Probably been done many times before, but what do MIDWIVES on MN think of homebirths?

[Flamesparrow]

Everyone has their own opinions, often very strong, on home births. Many based on their own good/bad outcomes, but when it comes to stuff like this, I am intrigued what midwives think.

Both my midwife last time and this time seem very enthusiastic about home birth, was just really wondering what the rest of you feel, and why etc.

What would YOU do for your births?

(This isn't meant to be a pros/cons debate for all of us to squabble on, it really is aimed at the midwives. Oh, throw in doulas too )

[Beauregard]

I had an unexpected and unassisted home birth with dd2 . Despite me having her on the bathroom floor with nothing prepared it was a far better experience than the hospital birth i had with dd1.

[Klaw]

Well I'm a Doula and i wouldn't give birth anywhere else if I was pregnant with a healthy baby.

I've had my hospital births and attended some lovely homebirths and great Midwife unit births, so can see how much better a home birth is and the mw attending have all been great.

In fact I was at a homebirth where the midwives were too late, so I was the only non-family member there. I did not panic about having no mw as I knew they were on their way and the whole atmosphere was just a joy, it was a huge honour to share such a special moment, I just kind of stepped back and let mum and dad get on with it while I observed ready to call for help if I thought it needed it. I don't think it feels quite the same in a hospital room, you're never quite so relaxed

[Beauregard]

Shit im not a midwife though.

It's the swine flu affecting my brain sorry.

[StripeyKnickersSpottySocks]

I'm very pro homebirths. I think that women are more relaxed, progress better, don't have the Drs sniffing about with their time constraints, women get better care as the m/w isn't running from one room to the other looking after 2 or 3 women.

I'm undecided if I would have a homebirth or not as my previous birth was an emergency section. I know the risk of uterine rupture are minimal but just don't know if I'd take the risk. But if I did have a hospital birth I'd have a friend being my m/w (one on one), tell the Drs to shove off and ignore various protocols that I didn't agree with.

[Flamesparrow]

I will be forced to beat you for replying Pelvicfloor . Figured I'd still get many anecotes

[Beauregard]

[treedelivery]

Is this a way of getting the buggers to out themselves??



Aw crap. I am one!

Am pro. I am pro everything and anything, knowing that no one will willingly put themselves or their child in any sort of danger for the hell of it.

There has to be an ability to address and accept and manage any risk in all birthing scenarios. Parents and their carers need to do this, if they want to take part in empowered birthing. It isn't always comfortable. Sometimes the facts do not support our deepest want. That works both ways, for midwives and birthing women.

I've found myself suggesting homebirth to women who have reacted very angrily. I've found myself 'knocked' by women I didn't suggest it too.

Open exchange and frank discussion, compassion and lucid explanations from all concerned. In all directions.

That could lead to a positive birth experience in nearly all circumstance.

I sold myself to research and evidence based practice at the outset of my training - so I say yay.

[blinder]

Very interested in this thread as at the moment my midwife team is saying they are too short-staffed to provide me with a home birth. Although I suspect they wish they could...

[treedelivery]

So sad blinder.

There are midwives working in alternative jobs as they cannot get posts. The trusts can't pay them.

Then there are other areas that can't recruit, midwives won't move, live and work in the area.

It's a bugger. Loads of midwives are due to retire in the next 5-10 years too.

[Flamesparrow]

Blinder.

Love the idea of the thread just to worm you out (whilst you're here... I have an electric shock thread in pregnancy.... )

I am enjoying reading the answers here - thank you for indulging a nosy woman!

[treedelivery]

Am I the only one?

Bugger!

[notevenamousie]

What about obstetricians?

[Flamesparrow]

answer me thread first please - my arm is tingly

[Flamesparrow]

Yup, they can come play too

Pretty much anyone who spends their working life thinking about childbirth.

[treedelivery]

C'mon Obs - get yourself on that electric shock thread!!

[Flamesparrow]

Oh anyone can come answer my shock thread (just someone would do )

[EccentricaGallumbits]

I'm nearly a midwife - if i pass my exams

Homebirth is how it should be.

IF everything is 'normal'

IF everything is safe

IF that is where the woman wants to be.

Personally - I wish I had been as stroppy informed as I am now when I had my babies. Also Dh was utterly unsupportive and crap at the time and didn't think I should.
In my defense I was much younger and nowhere near as strong as I am now.

