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Childbirth

So how am I gonna get this homebirth?

16 replies

TeeCee · 15/03/2007 11:08

So - I'm under Queen Charlottes hospital, which has the best maternity unit around here by far. However it's 45 mins away. I'm under them as my eldest has Down's syndrome and so with my 'history' I was sent straight there with my DD2. It's a great hospital and I went straight back there with this pregnancy.

I had a home birth last time under that hospital but it was a sneaky unofficial one. The midwife that answered the phone at the birth centre at the hospital happened to be a 1-2-1 midwife and she also happened to live in the next 'village' to me. So she gave me all my antenatal appts at home and basically me and her knew I was having a home birth but no-one else did. When I went into labour I just rang her and she came over and we got on with it.

This time, she's no longer around as she has left to have a baby and noone wants to give me a homebirth as I'm not in the area.

I want to stay on at Queen Charlootes until I have my 20 week scan at least. But what then?

I don't want to transfer to my local hospital as they have only just re-opened the maternity unit there after giving it a face left which they were forced to do as they had 9 maternal deaths on the maternity unit! I loathe it there anyway and just point blank refuse to have anything to do with it, home birth or not, I don't want anyone from tht hole anywhere near me.

The next nearest hospital is about 30 mins away. What am I gonna do? I need another homebirth.

OP posts:

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bundle · 15/03/2007 11:18

teecee, I recently visited your local hospital and was really impressed by it.

Why not ring the head of midwifery there for a chat? She was v nice and they're very keen to support homebirths.

The new unit is lovely too and we talked to some mums (one had a 1 hr old baby...broood brooooooood) and they were thrilled with their care.

Mumpbump · 15/03/2007 11:18

If you want a homebirth, you can insist on it. They can tell you that it's not a good idea if there are medical reasons why hospital would be safer, but they can't make you have your baby in hospital. At least, that's the way it is in my area - Surrey. Have you actually asked your m/w about having a home birth yet?

RanToTheHills · 15/03/2007 11:23

yes, you do have a choice,OTTOH if they're short-staffed or youhave complications youcan get hauled in anyway.Talk to someone there, bound to be some mws you can get onside who are supportive of homebirths. Good luck!

TeeCee · 15/03/2007 11:39

Bundle are we talking Northwick Park?
You were impressed really? What was the reason for the visit then? Can you tell me more if that's ok?

Queen Charlottes have said they can't give me a homebirth as I'm not in the area. I don't have a midwife as such as yet as I'm only 13 weeks. I don't know if I can insist that I stay under them but still have a home birth. Can I?????

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bundle · 15/03/2007 11:41

yes teecee, I was making a programme about birth and we went there to talk to the chief exec, meet staff and patients. I was really impressed but quite understand your feelings of apprehension. CAT me if you like

RanToTheHills · 15/03/2007 11:41

you have choice-of hospitla and of whether to have hombirth so you can insist.I think the system fights back sometimes though, as I said before, by saying yes knowing that staff shortages mean there are good odds of you having to go in.

lulumama · 15/03/2007 11:42

look at homebirth site, which will tell you how to go about getting a homebirth also AIMS can give good advice if you are getting nowhere....but the head of midwifery is a good place to start....

TeeCee · 15/03/2007 11:43

Thank you.

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Doulaklaw · 15/03/2007 12:41

Just write to supervisor of midwives in your area stating that you intend to have a homebirth and that you require supportive mw to be allocated to your case and on call rota.

Simple.

It is your right and if they give you any hassle contact AIMS.

End of.

Happy Homebirthing!

TeeCee · 15/03/2007 12:58

Ok will do. Ummm how exactly do I go about finding out who the supervisor of midwives is in my area? Sorry am I missing something glaringly obvious?!

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theheadgirl · 15/03/2007 13:57

TeeCee, good luck with all of this. You'll get head of midwifery name from switchboard at maternity hopsital, or from their website. Sometimes they're called "head of family services" if its a district hospital and they would also cover paediatrics.
I was set up for a home birth with my DD3 after a lovely smooth hospital delivery with DD2. Quite a few battles along the way, but it helps to know your rights, and to know if the "medical" problems they come up with as obstacles are real ones or just a load of rubbish.
In the event, I had my DD3 through an emergency Csection. I got to 8 cm dilation at home called the midwife, who found baby was undiagnosed footling breech!

TeeCee · 15/03/2007 14:27

Blimey headgirl, bet that was a bit of a shocker!

Thanks for the info, xx

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theheadgirl · 15/03/2007 15:02

Dead right TeeCee. You know what its like, you're contracting, there's no blood going to your brain.... I heard the midwife say as she did the internal "this is not a head", and I thought she meant "its got no head" - !!!
Believe me, having a gal with Downs was a big relief after I'd thought I was getting a headless baby

TeeCee · 15/03/2007 15:09

Ohhhh, am I allowed to laugh at the headless baby bit or would that be in very poor taste?!!

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theheadgirl · 15/03/2007 15:35

I was sooo relieved she had a head!

TeeCee · 15/03/2007 15:41

LOL, yes I can imagine!

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