42 week pregnancy - advice!

Jo_R_2

Hi ka7e

I should add that part of the reason why I wanted a home birth was because last time I suffered from severe post natal depression which I feel in part was due to the birth of DD1. Part of the reason why I chose a home birth was to hopefully avoid the issues that came with that birth, and my consultant suggested it may be a big factor in avoiding it second time round, and he thus advocated my decision. I feel it had major relevance in bonding issues (having read about pain relief and hormones in labour afterwards I believe it does implicate my hospital birth as a factor in my PND) thus my 'stubbornness', if you like, in insisting on this birth to be here at home.

I do feel that I can argue my corner - I really wouldn't go in insisting it was the best way without having done appropriate research and reading and I feel I can argue my point intelligently rather than just being contrary. I am aware of the risks of being overdue and of course wouldn't jeopardise the health of my baby or myself for a principle; however I won't be going along with the advice for induction if both the medical staff and myself can see from a scan that the baby and placenta are fine. I know that even if this is the case they will still recommend induction anyway; however I am entitled to opt for regular monitoring and scans should I choose to refuse induction so that may be my choice.

However, should the scan show that there ARE issues, of course I will revise my plans. It won't necessarily be the way I would have hoped but the ultimate way is birthing my baby to give her the safest chance, and at the end of the day if it isn't home birth then so be it.

And yes, the curry aspect has been mentioned to me quite a bit over the last few days!!!

Jay-Jay_4

Jo I understand you perfectly.

I too was almost a week overdue with a booked homebirth and I too needed to have the right birth experience for my own mental wellbeing.

When people said "it doesn't matter how it's born as long as it's healthy" I couldn't agree with them. Of course I wouldn't have risked anything but for me it really was important how it was born, very important in fact.

Have you looked at the radical midwives site for some like minded inspiration?

Jo_R_2

Jay Jay

Yup, big fan of the radical midwives site! :T I like to refer to it to do with any birth-related decision Happy to say I am open to hearing different opinions so I do like to also visit gentlebirth.com, you get a lot of mixed opinions there, was just looking there about opinions on induction for post-dates pregnancy actually.

I agree totally about having the right birth experience. I was off work after my maternity leave on sick due to my PND and whilst that in itself was a good thing because quite frankly I was a mess, it also meant that we were *very* tight on money as I am the main earner. I'm not saying I'm motivated by financial means here by any means but it is obviously important to be able to function as an individual and a member of the family and I couldn't.

So very important! And an trying the curry tonight, my appointment is tomorrow so fingers crossed...

mishkanorman

Good luck jo,
I think people who have had nothing but positive birth experiences can fail to see the importance of one. I didnt realise myself till the second birth when I felt AMAZING i literally sat and put make up on about twenty minutes after he was born !! ( not cos im a vain cow just because i looked so awful the first time round i still cant bear to look at the photos )

it tooks weeks before i felt like 'me' again with my first son, I was never told I had PND and I wouldnt go as far to say I did but boy I was miserable. The two experiences couldnt have been more different, I hope your (planned)home birth solves your concerns.

Are you sick of people saying " haven't you had that yet " and giving your by now quite obvious bump a poke. Or was it just me that met all the funny people in the world

mishka

ps i predict a girl, 8lb 2 oz

Jay-Jay_4

Jo, I hope your curry provides just a smidgen of gentle stimulation. Seeing as you're having your baby at home we do expect you to log on while in actual labour to let us know how things are moving along. :whistle:

Without wishing to break your calm focus could you possibly post just before transition and once more during third stage?

Thanks :rotfl:

essexhoney

Keeping everything crossed for you Jo! xx

rozeepozee

God luck Jo, I'm rooting for you :j

Savvy_Sue

I haven't read all the posts, but I am presuming you have also talked to your midwife, Jo? Mine were always wonderful at supporting me in having a home birth when the GP was agin it, they were used to them and quite confident. Some of the hospital based midwives I spoke to were obviously unconfident and their advice was always biased to coming in.

My feeling is that if your midwife is backing you up against the consultant, then you're on strong ground. And if your midwife has concerns, doubts or worries, you need to know what they are.

FWIW, I'd go for induction rather than caesar if possible!

Good luck!

Penny_Watcher

Jay-Jay wrote:

Without wishing to break your calm focus could you possibly post just before transition and once more during third stage?

PMSL!!!! :rotfl:

All the very best Jo.

squibbs25

For those of you willing labour on, when i was pregnant with my dd and getting towards the end, and feeling rather fed up, fat and only just normal, i used my foot spa thingie! If you havent got a foot spa, a good old fashioned foot massage might do the trick!
Apparently the senses in your feet are connected to your womb somehow (or something like that ?! ) Anyway, i used it twice - 2 days apart- and ended up in labour which lasted 3 hours!
Well thats how it worked for me!

Squibbs

*This is NOT medical advice*