Homebirth, am I crazy?

[rubberducky87]

Just that really. I'm a first time mum and I really want a homebirth but scared because I've never done it before. Only a few more days until I'm due! My midwife is very supportive but I'm still nervous. Any stories to share??

By the way, the OP asked whether she was crazy and asked for stories of experiences. If all that was required was positive tales of happy home births then I apologise.
I feel that if someone is going to make such a huge decision then they need to have both sides of the story. Closing your eyes and covering your ears does not improve the safety of your birth plan.

I think there's a big difference between giving an honest account of your experience and saying that home birthers are selfish

I didn't actually say that but I did say that I think that to be motivated by the birth experience ahead of the birth outcome is a bit backwards.

Flowergirl some of us have no choice. like Rosey, my first birth was extremely quick, just over 2 hours. We made it that time but now I live an hour's drive from hospital. We used to have a maternity unit in our village but it has been closed. I really want another baby but I have already been told that a home birth would be safest rather than attempting getting to hospital. I think in my case and Rosey's case, it is really the only option. It's not really about a nice birth experience when you have a precipitous labour or putting the birth experience ahead of a safe outcome for mum and baby; when you are told that you will most likely have an extremely quick labour then unfortunately a planned homebirth is the least risky option. V quick labours are frightening with not much chance of any pain relief

Flowergirl - you are entitled to your opinion. But it isn't supported by research statistics on birth outcomes.

I think in those circumstances I can take your point completely. Better to plan it than to deal with it without support. However, I would argue that it's not ideal- it's simply managing a difficult situation sensibly. It doesn't alter my opinion that it is not the safest place to give birth- it's simply a necessity caused by your personal situation.

You don't understand the stats either. A transfer from home still stays a homebirth stat. That is how those groups include sections and instrumentals. It is counted on planned place of birth.

Penguins- interestingly I have just been reading an article written by Oxford scholars from 2014 which makes exactly the point I have made.
Do statistics matter anyway? Would they have mattered to me if my baby had died at home rather than delivered safety by crash section? I doubt it.

While studies have shown an increased risk of a baby dying during a home birth, little has been said about the chance of disability – which can occur due to factors such as oxygen starvation, they argued.

The authors said deprivation of oxygen – known as hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) – can lead to cerebral palsy, and motor and cognitive problems that can be detected at school-age.

The above is an extract from the article in Nursing Times from 2014

The place of birth study works the way I have described. As do all good studies.

We all have stories. I am sorry yours was traumatic. But similarly I know one baby who died and another damaged for life in situations you could directly attribute to the way a hospital environment works. That is why studies are relevant.

It goes on...
While campaigners in favour of home births focus on the fact women may need less intervention, such as forceps, there has been little focus on the risk of disability.

The authors said “part of the enthusiasm for home birth is related to cost-cutting”, adding: “Couples should be warned of avoidable and foreseeable risks of future child disability.”

A bit more of it as it is relevant to the points I've made-

The authors argue that when labour is obstructed or the baby starts to suffer from lack of oxygen, the “immediate treatment” of the baby is crucial for its immediate and longer term health.

To take an extreme example, the lack of equipment to deal quickly when such events occur at home might result in avoidable quadriplegia, they added.

A 2011 Oxford University study found babies born to first-time mothers who choose a home birth are almost three times more likely to die or suffer a medical complication.

The study this refers to can be found on line and gives statistics which reflect my points.

Flowers I think you think you are better informed than the midwives working in this field? Forgive me if I believe them and established research over your opinion. I think op can get best information on the safety of home births from the community midwives that support women whilst having them.

Penguins- you said that stats are important. According to the 2011 study, which was significant in its size- There were 9.5 complications per 1,000 births for first time mothers having their baby at home, compared with 3.5 per 1,000 births to first time mothers in hospital.
That statistic was considered significant (as I suspect it was to the women who experienced it).

What Bees said.

You know, I presume OP has had her baby. Hope it went well.

Thanks penguins,
Agree hope you're well op

Bees, I have just posted established research which didn't take a lot of finding.

I'm sure that OP has and I'm sure she's now far too busy with nappies/feeding etc to return!! As I've said many times, chances are it'll all be fine wherever you give birth. For me it's all about the "what if it isn't".

Flowers like I said I think I'll stick with the midwife rather than you

Ironic really to want medical care yet not want it. Anyway, my baby has just woken up. The fact I have her is all the justification I need for my opinions.

I must just add that I'm always saddened by the perception of hospital births by home birth advocates. It's not the 1950s! In hospital you get your own room with lights that dim, a birthing pool if you wish, birthing balls, a kitchen with a flow of drinks etc etc. You can play music, watch TV etc etc. Yes you'll probably be left alone at times but you have a buzzer which they respond very quickly to, and your birth partner at your side.

I am always amused by the belief of some people that because their hospital offered the above to all women then all of them do. Hilarious and rather naive.

In my hospital literally the only thing true on that list was your own room with lights that dimmed (but no curtains so no help in daytime )

You are of course entitled to have an opinion, what's not okay is to be offensive about people that choose to do differently to you.

You are completely naive, you get excellent medical care at home, just as much as you need and they can't go missing or leave you alone, they one with loads of equipment. Maybe you should speak to a midwife befoe being so judgemental.

When you choose home birth it seems to me that you are putting your own need for comfort ahead of your baby's potential medical needs.

if this isn't saying you believe home birthers are selfish, I don't know what is.

There's also a misconception here that Somethjng like a c section happens immediately. It doesn't.
Usually if a baby is showing signs of distress then they at closely monitored, then a clip is put on their head and only after all that is the decision made to section them. Then theatre needs to be prepped etc.
it's very rare for a section to happen immediately.
Midwives are much more cautious at home births. They would transfer you if baby's heart rate was dropping more than a few times in a short space of time. They also only let you push for an hour at home then transfer.

I think you're completrly entitled to your opinion but please don't be offensive about it.