Carry it forward

I had a hugely satisfying moment last week. I visited my old prenatal yoga group and spoke to eight or so pregnant ladies about my home birth. My intention was to tell the story, and as much as possible, not give them the impression that it was something only for medical outliers or masochists. It was also to promote a normal birth in any location (home, birthing centre, maternity ward, without intervention). I think I pulled it off. My instructor even told me that I was a natural public speaker - ha! Me of all people.

7 weeks living as a family of four

I'm finally writing down my experiences in this happy time enjoying the early days of my blooming family. It's taken me a few weeks to sit down and write (I'm writing as Thomas sleeps on me in his sling - this hot weather has been a little unsettling for him, my daughter is at nursery today after a bout of chicken pox and potty training in sequence - we've been busy!). The washing machine's on, washing up is piling but not critical, I'm listening to some relaxing music and spilling out onto the keyboard at last.

Labour saving

A recent paper published in the British Medical Journal reported the cost effectiveness of home births, particularly for those expecting their second and subsequent children.  Links to the paper and a BBC news article included below, and a little splurge by me covering the costs (of many forms) associated with intervention vs. no intervention (i.e., a normal birth).

Oxford study source: Schroeder et al., (2012). Cost effectiveness of alternative planned places of birth in woman at low risk of complications: evidence from the Birthplace in England national prospective cohort study. BMJ 2012;344:e2292. For the abstract summary please see end of this blog*.

BBC news: Home births are more 'cost effective', says Oxford study

New labour

In my most recent blog, I unravelled over my expectation that I would be induced again, as I was with Abigail. I'd had an awful day (though I'd bet that my husband got it worse than me): I was crying one minute (blaming myself for labour not starting because I was getting too stressed), argumentative and touchy over little things the next (messy kitchen that wouldn't be fit if I did go into labour anyway etc.,). Abbie was all over the place too - crying and stubbornness from her as well. I'd call it the storm before the storm - just like pets seem to know when the weather is changing, we were both affected and B was firefighting the best he could. After a day like that I wanted to write it all down for catharsis. It helped too, and I also managed to consume a huge bag of doritos at the same time! About half an hour after publishing the induction prediction blog, my contractions started all by themselves. It goes without saying how much this meant and how lucky I felt. Here's what happened.

41 weeks + 3 days, and approaching agoraphobia

I'm sitting upright, eating chilli heatwave doritos and listening to the Rolling Stones "Beast of Burden" and winding down after a pretty mad day of 'yes, still pregnant; no, no signs of anything starting, yes, I am massive, aren't I?' (so mad in fact that I didn't venture outside because I just didn't want to have those well meaning conversations. Just can't not look pregnant now, so can't avoid talking about it (as much as I usually love the chats, just lost the confidence today)). Although I've been pretty fired up to be clear on who I am and where we're going with this second pregnancy after the induced delivery last time, the flame of self-assurance has been dying down with the days passing and induction date at hospital looming.

Being around

Over the course of my homebirthing self education, through books, internet and chats with others who've had / been involved in / are planning a homebirth, I've moved from a feeling of wariness (being sure that hospital is the safest, lowest risk option) to a feeling of security (homebirth is now the low risk option, and I wish I'd pursued it first time around). I have developed a strong belief in home births and what they represent as having faith in healthy women being able to have children themselves, with the guidance of an experienced midwife, and without, what seems at times unnecessary intervention to speed things along according to a perhaps arbitrary timetable. I am a convert.
 
The biggest shift in the last week has been a strong feeling of wanting my daughter (2y 7mo) to remain at home when I have the new baby. 

Navel gazing? Well, its hard not to

na·vel-gaz·ing  /ˈneɪvəlˌgeɪzɪŋ/

n. Slang
Excessive introspection, self-absorption, or concentration on a single issue

I am a day away from 35 weeks pregnant, and my tummy size reflects it. So yes, thinking about being pregnant and the baby due to make an appearance next month is never far from my mind! Keeping myself balanced, centred, is a continued struggle however, with my overthinking habit: it is enjoyable but needs reining in too. I think I'm getting there though (and just in time!).

Birth planning second time around

I think I can remember my birth plan for my first pregnancy, it was focused on having a water birth in a midwife-led unit, using TENS, gas and air and breathing/relaxation techniques. I was midwife led care throughout pregnancy and hadn't really put any thought into what being induced or having a caesarean would mean, as I didn't think it would affect me. I had put alot of thought into my plan and reasons for choosing them, but in the end the preparation was lost as I was induced at the local hospital, and couldn't have a water birth, and I needed stronger pain relief than I realised... an epidural (something I'd never imagined). This time, I'm hoping for something closer to my original plan, but with birth plans for alternate scenarios just in case. Somewhere between realism and optimism.

Science and Myths: How hard it is to stay informed, stay balanced

Various things have delayed my blogging lately, even though I've had lots to think about and want to write down so I'm having a catch up at last. First thing to mention is the ever noticeable puzzling presentation of science in the media and how vulnerable we are to misinterpretation, thanks to the previous misinterpretation of those who present news summaries (which may have been previously misinterpreted by someone before them). Confused? well... no surprise. Keywords I've scribbled to put this blog together include "homebirth study, creationism, engineering C4 and daytime TV" These all tell a similar tale.