im 34 wks, MW just mentioned there might not be enough staff for me to have homebirth.

[littleducks]

I have read previous threads about this, I was aware of the possibility of them saying this towards the end but its still thrown me...feeling nervous now.

DD was born in a MW led birth centre, no problems, good care. Long latent stage labour but quick active stage 1-2hrs.

DS was born at home, delivered by paramedics, unplanned hombirth. Total labour time about 2 hours.

I really don't want to have this baby in the back of the car somewhere. Paramedics would do if it all goes quickly again but I would be so much happier with a MW.

I explained this in March. Have spent time on gynae ward, antenatal ward and delivery suite this pregnancy (Hyperemesis that has now calmed and doesn't affect labour).

I really want to be at home and have tea and toast afterwards. My hospital has banned toast as toasters are a fire risk, you get cold sliced bread instead.

Tell them that you have had this planned for 34 weeks, and therefore they should have.

It isn't an issue, honestly. They have a duty to attend to you and short of arresting you they can't make you go to hospital. Quite a part from anything else, are you REALLY going to want to go into a hospital that is so short-staffed?

You don't request a homebirth, you inform them that you are having one. And you continue like a broken bloody record (and do it at least once in writing for the file and so they know you have evidence). It would be sensible given your stance, that they prepare to accommodate you.

They still have 6 weeks to recruit agency staff, close a ward, book in overtime, or whatever it is they need to do.

If i'm in established labour like last time, I wont be going anywhere. I was in transistion when I called ambulance. I'm just scared now that baby will be delivered with nobody here. I suppose that could have happened anyway but this is making me panic about it more.

No. They won't intend that. Make it clear in writing to the supervisor of Midwives that you have fast labours, you are in tune with your body, and though you will call to warn them as soon as you are in labour, if you ask them to come right away, you need them to do that.

If it is in writing, they dare not do anything that will risk them getting the blame for a BBA.

My midwives were at shift change-over and discussing parking in my driveway when ds was born. Ideal.

I agree with Starlight. You have a right to the birth of your choice. Low staffing levels are not your problem. The MWs and the hospital know exactly how many births to expect and they should manage their resources accordingly. Women in hospital don't get one-to-care for the entire length of their labour. There should always be MWs available for home-births. This "bait and switch" behaviour must stop. It is appalling that women are expected to go along with whatever the MW says. It is your birth experience and your needs should be met.

They know you want a home-birth and they are trying to undermine your confidence to convince you to go to hospital. This is not fair on you.

Remember, you don't ask, you tell them you are having a home birth. If you make a request you are inviting the answer no.

Good luck.

^ what starlight and coconut said! Fwiw I was told the same thing and just told the mw that I didn't care if there was a mw available or not, I would be giving birth at home regardless of whether they sent a mw or not. Thankfully when I went into labour the mw came straight away but it stressed me out in the last few weeks of my pregnancy and I don't think it's fair that I had to deal with that.