Homebirths-the risks compared to hospitals?

[BrightShinySun]

Im only 8wks pg but pretty sure i want a hb this time. Dh is not keen as he thinks risks are increased. What things can go wrong and can they be dealt with as well as in hospital?

Get Nicky Wesson's guide to homebirth - make him read it. Your risks depend on your history but you would have 2 midwives there concentrating on you rather than running room to room between patients.

www.homebirth.org.uk

got to pop out (soory for the quick reply)

HB midwives are trained up to their eyeballs to deal with any obstetric emergencies (which, I should hasten to add, are pretty unusual in normally progressing labour at home).

Thanks i'll check those out. Mainly though im trying to think of things that go wrong in labour and how these would be dealt with at a hb. I dont want to sound negative but although i feel very strongly about this i dont know much about what can go wrong.

I didnt know that spillage. Got my booking tomorrow so going to broach the subject with mw. Wanted to feel prepared incase she is negative,didnt get on great with mw during last pg.

hello!
did you have antenatal classes last time?
would you think about having some classes this time? they could be helpful to equip you with the right skills and knowledge
much depends on your view of risk an of course your risk profile.
for most women (low or normal risk) home birth is less risky then hosptial birth

I would go for a HB every time. If you are considered 'low-risk' there is probably no greater risk of anything going wrong at home - things go wrong in hospital too (and no MRSA at home!) The level of care is great - two midwifes for the birth, one with you constantly once in active labour.

How long would it take you to get to hospital? If you did have to go in, your MW would stay with you for the duration.

Also, you can prepare for a HB and change your mind at any time, right up to the last minute. You can't do it the other way round!

MWs do all the clearing up. I've had 3 HBs, 1 Hospital. I've only ever had to wash a few towels.

And its much, much nicer to shower in your own bathroom than in a rank hospital one.

I believe that the stress-free environment of being in your own home is far more relaxing for both labour and breast-feeding if you choose to.

I could go on all day ....

Good luck whatever you decide. You won't regret a HB if that's what you go for.

Hi harpsicord i didnt have classes last time,labour was straightforward and was out of hospital 3hrs after birth.

Your dh will be very impressed by the safety statistics I think, once he starts to do some homework on home birth. I didn't know about the Nicky Wesson book, but the one I read that reassured me was Your Birth Rights by Pat Thomas. This makes you aware of the risks that you run once you are in a hospital too! I had a good home birth experience and there are many many more on MN and the website that hertsnessex has told you about. Good luck tomorrow.

One statistic that may be food for thought for your DH: in the Netherlands 30% of births take place at home under the care of a midwife. Their neonatal mortality statistics are the same as ours (in the UK only 2% of births take place at home) and are 1% lower than US neonatal mortality statistics where almost all babies are born in hospital with an obstetrician as the lead professional in the birth.

Foxy thats some of the many reasons i want a hb. To be honest ive only read +ve things but on another thread a lady mentioned a hb where she suffered placental abrupion leading to brain damage,is this something that a hospital could deal with better?

Thanks lio and sabire. Im sure if i can get him to read half the good things i have he'll come round. I just feel so much more relaxed at the thought of giving birth at home.

Have you read the 'But what if...' section of the Home Birth Reference Site? (www.homebirth.org.uk - as already mentioned by hertsnessex)

how far are you from a hospital? how quickly could you get there in an emergency?
tbh the most important factor in a straightforward birth is the presence of an experienced midwife giving one to one care
you will get that at home
in a hospital it ain't gonna happen

Will have a look,thanks.

hmm, I don't know to be honest. Its hard when you hear specific things like that, but you have to weigh it up against your level of risk and how comfortable you are with it.

I think my DP felt less 'useless' during the whole thing because he was in his own environment. I had a friend as my birthing partner for my first HB and they had wine and pizza during my labour, whilst I'm mooing in the background. He is always on tea-making duties, looking after the other children etc. For us, it was great.

If I have another I'll have to seriously consider whether to have a HB or hospital as it will be number 5 and I've been told there's higher risk. But to be honest, I would, even then, still want a HB.

yes there is a risk of something catastrophic going wrong
in which case the midwives would transfer you and the baby
but that is not the only risk
MRSA is not an insignificant risk to put in the balance. if I was having a new baby, that would be top of my list of risks tbh.

Im literally only 5-10 mins from hospital. I dont think anythings going to put me off unless there is some medical reason during pg. Last pg and birth were very straightforward so fingers crossed this pg is the same.

Thanks hatrick thats interesting,ive often wondered if the reason it took so long to have dd(12hrs from going to hospital)was due to clinical surroundings, not being comfy in one room with just hospital bed,left alone for 3hrs due to busy labour ward.

I'm having a homebirth after caesarian because I am absolutely terrified of hospitals after my last one. Now I'm consider high risk, but at the first sniff of something being awry midwives will call an ambulance and get you blue lighted. By Blue lighted I mean that they alert the hospital and the anaesthetiologist/doctors/midwives etc all have to be there waiting when you arrive - much better than 4am when you are in a queue to be seen for an epidural for an emergency section I reckon.

WMMC, I dreamt about you last night, you had the baby at 35weeks, be prepared!lol.(oh and it was 6lb something)

Oh thanks a bloody lot VS - I went to the midwife today and she said 'erm you know you are actually having quite strong regular contractions don't you?'

Did last time and got to 44 weeks so not that worried. But he's already 2lb plus so yes 6lbs would be about right for 35 weeks.

Hang on a second - you had a dream??? Does this mean your baby sleeps

oh yes
He sleeps really well, i'm just hitting 2weeks and I don't feel at all tired!It's amazing

Thats good to know WMMC.