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Childbirth

Homebirth Question....

26 replies

jessicasmummy · 06/06/2005 23:29

.... Im gonna sound really STUPID here, but here goes.

If I have a home birth this time round, as my MW wants me to, what happens in the following situations....

  1. Baby isnt breathing - when Jessica was born she had to be resucitated (sp?) and was away from me for about 5 mins...... what happens at home?!

  2. Although I didnt tear last time, what happens if i need stitches? Does the midwife do it or what?!

    Sorry.... im a complete mess about the whole thing, but my MW reckons I will progress really quickly and have the baby at home..... AHHHHHHH
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pixiefish · 06/06/2005 23:31

No idea jm- the only thing I wil say is if you're not happy about it then don't be pushed into it.
a friend of mine had a hospital birth with #1. episiotomy, ventouse. she had #2 at home and delivered her no problems in a short labour with no complications. She thinks it's because she was more relaxed at home

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jessicasmummy · 06/06/2005 23:33

I dont really want to have the baby at home, but then i know if i go to hospital, I will want to be at home as soon as its all over. I think its because of the problems with Jess not breathing that im most concerned about....

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hunkermunker · 06/06/2005 23:37

JM, I'm having a similar dilemma.

DS took 12 hours - I progressed fast, but he was back-to-back for ages - when he turned he was born very quickly.

Midwife said I'd be likely to have a quick labour with next one and as I'd had no pain relief, except birthing pool, I'd be an ideal candidate for a homebirth.

BUT I did have a second-degree tear and I am sure that the scar tissue isn't as stretchy even as what was there before so I am a bit worried about splitting in half next time

So I think what I'll do is ask for a six-hour discharge.

That way, I am in hospital, I will fight them in big angry scratching hellcat manner for birthing pool, but I get to go home if no complications and not stay on ward with other mothers and their weirdy toddler visitors like last time.

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Fran1 · 06/06/2005 23:38

If you don't want the baby at home, then don't feel pressured into it!

I had my first dd in hospital at 1.50pm and was home by midnight, would have been more like 7pm if we hadn't waited around for a paediatrician who never turned up. You can insist you want to go home. MW advised me to stay as paed hadn't done check, but i insisted i was going home and so we were able to call Gp out the next day to carry out the tests on newborn.

I like the idea of a homebirth next time round (now i know what its like!) but then i think well if i could repeat the same as last time that would suit me. Cos i'm in hospital near all necessary equipment if required, but i know i can come home asap afterwards.

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pixiefish · 06/06/2005 23:39

agree with hm- ask for the domino delivery where you get to go home 6 hours after the birth if there are no complications. Don't be pushed into doing something you don't want to

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jessicasmummy · 06/06/2005 23:42

I would love a homebirth if im truthful, but im too scared! i wanted a home birth with jess but DH refused point blank, and now he has sort of come round to the idea, im the one freaking out!

I had Jess at 2.49am and was home by 3pm, so about 12 hours in hospital last time, but its my original questions im concerned about!

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hunkermunker · 06/06/2005 23:44

Haven't had a browse, but there might be some answers on here, JM

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JulieF · 06/06/2005 23:50

I had a homebirth and it was fantastic.

In answer to your questions, if the baby was born and wasn;t breathing the midwife would do exactly the same as she woud in hospital and resusitate it. They carry the necessary equipment and I know a few people it has happened to. They would probably advise you go into hospital just to check everything is OK. However it is far less likely to happen at home for several reasons.

I tore and needed stitches. The midwife stitched me up. Usually you only need to transfer to hospital if the tear is very, very bad.

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hunkermunker · 06/06/2005 23:50

Have had more of a browse on that site and the answers are there, hun.

Would post links, but am going to bed now

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jessicasmummy · 06/06/2005 23:51

No worries HM, just found them myself...

Thanks JulieF - you're a star..... still not sure what to do though!

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jessicasmummy · 07/06/2005 16:21

bumping for anymore reassurance!

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Titania · 07/06/2005 16:27

i had a gome birth with ds2. it was fab!! my other 2 were nightmare births yet at home, 4 and a half hours start to finish...great!!!

they bring oxygen and recusitation equipment with them anyway. they monitor you with sonicaid more while you are at home so if there is the slightest inkling that somethings not right they will get you into hospital.

they can stitich you up at home...they only need to get you to hospital if the tear is really bad.

