Dry Homebirth, Water Homebirth or Hospital Birth?

[Kiliki]

Originally Posted by songbird516 yes, exactly, and the no touching thing is why I want to be at home!!! In the hospital it's harder to control that. There's a new movie called "birth story" with Ina May Gaskin and the Farm midwives, and there's footage of one of the midwives kissing her husband during labor (right before a shoulder dystocia...), and I just can't get into that idea. Kissing before labor...fine. During labor? No freaking way.

I dunno... I had a pretty fun time with my 3rd labor. Call me weird I guess. Me and DH were cutting up and laughing like giddy love-struck high-schoolers almost my whole labor. (He has horrible humor, but humor is his way of dealing with anything remotely stressful or emotional, so he can't help but be funny in the most awkward moments...) Pretty sure we kissed a few times.

....Until pushing phase hit. Good golly. I think I came this/close to cussing at him when he turned on the sink during a contraction. And I'm not foul mouthed at all. Ever. I was totally unglued. I could see in my midwife's face that she thought I'd lost all my marbles. Between contractions, I'm laughing so hard I'm crying. Contraction hits, I'm yelling, about to hit anyone who comes near me. I remember DH and I were laughing between a contraction and immediately I yelled "SHUT UP! JUST FRIGGIN' SHUT UP!" b/c a contraction was coming on.

I felt like quite the psychotic maniac. Poor midwife. She was awesome, but I could tell she was wondering if I needed meds.

Anyway sorry for the nostalgia. Birth is crazy sometimes.

[lovebabies]

Originally Posted by JackieMarieVDV I've heard of the birthing stool but don't know much about it. How exactly does it help? After this conversation I am definitely leaning towards a HB and a MW.

With my first baby I labored in the tub (at the birth center), but then pushed her out on the birth stool. It's shaped like a toilet with the front cut out, so the midwives can see everything and catch the baby. It can be helpful for pushing, because it gets you into a supported "squat" position, and our bodies are used to pushing on a toilet, and it kind of mimics that sensation.

My second and third babies were home water births (with the same midwives we had at the birth center). I am 100% sold on homebirth, and hope I can have all my babies at home from now on! I love not having to go anywhere while in labor. No deciding when to go in, or be sure I have everything packed and out to the car. The midwives come when they (and you) feel they should be there, and if it's not the right time, they can leave and come back later. It's so relaxed and lovely. As for dry or water, if a water birth sounds good to you, I'd prepare for one, but just go with what feels right for your body at the time. I always have the tub and the bed ready (and have my mws bring the birth stool) so I have lots of options if I change my mind while in labor.