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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To consider having a home birth

294 replies

EmUntitled · 27/01/2019 13:42

DD is nearly 2 and we are TTC number 2.

With DD my labour was really quick - 4 hours from first twinges to birth. 90 minutes from waters breaking. We only just made it to the hospital in time and if it had been rush hour or roadworks I'm sure we wouldn't have got there in time. The car journey was by far the worst part of the whole thing.

As I have heard generally second babies are born quicker, I was considering that a home birth might be the way to go. However I have always thought there was no way a home birth would be for me. Am I mad to even consider it?

OP posts:
PrivateDoor · 27/01/2019 19:09

But Seline how can you compare the outcome of a caesarian birth to a HB? This makes no sense whatsoever. It is well known that elective caesarian birth leads to an increased risk in respiratory issues with the baby. No one is having a caesarian at home, so your example is irrelevant here. I am very sorry you had such a crappy time with your birth, but it is completely irrelevant to the op.

Celebelly · 27/01/2019 19:11

Remember, the OP is asking about a second birth after a straightforward (albeit fast) first birth. Those talking about how their first births went wrong aren't really relevant; second births tend to be more straightforward, hence why statistics show that homebirths are actually the safest place for a low-risk second birth. Talking about your first birth that went wrong or high-risk subsequent pregnancies isn't really relevant to the OP's situation.

C8H10N4O2 · 27/01/2019 19:13

The needs of any extant children need to be weighed in the balance of course.

Yes good point, the DF (if the birth partner) needs to be free to focus on the woman rather than the older DCs.

I had my DM staying with us for the home births, but other women I knew at the time had MiLs, sisters, friends and in one case the woman's widowed DF. Someone sensible, low maintenance and familiar for the other DCs ideally.

PrivateDoor · 27/01/2019 19:14

Completely agree, it is very frustrating to read so many posters claiming that them and their baby would have died at a HB when it clearly is a completely different situation. I can understand how their experience has coloured them against the idea of a HB but they need to understand that their situation is completely different to the OPs.

MissMalice · 27/01/2019 19:15

I do think it’s important we take into account whether a birth is a first or not and low risk or not and I also think it’s important to ask about and understand what would happen in case of PPH or meconium etc.

When I did my research I was surprised to see just how many scenarios could be detected early or managed (at least initially) at home and how an ambulance attending or transfer to hospital would help.

PRoseLegend · 27/01/2019 19:17

My post partum haemmorage was from trauma, not from the placenta but from tearing of blood vessels in my labia as the baby came out. They needed stitches very quickly.
I'm in Australia, and my hospital experience was pretty good. I did have the 1 midwife monitoring me the whole labor, apart from when she went on a meal break. Contractions built up over the course of a few hours, but the actual pushing stage I went from 5cm to 10cm and crowning in the space of 20 minutes.
With my next child, I'd probably opt to be part of a midwifery team care program so that I can have the same team follow me through pregnancy, one of them be at labor, and for my post-partum care.
I guess every hospital is different and people have different experiences depending on the midwife who is on shift at the time.
If home birth midwives are capable of dealing with post-partum heamorrage quickly and efficiently, or other complications, then it doesn't sound too bad.

Seline · 27/01/2019 19:20

Surely you realise that is indeed an intervention and not relevant to homebirth
I chose to have one because I preferred it. I was textbook for having a homebirth had I have wanted one.

PrivateDoor · 27/01/2019 19:21

Ahh Prose, I did assume you weren't in the UK, I don't know the leading cause of maternal death where you are - perhaps it is PPH. Usually in a situation like that, the mw at home would suture it, or if it was too complex, they would apply pressure and transfer you in. Not ideal I admit, and would be incredibly uncomfortable for you! They can also administer fluids and give drugs to minimise bleeding from the uterus to try and reduce the overall blood loss if that makes sense. A very unfortunate situation really and not actually that uncommon! However perineal trauma does tend to be less severe with homebirths (again due to reduction in interventions) unless there is no mw present in the case of an unintended homebirth (I see a fair few third degree tears with those births :-( )

Seline · 27/01/2019 19:23

It is well known that elective caesarian birth leads to an increased risk in respiratory issues with the baby. No one is having a caesarian at home, so your example is irrelevant here. I am very sorry you had such a crappy time with your birth, but it is completely irrelevant to the op.

