OK, please tell me about homebirth...starting to consider it as an option (VBAC)

[Poppyjen]

Hello, just wondering really what everyone's experiences of home birth have been like. Previously I have been discounting it for 2 reasons:

1. It will be VBAC so I thought it would be a real fight to get support
2. I am not completely convinced I would actually be more relaxed at home

I am starting to come round to the idea after a very productive midwife appointment where my community midwife told me she would be more than happy to help me arrange homebirth and she was so supportive, and I can really see that it would be a very good option given I would like to keep intervention-happy obstetric team away. Also I would like to use the birth pool and although they have 2 at my local hospital I fear (maybe unreasonably?) that they will use every excuse in the book to ban me dissuade me, even though I have "agreed" my birth plan with the consultant midwife.

So anyway, my main worry at this stage is that I won't actually be able to relax at home. How have others found this - I know it sounds odd but I am worried about things like the house being messy, dishwasher needing doing, laundry heaps and general family untidiness - has this bothered anyone else?

Also, we're in a flat and I would, I think, be rather more concerned about noise etc than I would be in a hospital.

I guess what I am trying to say is that it is possible that I may be less inhibited in hospital than at home....am I sounding crazy?

If anyone has any experiences to share I would be very grateful

Thanks!

I wanted an ELCS for my second but they refused so I booked a homebirth for my VBAC. I didn't progress so I went in for a section.

But, if you are comfortable with it and you feel the MWs are generally supportive I feel it is a great idea.

For a VBAC generally, one of the main differences is the slightly increased risk of scar ruprure, I felt that it would be better (for me) to be having one to one care from a MW in a relaxed environment, with regular pulse checks/intermittent monitoring. I had a pool to use, and gas and air.

I felt a VBAC in hospital where I would be looked after by a machine and various MWs popping in and out, was too risky. It depends on what your personal priorities are I suppose, some people would prefer to be in hospital.

One thing that surprised me, when I booked in, I spoke to the MW and mentioned I would want either a homebirth or an ELCS but felt I would have to get an independent MW to be supported in HB. The MW was a bit offended and assured me the homebirth MWs would be genuinely supportive - they were Uncooperative baby buggered up the plans of course, but I felt really happy I had given myself the best chance of a successful VBAC.

Useful info on the homebirth.ork site for VBACs too.

Join the Yahoo VBAC/HBAC group, and the Homebirth group.

There's very little you won't find out there. FWIW when I was labouring with DS (not a VBAC) the noise and the state of the kitchen couldn't have been further from my mind!

And what flisspaps said - I joined both those groups and they are a fab resource.

Thanks! I'll join those groups and bother them with my questions too

Actually had a quick chat with DH about it and he seems surprisingly up for it, pool and all which surprised me....

Anyway, any more experiences out there? Anyone convince midwives to do the dishes in the interests of smooth labour?