Hope this reassures you x x

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jessicasmummy · 07/06/2005 16:28

Thanks T. I hope you a feeling better today. Was thinking of you last night x

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Chickpea · 07/06/2005 17:08

Hi Jessicasmummy - I had mu first ds at home, my second in hospital as she was breach and my third at home.

I would go for home everytime and JulieF is right they do exactly the sale as they would in a hospital with the resus equipment.

I was lucky I didn't tear badly enough to need stitching but I am convinced that the relaxed environment helped me concentrate on the birth and listen to the mw's instructions who knew I was paranoid about tearing.

I would always recommemd home birth and I think that it is great that your mw has suggested it but if it gets to the day and you are worried then just say you want to go in. There is no harm in getting the stuff in (they bring you a pack about two weeks before dday) and preparing for a home birth then going to hospital if you feel more comfortable at the last minute although I suspect the mw may not agree!!!

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mumoftreasures · 08/06/2005 13:32

I had 2 homebirths, ds1 took 11 hours with 4 hrs pushing (anterior lip), was a bit of a marathon but felt very much in control and was therefore a very positive experience. At one point when I was getting really tired mw considered transferring me, but as long as baby was happy in tummy I wanted to stay at home. When I delivered him he needed oxygen, and mw told me that the only difference between oxygen at home and in the hospital is that it would a machine in hospital, and a handheld one at home. They still get the oxygen in there! As had torn as well, so I had stitches at home (with local anesthetic).GP came round next day for the all clear. DS2 was a 4 hr labour, 30 minutes pushing, no tears no oxygen needed. I would ask all your questions to your mw, as she is keen for you to have a homebirth she'll probably be able to reassure you. Go for it girl, it can be such a good experience!

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sweetkitty · 24/06/2005 23:22

jm - I'm trawling around tonight looking at threads about homebirths as I really want to have one with no 2. DD was born in 4 hours 20 mins just gas and air but I tore quite badly and at one point had 4 midwives standng around looking at my bits with my legs in stirrups thinking how they were going to stitch me back up again, in the ned they got a doc in to do it so the upshot is I'm like you scared of tearing again with being at home, DD did come out with her hands by her face and also I was pushing like mad just to get her out at that point.

Not one person I have said to that I want a homebirth has said "good for you" they all look at me like I'm mad and start to go "ph what if something goes wrong etc" why do I feel like this is going to be a battle. We are in the process of moving house so I don't even know the opinions of the MWs in the area I will eventually be living in. Sorry rant over.

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RedZuleika · 25/06/2005 10:35

If you want a home birth, I'd stick to your guns, regardless of whether other people try and make you feel like it's an act of bravery / foolhardiness. I think a lot of that comes from ignorance: they assume that the only things a midwife will have on hand at the house are hot water and towels - when in fact they carry a lot of the drugs / equipment that would be necessary for the immediate resuscitation of the baby anyway, if that were required.

I'm going for a homebirth with what will be my first child - and I've had blank incomprehension from a number of people, coupled with a slightly patronising suggestion that I'll give it all up when I realise how painful it is (patronising because these particular people have no idea of my medical history - and which painful or excruiating conditions I may have suffered from in the past). I've had the stuff about my 'untried pelvis', shroud-waving about the length of time it could take to transfer, midwives whiffling on about how we can't decide until week 37 - and then only after talking to the consultant...

Personally, whatever you decide to do, I would say to remember that it's your body, it's your decision about where you choose to give birth and which interventions you choose to accept or decline. It's been suggested to me that I don't have the best interests of our child at heart - but for me, staying in control and doing it my way in the privacy of my home IS keeping the best interests of the peanut at heart.

I also don't have the choice of a birthing unit as technically I am 'high risk' due to raised antiphospholipid antibodies (shan't bore you with the details, but if you're interested, I've explained under my previous post 'Home Birth Pack). However, having seen my local birthing centre, it doesn't strike me as very relaxed or relaxing anyway - it just looks like a hospital ward that's had a couple of pools installed and some birthing balls scattered around. I find it difficult to believe that the ethos is very different to the main labour ward - particularly since they don't have a particularly high complement of midwives to women. I feel very strongly that to have a 'consultant-led' birth could lead to iatrogenic problems and make other interventions necessary.

