30 weeks and considering a home birth

[micegg]

I have been unhappy with my choice of hospital for quite some time due to the number of horror stories I keep hearing along with the news from the midwife the other day that I would probably be discharged after 2 hours anyway. This is my 2nd and its got me thinking - do I really need to be in hospital at all if I am going to turn up as late as possible anyway and then only stay for 2 hours afterwards. The only reason would be an epidural but from what I hear I may not need this for my second and may not get one as staffing levels seem to be quite a problem where I am. I am quite well informed on home births as I looked into it last time but DH was not happy. In order to get a home birth I would have to be referred to a different hospital so its quite a lot of faffing about at a relatively late stage.

My two main concerns are what to do with DD aged 2 who would depending on the time of day be around. We don't have anyone near by to ship her off to so this would be tricky. Secondly, my DH is really worried about the emergency side of it.

Have any of you had a big change of mind and changed your choice of birth place late on?

Hi Micegg

I have nothing to offer really, just bumping for you

I am 39+2 with my first one having a home birth and you do seem a good candidate, if of course you would feel comfortable at home.

I am sure you will get some more helpful replies though!

What would you do with DD1 if you went into hospital? Could you not do the same for a home birth?

I opted for a home birth when I was 35 weeks pregnant. The midwives were fine about it, all it took was a longer session with the midwife at my normal check up, then just before I was 38 weeks they came to drop the home birth pack off (mainly things for them to use) and then someone came and dropped the entinox canisters off, and that was it.

I ended up being induced in hospital for signs of PE in the end, but that's a different story!

Good luck, with whatever you decide.

I had a home birth and it was a fantastic decision - I was so relaxed and calm. I was lucky because my 2 year old slept through it - but it would be useful to have someone able to help out if needed. You would need someone to look after your child even if you went to hospital - so a home birth can be easier - no change to a toddler's routine. It didn't require much organising. I wanted a water birth, so we bought and blew up the pool beforehand and got a couple of shower curtains to protect the floor, a torch, lots of towels and a hand mirror - so the midwife could see the head emerging in the pool. There was no mess afterwards and it was lovely getting into my own bed.

Hi miceegg
I loved my homebirth and even though I'd said from the start its what I'd like I don't think that when you decide can affect whether you can have one.
Why can you not go to the other hospital if you are unhappy with your current one?
How far are you from the hospital - travelling time?
Remind DH that because you are more relaxed at home you have a better chance of not needing intervention etc, you can also have tens and water if you want
I presume everything went OK with dcs birth. Are there no mums from local groups whose house she could play at if dc2 arrives during the day? Obviously it would be lovely to have a quick overnight labour and have a baby to show in the morning but.....[reality check!]
Good luck with it all

I'm 34 weeks at the mo and planning a home birth. It's my fourth baby but my last one was 12 years ago and this is the first time I've even thought about a home birth. Done a lot of reading up on it and all the signs are that if everything is normal with your pregnancy then you should have no problem at all and as you should be more relaxed at home things happen easier and with less stress, less chance of episiotomies or breathing difficulties for the baby and you don't have that feeling of being rushed around , moved after delivery and having to pack up to go home.Do you have a friend or relative that can help with dc , same as if you were going into hospital? I'm sure it'll be a lovely experience for you all.