Home birth and having to change hospital care

[Catlover1812]

Hi all, I'm wondering if anyone has been in the same situation- I'm 31 weeks pregnant with my third baby and am considering a home birth, mainly due to a very quick labour with my second. We are at best 30mins away from our hospital, and at worst up to 50mins. We live in a bit of a no man's land in terms of local hospitals. All of them are around the same distance away.

My midwife is supportive of the idea of a home birth, however she explained that the community midwives for our hospital do not cover my area. This means I'd have to self refer to another hospital (a similar distance away) along with a new booking appointment, plus bloods etc. The only issue is I'm super happy with the hospital we're currently at. I had a very positive birth there with my last baby, and would ideally like to continue under their care. I appreciate that, all going well with a home birth, a hospital visit wouldn't be necessary. But I'm not keen on the idea of an unfamiliar hospital. I'm sure when it came down to it I wouldn't care though, and I'm probably overthinking it all! Does anyone have any experience of this? Thanks!

I can't give advice but, sorry, this sounds completely normal. Hospital home birth teams have their own patch and only cover that area.
My first was born in Covid and of 2 equidistant hospitals only one was offering home birth services... guess which one I fell under.

I guess it's something I've never thought about before, but rationally it makes sense. I'm just overthinking it, and will get care somewhere! The unknown is what scares me tbh Thanks for your reply x

The homebirth midwives tend to have a certain ethos and are generally so good, I'm sure you will be well looked after. You're also very unlikely to end up in hospital (not your first baby, laboured quickly before) so I'm sure you will be fine.
My 2nd was a planned homebirth due to very first labour and it was the best choice for me I'd highly recommend!

I was blue lighted from home during a home birth. If you need emergency care, you just won't care where you are I promise. ( This won't be your situation, it was not a great decision on my part. It was my second and my first wasn't straightforward.)

Thank you. These replies are reassuring. I'm sorry you were blue lighted to hospital and hope all was OK in the end. I can imagine you just want to get to a hospital though, so I know I won't care. I think it's the control freak in me coming out! It's given me a lot to think about so thank you!