5th baby labour options

[MumLiene5]

Hi. I am 35 weeks now and have to decide my birth plan in 2 week time. I had 4 natural labour's, no complications at all. My last one was planned homebirth as we don't have transport to hospital. She came so quick, 1h all together. No bleeding. Everyone was scaring me about shoulder dystocia, but she wasn't that big for me and all went good. Now everyone scares me of PPH, that I never had before. Also saying that midwife may not be available to come(last time was late 15min) and ambulance may come late. Midwife wants that I give birth in hospital just because its baby nr 5.
So the question is, what's the risk of PPH or other complications if never had them before to give birth at home? Other option I got is to ask induction at 38 weeks and go to hospital by train on my own. Anyway labour can start earlier. I can't decide what to do. Go for induction or wait when baby wants to come, have homebirth again. Help me decide with your experience. Thanks 😊

Take the midwife's advice. I suspect an induction will be pretty quick

Don't risk a homebirth; PPH can kill. You need to prioritise safety.

Thanx. Will go for induction and hope nothing happens before.

I would discuss it with your midwife. Do you think you are at any particular risk of PPH eg due to placenta position or something else?

Looking this up, it looks like unless there is an issue with placental position, you have put on loads of weight in the pregnancy or had previous CSs the risk would be low.

Well I wouldn't go for induction for this reason alone, especially with more and more studies showing harmful effects to babies and mothers I think I'd have to have a really solid reason for doing that. Induction increases the risk of PPh too so it's backwards logic to volunteer for one unnecessarily.

Personally I'd homebirth without a doubt. I'd hop onto some of the Home birth support groups on Facebook to speak to others who have had 5th babies. The advice from NHS maternity services widely varies between consultants and hospitals and personally I'd be questioning everything until I was happy.

Also I believe the risk of pph is cited from the 6th baby not the 5th. Have you looked at the birthrights charity info?

I have had 5 babies, and I will just say that the 5th one did have more complications than the rest, i.e., the cord was wrapped around his neck twice . Apparantley, this is more likely with a 5th or more pregnancy because the mother's muscles are looser. The cord had grown extra long as a result. I'm sure midwives on here would know more about it? I was very fortunate because I'd agreed for a student to deliver the baby - assuming it would be straightforward. So when the midwife tutor saw the heart rate was increasing so much with each contraction, she kind of pushed the student out of the way and cut the cord internally . Obviously, she was very experienced. Not scare mongering or anything, but just pointing out 5th deliveries can have their own set of issues ! As long as you have good midwives, I'm sure you will be fine . My DDiL had 3 midwives for her home birth ! A student 1 for mum and 1 for baby ! That was in York xx Wishing you the best delivery whatever you decide xx

There's not enough information in your post to quantify your risk of PPH - your midwife/obstetrician will be in a better position for to help with that (there are more variables than just what number baby it is that need to be considered).

There seem to be two issues though - one is what your risk is, the other is what will happen if you do have a PPH. If they're concerned about the availability of MWs for homebirths (is the service regularly being suspended?) and local ambulance response times that is worth taking note of.

They haven't given you enough information in the slightest - induction can increase the chance of PPH so that is terrible advice if that's what they're worried about.

If you have no other risk factors and have had 4 uncomplicated births there's absolutely no reason not to have a home birth. They can manage pph at home in the first instance and transfer if necessary.

If there is an ambulance strike that day or there are really and truly no midwives available then that is a different matter.

Is there a reason why you can't wait for spontaneous labour and then go to hospital or a midwife led unit?

So they say that risk of PPH is just because its 5th baby, no other complications.
Cord is fine aswell, will have another scan at 36+6.
Hospital is 45 min away and no midwife units to give birth in my city. Also no transport, and if its quick labour agai, I better stay at home when it starts.
Thanx for answers, still confused what to decide. Never had c section or induction, no bleeding.

Dc2, 3 and 4 all under 3 hours. Dc5 was back to back. Hideous Labour. Talk of emcs got the buggar out!
More risk of pph would have me at hospital.. Dc6 was less than 2 hours and just made it in. Fully clothed. Pants cut off.
Still wearing my shoes!

Also can mention I never been overweight, BMI is good, baby not measuring big. My 3rd was 9.12lbs, natural tear free labour. I am nearly 33y old. I don't see big reasons why homebirth could go wrong this time.

My fifth one was an hour and half 9lbs 9oz, spontaneous labour on due date but they made me stay in hospital after niggles a few days before, oh and was VBAC2. When I look back now (13 years ago) I don't know what I was thinking, things turned out ok but I was reckless