I am such a rambler!!!!

Tatiehead - knowing what I know now I would definately have tried for hb with first, but was living with OH parents so was never going to be really!

One of the important things tho to a good birth is relax, don't worry about it, and when it happens relax into it, relax into the contractions and don't panic or tense up as it makes them worse, enjoy it and it really can be a wonderful experience. However, every birth is different.

At the end of the day, whether hb or c section or anything in between, at the end of it you have a beautiful baby one way or another. However, having had a bad first birth experience, I just wanted to show that it really is possible to have the wonderful births that you read about in magazines, they arent' just a fantasy or fictional story and it is definately possible!

The thing with a natural birth, whether in hospital or at home, is that your body is designed to do this, so it kind of just takes over and there isn't much you can do to stop it, pain or no pain, it all kind of just happens. Whereas once you have intervention, personally I had epidural the first time, it means that you are no longer in control and have little feeling, so you are having to force yourself to push rather than just going along with the ride that your body takes you on naturally.

The only way I can explain it is that if you were asked to hold your finger over a candle flame for as long as possible, you would probably pull away earlier than if someone was holding it there - with labour if your body takes over and pushes you are actually able to handle a lot more pain and push much harder than if you are just told to push, and cannot feel it. Hope that kind of makes sense. It also means you are on such a high after that it is wonderful.

Not taking anything away from anyone who does not have hb or has intervention, however it happens, all mothers should be proud, it is an amazing thing and you will be absolutely fine.

The second key to it is a wonderful midwife, however, that can sometimes be down to luck! Mine was a diamond!

All the best a good luck, enjoy pregnancy, I miss my bump so badly!

congratulations hun.

so glad u got the nice hoem birth you wanted.

its true - with a good birth you could do it tomoroow! with dd i felt great. shes 11months now and im 7 months pregnant and planning another hb.

xxxx

wow, well done you!

laine 35+3 lellow bubbanumber 3!

Congratulations hun, another fantastic hb story. I would recommend it to anyone x

Can I ask Meandbean whether you'd have a home birth for your first?  And do you know whether it is possible to have one for your first?  Your story sounds amazing and if I knew I'd have a labour like that then I'd be enjoying my pg more.  I have always been really petrified of the thought of labour which has so far been my contraceptive.  But the desire to have children made me go ahead and try for a baby which I am now 7+2 pg.  The dread of labout is overshadowing my pg slightly x

congratulations hun im glad it all went well for you and you got the homebirth that you wanted. and that you are both doing well

i hope mine goes aswell as that

take care and congrats again

louise & 39+1 blue bump

Hi,

Great birth story and it sounds like you were really relaxed. I never believed it till I did it my myself but it's true - hb really is a great experience.

Well done you and enjoy your babymoon.

Lily

Congratulations - what a lovely birth story.  Sounds fantastic!

Sarah x

Hi, baby Tia Brandon born 02/08 at 12.19pm weighing 9lb 1.5oz.MW came thurs to do sweep but unsuccesful as cervix soft but no where near ready so couldn't do sweep.On friday morning I woke and started having some very mild period like pains during the day, nothing regular or painful but just how it was with ds1.Friday evening I called MW to let her know as planning home birth and wanted her to know I think I was in early stages.Friday night had lots of painful period like pains but only lasted about 30 secs and no regular timing to them, but too painful to sleep thru so bounced on birthing ball at 2am watching recorded Big Bro with tens machine on. Got in bath at 5am for hour.Called MW at 9am as I wanted her to come and check me out to see if I was actually progressing at all as altho lots of pains wasn't sure they were enough to be doing anything.MW came at 10am and I was 4 cm, so got back in the bath to ease them as after the internal they were bit more intense. MW came back at 11am and set up the gas and air in bathroom so could have in the bath, told me to call once they strong. 30 mins later had to call her as getting urge to push. Got out bath and put tens back on, high strength! MW arrived again at 11.50 and after sitting on bed for 10 mins with tens on permanent boost she told me I best pick a position as baby can't come out when I am sitting on its head and blocking the escape route!Got on all fours on the bed and with 4 pushes she came out. Totally shocked at the size as no stitches and it really didn't even hurt, just tens machine and gas and air. The period pains the night before were the worst bit!

My birth with ds 1 was horrible, laboured for 3 days, didn't dilate past 6cm so had to have epidural and the drip overnight and ventouse delivery with episiotomoy. Was so chuffed this time to get the home birth I wanted. Feels totally different after, on a real high and so proud of myself.

Other half actually missed the birth as his parents had gone into town thinking it wouldn't be that quick so he had to go over the road to there house with ds1 as I didn't want him to hear me in pain! But to be honest he is not fussed about watching the actual gorey bit, he was there for ds1 and I wasn't fussed as he would have been pretty useless and was nice to have my 2 midwives in the room supporting me, he would have only got in the way. Meant he could come across with my son 10 mins after birth to meet her all cleaned up!

Sorry to waffle but so totally ecstatic with the birth. Last time I was put off labour and swore never have another for months, this time I feel like I could do it all again tomorrow! Was very fullfilling and as this is my last baby I have a grin from ear to ear.

I would recommend a home birth to anyone, was such a pleasurable experience I loved every second of it. Still beaming and I had her on 02/08/08!