Any homebirthin/unassisted birth Mama's here:)?

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Originally Posted by LolaInLove

Kasey, I hear you. If I had a complicated birth, I would not want to be out of the hospital either, even if the odds of everything being fine were good. The kind of temporary trauma you get with a complicated one is enough to keep you on the cautious side...I was bound and determined NOT to have another c/s with #2, because with #1....sorry if long, but she was sunny side up, and they didn't do ANYTHING to help me deal with the back labor naturally or assist me in helping her turn naturally (like having me get on hands and knees, which I know now). They just slapped an epidural in me at 1cm and it went downhill from there. 2 days later!!!!!! I was in the assembly line for a c/s, and when they made the uterine incision, they cut so deep that they cut her umbilical cord also and blood was shooting everywhere. My DH's eyes were as big as saucers and I freaked out. So, to keep me from freaking about that and the pain as my epidural wore off, they shot me up with a bolus of demerol and I was high as a kite until the next day, and barely remember any of it. Fortunately, my DH understood my need to get her on the breast asap and literally held her up to my stoned body so she could nurse, and she did it like a champ. Anyway, another lovely hospital horror story there. After that, I was determined to not do that again, so I did my homework and even switched doctors a few times until I found midwives, albeit in a medical practice, who would let me have a vbac. So, not sure what your options are at this point....since I had a successful vbac, I can do it again, just maybe not outside of a hospital.....I don't know.

I would TOTALLY encourage you to attempt a vbac, though....it is head and shoulders above a section in terms of a good birth experience. I'd love to have the natural home or birthing center experience, if I can, but I can tell you I'd never just elect a c/s ever again. GL!!!

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Holy Dina! That is a crazy birth story!! So glad that your oldest is ok. I was once at a section where the Dr. cut through too far and sliced open the baby's bottom :( He was breech. It was heartbreaking.
I just sent out your info:) So far I have 3 names- all outside of your city, about 1hr45 mins away. Have to find out if they travel and do VBAC's at home:) I'm also asking for any off-the-grid midwives in your area as well:) I'll get back to you soon!
Hugs~

Doulamama,can you tell me a little bit about your job? I'm in the Uk and only heard about Doula's about a year ago, I don't think they are very common over here but are increasing:)

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Originally Posted by DoulaMama

Holy Dina! That is a crazy birth story!! So glad that your oldest is ok. I was once at a section where the Dr. cut through too far and sliced open the baby's bottom :( He was breech. It was heartbreaking.
I just sent out your info:) So far I have 3 names- all outside of your city, about 1hr45 mins away. Have to find out if they travel and do VBAC's at home:) I'm also asking for any off-the-grid midwives in your area as well:) I'll get back to you soon!
Hugs~

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Oh, you are wonderful!!!! Thank you so much! I could not imagine the bum getting sliced open, that is absolutely horrific! Yes, it was not the best experience, so now I have my own lovely soapbox about birth....I haven't gotten to experience a homebirth or natural birth, so my soapbox is just limited to mothers becoming educated and taking control of their situation. Not letting doctors freak them out and make them think they've got to have the big slice for NO good reason. I know so many girls who have ELECTIVE sections....some simply because they don't want to "deal with that icky labor stuff." Could you imagine having that kind of mindset? They don't like my soapbox too much! :bigsmile:

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Originally Posted by LolaInLove

Oh, you are wonderful!!!! Thank you so much! I could not imagine the bum getting sliced open, that is absolutely horrific! Yes, it was not the best experience, so now I have my own lovely soapbox about birth....I haven't gotten to experience a homebirth or natural birth, so my soapbox is just limited to mothers becoming educated and taking control of their situation. Not letting doctors freak them out and make them think they've got to have the big slice for NO good reason. I know so many girls who have ELECTIVE sections....some simply because they don't want to "deal with that icky labor stuff." Could you imagine having that kind of mindset? They don't like my soapbox too much! :bigsmile:

