Home birth success stories? (Or disasters)

I attempted a homebirth with DS at 40+5. Sadly, the little sod had other plans - waters didn't break until I was fully dilated, at which point they discovered a lot of meconium, so had to transfer to hospital. Had a very long pushing stage and his HR started dropping so had to have an episiotomy to get him out, at which point it became apparent the duration was probably on account of him being a compound delivery (came out with his hand on his chin). X-ray confirmed signs of meconium aspiration so we had to stay in hospital for 5 days while he completed his course of IV antibiotics. So, yes, things don't always go to plan...

Currently 27 weeks with DD and have stated that homebirth would be my preference, so the experience hasn't deterred me. Like you, I have a strong dislike of hospitals (spent a painful amount of time visiting my best friend who was terminally ill in hospital nearly 20 years ago). And, as far as I am aware, being in an environment that isn't conducive with you feeling at ease can be counterproductive to the progression of labour. So, my advice would be to talk it through with your MW so that you have all the facts and can make an informed choice. It sounds like you're low risk and have previously managed unmedicated, so you know the score (and, yes, they do bring entonox) but just be mentally prepared that you may need to transfer.

And please, ignore the ridiculous comment about needing a high bed. I don't know what century some people are living in, but the person giving birth isn't responsible for ensuring the comfort of healthcare providers and, in my experience, they typically encourage you to birth in whatever position you feel most comfortable.

Wish you a smooth delivery, wherever you choose to have baby. X

Please contact your community midwife or team so they can support you with this ☺️ they will know the process for arranging it for you. In my local trust the community midwives come and do a home visit ideally 34-36 weeks to discuss it and make sure your home is suitable, make a note of things like parking and identifying landmarks if it's a tricky house to find. Some areas have dedicated home birth teams who will take over your pregnancy care. We then collect a box of equipment from the hospital ready for the big day 😄

To fill the birth pool you need a clean hose pipe with an attachment for your tap. I'd say most women use pools downstairs so use the kitchen tap. You usually have a pump to help empty it after (we put the pipe out the window into the drain). We have a combi boiler so hot water supply wasn't an issue, but if you use a tank you may need to top it up with kettles and pans of water!

Yes, in your situation I would have a home birth.
As I said, the only downside for me was the lack of epidural for my massive baby, but if you're ok without then I'd go for it. You have done it once and you have a hospital nearby.

I am wanting a home birth with my third.

I want to hire a birthing pool but how do you feel it with warm water??

Also I have registered with a hospital , should I have registered differently if wanting a home birth? Is there a home birth registry?

I know of a case where the baby didn't breathe at birth. The midwife had all the basic resus gear and baby was stablised and taken to hospital for further treatment. The baby died in the hospital when their staff took over (no chance of survival anywhere).

3 home births??

Regarding the bed issue, you don't need a high bed. I had mine on the floor. Mine were born at home, one had a dangerous complication.

While I love reading the stories of the home births that go well, I think I agree with this.

when my husband was doing his obstetric job he came home & said he was so pleased we were planning a home birth & would hopefully stay out of hospital, so different strokes for different folks there with the anecdotes.

DC1 was hospital, DC2 and DC3 were homebirths. Would absolutely plan another home birth if I were to do it again.

My baby would have died if I'd had a home birth. There isn't even a shred of a chance she'd have survived. She barely survived with a whole team of neonatologists and cardiologists. Undiagnosed congenital condition - hers was rare but many aren't.

I heard her struggling to breathe but I didn't see her until a day later. Can't imagine that same thing playing out at home and just watching her pass away.

I’m so happy you’re on this thread @midwifeCath2 - I feel like women who are interested in or who choose homebirth are made out to be crazy, risk takers who are a bit ‘woo’ whereas I actually made a really informed, risk based decision for my homebirth and strongly believe that the reason my baby and I had had such a straightforward intervention free birth is because I was at home.

I had a homebirth with ds1, a transfer with ds2, an attempted induction that ended in natural birth with ds3, an elective c-section with ds4 and an attempted induction that ended in an emergency c-section for ds5.

I loved my home birth. Also I know this is anecdata but 4 of my dc have autism and the ones with the traumatic births are the ones who struggle the most.

