Hey I know that there's a few fellow homebirthers here.

I thought that I'd put up a little survey for us. :)

1. How many kids do you have?

2. How many kids have you had at home?

3. How do you come to the decision to birth at home?

4. What were the highlights of your birth experience?

5. Did you use water at all to help you labor?

6. What techniques did you use to help labor progress?

7. How long was your labor?

8. Where did you deliver in relation to your due date? (early, late, on time, etc.)

9. Did you ever require transfer to a hospital?

10. What did you feel were the major advantages to birthing at home?

11. Were there any disadvantages?

12. Would you give birth at home again?

1. How many kids do you have? 1

2. How many kids have you had at home? 1

3. How do you come to the decision to birth at home?

My DH and I were having a bad time financially at the time and homebirth was an inexpensive option. And I always knew that I wanted a completely intervention free birth. After interviewing the midwife we knew that it was right for us!

4. What were the highlights of your birth experience?

Watching my daughter be born with the help of a large mirror, having my husband walk with me through the entire experience, holding her on my chest after the birth and bonding with her

5. Did you use water at all to help you labor?

Yes, I labored a lot in the bathtub. The warm water relaxed me and helped labor to progress.


6. What techniques did you use to help labor progress?

Mostly walking, getting in the tub, etc. Also keeping well hydrated and eating was important to keep labor going well.

7. How long was your labor?

From start to birth, the active stuff lasted 19 hours. If you count the easy contractions, it was over 30 hours! (From Saturday night to Monday afternoon, but I slept through some of it!)

8. Where did you deliver in relation to your due date? (early, late, on time, etc.)

I delivered at 41 weeks, 5 days. If I had been with a regular OB he probably would have wanted to induce me.

9. Did you ever require transfer to a hospital? No, although I did go to an OB office a couple of times during pregnancy to deal with a skin condition that I developed during pregnancy

10. What did you feel were the major advantages to birthing at home?

No one offered me drugs because there were none available, thus I could focus on the task at hand. Everything was quiet and private. I could use any position that I wanted (other than lying on my back) to labor. I could eat and drink as much as I wanted and I didn't have to worry about my baby being taken anywhere, other than the distance from my bed to the bassinet. Also, not having an episiotomy or a tear was a great advantage and definitely shortened my recovery time from birth.

11. Were there any disadvantages? No

12. Would you give birth at home again?

Definitely, God willing, DH and I would love to have all of our kids at home with the same midwife.

1. How many kids do you have? Five

2. How many kids have you had at home? All five

3. How do you come to the decision to birth at home? Well, with #1 we assumed we'd have a hospital birth, unaware of any other options. God puts us with a childbirth educator/lay midwife. We meet and talk and get to know one another. She brings in a friend of hers who recently had a homebirth. Just for some 'birthing experience' kind of stuff. She had given birth to her 5 not too long before, at home. That's when we decided that's what we wanted. I already wanted a natural childbirth, but was afraid of the hospital. All their 'rules' and restrictions and such. But, as I said, I feared I would just have to deal with it. But then we were introduced to hb and that was it. Month 7, we were officially planning for a homebirth.

4. What were the highlights of your birth experience? Which one? LOL #1 I had been in labor for quite some time. There was talk of a transport. Of which I was not aware at the time, it was talk amongst midwives and dh who then shared with our friends waiting outside in our living room (they had been there through all of this). Well, one friend was online, in the chat room I frequented at the time. He shared this concern and prayers went up on our behalf across the country (world?) There wasn't a word being typed in that chatroom, they all paused for prayer. Our friends (a group of 3 guys) were huddled in the hallway immediately outside my bedroom door, praying. Soon, I was progressing well and baby was born. #2 was just much faster than ever anticipated. Highlight I guess would have to be me saying "I have to push" and dh responding with "No, you can't yet" midwife wasn't there LOL I said "yes" he says "no" I push, water breaks, we frantically get my pj pants off LOL Head is out, doorbell rings...midwife, we forgot to unlock the door!! Dh panics "what do I do now? she's here, I can't leave the kid hanging out of you" LOL "it's ok, I'm fine, no contraction, go open the door" He runs, runs back, push, he catches baby. Midwife arrives upstairs and puts down her bag. #3 hmm I don't know if I have room/time for this one..I'll try the Reader's Digest version. The last 3 mo of pregnancy I had lots of contractions. I was uncomfortable and miserable. Hating life quite frankly. I had wished I wasn't pregnant. I had wished God would just take the baby away. I hated God for giving me this baby I hadn't yet asked for, for making me so sick throughout the pregnancy and for these contractions that were so intense I would swear labor was near, only for it to stop...then start again the next evening. It was awful! Finally I get bottom and had nowhere to turn BUT the Lord. I repented of my sinful attitude. I was at peace. The next morning I was in labor. I just thought a few contractions, but they were soon intense enough for me to want to call dh. I call, then call midwife (same as last birth, only travelling further this time). 3 hrs he was born.
#4 highlight: my midwife made it!! My third kid with her, the first she was there for the entire process LOL
#5 highlight: it was just us

