Home Birth Midwives Collective Dunedin

Gate Crasher or birthday present?

Home birth can be about fitting into the rhythm of life and welcoming this new person into the family without disturbing that rhythm. I was at a birth a couple of weeks ago where this was high lighted.

Kate was expecting her 4th baby. We were not expecting her to call as a scan had advised leaving the dates where they were even though the baby looked  about 10 days older. We were not 100% organised .

Kate had her 5 year olds birthday party that day. It was delayed a week to accommodate his friends. I got a call from Kate saying she was having awfully strong braxton hicks and it was becoming difficult to ice the cake. She  timed them and called  back a short time later to say they were three minutes apart. Bang went my plans for the movies.

When I got there the birthday party was in full swing. I suggested we did an examination so we could plan what to do ie get parents to come rather fast or carry on . 7cm! We thought the baby would be here within a couple of hours and Kate thought she could continue and finish the party.

Kate had the children’s tea on the table in short order, a little earlier than planned. She was very calm, pausing every now and again to breathe through a contraction. The children were told that the baby would be born that night and they carried on with their excited chatter. While the children were eating  we organised towels, water proof floor coverings and baby clothes. Then out came this amazing volcano cake, all iced. We all sang happy birthday, ate cake and arranged for the visiting children to be collected. Kate continued to quietly stop and  breathe through a contraction.

The visiting children were collected one and half  hours after I arrived at the house. Kate’s husband needed to carry on with the family business ,4 – 6pm being their busy time. One of the visiting children’s Mum stayed to help tidy toys away so Kate could have space to birth her baby.  Michael came in, Kate’s contractions picked up to the ouchy stage . Kate told  her children these were sore and she needed to concentrate on them and they needed to be quiet. And quiet they were. Half an hour later Kate was pushing. She was leaning against the couch bottom facing the fire. The cats were asleep in front of the fire guard and the dog and two children were sat between the fire and Kate quietly watching what was going on, not fazed at all .  The baby was born, caught by his Dad. The  5 year old helped get the warm towels  and Kate moved up on to the couch so her baby could have skin to skin time. What a calm atmosphere it all was. I wished I had a camera to photograph the scene.

Once the baby was born the children came close to see their new brother and the dog came for a lick.  Two hours later the baby had had a feed, the children had some more party food, played with some toys  and it was time for bed. While  Kate organised herself for a shower she had the children getting ready for bed with teeth cleaning etc.  She then sat them down for bed time story  while Michael held his son and then Michael tucked them into bed. I tidied up, (as  our hope after a birth is not to leave a lot of evidence that a birth has taken place at the house apart from a happy family with a new baby) and and left the house .    Kate & Michael were getting ready to go to bed with their new addition.

And the rhythm of this family’s life continues…

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Posted: July 1, 2010 by 'midimargaret'.

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Breech Birth

This great poem was shared by a Dad recently.  Thanks Sas.

The Midwife

 

Carrying a big black bag,

And student under wing,

She came to help out Katie,

With that Baby birthing thing.

 

Because it was a breech birth,

A baby upside down,

The Doctors said, “A  Home Birth!”

That really makes us frown”.

 

They said that a Caesarean,

Was the proper way,

To get our baby out,

It was best not to delay.

 

We went and looked on YouTube,

To see how Births were done,

When babies are the wrong way up,

Presenting with their bum,

 

And so the Midwife calmed us,

Reminded us of choice,

So common sense prevailed us,

In a little friendly voice,

 

So Katie had a baby,

She chose the birthing pool,

To do without the nitrous,

And go with the old school.

 

After several hours of labour,

The baby dangled legs,

Followed shortly by the arms,

It finished with the head.

 

Please limit interventions,

Let nature do it’s job,

Whilst nice ladies like Margaret,

Fight the medical mob.

 

Sas

2010

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Posted: July 1, 2010 by 'midimargaret'.

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Birthing in Dunedin Information Night

The Miracle

of Birth

An information evening about

birthing options in Dunedin.

Please join us at Miracle, 17 St Andrew St

on Monday 7th December, 7pm

This is the first of what will be regular information nights.  They will be held on the first Monday of every even numbered month.    An opportunity to learn about birthing options in Dunedin, find out more about home birth and meet the midwives from our collective.  Just come along or call Tracy on 03 478 0411 if you have any questions.

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Posted: December 3, 2009 by 'tracyb'.

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Homebirth – the facts and the face of it

There are so many different ways to consider home birth.

A recent study out of Canada adds to the growing body of research that clearly supports home birth as a safe option. As well as helping women make their choice about where to give birth,  sometimes this information is helpful for showing uncertain partners or family and friends that may be concerned about home birth.   You can read the article here.

For others, the facts are a bit too dry and its easier to get the message from the look on peoples faces.  Make yourself a cuppa and sit down and enjoy this lovely song:

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Posted: September 2, 2009 by 'tracyb'.

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All in a day… by Tracy

Sometimes life can be quite busy.  The other day was an amzing mix so I thought I’d share it.

Started early – up at 5.30 for a morning shift in the post natal ward.  Channel 9 (Dunedin local TV) ring in the middle of the shift.  Can I do an interview  about our collective?  Sure.  Didn’t get away until an hour later than I’m supposed to finish as things got a bit intense right on change over time.  Starting to feel rushed.

Then off to see a 4 week baby – rushing to get there as they are  heading away.  Asked Dad if he knows that snow is forecast tonight.  Hope their car heater is working well! Oh, can I borrow a scarf please? – I’m about to go on TV and I only just found out.

Off to channel 9.  A few minutes to look at the questions.  Feel I’ve come up with some pretty good answers.  3 minutes live on air.  My tummy feels strange and suddenly my pretty good answers are quite average but no major stuff up so PHEW!   As I’m leaving I ask – how many people watch? About 40,000 she tells me .  Glad I didn’t ask that before hand!

Back outisde.  Ooh there’s a real storm brewing.  Off to my Te Reo lesson -just settling in and then goes the phone.

Through the hail to a lovely home birth.  Margaret comes as back up and only just makes it home again as the snow settles on her hill.  Mum and baby are doing well so I take my leave.  The Dad helps me load back into my car and we are both pummeled with hail.

On the drive home, midnight chimes – that was quite a day.

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Posted: May 21, 2009 by 'tracyb'.

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