Homebirths - How far do you live from a maternity/neonatal unit?

[SaorAlba]

I've never really considered a home birth before as I've always thought it would be safer and more sensible to give birth in hospital. I have always lived in a city, and always been less than 5 minutes drive from a major hospital, so any experience I have had of hospitals has been at a very large city hospital and I'm not at all put off by the idea of being there.

When the midwife asked at my pre-booking in chat where I wanted to give birth I immediately said the city hospital, but I think that I just haven't really considered any other options. I have plenty of time to change my mind as I'm only 8+3.

Last year we moved out of town and we now live 30 miles from the maternity hospital. Even at night it's difficult to cover this distance in less than 45 minutes and I can't imagine even an ambulance being able to do it much quicker. Plus obviously the ambulance would take time to get here.

So, my question is, if you had a homebirth, how far do you live from the hospital (in minutes)? Did any of you that live further away have to transfer to hospital and was this more difficult because of the distance? Is homebirth something I should simply rule out for a first birth because I've no idea how it's going to go and 45 minutes is a long drive?

Your thoughts and experiences would be appreciated :)

I would ask your MW what ambulance transfer times are like in your area. A blue light ambulance doesn't have to stop for red lights, etc so it's a lot faster than driving yourself.

It takes about 45 minutes to drive myself to the hospital if there's no major traffic jams (which happen frequently on the motorway but an ambulance can also use the hard shoulder) but the MW has assured me that the ambulance can do it in 22 minutes tops, and that it would take about 3 minutes to get an ambulance to my house. So all together that's just under the 30 minutes recommended.

NCT and NHS advice is that if you could transfer in an ambulance in no more than about 30 minutes it won't make much difference, as it takes about that long to prep a team for surgery. If you're high risk of needing a CS for whatever reason, and so would have a team standing by, you should have already transferred.

One thing to consider that is a big factor for me is that transferring when in labour for a hospital birth can slow or stop labour. And a long journey to hospital in your own car (when you have to stop for lights, traffic, etc) could have a real impact on your labour.

Not having a first baby at home because you have no idea how it will go isn't actually backed up by anything. First babies tend to come more slowly, so they're the safest to have at home in many ways as there'll usually be plenty of time for transferring if needed. Most transfers in first-time mums are for non-emergency reasons too (slow labour and wanting an epidural).

Ask if there is a Midwife Led Unit (MLU or MWLU) in your area, either stand-alone or attached to the hospital. These can provide a homely environment away from home, and if it's attached to the hospital then transfer times are obviously right down (though you still have to get there whilst in labour!). They're the other choice between home and consultant led ward.

Half an hour to hospital (on clear roads).

About 25 mins for me(didn't transfer), but that's not much help to your decision. You need to ask the mw about transfer times by ambulance and get her to talk you through all the reasons for transfer.

Thanks for your advice folks, i'll definitely speak to my mw about it when I finally meet her at 11 weeks.