Homebirth kit has just arrived - you know whats going to happen now?

[wewishyouamerryKITTYmas]

No I'm not going to go into labour tonight.

Homebirth kit has arrived the canister of gas and air is huge DP has to lug it up the stairs to either that we'll be tripping over it all Christmas! There's loads of other stuff too. I'm not "allowed" to have a homebirth until the 6th January as the MWs around here are only allowed to go on call from 39 weeks so whats the bets on me going into labour on the 4th or 5th of January and having to go to hospital and all the stuff being useless and needing to go back?

Oh I'm 37 weeks just now DD1 was born at 37+5 I'm torn between getting this baby out now and having a lovely homebirth!

39 weeks seems a bit rubbish - a lot of places are fine as long as you're over 37, i.e not technically prem

just to reassure you slightly, dd1 was born at 37 weeks and dd2 not until 39 + 5. although with all the phones calls it felt like 42!

you do realise that if you phone a midwife while in labour she is legally obliged to attend you?

So if you go into labour at 38 weeks, phone them up, say "I'm in labour, I have a homebirth booked, I have a homebirth pack here, please get here now". If they refuse, tell them you aren't going anywhere else and will sue the pants off them if they are not here in time to assist with the birth. Then put the phone down.

You will get your homebirth, I promise!

Want to get Christmas and New Year over with first though. As DD1 was a 4 hour labour thinking of leaving it a bit then phoning them and saying I'm going nowhere!

mmmmmmmm, my homebirth kit is sat staring at me, its abit full of scary stuff, so I shut it quickly after peeking
am 39+4 (S I G H) and have been okay by my hospital for a homebirth anytime after 37wks..... thought it was 'anyday now' back then, but obviously it isnt. this is my fourth, and my last three had all arrived by now. so be 'reassured' (if thats the right word!) subsequent babies dont always follow the first ones pattern...........

well I hope it works the other way as well dramaqueen. my first 3 all went to 41+ weeks, and I'm now 36wks with my 4th. I would KILL for it to come any time in the next month!!!

pph, they don't refuse to attend you, they deny you're in labour.

how can they, if you are??!! especially as it isn't her first child (and that was a 4 hour labour) - she would know if she was and her contractions will be coming thick and fast if she is going to be quick again...

but I'm sure you are right, thats what they'll try.

Kitty - pph is right; they have a legal obligation to attend you if in labour and whatever they try and tell you about not being in labour, which i doubt they would in the real event, they still have to come if you say it clearly. get dh/dp to keep phoning if you think they are not listening.

and its true that babies dont always follow the same pattern. my first was 38 weeks and the 2nd was 41 weeks, and they were only a year apart.

am also having homebirth this time - really looking forward to it actually and will be going NOWHERE unless baby or i are in danger. dont have my homebirth pack yet, mind you am only 35+3... having said that, i dont have another appointment till 9th jan, by which time ill be 38 weeks. HANG ON!! only just realised that!! bloody hell, better get on to them as they said i'd get a pack at 37 weeks. cor blimey - cant believe this is all happening so soon...

did i mention that organisation is not exactly my strong point?