Home birth in shared house?

[cookielucylou]

Would you do it?
We live with OH's dad and I was hoping we would be able to move before baby was born but that is looking more and more unlikely. I would love a home birth though as I hated being in hospital for my first, plus this time OH wont be able to be with me in hospital as we have no one else to care for our son.

 

[lousielou]

Hmm, it would depend on whether or not they were willing to go elsewhere for the birth to be honest.

My mum drove down to look after my eldest when I was in labour with my second, and all the time she was there I just wanted her gone She was really trying hard to be supportive, but I found it very irritating and just wanted to be alone - this goes for the midwives and to an extent my OH too.

However, if it was a choice between home birth in a shared house, or hospital birth, I'd still choose home birth

Could you get your FIL to look after your LO while you're giving birth? I found having LO there difficult - not least because he kept asking to get in the pool with me for a swim!

ETA: Sorry, stupidly assumed you'd be in labour during the day Wouldn't be so mch of an issue at night...?

 

[elohcin]

I'd do it! My last two were born at home unassisted and I actually thought it would be kind of cool if I ended up birthing at my parents house or my IL's house. I tend to keep to myself and stay in one room (has been the bathroom both times) though, so I'm not really worried about who else is in the house.

 

[cookielucylou]

No way would I leave my LO with fil, so no that isn't an option.
We keep ourselves to ourselves in the house and he does the same, we don't go in the sitting room.
How does it work with noise at home? Especially if baby does come at night?

 

[elohcin]

You mean noise coming from you? If so, I am a very quiet birther, so I wouldn't know. LOL I don't make much sound at all.

I have gone into labor in the middle of the night each time, though my little ones woke up too and so I was dealing with them during that time until my husband got home from work (he works 24 hour shifts so I have to call him home). That was the only bad part, trying to care for them while trying to focus...I thought I'd have the advantage of them sleeping, but they proved me wrong.

 

[aliss]

A doula will be willing to assist with toddler childcare if the birth occurs during your toddler's awake time. I have family to assist (we have the same situation but our FIL is trustworthy) but IF for whatever reason he can't be available, my doula is ready to step in. She's there for you whatever you need, whether it's labour or other duties! Have you thought of that

 

[cookielucylou]

I have no idea what a doula is? Persumably someone you hire?

 

[aliss]

Yes a doula means "servant", basically a woman experienced in childbirth who is not a midwife but tends to your needs during labour/postpartum - such as emotional support, emergency childcare, laundry, cooks meals, breastfeeding, etc

 

[cookielucylou]

That's what I have my OH for