Anyone homebirthed?

[JuniperDewdrop]

My friend is hoping to with her second and is getting a bit of stick from some people. Has anyone got any really happy stories I could pass on?

[Dophus]

ArtyJoe

did you speak to the midwife re homebirth?

[Ameriscot2004]

I didn't find my homebirths to be messy at all.

When the midwife who booked me suggested I have a homebirth (yeah, the idea came from the midwife), my main objection was that it would be too messy (my hospital birth seemed to be really messy, LOL). She assured me that it would be fine.

I decided that I would give birth on top of the bed, with there not being a lot of space in our house at the time. So, I bought a water resistant sheet (papery, non-woven material, but washable), and put that over the made bed. I then put a second set of sheets over the protective one. In addition, the midwives provided lots of inco pads.

When my waters broke at the start of second stage, the midwife was ready with a kidney dish to catch any mess. And any yucky bits all ended up on the inco pads.

After giving birth, I went off to have a shower, and in that time, one of the midwives had stripped the bed of the top two layers and put everything in the washing machine along with whatever I had been wearing. All that was left was a lovely fresh bed, complete with newborn baby.

I think it would be more of a problem if your waters went early, so that you lost fluid with every contraction, and if you felt the need to be ultra mobile and naked from the waist down.

For carpets, one of my midwives said she preferred brown parcel paper, shiny side down. It's very cheap and really does protect, but is very unobtrusive underfoot. The problem with plastic sheeting is that it is very slippery, especially when wet.

[Dophus]

The inital suggestion for a homebirth was also made to me by the midwife at my booking appointment. At the time a wasn't interested due to the mess as well!

How did your partner manage with the after care?

It will be intersting to see what the doctor;s reaction is tomorrow.

[Ameriscot2004]

There wasn't a lot for him to do. His main job was to look after DS1 (or rather supplement what the childminder was doing) and to provide me with food. In reality, I was well enough to rustle up food, as long as I didn't have to clear up afterwards.

When I had #5, DH came to the hospital to get me the morning after a late evening birth. Then he went took DD1 to nursery school and left me with the new baby and DD2 - and I had to go and pick up DD1 from school, as well as DS1, with DS2 making his own way back. We had no prepared food in the house, so I had to go via a fast food restaurant. We were all back to normal the next day...

DH obviously hadn't learnt much over the years, and he didn't have a good British midwife telling him what was expected.

[artyjoe]

Dophus

Spoke to MW at length yesterday about homebirth and St Peters hospital, he agreed that my fears were valid but said there are ways around it in terms of a very detailed birth plan, I can ask for different midwives to the ones I had a problem with and he has also suggested I get some urgent counselling... I am off to see the consultant today and have to ask him if I can homebirth before the MW does a home visit as he thinks he may not 'allow' it. Even if allowed he has suggested counselling in case the home birth doesn't go to plan and I am transferred to St Peters, apparently talking my fears through will help... mmmm.

MW also said I can transfer to the other four hospitals but that Heatherwood would not accept me...apparently being overweight is reason enough to expect a complicated birth - great

They don't do Domino but have said, provided there are no problems with the baby, that I can go home after 6 hours, although they would 'prefer' it if I stayed 24 hours, and if there is enough room on labour ward they will keep me there rather than transfer to maternity, which is where I have my major problem.

There was no arguement at all with regards to being transferred to one of the neighbouring hospitals so this may not be a bad idea for you.

Shame I can't have this MW for my entire pregnancy and birth as I'm sure I would feel much more secure with him, hey ho. x

[Dophus]

I spoke to my GP this morning. She seemed surprised to hear that I have an issue with St Peters and said it was the first she's heard in her four years in the area (hmmm - find it hard to believe!). I mentioned a transfer to Frimley, Royal Surrey or Heatherwood and she said she would see what she could do. I mentioned homebirth and she was not at all keen on the idea saying that it was very complicated and the take home message I got was 'if that's what you want then sort it out yourself'. I'll wait and see what happens re hospital transfer and then speak to the midwife re hombirth.

I was reassured to hear from you that I wouldn't necessarily have to go into the Joan Booker ward as, like you, it is this I have a problem with. I'm sure the delivery areas are fine and I do like their waterpool and home from home rooms.

[Ameriscot2004]

There's no point in talking to GPs about homebirth. In NW Surrey (or whatever the call it nowadays), this is totally the domain of your midwife. TBH, the GP has very little to do with maternity and their role is really quite token (clinically-speaking). It might be different in different parts of the country.

[Dophus]

I wouldn't want to inconvenience a GP now would I?!