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Sent you another PM. YAY! You are so welcome!! I love helping women to have the birth experience they are hoping for:)
Elective sections:( It makes me so sad that women don't look into it more before they sign up for them. I know many women who thought it was smarter because they wouldn't be stretched out, or torn, they wouldn't have to endure the pain of labour:( Little do they know it's a much harder recovery, tearing is usually associated with epidurals, purple pushing, and laying flat on your back being directed to push, vacuums, forceps...the list goes on, and having a baby come out vaginally does not ruin you down there(and if the tearing is that bad it can be linked back to the intervention causing it)! I can attest to better sex after having my kids! LOL The pain does not last forever and the endorphins you get from a pain med free birth are incredible:) I know a woman who has climbed Everest twice...and her natural birth blew that out of the water! :D I love birth..can you tell! Which is why I'm a doula! And hopefully a midwife in a few years time:)

DoulaMama, thank you so much....we are so glad you are here!!!!

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Originally Posted by ELP

Doulamama,can you tell me a little bit about your job? I'm in the Uk and only heard about Doula's about a year ago, I don't think they are very common over here but are increasing:)

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I support mom and dad through the pregnancy and labour/postpartum. Any questions that need to be answered through the pregnancy, I get the resources needed and give them all the details they need in regards to tests, interventions, birth etc. I also come to woman's house while she in labour, help with anything they need help with- position changes if baby is in a funny position I can suggest certain things to help move baby etc, I also help with the emotional support of mom through labour. I fetch water, fill birth pools, scoop poop from birth pools ;) LOL I do everything from the waist up! I am trained to see how far along a woman is without having to any sort of hands on care- no vag checks or anything medical. I help with breastfeeding after the birth, postpartum emotions, talking through the birth a few weeks after. I tend to be a shoulder for the dad to lean on as well....especially first time births. I let the dad have a break and sleep, I get food for everyone, help clean up the birth space at home, etc...the list goes on. I've sat with the older children at homebirths and told them what was going on. The difference between a midwife and a doula is that I'm not medically trained. I cannot prescribe anything, can't do fetal heart checks, Bp checks etc. Midwife is trained for over 4 years to do the medical side:) I also attend unassisted births...my role is slightly different as I'm very hands off...I just hang out as a physical presence while mom and dad do all the work. They are by far the most intimate births I've attended. Mom, reaching down and catching her baby as it floats out into the water of the birthpool. The room is quiet, filled by candle light and mom and dad are the only ones to touch and greet their new baby. It's truly a blessing to be a part of such amazing moments:)

I just got goosebumps reading that!

I had both of my boys at home. Wanted a waterbirth each time but my babies are just born too fast! (with my 2nd the tub was 1/3 full when he popped out!)

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Originally Posted by DoulaMama

I support mom and dad through the pregnancy and labour/postpartum. Any questions that need to be answered through the pregnancy, I get the resources needed and give them all the details they need in regards to tests, interventions, birth etc. I also come to woman's house while she in labour, help with anything they need help with- position changes if baby is in a funny position I can suggest certain things to help move baby etc, I also help with the emotional support of mom through labour. I fetch water, fill birth pools, scoop poop from birth pools ;) LOL I do everything from the waist up! I am trained to see how far along a woman is without having to any sort of hands on care- no vag checks or anything medical. I help with breastfeeding after the birth, postpartum emotions, talking through the birth a few weeks after. I tend to be a shoulder for the dad to lean on as well....especially first time births. I let the dad have a break and sleep, I get food for everyone, help clean up the birth space at home, etc...the list goes on. I've sat with the older children at homebirths and told them what was going on. The difference between a midwife and a doula is that I'm not medically trained. I cannot prescribe anything, can't do fetal heart checks, Bp checks etc. Midwife is trained for over 4 years to do the medical side:) I also attend unassisted births...my role is slightly different as I'm very hands off...I just hang out as a physical presence while mom and dad do all the work. They are by far the most intimate births I've attended. Mom, reaching down and catching her baby as it floats out into the water of the birthpool. The room is quiet, filled by candle light and mom and dad are the only ones to touch and greet their new baby. It's truly a blessing to be a part of such amazing moments:)

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Thankyou for answering:) It's sounds like a great job, something I would like to do but I expect the hours can be pretty random with a young family about? I have always liked the idea of just sneaking into the bath to have my babies but for peace and quiet I jump in a cab and go to the hospital lol.
Thanks again:)