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DH is against homebirth but I WANT one!

Last post 10-08-2009 7:23 PM by Anne100678. 15 replies.
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  • 06-17-2009 11:40 AM

    DH is against homebirth but I WANT one!

    I had a c/s 12 years ago w/my footling breech. 3 years ago I had a successful VBAC in a hospital w/a midwife. She was very supportive of my desire to have a (mostly) intervention free delivery but required contiuous EFM. I was happy with my experience overall. This time I want a homebirth. My DH is totally against it as is the rest of my family. I have been looking at stats and info to support HB and make him feel better about it. Anyone have any helpful links, stats, and or info, that could help him feel more safe and comfortable with the idea? Any input would be much appreciated. Thanks!
  • 06-17-2009 11:52 AM In reply to

    • ~Sonia~
    • Not Ranked
    • Joined on 09-19-2006
    • Posts 233

    Re: DH is against homebirth but I WANT one!

    I just think some men will NEVER get it.  My dh was VERY against it at first too...now it looks like he might be turning around.  I've just explained to him WHY I want a homebirth, the degrading and demeaning things they do in the hospital and why I DON'T want another hospital birth.  People can have very different reasons for being against a homebirth...maybe at least have him to agree to meet with a homebirth midwife to discuss it?  That way he can ask her his questions and explore the idea with a qualified professional who may be able to 'sell' him on the idea. 

     It would be good on this board to have a pinned post at the top with homebirth stats, resources, websites, etc...maybe I'll try to get that started :)

  • 06-17-2009 2:09 PM In reply to

    Re: DH is against homebirth but I WANT one!

    I've decided, after battling the ENTIRE pregnancy with my husband over a homebirth, that its the mother's decision, one way or another. It is your birth. Everyone is cool with you having a hospital birth...and probably with having another cesarean section, even...because they aren't facing the emotional and physical consequences of it, of wondering if it was the right thing for your baby or for you, even. The thing is that birth is something you'll remember, reflect upon, and judge (or maybe even regret) for the rest of your life.

    So, there are some things to consider. You are at a slightly higher risk for uterine rupture (though you now have the benefit of a "proven pelvis" on your hands). HB midwives will look at your vaginal delivery for any complications. They will prepare you and your body for the birth BEFORE labor to give you the best opportunity for safe birth (like rinking pregnancy tea, avoiding most OTC medications, etc). She'll also likely work with you on baby's positioning with certain exercises and stretches. I'm sure you already know that the less work the uterus has to do, the better it will be on the scar. So an upright position for contractions and birth will probably be safer than the on-your-back stuff you deal with in the hospital. You should also consider your transport time, in the event you need a transport. How far is the nearest hospital?

    But, those are really concerns that you need to be comfortable with having addressed. I'm not saying that the opinions of others aren't important, because they are, especially when its family or the father. I think you should concentrate on the decision you've made, though, and then work toward getting them on board. I started this pregnancy with a husband who thought the CNM who would have delivered me in the hospital would have dreds and give me marijuana for pain relief, or something. So, he wasn't even on board with not having an obstetrician! I opted, at the very end, to do a homebirth with a different CNM, against his will. I sort of dove in head first, with hopes that he would come around. I often said to myself and others that, "He'll either be on this ship when it sails or he'll be swimming behind it to catch up." He was negative about the whole thing to the VERY end, refusing to pay for things like hose attachments (to fill up the birthing tub), birthing ball, gowns, vinyl table cloths, etc. During the birth? He was kind of distant, but really got to know the midwife and doula while I was in labor. By the end, he was smiling from ear to ear and bragging about the experience. Neither of us have any regrets. In fact, I'm pretty freaking proud that I stood my ground, for once, and made my own decision.

    But, I do have to note, that you have one extra concern on your hands that I did not: the section scar. I'd had three prior successful vaginal deliveries with a proven pelvis up to 9lbs of baby. There was very little question about me, though she did stay on top of the strength of my contractions since I'd been augmented with all of the other births for "poor strength." They were just fine, btw. Hell. I went from 5cm to birth in an hour and a half with a 9lb 10oz baby.

    Also...I had a variety of people tell me its "your decison, your choice, your birth." I always felt like that was callous and I tried to cater to the opinions of others. Honestly, though, its futile sometimes. That callous statement I got from others really was on-target. They'll be on the ship or left at the docks.

     

  • 06-17-2009 9:19 PM In reply to

    Re: DH is against homebirth but I WANT one!

    I'll give you the same advice I give others.  Try to have your dh watch BOBB with you.  My dh did & he went from only wanting an OB to being open to homebirth or a birth center after watching it.  Sometimes they just need to hear it from someone else.

     I'll see if I can get some stats/websites from ICAN.

  • 06-18-2009 10:25 AM In reply to

    Re: DH is against homebirth but I WANT one!

