Home births and Ambulance availability

[Sleepsleepmeepmeep]

I am due my last baby soon, about 6 weeks, although all of my others have come early so I wouldn't be surprised if it were 4 weeks.

I was planning a home birth and was quite excited about it (4th baby, easy natural labours except for dc1 vaccuum) but now I have seen that maybe as resources are stretched this may not be an option.

I was wondering, if I did have a home birth and needed an ambulance to transfer me to hospital, could I mot just drive in a car? I live about a minute drive from the hospital in heavy traffic, more like 10 minutes now the roads are so bare.
Is the ambulance for emergencies because they are equipt with whatever may be needed or is it just to get us to the hospital fast?
I have never needed an ambulance in labour so I dont know but factoring in calling for an ambulance and waiting for one, would it be so bad to take a car?

Just a thought- i wouldnt ask my midwife to bend the rules for me or anything although I would do anything to keep away from a hospital right now

Who exactly would be driving you to hospital anyway as you have said 'we don't drive'? Surely you aren't seriously expecting the midwife to consider this?

Most trusts have cancelled home births for all the reasons stated. You should seriously consider doing this. I can't believe a pp has written to the trust to ask them to justify why they have cancelled all home births. Where have you been for the last few weeks?!

@womanfromvenus you know there's a world of difference between home birth and freebirth (the latter being what I was responding to) right?

I've just got off the phone with my midwife unit and she said nationally all home births are suspended due to lack of staff and lack of ambulances!

I saw the midwife today and she said the wait yesterday for an ambulance where we live was 12 hours. They are strong supporters of home births she said but just unable to facilitate at this moment in time sadly

@Lifeisgenerallyfun IM's (Independent Midwives) are employed privately and don't work for the NHS.

@RainMinusBow I think many private medical providers are providing staff to the NHS now to help cover shortages which is probably the best answer to the current crisis. But looks like it’s a moot point as PP have said all home births have been stopped nationally.

@Lifeisgenerallyfun Only some Trusts have suspended home births - others are running as usual.