Homebirth vs Hospital???

[AdiVic]

Hello

Bit early to be worrying about this, but hey ho. I'm 12 weeks with baby no 2. My 1st I had in hosp after being induced at 40 weeks. I had pethidine and an epidural, I found the whole thing quite easy and uneventful and it lasted 6 hours from start to finish. I did find the contractions very painful, and the MW said sintosin can cause strong painful contractions (please excuse spellings). We have no family who are willing or capable to take care of baby no 1 when I go into labour (bloody useless lot) and I'm worried it will all happen quite fast - I have been thinking of a homebirth, but am worried about the pain and lack of drugs available in a home setting - I'm no hero!! Has anyone else been through this? HOw does it compare? My midwife has already asked if I would consider a homebirth and I initially said no, but if it would make it easier for childcare then i may have to consider. Thanks in advance xx

I had a fast first birth and with dh work taking him a few hours away from me I decided to ask mw for a home birth. This was to give me the flexibility if delivering in hospital or home depending on how things were going.

When my mw visited me after the birth her first question was why didn't I have a home birth (in fact she asked on the door step as soon as I opened the door), told her I'd changed my mind. Chet reply was that's alright then, she was only worried in case I'd been refused a hb

As it happened I got to hospital with half an hour to spare

I had ds1. In hospital, then ds2 and dd at home. Must admit I much preferred the home births, I was much more relaxed, but at the same time I was lucky that I had no complications, I may have felt differently if I had. Also I knew (hopefully) what to expect , as I had no pain relief with ds1.

I did get a birth pool to use to help with the pain, as I'd heard it really helps, but I couldn't be bothered with it when labour started . Maybe that's an option for you?

Hello - thank you for your replies! My main fear is not knowing what to expect pain wise, I'm a bit of a wimp I must say! I do not feel uncomfortable in hospitals as I work in them doing audits, so to me the environment is like a second home (weird, I know). My main fear is the pain - women should not share scare stories!! thank you again x

Hi AdiVic

I had long unpleasant labour with DS1 in hospital and it put me off having more DCs for quite a while. I only had Tens & gas/air so pain was pretty full-on anyway.

With DS2 I decided on home birth as we too had no child care and it was a fab experience. Went v quickly in the end and I did get gas & air at home. I enjoyed being left to my own devices, as MW and DH chatted in another room and it was all very natural and relaxed. One of my happiest memories is waking up in my own bed that morning with DS by my side, the radio came on and now 7 years later that song still makes me teary eyed!

Had DD at home too for the same reasons. It was v v quick and only got a MW there in time as she was passing on her way to a night out! No gas/air, but tbh, I've had pain as bad from constipation/period pains! Could have been a bit interesting if MW hadn't got there in time, but I know I should have called earlier, as I had been warned it might be fast.

As long as you're well prepared (plastic sheets, comfy cushions/mattress on floor) and you accept that it might not happen that way and you could be taken in anyway, I'd definitely recommend it. xx

p.s. Just be prepared for others to question your judgement as some believe that hospital is the only safe place. My experience was that the stressful environment and travelling back and forth made things last longer.

I think you can have pethidine at home. Plus gas and air and a pool.

As your first labour was fast, your second may well be even faster - another reason to consider a HB.

I had my first at home - labour itself was manageable - I got into my "zone" and needed no pain relief. It wasn't about being a hero - it didnt even cross my mind to ask (although I think in a hospital theyre more likely to offer?) I did need to go into hospital for stitches so you might need childcare (although baby comes with you and your DH can look after dc1). You'll need to consider options for if you did have to transfer mid labour.

Yes, you can have pethidine at home.

Considering second births are generally faster and your first was quick, I'd definitely consider HB if I were you. Also what the MW said was true - syntocinon causes damn hard contractions so with an uninduced labour you might find it much easier to cope from the beginning.

Just reading. Homebirth A practical guide. very good book which will answer most of your questions.

Just reading. Homebirth A practical guide. very good book which will answer most of your questions.

By Nicky Wesson.

