were very intense- from the begining- every 4 or 5 min. I was exhousted... Betwen them I couldn't do anything, I tryed to take shower but that just made me feel worse. So all this time I was seating on the chair & squezing my husbands palms. And breathing... All this time was with my one midwife and later came 1 nurse. There was no doctor. I couldn't lie down because of a very sore back in this position, so when I started to push- they put me onto one special chair which was very comfortable for me and after almoust one hour- came my beautiful baby boy. Midwife took care of everything very good. I felt very dizzy after that and took me time almoust one week to get my energy back but everything was ok.
Anyway I think I could do it again like I did it before :)
If you have any more questions- you can write to me and ask about anything! ____@____.com
Good luck!!!!
Agata

I didn't have my son at home, but I had him naturally at the hospital with a doula. It was a great experience and I plan on having my second one naturally as well. We didn't do a home birth because it freaked my husband out and we were an hour away from a hospital. The red rasberry leaf tea works well as well as yoga for prepping your body. Also, rosemary essential oil rubbed on the abdomen helps move things along. Good luck!
-A.

Well, my experience was not a home birth, but it was all natural. By that, I can honestly say that you are either one brave woman or the hormones have really messed with your head! (HaHa!)-- I remember thinking after it was over (the days while I was still in the hospital), that I would have rather been burned at the stake...alive! -- It was my second child, we ware all so excited to have a baby girl (our 1st was a boy). But honestly after that, not expected at all natural birth... it was almost like PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). I had an unbelievable depression & felt like my daughter & I wern't bonding. I would not recommend natural birth to anyone! But, then again everyone is different! Good luck!

I chose not to homebirth, b/c our city had a "Birthing Suite". Private rooms, baby stays in room, etc. It was like a very nice hotel with nurses. And it was next door to the hospital, in case of any emergency. I would say the best part of my two experiences there, was my husband as my coach. I went natural both times, and I'm not sure I would have been able to do it without him. It's so, so important to have someone who knows your wishes beforehand, and can speak for you, when people are wanting you to make decisions in the throws of full-on pain. My second favorite part of my experiences, was the jacuzzi bathtub in the suites. I had heard that it reduced pain, but couldn't have imagined how much. I had back labor both times, and got in the tub for the final part of my labor, and I was actually able to talk through contractions! The jets at my back, along with the relaxing water, helped me dilate fast. The nurses were so great that they even did my IV while I was in the tub. The danger of that, however, was I didn't want to get out when it was time to push & almost had my baby in the water. :)

One more thing - I had not made a decision before my first child, as to whether my water should be broken before pushing. (It was intact until then.) If that happens to you, I would certainly recommend having it broken. It may intensify the contractions, but if it breaks on a push, it can tear you very badly (I also did not want an episiotomy).

Okay, enough with the grossness. :) God bless and please write back after your baby's birth and let us know how it went!

M.

I too gave birth naturally to both of my children at the hospital b/c my hospital had birthing suites and the baby stayed in the room (I wqas too afraid to do it at home because the hospital was 25 min away). I highly recommend taking a birthing class like lamase. The breathing really helps, both of my children were posterior and I had to rock, use the jaccuzi and ball to get them to turn to come out right, thus while posterior I had horrible back labor but the breathing helped me focus and get thru the contractions. You need a strong partner and he needs to know exactly what you want to help make it a wonderful experience. Once the baby turned the contractions were much easier to work thru. I still use the lamase breathing when I have excrutiating pains (like breaking my ankle). It was a beautiful experience both times. So much so on my second child I had 6 people (my mother, husband, best friend, my child's godmother, my cousin and my best friends mother) in my room helping me, the hospital made an exception when I said in the middle of a contraction that I needed them all there...bye bye modesty. I also made it very clear that under no circumstances did I want an epidural, etc. and the nurses were wonderful!!!! I was able to "feel" my babies come into this world and it was the most beautiful thing I have ever experienced!!!!! I highly recommend the natural birth, good luck on the home birth!

H.

A.-
I am a mother of one (10 months) and I had a natural birth, eventhough it wasn't like I had planned! I woke up having back labor/contractions and 2 hours later my son was here w/ no time for an epidural or any meds. I didn't want to use any meds b/c of the effect on him but I was not opposed to an epidural since I was expecting to be in labor all day and be exhausted. However, I ended up getting on my hands and knees and allowing my belly to just hang down which took pressure off my back, and if I had had a birthing ball I think that would have helped too. I think the biggest thing that allowed me to go through it was just staying focused. Toward the end I kept my eyes closed and thought of nothing except allowing my body to do what it needed to do. I think I put the pain aside and zoned in on what I had to do-b/c no matter how much it hurt or I wanted to stop I couldn't so why waste energy on it? Anyway, I ended up tearing some but it really was not bad and I healed up fine.
If you didn't take childbirth classes I would recommend it b/c they have specific ones for natural births and your husband needs to go too b/c you won't remember everything :) Good luck ! S.

