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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Unassisted birth!

23 replies

StarshitTerrorise · 18/04/2012 12:38

I'm not planning to have one, but I want to plan just in case.

For some reason I am convinced my no. 3 baby is going to appear before I can get myself anywhere. Local hospital has refused a home birth (any birth for that matter Hmm for staffing reasons (and other reasons that are too complicated to explain here, but not medical).

Where can I get the information needed should an emergency arise?

Many Tia.

OP posts:
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loveisagirlnameddaisy · 18/04/2012 14:10

Are you definitely not planning to have one...?? Your local hospital can't actually refuse any birth although on the day itself they can send you to another unit if they're over their capacity. I don't know the rules about home birth but if there are no medical grounds for you not to have one, presumably you ARE allowed.

Certainly, if your previous two deliveries were very fast, most recommend a home birth to avoid an unplanned, unassisted delivery which is far more dangerous to both mother and child.

nickelhasababy · 18/04/2012 14:13

If you believe that your baby will arrive before you get to the hospital, then please plan a home birth.

do not plan for an unassisted birth, but you could always make sure you have contingency in place just in case.

A home birth would be the safest way of doing it, but make sure you book it with your midwife, and make sure she is aware how fast you think it might all happen (I have a friend who has had 4 very quick births, from nothing happening to Whoosh!)

nickelhasababy · 18/04/2012 14:15

oh, by the way, they can't refuse a home birth, no matter what tehy say.

you repeat "I am booking a home birth"

I'd booked one, and on the day, they kept telling me that there were no staff available in my area (used the act it was sunday as an excuse)
funny how, once I'd got my MW friend to get permission from her hospital to assist if necessary, I was inundated with midwives.

In your case, it sounds like it would be unsafe to "make" you go into hospital.

StarshitTerrorise · 18/04/2012 14:18

Okay, wasn't going to go I to details but the hospital local to where I will be living when baby is due is not my current local. New local are refusing to book me in as don't live there.

When I do, old local will be 1hour 15mins drive away.

It's impossible to PLAN a homebirth. However, my last baby came 1hour and half after I acknowledged I was in labour.

I just want to make sure that apart from calling 999, I know what to do.

OP posts:
StarshitTerrorise · 18/04/2012 14:19

I'll only be living next to new local from very close to due date.

OP posts:
StarshitTerrorise · 18/04/2012 14:20

So can I actually insist midwives from a hospital I am not booked in with come out and do a homebirth? Because I kind of doubted it.

OP posts:
nickelhasababy · 18/04/2012 14:23

they're making it very hard for you.
You'll be living there when the baby's due? If that's the case, you'll have to force them to take you on.
If they refuse, book a homebirth with your current local hospital, then at least you've got it on record that you plan to birth at home.
you'll have to sort it out with them later, i think.
You need to have a home birth booked before 36 weeks, and they come to visit you. (one of the reasons they visit is to make sure they can find you, you really really need them to see sense on this!)
how close to due date are you moving?

I can't believe they're being like this when you have history of fast deliveries! what are they playing at? Confused

nickelhasababy · 18/04/2012 14:24

I think you can - as long as you are booked for homebirth.
you would ring your current hospital, i think, and explain to them that you're not in the area that you're booked in, and can you have the number of the delivery suite nearest to you so that you can ask them to come out to you.
(or strong-minded birth partner!)

Could you book in for antenatal care with the new hospital instead of your current? so that all of your care is there, then they have you on their books?

TheOneWithTheHair · 18/04/2012 14:25

I had an unexpected home birth with ds2. He's my third child. When I realised that I was not going to make it to the hospital dh rang an ambulance. They arrived in 10 minutes and ds was born 10 minutes after that. The emergency services informed the midwives who arrived about 15 minutes after that. I was able to stay at home afterwards.

I am not recommending this course of action however because it was bloody scary wondering if anyone was going to be able to help in time and wondering what would happen if either ds or I needed more complicated medical intervention than the paramedics could provide.

I know this doesn't really help you but I just want you to know that home birthing is not always the ideal it is portrayed to be.

nickelhasababy · 18/04/2012 14:26

look at this website for guidance

and contact AIMS if you need to.
:)

aliportico · 18/04/2012 14:33

Plenty of information out there on unassisted birth - search for Laura Shanley.

There's not really anything special you need to do that you won't have thought of by #3 - labour in a sensible position not lying down, to give yourself as much help as possible. Make sure the room is warm for the baby, and that you've got something to wrap it in. If you phone when you're in labour saying you can't get there, someone will come out to you. I'm assuming you do actually want someone to attend at some point, so you don't have to worry about dealing with the placenta and cord - have something to catch the placenta in, and keep baby attached.

Sorry you're having such a hassle.

nickelhasababy · 18/04/2012 14:35

Hair - i know what you mean.
your version of homebirth was far from ideal, but if you'd planned a homebirth, you wouldn't have had that panic, you would have had a midwife ready to come out to you, and you would have the knowledge that however fast or slow it happened, you would be ready for it.

