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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Homebirth - is it riskier?

24 replies

hotpotmama · 19/02/2008 14:58

Am 29 weeks pregnant and am seriously considering a home birth as I would love to be at home and have my own bath and bed straight after (and many other reasons). But am worried about the risks if something goes wrong or the baby needs medical attention.

Have had 2 straightforward births already, just wanted to know if I am risking my baby's life unnecessarily.

We live about 10-15 mins away from the hospital.

Any wise words would be greatly appreciated to help me make my mind up! (off out in a min but back later to read any replies)

Thanks

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purpleturtle · 19/02/2008 15:02

Lots of people say homebirth less risky because you are more relaxed. You are far less likely to endure unnecessary medical intervention. If you are only 10-15mins from hospital I think you get that homebirth booked!

They're fab.

purpleturtle · 19/02/2008 15:03

Ahem I think you should

islandofsodor · 19/02/2008 15:04

No, statistically in a normal pregnancy homebirth is a safer option that hospital birth for many reasons and is less likely to require medical intervention.

JingleyJen · 19/02/2008 15:06

I had 2 so am biased - however - I don't think the actual being at home makes your delivery more risky I think it is more that what access do you have to a medical team should the need arise..

If you are 10-15 mins from the hospital then you are probably as close to a consultant as you would be if you were on a ward and s/he was in the office.. waiting to be beeped..

If you have had 2 uncomplicated births before and are having an uncomplicated pregnancy then it sounds a brilliant option!!

Lovely lovely experience..

Pruners · 19/02/2008 15:08

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Pruners · 19/02/2008 15:09

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BigBadMouse · 19/02/2008 15:12

Home births are the norm where I live. The hospital is just over an hours drive away down a rather uncomfortable road so most plump to stay at home - even first timers. If you are only 10-15 mins away from the hospital I think you'd be fine - an ambulance will get you to the hospital damn fast. I ended up being rushed into hospital in an ambulance with the two DCs I've had so far and we did the 1hr 10min journey in 35 mins .

I think the MWs take a good look at how suited you are to a home birth then if they think things will be fine they let you have one. Down here they seem very on the ball for any possibility of complications during the home birth and if things aren't going to plan off in the ambulance you go - I don't think a homebirth is taking an uneccessary risk.

Louandben · 19/02/2008 15:15

My DS was born in a fantastic birthing centre in the pool, all straightforward. I am now planning a homebirth for 2nd, due in June.

This site www.homebirth.org.uk/ is great for reading about the facts and of different experiences of homebirth.

It seems to me that the most important thing about homebirth if you are going to go for it is that you have a supportive and enthusiastic midwife - have you spoken to yours about it? If she is not keen then you still should not be put off, find one who is!

expatinscotland · 19/02/2008 15:15

If you're that close to hospital it seems a good idea.

It's not common out where I live because in addition to being about an hour away from hospital by car, there's a ferry crossing involved.

But in your case, why not if that's what you want?

stripeyink · 19/02/2008 18:05

I had a home birth and it was brilliant.
You have a midwife with you all the time throughout the birth which is really reassuring. And you can listen to your own music!

stripeyink · 19/02/2008 18:07

Forgot to add, having a midwife with you throughout makes it safer than hospital births in that if anything does go wrong it is likely to be spotted more quickly.

whomovedmychocolate · 19/02/2008 20:42

I want a homebirth this time because my hospital recently reported that just 22% of women had a midwife with them for all of their active labour (ie once they were at least 4cm)

Also you get 'blued' into the hospital with a homebirth if there are any concerns and the necessary teams are alerted - which cuts down on the time to get the necessary intervention considerably. It took them an hour to find the sodding anesthesiologist last time.

Racers · 19/02/2008 20:52

Although it didn't turn out for me in the end (prolong rupture of the membranes and once in hospital for monitoring, cascade of medical intervention leading to c-s ), I was glad I'd planned it. Similar distance from hospital, all the home comforts, not worrying about going in to hospital then being turned away for not being in labour yet, midwife will come to you to assess situation and come back later if necessary, or stay. Second midwife comes out for second stage. And you can always change your mind later down the line if you want. Chat to your midwives, I found mine to be delighted with my choice and extremely supportive and encouraging.
Good luck

gloriana · 19/02/2008 20:53

I had a homebirth with DS3 and it was wonderful. I had no complications, the labour was short (I am convinced it was because my body knew I was in a place where I felt safe and in control), and I got FAR more attention from the midwives at home than I did in hospital!

Go for it - you won't regret it!

Racers · 19/02/2008 21:02

Have just re-read - 2 straightforward births already really must help your confidence and the likelihood of it going really well. I'd definately go for it!

Original poster

hotpotmama · 20/02/2008 14:44

Thanks for all your replies and links to websites, and sorry for my late reply, only just got back onto pc since posted first time!

Think I will go and chat with my midwife, its her that put the idea in my head as I was telling her I was worried my husband might have to deliver in the car on the way to hospital as my second was fairly quick, about 3.5 hours from waters breaking at home to delivery at hospital.

Am just the world's biggest worrier and need reassurance!

Thanks again

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Original poster

hotpotmama · 20/02/2008 14:45

Can you have gas and air at home? Not sure I could manage without it!

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tori32 · 20/02/2008 14:53

So long as you don't have any underlying probs such as pre eclampsia, diabetes etc, I would recommend it. Especially since you are so close to a hospital. I laboured for 33 hrs at home and then transferred due to problems. Had TENS for 27hrs and G and A for 6hrs then an epidural in hospital as I was exhausted.

Go for it! I don't regret trying at home because it was much more relaxing than hospital.
PS I also got a birthpool in a box which was lovely from 5-9cm!

tori32 · 20/02/2008 14:54

Forgot to say that my nearest hospital is 30mins away on a blue light !

BigBadMouse · 20/02/2008 16:54

hotpotmama - yes you can have G&A at home and pethidine too if you wish. Then there is the good old tens machine - only use I found for mine was whacking a paramedic over the head (by accident honest) when I had a bad contraction - he had said I was an 'eldery mother' though (at 29!!!!!!) and I think he thought it was my way of getting him back. As if I would do such a thing...

suzi2 · 20/02/2008 17:03

I had a homebirth with DD and can't recommend it enough. I had DS in hospital and that was fine too, except the postnatal period was rubbish! I found I had to defend my decision for a hb a lot and read up a lot of then things that can go wrong and how they would be dealt with in hospital and at home. And found that in most cases, things are done the same for the first 10-20 mins at both by which time you're in hospital. Of course there are a few things that could happen that the outcome at home is worse than in hospital, but in those things the outcome is pretty bad wherever you are.

you can have G&A. My MW said that if I needed pethidine, they'd be far happier if I went to hospital at that point. I was to get it on prescription from my GP but my MW advised that if I didn't have it, I'd have to cope without it lol. Anyway, didn't even need the G&A. I had G&A and morphine with DS.

Better to plan a hb and change your mind at the last minute than the other way around! I had a friend who decided she was going to hospital after several hours at home. The baby was delivered in the front porch by the paramedics/mw that were there to take her to hospital

nospringchicken · 20/02/2008 19:53

Had a homebirth with no 3 because nos 1 and 2 were born after labours of 4.5hrs and 1.5hrs..
...it was so lovely we then had a homebirth with no4 too!

workstostaysane · 20/02/2008 20:55

no, its not riskier.

Original poster

hotpotmama · 20/02/2008 22:30

Thank you all for your replies, its reassured me lots!!

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