The Natural Fertility Community

Dalene,

I know this is out of the ordinary, but I hope you don't mind...

I'm plannign a home birth and know you're a doula. I will admit, thanks to the ignorant OB's I've had in the past, I'm quite scared of any delivery, let alone a natural home birth.

I've got everything prepared that I can, a great midwife, essential oils, birthing ball, plan on a water birth and am even trying hypnobirthing.... but I still feel very nervous and unprepared. I think its mostly because I am Group B strep positive and although my midwife has me taking things to help decrease or even rid my body of it completely (acidopholis, garlic, Vit C) I'm still worried something will go wrong....

Do you have any tips, links, resources, etc. that can help someone who has never done a home birth before? All my research has come upon is very vague and quite "empty" information.

I appreciate you letting me pick your brain...again, my apologies for the non-fertility related topic
Pamela

Hi fellow_cyster,

Congratulations, I did not know that you are pregnant!

I actually had 2 homebirths, so I may be a bit biased when it comes to birthing. As a doula though I respect all women's choices, because I inherently believe a woman knows what is best for her body.

All the births I have attended were in a hospital setting. Mothers with Group B Strep were treated with antibiotics.

If your midwives truly believed there was a serious risk for you and your child they would hopefully inform you. Please let them know your concerns, good communication is important. Ask them about their training in this situation. What will they do for you when you are in labor, are they doing all they can to prepare you for the upcoming labor, what are their plans to protect your baby during labor? The 2nd link I attatched is very informative, but in no way am I telling you to follow these instructions, please speak with your caregiver about your options.

It really comes down to you doing what is best for you and your baby. Are you going to have a wonderful homebirth if you are constantly worried about this infection during labor? How can you work toward moving through this fear and begin ok with your decision? Are the risks and benefits of a homebirth worth the risk of your baby actually becoming infected? I encourage you to ask your midwives this question.

I know dozens of homebirth families and of all of those births I only know of one that did not turn out positively. Midwives work very hard to give you the best care!

HIGH RISK SITUATIONS:

When labor is premature;
When there is premature rupture of the membranes;
When there is prolonged rupture of membranes (>12 hours) before the baby is born;
If the mother has a fever (>100.4 F) before or during labor;
Women who have a history of GBS in previous births.

Treating the mother with oral antibiotics during the pregnancy may decrease the amount of GBS for a short time, but it will not eliminate the bacteria completely and will leave the baby unprotected at birth.*

http://www.childbirth.org/articles/GBS.html

There is another great "alternative therapy for GBS" blog by a NewYork midwife at this link: http://prenatalyogacenter.com/blog/group-b-strep-guidelines-for-pregnancy/

Mothering Magazine.com has a great forum for all kinds of stuff, I am sure there is a homebirth group, here is the link: http://www.mothering.com/discussions/forumdisplay.php?f=20


I wish you the best birth ever and a very healthy baby!

Dalene