Someone has already mentioned The Bradley Method which is the best way to prepare for a home or hospital birth. I am a Bradley instructor in San Antonio and you are welcome to contact me with any questions @ ____@____.com I have always said that the safest place to give birth is where you feel safest and for many people that is at home. Hopefully, you will have access to a tub. My kids are 12 and 16 now but if I was to do anything differently as far as their births are concerned I would have a waterbirth. I think it is the easiest way to give birth for both the mom and baby.

My daughter gave birth in May. We shared the joyous experience of a home water birth as we welcomed my second granddaughter into the world. It was an amazing experience and though I wouldn't recommend it for everyone, I really appreciated the opportunity to be part of it. We have an excellent midwife and my son in law did a great job delivering Alexia with the midwife's supervision. As a nurse, I had a hard time with the concept at first but I agree that women have had babies without the aid of Dr. or hospital long before pregnancy was considered a "medical condition". We were close to a hospital and the midwife has extensive training so I supported my daughter in her decision. It was an experience I would not trade for all the money in the world.

I also have a friend that has had two babies at home and is having her third in October. I won't be there for that one but I wish I could be.

Best of luck in your adventure. Don't let anyone change your mind for you and stand up for what you believe in. You and your husband know what is right for you and if you have had an uncomplicated pregnancy-go for it. Let us know how things come out (oops, no pun intended)

C.

Hi A.! I had my daughter 2 years ago naturally using the Bradley method. We did have her in the hospital b/c the whole homebirth thing kinda freaks my husband out. :) But, it was a WONDERFUL experience. We would like 4 kids and hope the other 3 births are as pleasant as her's was.
My brother was born at home 23 years ago, but I remember it like yesterday. My parents used the Bradley method for both my brother and me and I was breech.
If you haven't taken childbirth classes, I would definitely recommend Bradley - aka Husband-coached childbirth. You can find more info about it at www.bradleybirth.com
Also, I would be happy to answer any other questions you have if you want to email me at ____@____.com
I know my experience is different since I was in a hospital but we did do it naturally. I know it can be hard to fing other people who think the whole natural thing is worth it. Hope this at least encourages you!

Hi A.,

I could direct you to a HomeBirthing group, babywearing group and api (Attachment parenting group) in Houston. Where exactly are you located? Have you heard of a Doula? If you need one, I am one, if you wish to interview.

Email me off list at ____@____.com or call ###-###-#### ... You can do it!

Hi A.,
I had a wonderful, safe homebirth with my 3rd. The first 2 I had in a hospital with a midwife, and just felt more comfortable at home. I think this labor was much better since I had all the comforts of home around me, including my 2 older children.
Let me know if you want more information,

I have three children under the age of 4 and I went natural with all of them. My last one who is now 4 months old I had a a birthing center with a midwife I wanted to do it at home but was reluctant because the nearest hospital is 20 minutes away. The birthing center was only 1 mile away from the hospital and they were prepared incase of an emergency. It was the best of all three because I wasn't hooked up to all the monitors and so it was alot more natural. I ended up having my little girl in the water it was totally awesome. The water helped during the contractions and was very soothing. As long as you are positive leading up to the birth every thing will go great. Just think millions and millions did it before medication so you can too! Good Luck!

I had my 1st in the hospital and then went on to have 3 homebirth/waterbirths. Once you do it at home you completely understand why people love it sooooo much. It is so relaxing and so much better for the baby. People do not understand how much monitoring is done behind the scenes. Midwives have very low cesarean rates and complications are few and far between. Every study that I have ever read states over and over that homebirth when attended by a qualified midwife is completely safe if not safer than birth in a hospital for normal, healthy women and babies.

I guess I am a little biased though. I am a midwife and run a center in New Braunfels. We do 4-5 births a month with about 90% being in the water. Women love it!!

www.BirthCenterNB.com www.MidwifeNewBraunfels.com

Good Luck! A.

I am a homebirthin' mama! I have a six year old that I had in the hospital, but my 4 year old and 12 month old were born at home. Now that I have experienced home birth, you couldn't pay me to have my baby in the hospital! I love being able to call the shots and move and be and have my baby with me at all times. I had 2 wonderful experiences at home. Home birth is alot more common than people think; I'm so glad it's coming back. Anyway, if you have anything you want to discuss or have questions, I'm available. I love talking birth and babies.
Sincerely,
J.
About me: Mother of three boys (and lovin' it!), wife to an associate pastor, student at a local college, 27 yrs old.