First birth was a planned home birth but the midwives were with another woman so I ended up going to hospital. We rented a pool at home but never got to use it!

second baby was born at home on our living room floor - we have a memory foam play mat rug from totter and tumble it was perfect! Again we rented a pool but baby came so fast it was only half full!

We bought inco sheets and laid those on the floor but there wasn’t much mess to be honest. You could lay towels on top of a shower curtain too if you’re planning on birthing in bed or on the sofa.

nothing like cuddling your baby on the sofa after every one has left, best feeling in the world! Good luck OP!

I really want to try for a third and actually experience the birth pool!

Scare mongering much?
The last one I looked into was asking for midwife attendance at her birth and they refused to send someone. Had she had maternity care it would like have been a very different situation. It's not as black and white as one being safe and the other not.

There is tons of research to support the safety of home birth for well women and babies.

Living room floor, old bath towels and bed sheets on top of shower curtains. Not a trace of a stain for either birth except a smidge of meconium from first nappy change.

I had two. My first was quick for a first born, MW didn't actually believe I was going into labour.
Contractions started at around 5pm and I called at around 5.30, 8ish, 10ish, and 11ish.
MW came at 8.30 when she measured me and said 'get some sleep and I'll be back in the morning', and when I called the last time saying my waters had gone and 'I think I can feel the baby's head' she got there pretty sharpish. She arrived 12 minutes before baby came out so I didn't get much gas and air.
Tens machine saved the day.

Second baby took a bit longer, contractions started at 3ish and baby was born at around 4am. Placenta wouldn't come out so I needed to go to hospital for that, but had two midwives for that one and generally felt very secure.
I live about 5 minute ambo drive to hospital and 15 mins in normal traffic.

I'd definitely do it again.
I was in control, felt comfortable, felt safe and had everything I needed. Everyone I spoke to (MWs etc) in the run up to them were really positive and supportive.
My family had all had very straightforward births and I felt prepared and positive about it all.

Good luck!

Most women give birth on their living room floor, something soft like a big squishy kids plastic rug, pillows, etc are ideal.

I'm a home birth midwife.
Statistically if you're having a straightforward pregnancy without medical issues you are as safe if not safer at home than hospital.
Check out big research study of 500k women, google rietsma home birth.
its a really good choice for many women and research shows much higher satisfaction scores for women who birth at home.
you will however face some strong opinions from those who are anti home birth. lots of 'well i needed x y z', but with a critical eye many of those difficult birth situations are extremely unlikely in a low risk birth where the physiology is uninterrupted.

https://deverloskundige.nl/bevalling/subtekstpagina/72/thuis/

Have a look at this (via Google Translate), it's a very neutral website discussing that giving birth at home is a safe way of giving birth [in the Netherlands, where the medical sector is used to it].

Note that this website mentions that 63% of home births of first-time mums require a hospital transfer, because the midwife deems that to be medically necessary on an ad hoc basis.

Do you trust the NHS ambulance service to be ready for this and your midwife to be experienced enough to make that call?

The Dutch have criteria, I think, for how to have a safe home birth. It's very common (but in a sensible way) there, from what I understand. (I am not Dutch.)

A blow-up mattress is such a terrible idea though it makes me wonder how realistic the rest of your plans are...

Why? It's true.

And how many women or babies did you see injured, maimed, traumatised or worse due to interventions and/ or poor care?

Women have to make decisions based on evidence and risk. There are risks associated with inductions and interventions, medical professionals should be good at explaining the risks of ALL decisions and procedures, interventions and none.

In my job, I deal with disputes between landlord and tenants every day. If you asked me if it’s a good idea to be a landlord I’d say hell no, because I only see the tiny fraction that goes to hell in a handcart. I’m aware that I see the worst of the worst, and that gives me a skewed perception. There are millions of landlord and tenant relationships that are just fine. I just never get to see those.

Disgusting thing to say.

I had one hospital birth (terrible care), and two home births (one brilliant care and one where the baby arrived before the midwife).

Not sure I would risk it nowadays because of the long wait for ambulances if needed. Being in hospital sucks but if all is well you will be discharged quickly. If it isn't then I guess you're in the right place.