Today I got a phone call to say I'd been selected for the midwife caseload. The midwife explained that the goal was to give birth without drugs, only induce if medically necessary and transfer to the hospital if there were any complications. They're also big advocates of breastfeeding.
I'm glad to hear that I'm one of 20 women each month chosen! I have my first scan at the end of March and then a few days later I'll be going in to talk to my midwife. I guess I really better get cracking on my birth plan and decide exactly what I want from this birth!
Monday 30 May 2011
Saturday 21 May 2011
Positive Midwife News for Silent Birth
I contacted some of the midwives who help care for the caseload and they've said that there should be no issue with having a silent birth. They're happy to do whatever I wish in that regard.
Due to the recent addition of a birth centre at the local public hospital, I also would have access to a birthing pool if I was accepted into the caseload. I'm hoping to have a water birth as well, since I know that a water birth can make the mother calmer and quieter.
I haven't heard back about whether I've been accepted into the caseload, but a recent phone call informed me that they are currently checking through the babies due in November so hopefully I'll hear soon.
Due to the recent addition of a birth centre at the local public hospital, I also would have access to a birthing pool if I was accepted into the caseload. I'm hoping to have a water birth as well, since I know that a water birth can make the mother calmer and quieter.
I haven't heard back about whether I've been accepted into the caseload, but a recent phone call informed me that they are currently checking through the babies due in November so hopefully I'll hear soon.
Friday 13 May 2011
Reactions of Friends & Family to Silent Birth
Not surprisingly, the fact that I'm planning a silent birth has caused mixed reactions in families and friends, mostly negative. Many people automatically connect such an idea with cultist and religious behaviour that can't be mentally or physically healthy.
Of course I'm more than happy to point out the flaws in the argument as well as explain why it's got nothing to do with religion. It seems that most people have an issue with the fact that the mother can't make any noise during the labor - of course when they understand that the mother is free to make as much noise as she wishes, they're much more receptive to the idea.
I don't have any more major appointments till my next scan and hospital appointment at the end of June and start of July. I should also find out around that time if I've been accepted into the midwife caseload to have a small and familiar group of midwives available at the birth.
So until then I probably won't be doing updates - instead I'll be laying back and trying to get over the last of my morning (or all day) sickness. Once I reach 20 weeks I'll have more of an opportunity to discuss the birth with midwives and see what the best approach is for planning the birth. In the meantime I'll probably work on a sample birth plan at some stage before then, too. You can keep an eye on how far along I am with the tracker at the bottom of the page.
Of course I'm more than happy to point out the flaws in the argument as well as explain why it's got nothing to do with religion. It seems that most people have an issue with the fact that the mother can't make any noise during the labor - of course when they understand that the mother is free to make as much noise as she wishes, they're much more receptive to the idea.
I don't have any more major appointments till my next scan and hospital appointment at the end of June and start of July. I should also find out around that time if I've been accepted into the midwife caseload to have a small and familiar group of midwives available at the birth.
So until then I probably won't be doing updates - instead I'll be laying back and trying to get over the last of my morning (or all day) sickness. Once I reach 20 weeks I'll have more of an opportunity to discuss the birth with midwives and see what the best approach is for planning the birth. In the meantime I'll probably work on a sample birth plan at some stage before then, too. You can keep an eye on how far along I am with the tracker at the bottom of the page.
Sunday 8 May 2011
First Trimester Hospital Visit
A few days ago I went for my first trimester hospital visit. I live in Australia and I'm going through the public health system. At my local hospital they allow a small group of women to work with just a small group of midwives, meaning they'll be familiar with the women who'll be delivering their baby.
The group is based on low risk pregnancies and takes only 20 women each month. Everyone else who delivers at the hospital will have a midwife chosen at random depending on when they have their baby.
I'm hoping to be one of the 20 women selected, so I have a higher chance of working with a midwife who understands what I want from a silent birth and follows my birth plan. Since my first labour was only four hours, I'm sure that turning up and talking to a midwife who I've never met will be a lot more stressful.
If I don't get selected, I'm considering either using a trainee midwife from a local university or going through a new program which allows women to select a single midwife but is still government subsidised.
The group is based on low risk pregnancies and takes only 20 women each month. Everyone else who delivers at the hospital will have a midwife chosen at random depending on when they have their baby.
I'm hoping to be one of the 20 women selected, so I have a higher chance of working with a midwife who understands what I want from a silent birth and follows my birth plan. Since my first labour was only four hours, I'm sure that turning up and talking to a midwife who I've never met will be a lot more stressful.
If I don't get selected, I'm considering either using a trainee midwife from a local university or going through a new program which allows women to select a single midwife but is still government subsidised.
Thursday 5 May 2011
Welcome to my Silent Birth Blog
Despite the rumours and stigmas that surround the term silent birth, the ideas is actually quite an interesting concept. I first considered it after finding out one single fact about this unique birthing practice:
"The mother can make as much noise as she wishes, it is only the attendants who remain silent."
After feeling as if doctors were taking over my body during the end of my first pregnancy, and then discovering that I really didn't want anyone telling me to "Breathe, breathe, breathe" during every contraction, I realized that silent birth may just be the option I'm looking for. Not one to back away from an idea just because it's been insulted by the press, I thought it was worth some more research.
I'm currently three months pregnant with my second child so this blog will be a record of preparing for a silent birth, medical reactions to the idea and ultimately, how successful I find the silent birth to be in keeping both myself and the baby in the lowest stress environment possible.
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