5. Did you use water at all to help you labor? #1 yes, shower and tub, mostly shower, leaning on dh #2, no, no time LOL #3 Yes, waterbirth #4 no, didn't even cross my mind #5 yes, waterbirth

6. What techniques did you use to help labor progress? I just rock a lot. I am up walking from the time contractions hit. Deep low noises, walking and hands & knees rocking. Keeping as upright as I can. Squatting too

7. How long was your labor? #1 - 27 hr, 2 was pushing; #2 - 5 hr total; #3 - 3 hr total; #4 - ooo I think 6 hr? #5 - um, shoot, I forgot again, around 3 hr I think...I just remember calling dh as he was due home from work, asking if he could pick up supper as I wasn't feeling up to cooking. Some contractions going on. So he comes home, orders pizza after we settle down and figure out that's what we're doing LOL Next thing I know I'm in the bathroom running a tub of water when the pizza guy comes to the door and dh starts handing slices out to the kids *shrug* hehe

8. Where did you deliver in relation to your due date? (early, late, on time, etc.) #1 - between 2 dates..what dr originally said and what u/s said #2 he was 7 days 'early' #3 was 7 days 'late' #4 hmm can't remember her..she was really close, maybe a few days 'early' ? #5 oh man, I gotta think the hardest for the most recent, isn't that backwards? I think he was pretty 'right on' I'll have to look it up

9. Did you ever require transfer to a hospital? Nope :)

10. What did you feel were the major advantages to birthing at home? I could do what I wanted when I wanted. No invasive monitoring. No hurrying. Just cozy and relaxed.

11. Were there any disadvantages? None that I can see

12. Would you give birth at home again? Won't have it any other way if I can help it :D

Tara, I laughed so hard when I read story about #2 coming. Your poor DH. [rofl] You are like super-mommy! You're my hero, will you give me your autograph? :D No, but seriously you are an amazing woman!

hehehe we still get a chuckle out of that ourselves
I'm there kneeling over the couch, managing contractions. Midwife has been called, she would be there any moment. Then I feel the urge to push. Once I feel the urge, it's all over! Of course, we know that NOW LOL not so much then. But anywho..
Yeah, we still laugh "No, you can't" "uh, yes, I have to" "no, I'm not ready yet, J will be here any moment now" "nope, can't help it" (as I'm already pushing tehehe)

1. How many kids do you have? 1

2. How many kids have you had at home? 1

3. How do you come to the decision to birth at home?
I had been seeing an OB for my pregnancy, and throughout the pregnancy I had been reading about every book on pregnancy and birth I could find. I happened across a book (I forget the title) and it talked about how "cookiecutter" hospital births have become, how they don't really let you have the birth you want, how the push epidurals and c-sections, so I started reading up on homebirth. My really good friend had had her 3rd baby with a midwife in a birthing center, and she kept trying to get me to meet with her. After reading an article about how some doctors went and got custody of an unborn baby because a mother refused a c-section, and then made her have the surgery, Dh and I decided we weren't doing a hospital birth! After meeting my midwife and spending hours with her at my home, asking her every question possible, I knew she was our gal, and I was birthing at home!

4. What were the highlights of your birth experience?
I loved staying at home. I could be naked all I wanted, I could sit, lay, or stand anywhere I wanted. My home smelled like my home, sounded like my home, and was just cozy! I loved looking up during labor, and all my labor team were sitting around our birthing tub praying for me!

5. Did you use water at all to help you labor?
When active labor hit, I wanted to get into the birthing pool, but my midwife didn't want me to progress too fast until she got there, so I could only go in after 40 min. so I jumped into the shower...twice! It was so nice! After 30 min of waiting, I stripped and jumped into my birthing pool, and there I stayed for 5 more hours! It was bliss!!

6. What techniques did you use to help labor progress?
I vocalized my whole labor. I was pretty quiet I was told, but I would hum really really low, and since I was in water, I would rock back and forth on my knees!

7. How long was your labor?
Early labor was 13 hours...very boring, very easy contractions every 6 min, about 45 sec apart, then active labor hit and that was 6 hours, contrax every 3 min, 90 secons long....very strong. So total...what? 19 hours?

8. Where did you deliver in relation to your due date? (early, late, on time, etc.)
Emma was 7 days late

9. Did you ever require transfer to a hospital? NO

10. What did you feel were the major advantages to birthing at home?
No one pressuring me to medicate, noone to pressure me to change positions, I could refuse getting checked if I wanted, I could push when I felt the need, and I had my baby with me the whole time.

11. Were there any disadvantages?
No one made me milkshakes after I gave birth...LOL! (that was one thing my friend who births in hospitals bragged about! Haahaaa)

12. Would you give birth at home again?
Lord willing, YES!!!

1. How many kids do you have? 2

2. How many kids have you had at home? 2

3. How do you come to the decision to birth at home? 1. Dh and I are both into the natural way of living. 2. Dh has issues with hopitals because of one bad experience after another. 3. The hospital charges something outrageous for people without insurance.