I would never condone someone planning not to plan iyswim, but homebirth is definitely the safer option if you think the baby will come quickly - the last thing you need is the worry that the baby will try to arrive when you're halfway down the motorway!

farfallarocks · 18/04/2012 14:40

Wow what a nightmare bureaucracy, hope you get it sorted.

Here is what I have read about precipitous birth jsut in case:

?First phone delivery suite or your midwife (if you have her direct contact number), and if you?re alone, your birth partner, a neighbour or nearby friend and ask them to come quickly.
?If the midwife is still quite a way away, phone an ambulance by dialing 999.
?Be sure to make it clear to your medical carers that you need help immediately and that you are labouring very fast. State that it is urgent and give your name, address and the telephone number you are calling from.
?Unlock and open the front door and turn outside lights on (if it?s night time) so people can get in quickly. If you have a mobile phone or a mobile handset, keep that with you. Make sure any other children are safe, preferably in the same room with you.
?Grab some towels ? as many as you can get your hands on to cover the baby when she is born ? plus, if possible, a bowl or plastic bag to put the placenta in.
?If you can, turn up all the radiators in the room or move to a warm room.
?If you have time, spread a couple of large towels or a blanket on the floor, and a pillow if necessary for comfort.
?Take off your knickers and lie or kneel on the floor. If you can, kneel with your forearms on the floor, your head down and your bottom up. This may delay the birth and gain a bit of time for your helpers to get to you.
?Try not to push. Let your body do the work. If you have to push, breathe gently as you do so.
?Pant as your baby?s head emerges. Let it slide out in its own time. You may like to put your hand gently over your baby?s head as it comes out. This will make the birth a bit gentler for the baby and will help protect your perineum from tearing. Your baby?s head and body may be born all in one go, or there may be a short pause between contractions. Both of these are normal.
?If somebody is with you, they can gently support your baby as she is born, but they should not pull or twist the baby?s body. If you are alone, make sure your bottom is close to the floor, so your baby does not fall.
?In about 30% of births, the umbilical cord will be wrapped around the baby?s neck. This is rarely a problem but if it is slowing the birth of the body, loop it over the head, or over the shoulders as they come. If this can?t be done easily, don?t worry ? the cord can be untangled after your baby has been born. Do not pull on the cord or try to cut it.
?Immediately after your baby is born, lift the baby onto the mother?s uncovered abdomen or chest (skin to skin). Cover the baby immediately with a thick towel and gently rub her all over to dry the baby. Pay particular attention to her head and keep her covered throughout. This drying is really important! Even in a warm room, a wet baby may become dangerously cold in the few minutes after birth.
?When your baby is dry, remove the wet towel, and use a second dry towel to cover the baby, keeping the baby close to the mother?s uncovered abdomen or chest, as this is the best way to keep the baby warm. If you cannot do this because the cord is too short, wrap her quickly in a couple of dry towels, taking care to cover her head, and hold her as close as you can to your body.
?Your baby may be blue and a bit floppy when first born. It?s a shock for her, too! Rubbing her dry, as described above, will help to stimulate her breathing. Talk to her. She knows your voice and will be comforted. She will probably take a breath within 30 seconds, cry and start breathing. Her body will then become pink, although her hands and feet may stay blue for several hours or even days.
?Ask your companion to cover you and your baby with a blanket or large towel.
?There will be a cord attaching the baby from the umbilicus to the placenta, which is still inside the mother. Do not touch, pull or cut the cord! There is absolutely no rush to do this. Your placenta will come when it is ready ? any time within five minutes and an hour. In most cases, the midwife or ambulance crew will arrive before the placenta delivers, but if you are still alone, try to forget about the placenta until your womb starts contracting again and you feel your placenta
moving down into your vagina. Kneel upright or squat and it will slide out by itself. If a large bowl, old towel, or plastic bag is available, just slip the placenta into it in between the mother?s legs.
?You may lose a cupful or so of blood when the placenta is delivered. This bleeding should soon stop. Breastfeeding your baby or gently rubbing your nipples for 5-10 minutes will help your womb clamp down and slow the blood loss.
?Drinking a sugary drink (sugary tea is good) to replace the fluids lost is a good idea and can help make you feel less shaky.
?Now? relax, cuddle your baby and breastfeed her when you are both ready. Stay lying or sitting until help arrives ? and tell yourself how wonderful you both are!

nannyl · 18/04/2012 14:42

you can change the place you plan to give birth at an point in your pregnancy up to labour....

so long as you are over 37 weeks you can have a home-birth, and if you decide to change your mind at 41 weeks, then its up to YOU.

Best to book a homebirth with hospital you live at know, then whne you move book with the new one, but they cant deny you, and its YOUR choice where you give birth

Good Luck

StarshitTerrorise · 18/04/2012 15:00

I suppose an added complication is that I'm not sure I want a home birth until I have lived in new place for long enough to know whether it feels right.