As it was I popped into a hospital, popped my babies then went home. no point in me being in a medical environment. and I would have been much more comfortable and in control if I were at home.

[Reesie]

I definately would have a homebirth. DD's were both born at hospital due to complications in my blood picture. I still tried to talk the consultant around to homebirth though! Unfortunately she wouldn't budge.

Both mine were very quick easy and uncomplicated deliveries. DD2 was nearly born at home anyway as was so quick.

One of my favourate home deliveries was for a fab lady who wanted minimal support - just quick listening in to baby - she hated anybody touching her or talking to her when she was in labour. I was exactly the same in my labours. I read the sunday papers and ate chocolate biscuites until she was ready to deliver. Every 15 mins I listened in quickly to the fetal heart rate and did a couple of BP's then went back to the travel or property section of the times! Marvellous!!

[Reesie]

Also wanted to say that homebirths do need to be managed correctly and as long as labour progresses without difficulty or complication - homebirths are very safe and ideal for mums who chose to have them.

[liahgen]

I'm pro HB again reiterating what others have said

For uncomplicated labour

If both parents to be want it. I say this as ime if dad isn't totally onboard it tends to go tits up, mum is not as relaxed as she would be etc

For my next one am contemplating hb but will have to see what complications occur if any this time

tree in your area would multip 9th pg, 6th baby be a consideration?

[Flamesparrow]

Def very interesting reading on this thread (EG - you will pass, I have decided).

I have been having random jitters about home birth this time round. I have no idea why - no complications with either previous birth, or this pregnancy. The more aggressive for and against posts I was reading, the more indecisive I was getting. This thread has restored my faith somewhat.

It is a bit like when I had my tooth out a while back - none of the good or bad anecdotes could settle me either way, I was much happier hearing from dentists/oral surgeons/people who do this day in day out.

The same goes for childbirth and pregnancy - each time I have opted for midwife led care rather than splitting between my GP and a midwife. I think that GPs are fabulous, but when I have a specific thing, I want someone who spends their time on that thing, rather than someone who knows about many things.

Am I talking gibberish now?

I have loved the enthusiasm from the midwives I have met, but was starting to wonder if they had some sort of quota to fill (you can be too enthusiastic )

[Flamesparrow]

I agree with you Liaghen about both parents needing to be in agreement.

DH wasn't sure last time, and him not being sure was making me worried about the whole thing. Eventually it just took one decent conversation to find out what he was worried about (I was ill in the days after DD, and it was that that freaked him out). Once we had discussed that I would be going in the second there was any hint of concern about the baby or me, he was fine, and we both relaxed. Our only remaining stumbling block was whether or not I was having syntometrine as I felt that that was what made me ill, but he wanted me to have it... it ended up being irrelevant as the placenta just fell out as she moved me to a better position to discuss it .

[liahgen]

at placenta falling out as you shifted to discuss synto.

Yes You did the right thing talking about it, and for you it worked, dh relaxed, my dh isn't keen on a hb, not sure why yet as i'm not preggers yet, we'll cross that bridge if and when we come to it.

When is your baby due?

Completely agree that sometimes you can get blinded by others opinions, as they all speak from their experience. This is your experinece and it helps to get balanced views from as you say people who think/do pg, birth daily.

As Doulas we are encouraged in our training to not bring our own experience to the table, which is really hard sometimes when a mother, (or father) is asking, "how did you do it, what would you do" I just give them the facts, and encourage them to think about their own desires, fears .

(was any of that relevant? )

[kitkatqueen]

can I thread hijack a mo?

I'm about to have dc4. I live in an area with low midwife numbers and I have had 2 midwives during my pregnancy trying to convince me to retrain to become a midwife. I am 33 now. dc's are 5 3 1 and due in 10 days

What do the m/w's on here think? should I go for it? am I too old?

sorry for hijack

[treedelivery]

No waaaay too old. There is a good 30 years of work in you!

My advice - know the job you are thinking about. Midwifery training and new recruitment has a poor attrition rate. people think it is one thing, and what it is is technical, tough, stressfull, joyous, hysterical at times, all sorts of great things things. Also the nhs is your employer. How do you feel about working Christmas day for example. These are the realities. If they are good for you, the job can be amazing.