In your trawling, have you come across the following sites:

homebirth.org.uk

Yahoo homebirth group

BirthchoiceUK.com useful for looking at statistics of various hospitals / birthing centres - and just how high their Caesarean rates are...

Association for Improvements in Midwifery

Out of curiosity, had your membranes been ruptured or had they ruptured themselves when you had your daughter? I only ask because I have read various articles about how intact membranes can ease the passage of the baby, particularly when it has its hands round its face - presumably because they 'smooth out' the lumps.

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RedZuleika · 25/06/2005 10:40

p.s. I'm still a bit rant-y about the whole issue - as you might be able to tell...

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basketcase · 25/06/2005 10:52

why does your mw want you to go for a homebirth? Have you been totally honest with her and told her you really want to go into hospital and come out quickly afterwards?
Don?t let her push you into it if you are uncomfortable. More and more mw teams are trying to get their home birth numbers up as many women find it a positive experience and takes pressure of hospitals. However, if it is not what you want or are comfortable with, then it is up to you to say so and go with your gut instinct.
I had a home birth planned with DD2 and lst minute hospital transfer - was so pleased that at least I did most of the time consuming bit at home and the transfer was ok. I would go for home birth again but that is because it suits me - I am a private person who likes to be in control and in my own space. I would rather there was only one or two faces quietly there supporting me than loads of uniforms rushing in and out, not knowing who they are or what they do while I am half naked and spread eagle on a bed.. but that is just me. We are all different and we get support and confidence in different ways. If you would feel happier with the technology and staff on hand, then go for it - it is your baby and your labour

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mears · 25/06/2005 11:19

jessicamummy - community midwives are trained in neonatal resuscitation as are all midwives. They have a 'bag and mask' to use to inflate the lungs if the baby is not breathing. More often than not, it is not needed because women birthing at home tend to be more relaxed and do not need pain relief. Women can have an injection available at home should they need it, but often they don't. Babies sometimes do not breathe initially because the mum has had pain relief which can depress the baby's breathing centre in it's brain. Often all that is reuired is a few inlation breaths and the baby 'wakes up'.

Community midwives have various skills regarding stitches. Ask your own what would happen if you had a tear. Most community midwives would suture a small tear.

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zebraZ · 25/06/2005 11:31

basketcase: it sounds like mw is advising homeb because JM's labour was so fast last time.

JM I had my first baby in hospital, next 2 at home. I am convinced that I had better labour experiences, few (or rather almost no) interventions at home, vs. lots of unpleasant and in retrospect possibly unnecessary interventions in hospital. I had stitches at home with 2nd homeb, no biggie. My labours were also quite fast (~2 hours), so woud have barely made it to hospital in time if I had tried to go in.

Either choice (hospital or home) is valid. Keep asking questions so you know you've made the right choice for you. You can always plan for home & change your mind later, even at the very last minute.

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jessicasmummy · 25/06/2005 11:37

Thank you all for ressurecting this thread... still not sure what I want to do but MW isnt coming to see me until 17th July so will have a list of questions ready for her. If I plan a home birth and change my mind once in labour, is that ok?!

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mears · 25/06/2005 11:45

Yes it is

Does your midwife do DOMINO? (Domicillary In and Out) That means she would look after you at home in labour then take you to hospital to deliver, then bring you home again. Well she would follow in her car. Perhaps that would suit you better. You need to want to deliver at home to have a homebirth.

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jessicasmummy · 25/06/2005 11:54

I want to deliver at home, but i want the security of a hospital if that makes sense!!!

I know that the MW i see is likely to be the one who delivers me, be it at home or hospital, if not her then one of her "team" (there are 4 of them in the team)

I need to seriously consider this some more, but knowing me, ill go for the easy option and go to hospital, however much a home birth would be amazing!

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RedZuleika · 25/06/2005 12:20

I think it's a good idea to have a 'hospital bag' packed anyway - even if hoping to birth at home, just in case anything unforeseen arises. (Hope for the best, prepare for the worst! is my usual motto...)

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