Hi there, Have you tried visiting this site www.homebirth.org.uk/ ? It gives lots of good advice. In terms of pain relief I would whole heartedly recommend a birth pool at home as well as natal hypnotherapy (self hypnosis) . Maggie Howell has made some brilliant CDs that you listen to in the lead up to birth and there is music that you can buy to go with them to play during the birth. I can honestly say that both my births were almost pain free (but uncomfortable!) and the CDs also helped me to deal with difficult circumstances. As it happened by 2nd planned home birth never happened as midwives refused to come at the last minute (!!) so my baby was born in the car with no pain relief apart from the CDs. I would also recommend lavender for relaxation, neroli for anxiety (you can make a spray or burn it in oil burner) and clary sage also acts like gas and air as well as speeding up contractions. If you want to try other methods you can also look into homeopathic pain relief. I purchased a homeopathic birth kit which I used and it seemed very effective, although who knows if this is placebo or not? Also important to consider is the position of the baby. If the baby is anterior (back against your tummy) you are more likely to have an easy birth and so home birth is much more attractive.

Hi AdiVic

I am a bit shattered tonight as it was my first day on my own with DS (3) and DD (8 days) so although I have a lot to say on the matter I am not sure my brain would communicate it well!

This is NOT a blog pimp in anyway but I thought you might find it useful to read my birth story which I wrote last week - basically DS's hospital birth 3 years ago was gas + air, epidural, ventouse delivery and episiotomy and DD's home birth was tens machine and no stitches!

Good luck with your decision!

Hi - not exactly relevant as I had both in hospital but thought my experience may be useful. I had an epidural with my first and nothing for my second. My second was a lot shorter but entirely managable with nothing and I am not a hero!

You can only have pethadine at home if your hospital uses it anyway - I HB DC1 and planing it for DC2 but will not have option of pethadine as my hospital doesn't use it there on principle so won't allow it out for hb either.

Brilliant website is homebirth.org

I've only homebirthed so can't compare but good thing about plumping for a homebirth is you can chane your mind at any point and still go into hospital (for pain relief, because you're more anxious than you thought you would be, doesn't have to be an emergency) - the flexibility of choice until the 11th second is quite reassuring to have. And you won't be booked in for a homebirth until 36weeks anyway.

I guess because of the syncotrine you don't know how intense the contractions will be this time, but I had a speedy labour and very intense contractions, managed the pain at home with massage (well, tried the TEns but it just wound me up, and the gas and air didn't bloody do anything, much to my massive annoyance!)

Do the research keep your mind open and go wherever you feel saftest and most comfortable - good luck!

A lot of women find it easier to cope with labour if they're at home - its a more familiar environment where its easier to stay relaxed and do what you feel you need to do as you need to do it. I had a HB for DC1 and it was lovely - even though I had to transfer in after the birth (bleeding just a bit too long for comfort, mine and MWs!) - but the birth itself was very calm and I felt able to cope with no chemical pain relief throughout (the only time I wobbled was in transition - and getting in the pool did wonders for :) ). Everything I've read says that syntocinon driven contractions are a very different affair to those that occur naturally - so I wouldn't assume that you'll need equivalent pain relief if you have a spontaneous and naturally progressive labour.

The only thing that worries me slightly about what you say in your OP is re. someone to look after your DC1, from two angles. Firstly, with the best will in the world, things don't always go to plan and its always possible that you may be advised to transfer into hospital. Although it can, of course, be a real blue light emergency, most women will be advised to transfer in whilst its still a precautionary, non-emergency situation. Either way, though, the transfer will be recommended because things aren't quite as they should be. And in that situation you still need (IMO) to have someone to call who can take care of your 1st. Secondly, some women find it very hard to relax and let labour progress if their older children are in the house (however much they think that is the right thing to do before hand). Having a back-up plan allows them to get the kid(s) out of the house and the next DC to make their arrival.

Wherever you plan to birth your next baby I'd strongly recommend you come up with a way that you are/can be independent of your existing child. On the plus side you've got 6 months to try and get backup in place. Do you go to any local toddler type groups? If you start asking now you may well find other mothers falling over themselves to help you come up with a solution. Alternatively, you could look into contracting a doula to support you so that your DH/DP can take responsibility for your DC1, if required.

Hi...had first 2 dc in hospital and my 3rd at home...all fairly easy (but very painful) labours but would definately recommend a home birth....as soon as my waters broke at 8.30pm my parents collected the 2dc and took them to their house for the nigh nothing much happened until midnight then the pain and contractions kicked in and I had him at 5.06am then hopped in my own bath whilst the midwife made tea and toast