But local hospital to new place have already indicated that it is too 'late' too book in with them even if I DO live there, even for hospital delivery. They say women book in their second week of pregnancy to ensure they 'get in'.

Probably when I'm actually there I'll be in a better position to kick their arses.

Local hospital to where I am now is still a good hour away actually (2closer maternity units closed in last year) and they know we are moving so probably won't do hb booking.

It's funny, because the week before my due date I am going camping 200 miles away (yes really - that's a whole other complicated story) and we'll be 5 mins from a birthing unit who I have spoken to and who, after clarifying I was not planning to ask them to come out to a tent, just told me to turn up in labour with my notes.

If THEY can do it, why not prominent London hospital?

OP posts:
nickelhasababy · 18/04/2012 15:02

if you go into labour too quickly to get to hospital, you are best to have a hb in place.
you can still go to hospital.

nickelhasababy · 18/04/2012 15:03

"But local hospital to new place have already indicated that it is too 'late' too book in with them even if I DO live there, even for hospital delivery. They say women book in their second week of pregnancy to ensure they 'get in'."

they're talking bollocks aren't they.
think about it, 5% of babies are born on their due date.
so technically, you can't book it|!!

StarshitTerrorise · 18/04/2012 15:43

Yeah. Maybe I'll just wait until I am there and then write to them with a copy of my notes informing them I am now on their books. Hopefully get support from my new GP!

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TheOneWithTheHair · 18/04/2012 19:32

Sorry just come back. I wanted a home birth nickel but as I had a difficult first labour I was told I couldn't have one. I fully intended to go to the hospital and was in the car when I realised I was not going to make it! A 25 minute labour was very unexpected. Shock

I posted really to say about phoning an ambulance and someone will come out to you.

nickelhasababy · 18/04/2012 22:20

hmm.
they often do that.
they can't stop you, and you can insist.

if you have weighed up the pros and cons and decided that a homebirth is better for your situation, then you must insist.
(bit late now, but maybe for your next one!)

I have the same dilemma - my first ended up in an episiotomy and extended labour, meaning I had a PPH.
However, I maintain that had I been in hospital, it would have spiralled and I would have felt forced into interventions (i've noticed from other people's stories that it's never just an episiotomy, it's one and ventouse or forceps)
Which means that I would want a HB for my next one, but how hard I'll have to push for that remains to be seen...

iwantbrie · 21/04/2012 12:50

My MW told me that if there's a problem getting to a hospital (I have fast deliveries too) then i had to phone the dekivery suite of my nearest hospital, get them to send a MW out then phone 999. Whoever turns up first will help delver the baby and placenta. Unless there's a problem they won't move you till after the placenta has been delivered and the MW has seen you.
My LHA are bloody useless and are closing every dept down that they can get their hands on and moving all except basic care to another town, if theyvcan have emergency plans like this in place, why can't others?
Hope all goes well OP.

FutureNannyOgg · 21/04/2012 15:52

Your situation sounds complicated, I imagine it may be less complicated that it seems.

I am planning a home birth, and will move house at about 32 weeks pg. I have booked a HB with my current team, they wanted this "in case" I didn't end up moving. I have seen an OB here and my HOM here. I was advised that as soon as I had a confirmed address for my new house I should register with a GP and get booked in with a new midwifery team.

Being far from your hospital is a good reason to have a home birth, you will have a local community midwife team. Where I am the more rural areas that are further from the CLU have a much higher HB rate because they are so far away and women would rather not negotiate windy bumpy lanes in labour.

Any maternity unit should be able to take in any woman who rocks up in labour, what if you were on holiday, or visiting relatives? I think perhaps you need to have a chat to the local supervisor of midwives and get some straight answers.

Missytabitha · 23/04/2012 21:48

Hi Terrorise, I had an unplanned unassisted home birth. Was on my own completely. Second labour and the labour came on very, very fast. First labour was 24 hours and I was on the phone to the labour ward anticipating my lovely water birth when things got a bit stronger. Just reading Farfallarocks post with interest and did a lot of it naturally though some went out the window. I had also done HypnoBirthing for first and second birth and though its debatable whether the precipitous birth was influenced by it in any way I do know that when I wanted to push, and realised the enromity of the situation I had a split second of panic then the HB tecniques kicked in and I was able to cope, be calm, catch my gorgeous little boy and look after him till the Paramedics and my DH arrived five minutes later. It is not the ideal situation - and some births arent - and I would not have planned it or wish it on anyone, but DS2 was fine, I was fine and I do absolutely thank the HypnoBirthing so much for my ability to cope with the situation. Half an hour later the Paramedics, Midwife, DH and I were all drinking tea and chatting in our bedroom. Just remember the Paramedics and phoning 999 is good option. Hope my story helps in some way. Good luck x

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