I
will answer many of the questions people have asked me
the past few months. (This was written when Janell's
baby was still very little.)
Yes my first birth was at home, yes it was difficult,
yes it was hard to get my husband convinced, yes I did
lots of research (I will share a book list with anyone
interested), yes it was a beautiful experience, yes it
was painful, yes I had 3 friends there watching, my
inlaws videotaping, and my husband did the catching. No
we did not do Bradley, yes we tried lamaze (it worked in
the VERY early stages).
No, my labor was not textbook, I began having chills
about 3 hours into my 13 hour labor and I was only
dilated 1 centimeter. Yes I walked during labor (the
first 2 hours) after that it was all I could do to allow
my husband to half carry me to the bathroom. Yes I drank
water although I joked it was laced with Pitocin! No I
couldn't think about eating- I vomited everything from
very early on in labor. Yes I had a very qualified
midwife- Marilyn Steinberg. No I did not do a water
birth, but did manage to get into the shower. Yes my
husband was an instrumental part in the labor and
delivery. Yes I delivered over a mirror on a VERY
uncomfortable birthing stool (I am trying to come up
with a better design for next time- all ideas are
welcome!). Yes it helped to watch Allen come out. No I
didn't tear, until his shoulders came out- at which
point I suffered a 3rd degree tear- ouch and my carpet
suffered a 3rd degree stain- yuck. No Allen wasn't
breathing when he came out, but the umbilical cord was
still pulsing as we rubbed his little body and gave him
a mask of oxygen. Yes I had help getting him latched on
and was successful at feeding early on. Yes it hurt to
get stitched up, even with the shots of lidocaine. No I
didn't have to go to the hospital. Yes it was great not
having to get out of bed except to go to the bathroom
for the next 3 days- Marilyn's orders!!
Would I do it all over again- definitely.
Now a note from my husband...
(Rob:) At first when Janell asked me about my feelings
about a homebirth, I said "It's not safe!" You need to
be at a hospital so if something goes wrong they can
help out at a moments notice. I then started to find out
more about birth and went on a "stork tour" at the
hospital. Did you know that at St. Agnes 1 out of 3
births is delivered cesarean? I didn't want my wife cut
up! I also had the experience of being in the hospital
when my mother in law was there for a brain injury. The
hospital "cleaning crew" used the same pair of gloves to
wipe down things, change the bed, and mop the floor- and
this was in the ICU! I didn't want my child being
exposed to all those germs. My wife also kept asking me
why I was nervous about having the birth at home. I was
only worried about what could happen. The hospital is
only 20 minutes away and could still help out if we
needed it. Marilyn told me that if it wasn't safe that
she would send us to the hospital. (She is looking out
for the best interest of the mom, baby and she has a
reputation to uphold). I would have her deliver our next
baby at home. Just as long as I get to catch him/her
when they come out. How many dad's can say they caught
their child when they came out?
It's me again (Janell). We put together a list of
reasons to have a homebirth (mom's you already know the
reasons for you so this is for the guys...)
You have access to all the food and drinks you want from
your kitchen-no need to make a fast food run or a trip
to the dreaded hospital cafeteria or worse vending
machine.
You can rest on your own couch or bed, not a hospital
folding chair, lounge couch, or worse the floor (which
was sticky when we went on our stork tour)
You can get updates on "the game" by passing by the
living room during your sprints from the bedroom to the
kitchen and back, without letting your wife know you're
watching.
If you pass out it will be in your own home.
You don't have to spend the night on an uncomfortable
convertable chairbed in a noisy, cold, and unfamiliar
room.
You don't have nurses waking you up every few hours to
check your wife's and baby's vital signs and prick your
baby for glucose testing.
If you're lucky, someone will come to your place and
cook meals for you!
You get to stay in your sweats during the 3 days that
your wife is in bed and don't have to leave the house if
you don't want to.
You get to be the one in charge if you like- not a nurse
no matter how nice or crabby.
Most likely you will be an active participant in the
birth, not just an observer who may be made to feel in
the way.
HOPE THIS HELPS! |
