Sorting out homebirth plan. Question about transferring.

[McKayz]

I'm just thinking about birth plan. I'm planning a home water birth.

Should I add anything about transferring into hospital? If so what should I put in? I think if it was an emergency I'd rather they went straight to a c section rather than trying forceps. Do I say that or not?

Thanks

I had homebirth and transferred in (forceps). Then had a homebirth 2nd time. Independent midwives recommended not putting those preference down as would be transferring in emergency so not as many options available.

They did recommend stating other preferences such as who I wanted to stay with me, skin to skin, vitamin k, no students etc

Yes, you can put that in if you want. You might find it helpful to talk it over with your MW and your birth partner so are happy with your choices and that you've covered all the bits that are important to you.

Have you had the MW come around for a home visit yet? Mine came around at about 36 or 37 weeks to go through some forms and we talked about hospital transfers then.

Not yet. I'm 34+3 and MW said she would do my 37 week appt at home to do the assessment. But she mentioned talking about birth plan at 36 weeks. So I am starting to think about it now.

You can put in whatever you like, but do be aware that if you need to transfer it might well be the case that nobody looks at it! I was transferred in and can safely say the hours I spent on my birthplan were an utter waste...

I would concentrate on your homebirth for the plan, but as above do say who your birth partners should be, preferences for vit K etc in the event of hospital.

Good luck, I hope you have a lovely home birth :)

I put that in mine (emergency transfer options) and was indeed transferred in.

I had put no forceps and was able to state this and to say I only consented to CS arrival, there was time for me to discuss this with DH and subsequently change my mind with no pressure from staff, but at least I then felt it was my choice, and had I not been able to verbalise my preference I knew it was still noted somewhere.

It also meant things like immediate skin to skin with me or DH and DS not being cleaned, dressed or weighed immediately were noted and were accommodated by the hospital team rather than procedure taking over

I'm glad that Flisspaps had a very different experience to me, tbh they barely looked at me or my notes in hospital!

sorry to sound negative OP, despite everything my baby's actual birth (EMCS) was calm and lovely and fingers crossed yours will be too.

Personally, I had felt very strongly prior to labour that I would prefer c section to forceps, however DS had cord around his neck when halfway down birth canal and had I insisted on a c section it would have taken far longer to prep me etc so he could have died. I would express preference for no intervention, however I wouldn't discount them entirely, if you are being transferred in from a home birth it will (more than likely) be an emergency situation so I would say go for the quickest way to get the baby out!