I've requested a home birth... hospital are not happy with me.

[TotallyAndUtterlyPaninied]

Had a bloody awful time in hospital with DS and do not intend to go back unless I HAVE to.

My midwife at doc's surgery was very supportive about my wanting a homebirth.

Then when I went to book in with the hospital, the midwife went 'eeeeeeeekkk... errmm.. are you still wanting that?' I was like yes and she gave me this weird 'you are a lunatic' smile.

The consultant then said ' you do realise that is only if everything is absolutely A-ok? Well... I'll put down that you're wanting a homebirth anyway'.

Why are they being like that?

I would also appreciate any tales of experience of homebirth.

[MamiBabi]

I too had an horrible time with DS and have requested a homebirth but have been really lucky in that my midwife was the one who suggested a homebirth in the first place with this one - 32 weeks at the moment.

If I were you I would take no notice of the midwife in the hospital and be far more interested in talking things through with the midwife at the doc's.

As long as everything continues to go well and no complications arise there shouldn't be an issue - by luck you won't have to speak to the negative midwife again - her judgement is probably based on her idea of 'normal' which is based on her own experience of 'normal' meaning hospital rather than home so I wouldn't be overly concerned.

Good luck, how long have you got to go?

[MummyElk]

ah bugger it, the consultant has probably only ever seen the cases when he's had to get involved (i know lots of drs who get all uppity about home births because they've NEVER ATTENDED ONE) and your midwife needs a kick up the a**e.
Ignore her,ignore him, go with your own instinct and it'll all work itself out in the end anyway. good luck

[donkeyderby]

Why is the midwife not happy for you to have a home birth? Are there medical reasons?
If so, then listen to the midwife/obstetrician and question them on their rationale. It would be really foolish not to. Your GP midwife may be able to help too. First births have a tendency to need intervention more than second.

[TotallyAndUtterlyPaninied]

It's my 2nd baby, I'm 14 weeks at the mo and all is well. There's no reason not to have a homebirth, they just seem really averse to it at the hospital. Which I think is strange as they're over worked anyway. I remember when I had DS, there were ladies who had just given birth sitting in the waiting room as there was no beds for them.

[BertieBotts]

Can you afford an indie midwife? Or failing that a doula?

Also have you seen www.homebirth.org.uk ?

[lou4791]

I'm a midwife having my second baby and plan to have a homebirth. I've had difficulty getting it organised with my community team as they have been quite unsupportive even though I have no medical issues and my last birth was straightforward.Everything is organised now after numerous calls to managers etc... Some maternity staff do have strong, negative opinions about home births but this is no reason to be disuaded. After many years experience at all sorts of births, having a baby at home is definately my top choice if all is normal.Go for it.
lou x