4. What were the highlights of your birth experience? Our midwife bailed on us well I was in labor with Brooke because we had only paid her 800 dollars of the fees, we still owed her 300.. anyways that was scary! Thankfully her assistant who felt terrible called another midwife she worked with who came out and did a wonderful job! The holy spirit was definitely present during my whole birth experience, it was so peaceful. We had the same midwife that delivered Brooke with our son... she just barely made it because she got stuck by a train 5 minutes away from our house. Dh was on the cell phone with her and I'm telling him to tell her I have to push... anyways she did make it, and I had pretty easy labor. It wasn't nearly as peacful as with Brooke. I know now that I progress pretty fast so we need to call the midwife as soon as I feel those contractions!

5. Did you use water at all to help you labor? no

6. What techniques did you use to help labor progress? rocking, humming

7. How long was your labor? With Brooke it totaled about 24 hours but I slept or cleaned through most of that. I had about 45 minutes of hard labor. With Lawson it was shorter but about the same of hard labor.

8. Where did you deliver in relation to your due date? (early, late, on time, etc.) Brooke came 2 days before her due date and Lawson came 4 days after his due date.

9. Did you ever require transfer to a hospital? no

10. What did you feel were the major advantages to birthing at home? Well, I have never birthed in a hospital but from what I have heard I would say the biggest advantage was having my babies put directly into my arms. The other thing I like is that they don't cut the umbellical(sp?) cord right away so the baby gets all that blood that they need. There is a huge list of things I like better about homebirthing compared to hospital but thats just to name a couple.

11. Were there any disadvantages? no

12. Would you give birth at home again? Yes! I am planning on a homebirth for this pregnancy.

Thanks to you who responded to Ruth's survey! I feel even more encouraged about my choice to give birth at home. Not that anyone would ever be able to try to talk me out of it... :wink:

PS--Check out my ticker. Soon and very soon...! :D

Ashlee......I am flabbergasted that your midwife would bail on you when you were in labor. I would report her...that could cost her her license! No only did she put you and your baby's life in danger (praise the Lord everything went well) but that was so unprofessional.....I am seething at the thought! I am so thankful the Lord put it on her assistants heard to help you out....what a nightmare!! I am so happy you had good experiences though...it's awesome to birth at home...and I am so glad having that scary experience didn't deter you!!!

Amber

wow...that's crazy that your midwife bailed over payment
The *good* ones don't care about the money. Sure, they gotta make a living, but they are honestly more concerned about giving women that wonderful birth experience.
Our midwife was great with us about payment. We bartered dh's labor for one, made payments with another, and still owe a bit on another. I don't think she would ever dream of seeking out that money, let alone bailing in the middle of things. Yikes! That had to have been scary. Right there, in labor, having this bond with the midwife who was to help you through, you relied on her, them bam...she jets?
So glad things went well in spite of that :)

We actually didn't have much of a chance to bond with her. We went in to meet her when I was 38 weeks! We should have known right from the start that she was not a good choice. When dh spoke to her on the phone before our first appointment.. he had mentioned his fear of needles. You wouldn't beleive what she did... during our appointment she pulled out a suringe(sp?) tip and started playing with it, bending it, picking her nails with it.. it was as if she was teasing dh. Anyways we gave her 600 dollars that day and even though we both were a little weary about her we thought it was too late to ask for that money back. Our next visit with her a week later we gave her 200 more dollars.. I don't remember her doing anything that appointment that made us feel uncomfortable. But, then less then a week later we called her to tell her I was having contractions and she wouldnt even speak to us, she had her assitant deal with us, the first thing she wanted to know was if we had the other 300 dollars!! Not, how far apart are your contractions? Nothing like that, she just wanted her money, we told her assistant we wouldnt have it untill the end of the week. Thats when her assistant, very apoligetically, told us she wasn't coming. It was a very tense and scary few hours when I didn't know what was going to happen.. I knew I really didn't want to go to the hospital. Dh even suggested asking his pastor as a child to come deliver our baby, she had delivered babies before, she is very old, and grew up way out in the country. Then the midwives assistant called back and told us that she knew another midwife and she called her and told her the situation and that she would come help us. What a releif! After all that, everything else was wonderful! We did a lot of praying so that is no doubt why it turned out so good in the end. Anyway.. the first midwife wouldn't give us our 800 dollars back.. she said no refunds! The midwife who delivered Brooke said its not the first time she has done something like this. If we didn't already have so much going on at the time I think we probably would have taken action against her in some way.. I would feel awful if she did this to someone else and they had to go to the hospital or worse. PTL He was watching out for us!

Ugh, that boils my blood Ashlee! It sounds like she was rather cruel to say the least. Praise God that someone came and that you didn't have to go to the hospital or have your DH deliver the baby.