But those issues were nothing to do with the cesarean. They were completely unexpected. He was born blue and had swallowed meconium yet no one noticed until he was out. Had I not asked for a cesarean I could have had him at home, how is that not relevant?!

And my other pregnancy had an abruption which can happen to anyone and is an immediate emergency.

PrivateDoor · 27/01/2019 19:24

Seline, once again - elective sections increase the risk of respiratory distress in the newborn. This is regardless of risk factors in the mother. The op is not planning on having an elective section in her home - therefore this is irrelevant. Your risk factor was having an elective section. The OP will not have that risk factor of she has a homebirth. I cannot make this any clearer.

Seline I have tried my best to explain but unfortunately you seem to refuse to let this go, so I will. Have a nice evening Flowers

TaMereAPoilDevantPrisu · 27/01/2019 19:24

That sounds nasty PRose! Sounds like you had time to get safely to hospital during the first few hours of labour though. I would imagine home birth midwives would be up to dealing with labial stitching.

Seline · 27/01/2019 19:25

The respiratory issues, aka having swallowed meconium in the womb, was not because of the elective cesarean.

Respiratory distress syndrome can be caused by a cesarean. That isn't what that was.

MissMalice · 27/01/2019 19:25

@PrivateDoor - is there a reason unattended are more likely to be third degree? (I’m expecting again and potentially BBA based on speed of last one!)

theperfectbirth.wordpress.com/2014/01/07/how-to-avoid-mas-meconium-aspiration-syndrome/
Stats here that suggest choosing a Caesarian may increase risk of meconium aspiration.

PrivateDoor · 27/01/2019 19:25

But you said your other one was twins..... which is a risk factor for abruption..... Argh I need to get off this thread as it is just too frustrating!!!!

MissMalice · 27/01/2019 19:27

The respiratory issues, aka having swallowed meconium in the womb, was not because of the elective cesarean.

How do you know that? I am genuinely interested - as I said above, I’m expecting again. What you’re saying goes against all the research I’ve done so I’m keen to understand more.

PrivateDoor · 27/01/2019 19:27

MissMalice, as midwives we try our best to talk you through a slow and controlled birth of the head and shoulders - I think in a precipitate birth with no HCP present, the women understandably panic and push baby out very quickly. I think in that scenario often the woman is squatting too which again can increase bad tears - standing, lateral position or all fours would be a better position Flowers

Seline · 27/01/2019 19:27

MissMalice

It was a planned cesarean. I had never even had a contraction or dilated. It wasnt traumatic. He was born 3 minutes after knife to skin. I highly doubt in those three minutes the incident happened.

PhilomenaButterfly · 27/01/2019 19:27

I would have gone for a home birth for number 4 if DH had agreed. He was worried about the mess.

Seline · 27/01/2019 19:29

How do you know that? I am genuinely interested - as I said above, I’m expecting again. What you’re saying goes against all the research I’ve done so I’m keen to understand more.*

Because it's more common when the baby is in distress which is usual in a traumatic labour which often ends in emergency cesarean.

A planned cesarean, pre 39 weeks, when you're not in labour is highly unlikely to put the baby in distress. They're out in under 5 minutes

MissMalice · 27/01/2019 19:29

@PrivateDoor - thank you, that’s reassuring. Lots of panting and on all fours for me then. Is lateral lying down?

MissMalice · 27/01/2019 19:30

Philomena - I was surprised by the lack of mess! I had birth pools so I guess most was contained there, couple of shower curtains and sheets over carpets and it was cleaned up in minutes Smile

MissMalice · 27/01/2019 19:33

Thank you for answering Seline.

Original poster
EmUntitled · 27/01/2019 19:34

PhilomenaButterfly

I would have gone for a home birth for number 4 if DH had agreed. He was worried about the mess

I am also a bit worried about the mess. We have a new carpet in the living room 🙈
I'm assuming disposable mattress protectors and plastic sheeting would be part of the preparations!

OP posts:
Burpsandfustles · 27/01/2019 19:39

Personally I would never ever think it's a good idea for 1st time, but since you have had one and know what it entails, your own pain threshold etc.. Unless any risks go for it!

Seline · 27/01/2019 19:40

No problem! A lot of studies also don't separate out statistics for emergency cesareans and elective and mat request. All three are very different