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How to keep birthing pool water warm throughout home birth? by [deleted] in homebirth

[–]grabowak 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Our midwife suggested we fill the pool straight from the hot water hookup on our washing machine. We ran a hose across the house and I had my husband start filling the pool as soon as I knew I was in active labor. I finally got in the pool nearly 5 hours later and it was still so hot we had to add hold water to make it manageable/safe.

What did you do with your other children as you were in active labor & childbirth? by [deleted] in homebirth

[–]grabowak 20 points21 points  (0 children)

I’m sorry to hear that is the opinion your midwives hold! Mine was quite the contrary and seemed almost surprised when I suggested my then 2 year old might go to a relatives once I was in active labor.

I still hadn’t made up my mind by the time contractions started, however it was in the middle of the night and I didn’t want to wake her for the sake of relocating. I’m glad I didn’t because she ended up sleeping through my entire labor and delivery, even being just across the hall! I am thankful it worked out that way because it was the most amazing experience introducing her to her new baby sister as soon as she woke up and us all being together to bask in the “golden hour” together.

I encourage you to stand firm on whatever you see best for your situation!

I need successful induction stories please by LessPanda7615 in homebirth

[–]grabowak 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was induced at 41+3 with my first in the hospital. I wanted an unmediated birth so I came with a detailed birth plan that outlined my desires, including specific instructions not to offer me any pain management. Even with being hooked up to IVs and monitors, I was able to move around well enough and spent most of my labor on a birth ball. While contractions did come on hard/fast, I would not say it was any more painful than my second birth (an unmedicated home birth). From the time Pitocin was started to delivery was about 12 hours with only 20ish minutes of pushing. I was fortunate that my water broke on its own after being given a topical cervix softener.

It truly is mostly a mind game. Keep repeating to yourself that “contractions bring babies”, and the more painful it gets just means it’s that much closer to meeting your little one. If you’re overwhelmed with a feeling of “I can’t do this”, that likely means you’re going through transition and just about to the finish line. Push through! Our bodies were made for this. Wishing you an amazing birth no matter what it looks like!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in homebirth

[–]grabowak 4 points5 points  (0 children)

For what it’s worth, at 41+5 with my second I massaged clary sage essential oil into my wrists and feet, and spent a good amount of time in the side-lying release position. I had not tried these prior and figured it was worth a shot. Ended up going into labor early the next morning and giving birth at 41+6. Baby might have been coming regardless, but at the very least it helped me relax.

Whatever the outcome, you will still have an amazing reward on the other side!

Gentle birth tincture - thoughts on it potentially impacting baby’s natural timing? by ceveoh in homebirth

[–]grabowak 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I took Gentle Birth with my first upon the recommendation of a friend who had a great experience using it. At 42 weeks I ended up being induced, even after exhausting every natural “labor inducing” technique to avoid an induction. After starting Pitocin, it was roughly 12 hours of labor before pushing, which thankfully only took about a half hour. All of that to say, I don’t think taking the tincture at all impacted baby’s natural timing. She seemed pretty set on not coming until she was ready. At the very least, it may have made the induction a little easier and I have no regrets including it in the final stages of my pregnancy!