Second child home birth?

[FlippertyJibbit]

Currently 12 weeks with second dc and wasn't even considering a home birth but have been thinking about it since booking in with my midwife, she suggested it and seemed to think it would be a good idea. I'd love a water birth but my hospital won't allow this due to my BMI

I'm thinking of practicalities though, I'm a tenant in a private let, would my LL allow a home birth? They don't need to know though do they?

We live in a terraced house, and I was quite vocal during my first birth so worried neighbours might think I'm being attacked! Is it the right thing to do to knock on their doors and say I'm planning a homebirth so apologies for any strange goings on?

Are there any specifications the house has to meet for a home birth!?

My first birth was 37+5 and I was induced by the dreaded drip (progressed slowly but painfully and wasn't offered a epidural until almost fully dilated so no time- hence the pain and noise!) so I may not even be able to have a home birth this time but MW seemed so positive about it that I suppose it could be a real possibility.

I also have the worry of second child arriving quicker that DS1 so feel it might put my mind at ease knowing I can plan to give birth at home and not worry about rushing to the hospital and possibly giving birth in the car park

Sorry for the massive post, just weighing up my options and trying to make this birth a bit more positive than the previous. Any home birth stories (good AND bad) would be much appreciated

I had both DC at home and both were fantastic experiences - more so DC2 as knew what to expect. The midwife care at home births IME is exceptional.

The only thing that would put me off in your position is that a hospital water birth is contraindicated on the basis of your BMI. I didn't have a pool myself but at home your pain relief options are more limited.

That's another thing I was thinking, I was hoping for an epidural this time around but that wouldn't possible with a home birth. But I wonder if natural labour would be easier and so not needing the pain relief anyway.

i had a home birth with my 2nd and 3rd both amazing experiences and would defo recommend if u feel u can! i think you can have a pool anywere and doesnt matter about landlord! my other 2 were put to bed and i got in the pool and noing they were upstairs kept me calm and quietish! they woke in the morning to there new baby sister!
my neighbour saw my husband the next day and said she heard everything so i would probably mention to your neighbours nearer the time, incase they fink someone is getting murdered (our walls are like paper tho).

I had a home water birth with my second after a horrid induced birth with my first.

I warned the neighbours but thankfully they were out once it got noisy and missed it! We hired a pool, it was brilliant, everything you need delivered in a big box. I won't lie, it was painful doing it just on G&A but I did it and it was bloody marvellous that two hours after I gave birth I was stitched up, midwives were leaving and I was tucked up on my own sofa with a cup of tea and some toast and I went and had a two hour nap in my own bed to recover after that. No hideous post natal ward. Bliss.

Honestly, if you'd never considered it until the midwife pushed you in that direction, and if you'd like an epidural, then I think you are nuts to consider it just because the midwife got enthused. It sounds like you are not minimal risk of your BMI is impacting on pool use and if I were you, I would quiz your midwife very closely for evidence that it might have an impact on anything else or on your risk assessment.

I'm not clear from your post whether you'd hope to use a pool at home? If a pool is not advised in a hospital where they have rapidly-drained pools, hoists and teams of people on hand in case of an emergency, then it would be madness to use a home one, and I'd seriously doubt any midwife who encouraged you to do so. You don't mention if your home is an apartment or house; if the former, then you'd need structural advice before putting a pool on any floor that isn't the ground floor.

You don't mention how far you are from hospital - this would be a major issue to consider.

I would be hesitant to think non-induced contractions will be significantly less painful then natural ones, particularly in established labour.

Best of luck with your decision.