More possible homebirth problems

[FrannyandZucchini]

seems a few threads on this atm...

ok my story is that I am not particularly committed to a homebirth (not convinced I actually want one tbh), however I do want the option of labouring at home and possibly delivering if all going well and I feel comfortable etc

have explained this to midwife who says fine fine fine no problems, if that's what you want we can book you in

I have said each time I see her yes I do want to be booked in. She has said right we'll do it, blah blah etc

it is just dawning on me that I am now not going to see her again until I am 37+ weeks and she has not booked me in or done any kind of check or assessment or whatever I hear they like to do when you are having a HB

am I being fobbed off? is this usual?

she also hasn't been through any information with me about bfing, which it states in my notes she must do by a certain time (I am well past the certain time)

what's up? is she just a bit laid back or am I missing out on stuff here?

I think you have spent quite enough time trying to explain the inexplicable to me Starlight

thanks for your help

Franny - most places consider 'term' to be at the start of your 37th week ie 21 days before your EDD.

38 weeks must just be something peculiar to your hospital!

hoorah mint that is what I was thinking
(isn't 21 days before your DD the start of your 38th week though? oh GOD I really must stop thinking about this)

we need a SHUT UP FRANNY YOUR BRAIN HAS MELTED emoticon too

your actually getting it franny - it's all measured in completed weeks so 37 completed weeks to 42 completed weeks if term so if she says hb only after 37 weeks,she means after 37 completed weeks (37 weeks +7 days) -2 weeks before your average due date(at the turn of 40 weeks, ie 39+8 days)

well, I did THINK I was getting it right but didn't like to say so

the thing is, I reckon the midwife means only homebirth after 38 completed weeks
I am pretty sure she did
so as I say if I go into labour this weekend (at 37 completed weeks) this could be interesting....

oh no I am NOT getting it
why is 37 completed weeks 37 weeks plus 7 days?

oh I give up

no I'm not getting it either, you've all lost me.

F&Z - are there signs that your baby may be coming soon? Was your ds born early?

nope
am just as usual trying to think of the most complicated and difficult scenarios

I think the implications of being nearly 37 weeks and not booked in anywhere just struck me
I am not hoping for an early birth!

FranZuc, I have not had time to read all posts - sorry.

But, SHUT UP YOUR BRAIN HAS MELTED!

Call and check you're booked in. (so all you need is at home. gas and air etc).You will labour at home for as long as you want anyway and then you'll be going with the flow, no?

Best of luck. This waiting time was just the worst for me. X

There's some information on the homebirth website about why some trusts don't 'allow' homebirths before 38 weeks - seems to be down to some research showing that babies born by elective cesarean before 38 weeks are more likely to have breathing problems. Completely different to a baby being born after a spontaneous labour at 37 weeks

And I think you're right, 37 completed weeks is when you're between 37 and 0 days and 37 plus 6 days. I haven't found anything to contradict this and it's been bugging me so I've been researching! I hesitate to cite wikipedia as a source but they seem to agree with this: "Pregnancy is considered 'at term' when gestation attains 37 complete weeks but is less than 42 (between 259 and 294 days since LMP)." 259 days is 37 weeks and 0 days.

thanks Daisy
and thanks Wow

I'm not booked in anywhere! that's the problem
but yes am going with flow
have scan tomorrow, yay!

Daisy that link is very helpful indeed, thank you