Prep for unassisted homebirth

[Sillylemonade1]

Just want to start by saying I do not want to have an unassisted homebirth! But my first two labour's were very quick, DD1 was a few hours from first little niggle, DD2 was 1.5hours so am pretty much expecting this one to be quicker (you watch her be 2 weeks late and a 3 day labour lol).

But what can I do to prepare myself if I haven't got my midwife there yet and my partners at work (he works 2 hours away). I plan on calling at very first niggle and having it in my notes that I could labour quickly.

One of the main things I'm worried about is what position I labour in, I don't want to be on my laying down, I'd be quite happy on my knees but what if I don't catch her! I'm probably overthinking it but that is my biggest fear is her coming out and me not catching her intime.

Anyone else been in a similar situation or had an unplanned homebirth maybe?

Any tips and advice really appreciated!!

How old are the other children? Do you have a neighbour who can get them/ sit with them if they’re little?
If older- Have you talked to them about calling an ambulance. My friend had progressively quicker labours and her seven year old called the ambulance for her when she gave birth in her bathroom to number 4. She also opened the front door to the paramedic ( when her mum told her to).

@Orchidflower1 my eldest is nearly 4, and youngest is nearly 2, I have my mum and my mil both 10 mins away from me who have said they'll have the girls so glad that they are all sorted, if it comes to it though I will be just chucking their tablet in their direction till mum/mil arrives 😂

Not sure how big your bath is, or if you even have one, but my friend had an expected homebirth and gave birth in the bath.

Less mess to clear up and no hard landing for the baby.

My midwife has said they’ll go through birth before arrival at the 36 week homebirth assessment. She said she’ll explain what to do if baby is coming more quickly than she is! So maybe ask your midwife to go through it with you? Best of luck!!

My midwife told me this in case baby came before she got there. Labour on hands and knees with a pillow or blanket between your legs to create a soft landing for baby if they fall out. Bum in the air and shoulders lower will reduce pressure on cervix and slow things down a bit if you need a break. There’s no need to clamp the cord unless it is broken and blood is pouring out. Just leave it alone it would be fine for days. Oh and have plastic sheeting and lots of towels handy.

Phone 999!
Dd had an unplanned home birth, her dh phoned the labour unit, they told him to phone 999 at once. She gave birth in the bath with a 999 call handler on speakerphone. Paramedics arrived after the delivery - she just stayed in the bath with baby until they got there.
BTW, it was NOT the clean birth you’d expect in the bathroom, blood everywhere 🤣 but easy to clean up…

No advice OP but when I was in admissions when I was having DS a woman arrived in who had similar circumstances to you. It was her DC3 and two previous very very quick labours so her waters had broke in a neighbours house while she was having a cup of tea during a play date and the neighbour flung all the children in the car and drove to the hospital like a formula one driver. Woman in admissions was saying as soon as she said her waters broke the neighbour had five children and both woman in the car in under 60 seconds and sped out the driveway shrieking that she wouldn't be able to deliver a baby. It doesn't sound funny but it was one of those you'd have to be there type of things .

Hello, home birthing mama here.
My first two were quick, number 2 was 90 minutes!
With my 3rd id seen my midwife in the morning and asked for a sweep as I was already a good 4cm. She said she'd guarantee I'd have baby within 24 hours, and was going to tell the on-call midwives to expect my call, and informed them it may be quick.

When my OH called, she said she was aware of me so was coming straight over. As it was, it was a 3 hours from the first contraction to baby arriving, she arrived within half an hour of calling and quickly called number 2 on call to make her way over as knew it wouldn't be long.

Agree with PP - hands and knees, pillows for a soft landing if need be! I'd call your mum and mil - one to sit with your girls and one to assist you if you'd like someone with you, or to just be around to open door for midwife or ambulance crew etc if needed.

I was standing when I gave birth to my 2nd child (bba

My friend just had her second at home before the paramedics could arrive, she had her in the bath. I’d definitely get your mum/mil to come round immediately, it’s much more important that you aren’t alone than your kids get taken somewhere else. Can’t one of them throw you all in the car and take you to the hospital? But if it happens too quickly even for that, make sure your phone is constantly charged, you know where you’re going to do it, and have lots of clean towels and a hand mirror in case you need to check the cord around the neck.