Home Birth - Will I? Won't I?

[Every1KnowsJeffHesUsuallyACunt]

This is going to be a rant so apologies.

5th baby, going for a home birth. It's going a bit tits up

They've been quite resistant to the idea since the word go, so after already having to have a gtt, which was normal, consultant antenatal clinic to talk about whether I'm at risk of a PPH if I give birth at home, I've had to agree to a managed third stage and an inspection and risk assessment done at home, where I've had to check insurances that it's ok for them to flood my home if needs be, they've now sprung on me at 37 weeks that because my bmi has inevitably risen a bit with the weight I've put on and because I'm measuring on the top line on baby's growth chart ie it could be a big ish baby, I might not get the home birth after all. If the consultant isn't happy, I may have to have another appointment with her and possibly be referred for a doppler and liquor test? because I'm too far along for a growth scan.

They've also told me that they only have 2 home birth qualified midwives in the community department, had no idea about this previously, and if they're not on shift when labour starts, I won't be able to give birth at home.

I'm supposed to be collecting my birth pool this weekend and the midwife hasn't managed to track down a consultant to scan through my notes yet.

She also keeps reminding me that at 37 weeks with my 5th baby, I could go into labour at any time.

Yes I know that, thank you, and I feel totally reassured about where I'm giving birth

[LaVolcan]

No, there is no 'have to' about any of this. You could give birth unattended in a field if you chose to do so, although few would advise this! The Consultant is there to offer advice. It's up to you to consider the advice and whether you need to take it or not. IMO it all depends on how considered their advice is - if it's just 'we don't support home births, full stop' then it's less worth considering than 'we've looked at your health and we think....'

As for they only have two midwives on - staffing rotas are not your problem. They have had months to sort this out. And before someone comes on to tell me that's a selfish attitude and they are taking away a midwife from someone in hospital, I have heard of cases of midwives saying that they would have been happy to be on call for a home birth, but no one bothered to inform them.

Have a look at AIMS and their section on 'Home Birth Bullying'.

[Every1KnowsJeffHesUsuallyACunt]

Thank you, I will look at that.

That's exactly how I feel about it - you've had months and now you tell me

They just seem to have left it very late to start throwing all these 'risk factors' at me when I've said from booking that I wanted a home birth. Now I'm frustrated and worrying.

I know I can refuse things, she's already given me the speech about the risk to me and the baby if I don't take their advice. I said if I thought it was really risky, I wouldn't fight tooth and nail, I want a healthy birth and baby when all said and done but I find it hard to believe there are suddenly all these reasons. We're facing expense too because the company I'm hiring a pool from are having to keep it set aside for me.

[Topsy34]

I just came on to say the exact same thing as laVolcan

Try going back and say, I've decided to free birth, and then see what happens.....!

In all seriousness, you need to ask for the research they are basing their advice/opinion on, and make your own decision.

BMI is really inaccurate at the best of times and if you take away estimated baby weight, placenta weight and amniotic fluid weight, what is you rough weight and then is it 'too high'?

Why do they consider you high risk PPH? Just because its your 5th?

Have you been in touch with AIMS and the supervisor of midwives?

You could just procrastinate long enough to go into labour and then refuse to budge and go into hospital

[Benzalkonium]

Not much to add except I hope you het your home birth. Good luck.

[notaprincessbutaqueen]

what are they going to do when you go into labour? physically come round your house, pick you up and force you into an ambulance and drag you to hospital?
they cannot FORCE you to give birth in hospital, they can advise that its best, and advise that you may not have a midwife (but i'm sure a paramedic can do an ok job if needed!), but they can not make you do anything.
Good Luck with the birth x