    My DH was on baord with the idea of a MW from the start but refuses to even discuss the idea of a HB. He is acting like a SOB caveman. He is a great guy and is usually very supportive and openminded. But on this issue he is unreasonable. He said "I won't have it, I am bigger than you and I will be taking you to the hospital to have this baby, like it or not." Poor, silly, silly man! My current MW will not be supportive of a VBAC HB and I will have to change MW to get one (that does not help convince him) I am 10 minutes from the local hospital and 2 min from the firestation (literally 2 streets down from my house). So emergency transport, if required is not an issue. I have explained to him my feelings about why I want a homebirth, which includes all the things discussed previously in this thread. Also, I want a WB and in my area, being a VBAC, the only way to get one is to do it at home. My MW does not do HB but she does BC deliveries (BC in my area won't VBAC though). During my last preg I was in college and taking a research class that required a semester long research project & paper on a self-selected topic. I did mine on VBAC since that was a subject that was very relevant to me at the time (my MW was very supportive of VBAC and encouraged me to do it), my months of research in that area did help him and my family support my decision to reject a repeat C/S (at first they were all against it and made me feel like I was selfishly endangering me & the baby for even considering it). My son was born after 6 hours of upright labor (I waited until I was 7 cm b4 going to the hospital to reduce the chances of interventions) and 50 min of pushing (which seemed really long but is actually pretty good for a first vaginal delivery). He was just under 7 lbs (my daughter was just under 6 lbs) but had a huge (14 1/2") head :( he gets that from his daddy! and there were no problems at all with the L&D. Given how well it went I feel confident that a HB for me would carry no greater risk (and prolly a smaller one) than going to the hospital. Thank you all so much for your supportive words and info. As of last night I had given up the idea of having my H/WB and had resigned myself to settling for the stress and fear of a hospital birth. Your words have helped renew my resolve to fight for the delivery that I want and that I feel stroingly is best for me & my baby. How can I get a copy of BOBB? Much love to all the mommies out there fighting for whats best for their babies and their bodies!
  • 06-18-2009 11:41 AM In reply to

    • ~Sonia~
    • Not Ranked
    • Joined on 09-19-2006
    • Posts 233

    Re: DH is against homebirth but I WANT one!

    For BOBB you can get a free 2 week trial at netflix (netflix.com).  You can watch bobb on-demand on their website...so you'd have two weeks to watch it (and get DH to watch it) before you have to pay for the membership. 

    I probably mentioned this in my earlier reply, but after reading your last post these were my thoughts...Is your DH willing to meet with a homebirth midwife?  I think they picture some old lady sitting there that catches the baby and that's it.   Get a list of her credentials and let him know that for starters (CPM or CNM?, how many years experience?, how many births?, how many transfers and for what reasons?)...some basic stuff.  Midwives are trained in neonatal resuscitation and carry oxygen as well as anti-hemmorraghic medications (pitocin, etc).  Does he know this?  I think that might help *some* dads.  Find out exactly what are his reasons for concern, and have him write out his list of concerns before you meet with the homebirth midwife. 

    Best of luck to you!!! 

     

  • 06-18-2009 2:03 PM In reply to

    Re: DH is against homebirth but I WANT one!

    Great ideas. I am going to do those things. And I found BOBB at Barnes & Noble for $16.00 so I ordered it. I also got a book that was recommended on one of the links suggested by Christa (many thanks to her for the info) The book is Born in the USA: How a Broken Maternity System Must Be Fixed to Put Women and Children First by Marsden Wagner, MD. Thanks again!
  • 06-19-2009 8:55 PM In reply to

    Re: DH is against homebirth but I WANT one!

     

    Your welcome! I hope he doesn't fight you on watching BOBB, it really opened up my dh eyes.  He thought people who had hb were nut jons & now he is willing to have one.  Too bad were done having children.  I still like to share the knowledge though.
  • 06-21-2009 8:53 PM In reply to

    Re: DH is against homebirth but I WANT one!

    if you could somehow get him to talk with another dad, or even a mom that he would be likely to respect, who has experienced homebirth; it might open his eyes.

    my husband trusted me enough to go along with whatever i wanted the first time; now he is even more HB committed than i----and that's saying ALOT!

  • 06-24-2009 1:01 PM In reply to

    Re: DH is against homebirth but I WANT one!

     I just had my 9th homebirth I had allll of my births @ home with mdwf. Get all the info you can an let your hubby weigh it out set up an appointment to just talk with a mdwf as a couple and ask a lot of questions and go with his decision you will neeeeeeeeeeeeed his support 100%  Once we interviewed our mdwf it sealed all of his concerns YAY!

  • 07-10-2009 4:59 PM In reply to

    Re: DH is against homebirth but I WANT one!

    Ok so I am posting an update on my situ. we did watch BOBB. and talked at length after about his fears and concerns. In the end he decided that given all the info he had and the fact that we are so close to the hospital he would relent and support my decision. he is still not thrilled about it, but he is willing to let me make the decision and support what I decide. Thanks again to all the ladies that offered my support and info. Its nice to be w/people that don't think I am crazy for wanting to do it at home :)
  • 07-12-2009 7:03 PM In reply to

    Re: DH is against homebirth but I WANT one!

    I am so glad I told you to watch the video!  Congrats on him giving in!

  • 08-07-2009 7:40 AM In reply to

    Re: DH is against homebirth but I WANT one!

    Maybe it was the pregnancy hormones, but I welled up when you said he is going to support your homebirth! My husband never gave me any resistance, thank goodness (aside from the initial shock that home birth was even LEGAL, lol, MEN.). He just wanted to stay home with the TV, hahaha.

    congratulations, you won't regret it! Home birth is a life changes experience!

  • 08-31-2009 11:58 AM In reply to

    Re: DH is against homebirth but I WANT one!

    My man was leaving it all up to me when I had my first baby at 30 yo. Then I found Ina May's Guide to Childbirth book and had him read some of it. He was extremely positive after that.
  • 09-22-2009 7:14 AM In reply to

    Re: DH is against homebirth but I WANT one!

    mine is against currently too but I'm still working on him :) he is just worried about the the "what if's" I really need to get him to watch BOBB!
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