Thanks - I had assumed that it was the GP that would have to apply.

[Ameriscot2004]

It's often best not to mention place of birth to your GP at all.

The GP assumes that all your intrapartum care will be the responsibility of St Peter's Hospital, and so they do not need to get involved in this aspect of your pregnancy at all.

What happens when you go into labour is that you call Labour Ward to let them know. If you are booked for a homebirth, they will send someone from your midwifery team to your house to basically assess you, and if the birth is imminent, this midwife will call for a second midwife (not necessarily from your team) to come too. If you are planning a birth in hospital, they will tell you to come in when your contractions are so far apart, or if you need help with the pain. So, Labour Ward is in charge of the midwifery resources that you'll get regardless of whether it's a home or hospital birth.

When you book a homebirth, your team midwife will put your name on a big whiteboard in Labour Ward so that everyone knows what is going on, and your progress in the last few weeks will be added to it (such as head engagement). About 3 weeks before your due date, your team midwife will bring out a birth pack to your house - very basic supplies in case you give birth in a hurry.

Your GP's involvement is a few ante-natal appointments, and a couple of newborn checks on the baby (home visits), and then your post-natal check.

[Dophus]

That's very helpful - thanks

[motherinferior]

Also, remember that if you have applied for a home birth you're entitled to one so that if and when you do ring the labour ward and are told nobody can come out to you, you can put your foot down. I did. And hey presto, two very fabulous midwives arrived.

[motherinferior]

{http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1357961,00.html\summary of the current situation}

[motherinferior]

let me do that again

[Dophus]

Problem solved.

GP had referred me to Royal Surrey which is midwife run. I feel altogether much happier about going there than I did about going to St Peter's.

ArtyJoe - Frimley wouldn't accept me either - they're not accepting late bookings.

Maybe I'll persuade DP for homebirth for no2!

[mckenzie]

I just wanted to say thanks again to all those who posted messages of support and tales of their experiences when i was trying tog et DH to agree to a homebirth. He read all your postings, came with me to see the midwife armed with lots of questions and has now agreed. The birthing pool is booked and paid for so there's no going back now. He's nervous but I'm dead excited. I cant believe I'm actually looking forward to the birth! Fingers crossed it all goes to plan. Any tips for what other bits and peices i need to buy/get ready gratefully received. A friend suggested a couple of cheap shower curtains to protect anything in close proximity. Will I need to have somewhere to go to lay down if necessary if the midwife wants to examine me?

[unicorn]

really pleased for you mckenzie.
Hope everything goes well.
I had an emergency homebirth, and it was fab!!!!!
( We had to change hall carpet afterwards tho!!)

A few thoughts....

get lots of dark towels..
covering for mattress(or birthing area)
keep the heating and hot water on..
get someone in, to supply the 'helpers' with constant tea and toast (that's why they boiled kettles in all those films!!!)
and get as much help as you can, other than dh (would personally advise a woman friend who has been there done that etc.. they are incredible in times like this!)

xxxxx

[motherinferior]

You'll need a torch (we didn't have one and the midwife stitched me up using an anglepoise!)

PLEASE get a hot water bottle. I found mine an amazingly good form of pain relief for my aching back in my pre-pool hours. I honestly don't think I'd have lasted at home without it.

[Amanda3266]

One homebirth I attended years ago was right out in the country during a storm and.....there was a powercut. The Dad didn't havea torch in the house or any candles. My colleague who'd just arrived went back to her car to see if she had a torch in the boot (she didn't) then - talk about a knight in shining armour - along came a police car with a solitary policeman driving - she flagged him down and he came in with a fantastic torch and ended up staying (but covering his eyes all the time ). The baby arrived shortly after. Very memorable.

Mandy

[mckenzie]

thanks for the tips. The torches are all in place and I will add hot water bottle to my list now.
I hope I dont have a imilar situation to your experience though Amanda3266 - that sounds a bit too scary!

[hewlettsdaughter]

Instead of a hot water bottle I used one of those wheat and lavender bags you can heat up in the microwave - it was fantastic!

[mckenzie]

got one of those already hewlettsdaughter so will defintely have that on stand by also. thanks for the tip.

[weightwatchingwaterwitch]

Oh that's lovely mckenzie, glad your dh was reassured. Looking forward to hearing about it!

[Sallie]

I would like a homebirth this time (No 3) and it might make sense as dd (no 2) came quickly (3 hour labour) but have tested positive for Group B Strep....anyone know if this completely rules out homebirth for me?

[secur]

Message withdrawn

[gish]

Make sure you get tested again at 37 weeks Sallie, I would have ECM test too as well as NHS one.