To consider booking a home birth even though DH isn't keen?

[NoRoomForALittleOne]

I suspect that IABU but I'll let the MN jury decide.

Background: I'm expecting DC5. For previous births the most pain relief I've had has been G&A plus the pool. For easy reference:

DD1, born at 34+6, 4 hour labour, 6lb 3oz (officially large for gestational age) had a minor PPH and placenta took an hour to deliver despite syntometrin injection.
DD2, born at 39+2, 2 hour labour, 7lb 9oz, all straightforward.
DS, born at 37 weeks exactly, 1 hour 15 min labour, 7lbs 8oz (just below cut-off for LGA size), all straightforward.
DD3, born at 38+6, 25 min labour - started at hospital as went in for reduced movements, 9lbs 13oz (definitely LGA!), gave birth on all fours in pool but had a shoulder dystocia

So I'm being good and having a GTT on Wednesday when I'll be 26 weeks pregnant. Then next Thursday I start having growth scans and will see the consultant to discuss birth options. So far I've seen a few registrars who all have differing opinions about the birth. One suggested induction at 38 weeks as I have a history of LGA babies and quick births. Another has suggested admitting me at 37 weeks to the maternity ward until I give birth (it's hideous there so no thanks) to ensure that I give birth in hospital. The other suggestion is to have a home birth if the baby seems to be of 'average size' to avoid giving birth during the 20 minute drive in.

I don't want to give birth in that hospital. I've had enough of their inability to listen and treat me like a human being. They are currently in special measures with the CQC because of the number of preventable maternal and neonatal deaths that have occurred. I'm not surprised. The obstetric registrars are generally AWFUL. The midwives are mostly nice enough.

Add in to that the fact that I know that I won't want anyone to touch me/talk to me/generally make their presence known if I'm going through another intense precipitous labour. That's not me being grumpy (DH thinks it is) it's simply that I know how much I will need to 'zone out' and concentrate on what my body is doing. I feel confident about my ability to birth if I'm allowed to move about/adopt positions that may look weird/make as much or as little noise as I want/whatever gets us through the birthing process without someone needing me to fulfil hospital policies.

I'd really like to build a birthing nest at home where I can get on with giving birth on my terms. DH wants the backup of being in hospital even if that means he doesn't get there on time.

One thing to bear in mind: the (I think) RCOG guidelines for SD linked further back states that SD is more likely to happen with babies of mothers with GD compared with babies of mothers without GD of the same birthweight. I remembered it because it was such a surprising statistic, but there you go.

I'll wait and see what they say at the hospital. But a previous shoulder dystocia plus gestational diabetes is making me wonder if c-section is the least risky

Babies of mothers with GD tend to have a slightly different shape, I'm led to believe, which makes it more likely. I could be remembering that incorrectly though.

Not surprising.

Extra risk factors are that babies who've had too much sugar in the womb tend to carry their fat above the hips, particularly around the stomach, chest and shoulders. Hence more likely to be stuck.

Also, mums with GD are more likely to be induced.

My first 2 labours (17 and 20 years ago) were pretty straight forward. Both in hospital, both around 9llb. Second in a midwife led unit which was great, birth plan followed and home same day.
So for my third I considered a home birth as lots of friends had done it and I really liked the idea but my DH was really worried that something might go wrong. I decided it wasn't fair to put him through that stress if he was going to be worried during the birth (as I needed him calm!) so opted for a hospital birth, again in midwife unit.
Labour went fine, had dim lighting, music, pool (was never on my back). Head was delivered but then the pushing seemed to just go on and on, I was in unbelievable pain and just kind of zoned out. It was SD. I was removed from pool and tried squatting etc (with support) No luck. About a million staff suddenly arrived. Mcroberts manoeuvre was used and second/ third time it worked. My baby was completely blue and rushed off to be resuscitated. After about 20 minutes we were reunited, he was fine,although a weird colour, and weighed just under 10llb.
I'm glad I listened to my DH. He watched DS being resuscitated, it took a long while, but he was in the hands of an experienced team. My local midwife unit is luckily part of the hospital.
So in my experience SD was not caused by a "hospital led" labour, probably just bad luck and I am glad I wasn't at home, the outcome could have been very different.

room that is rubbish news about the GTT.

I do feel for you, with four previous normal births & therefore 4 little ones at home the last thing you want is a C Section. I would be exactly the same.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.