Low intervention - homebirth

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Hi. Just wondering if any ladies are currently pregnant and planning a homebirth?

I have self referred and noted on my form that I’ll be having a homebirth. I have my first booking appointment in 2 weeks.

Just looking for some positive stories on the process so far and how to navigate avoiding landing on the intervention conveyor belt.

not looking for opinions from people who are against homebirth/haven’t experienced it

Just to add that I would do it again in a heartbeat. My GP was not keen but the community midwife team I was under did not bat an eyelid when I broached the subject. The only thing I was warned was that if they didn't have enough staff available to on the day, they might have no choice but to call me in.

No, you don't. I've already said more than once I can see you have clarified and dialled down the impression you gave that you weren't considering anything other than your ideal and that you know for certain now how you will feel months from now. Glad to hear it but you don't need to reply to me a 4th time.

I would encourage you to still get the blood tests. There are some risks that if detected can be managed with aspirin.

She may not have an early labour, all three times I felt hardly anything until I got to 7cm’s. My longest labour was 3 hours.

Why? Really struggling to see the logic behind that.

What about 36 weeks which is becoming more common as standard in many trusts if that is offered to you?

My trust led the way in this and 36 week scan has been standard there for more than 10 years. It is looking at blood flow and specifically to spot issues that could lead to stillbirth before they develop.

If I appear defensive it's because people have been on the attack... For every 1 good story I read that answers my original post, I am having to scroll through at least 6 posts attacking of my judgement, my character and my abilities to safely navigate pregnancy and birth. I specifically wrote in my question that this thread was to hear from pregnant women who are planning a homebirth and annoyingly this has been completely ignored. So yes! If I want to use the word 'clowns' I will..
Also - I am not adamant that things won't go wrong, my mistake here is that I have focused on the positives and wanted to hear positive stories - that does not mean that I am not aware of the potential risks!

Then she's probably not going to be chatting to pass the time.

I planned a home birth with my first. Ended up transferring in as I wasn't progressing. The home birth midwives were lovely, and very considerate, reassuring etc. I found that once in established labour we (me and DH) kind of appreciated a bit of involvement from them, I knew my body but they had seen hundreds of births and I hadn't. I did have cervical examinations and they broke my waters (at home), when I wasn't progressing. It never felt forced, always respectful etc. They were able to step back when I was in the zone but step in when I needed it. I did end up with a vaginal delivery in hospital, baby was back to back and had a ventouse. The transfer in was also very smooth. I must say I also had a good experience in the hospital and even though it was more clinical and got a bit busier (probably 5 or 6 professionals in the room by the end), I always still felt safe and respected. It was a consultant who actually delivered the baby in the end, and she was very professional and supportive.

I chose to have my second on the midwife led unit, literally because I couldn't be bothered with the faff of setting everything up at home. I had no examinations and I was barely aware the midwife was there until the very end. Again, I personally appreciated a bit of encouragement and involvement at the pushing stage and was happy for them to be "hands on".

I think it's good you are thinking about this now, but as I am sure you know, there is a long way to go and a lot can change to influence your decision making.

WOW WOW WOW! This has made me smile, thank you so much for sharing this with me! I am the type of person that when in pain/uncomfortable, I like to be alone and untouched. I am also an introvert so not good with being the centre of attention, I like to quietly deal with things myself.

Thank you for sharing your beautiful homebirth experiences with me, reading this has honestly made my night (I was getting a bit fed up with the negative comments on here) but this has honestly superseded all of that x

Honestly OP, grow up.
You talk a lot about empowerment and advocacy, but your attitude is the very opposite of that. Being empowered involves educating yourself of the facts and using them to make the right choices for yourself in a mature way. Not saying this is ‘what I want’ and sticking your fingers in your ears if people don’t say what you want them to.
People on here have shared their genuine stories and cautions with you and you refer to them as ‘ignorant’.
I’m sorry, but yours is not the attitude of a empowered woman, but to use your own words, an ignorant and also rather immature woman.

I mean, what is the absolute risk of me having this... Meaning, for example, 'I have a 20% chance of having this'? You mentioned that it's a possibility so I just wanted to know what the chances are (percentage-wise) of my having this?

Thank you for sharing this with me, I initially thought that women would kindly share their homebirth experiences with me but for the most part I have been labeled, 'inflexible', 'naive', 'high expectations', and I am sure there is a now deleted comment about me wanting my baby to die!! Honestly, it's exhausting, but I am currently on page 8 - determined to get to the final page.. Hopefully there;s more positive stories for me to read x

Go for it OP. So lovely if you can. I regretfully haven’t had a home birth even though I’ve tried every time. The first was crsarean due to complications. They wouldn’t let me have a home birth with tge second because of the first but it was an absolutely textbook birth in hospital with no pain relief or intervention. I got up after the birth and thought ‘I wish I could go and have some tea and toast in front of the TV’. My third child was born very early so that’s another story.

I had my first two DC in a midwife led unit at my local hospital. Both very straightforward births with no pain relief needed. One of the most positive aspects of having DC1 in hospital was that I received amazing breastfeeding support.

I chose to have DC3 at home (age 36) because DC2 arrived very quickly and I didn't want to risk another 80mph dash to hospital.

It was a very positive and relaxing experience. My lead midwife was my local community midwife who I knew from my local health centre and she was supported by a hospital midwife who I met beforehand. Both of them were completely respectful of my wish to labour by myself as far as possible and I spent a lot of the labour alone in my bedroom. They were monitoring my contractions by listening to my breathing from the other side of my bedroom door! When the time came they delivered the baby. His shoulders got stuck momentarily which they dealt with but wouldn't have been something DH could have handled if he had delivered the baby.

At no point did I consider hiring a doula. It would have been a waste of money and an extra person hanging around when I was clear that I wanted to labour alone as far as possible and the midwives supported me in that choice.

My community midwife had a last minute panic about the position of the baby and sent me for a scan to double check it shortly before my due date. Fortunately everything was fine but I would have had to change my plans last minute if he'd been in a difficult to deliver position.

Take mn with a pinch of salt op. Many bitter people who have very low reading comprehension going by my years of watching threads. Good luck with your homebirth and i wish you a safe pregnancy <3

I had two wonderful homebirths (1st and 3rd). There were no complications and the midwives made it clear that I did not have to be touched or examined at any point unless I wanted to be, altho I was quite happy for them to do so. They seemed very relaxed about everything.

Just keep an open mind, a birth plan is an idea of what you would like, not a rigid prescription of events. I was never against letting the midwives touch or examine me, I had a fridge full of pain relief in case I needed it and would have been happy to go to hospital at any point if needed.

My second child was born in hospital as it was higher risk, that was actually the best experience as the labour was the easiest one.

In all cases the midwives were thoroughly knowledgeable, respectful, wonderful women and I was more than happy to be guided by them all the way. The know what they are doing and they only want the best for you and your baby.

I am absolutely pro homebirth so not trying to dissuade you but there are no ambulances 'on call' for you to be transferred into hospital should an emergency arise- the call from the midwives will be triaged against all other emergency calls coming in.

I'm only saying this as this is the reason I didn't opt for homebirth myself as I wasn't comfortable with the risk of an ambulance not being available- something that happens more than it should in my area.

Just something to bear in mind- I gave birth in a midwife led birth centre with my second and it was genuinely lovely. I hoped to with my first also but my waters broke before labour started and although I didn't have to be induced as contractions started in the end and I got to the magic 4cm, my waters had been gone for 24 hours so you are no longer classed as low risk and need continuous monitoring. Again, I didn't want to take the risk of declining the continuous monitoring so went with a delivery suite birth but the midwives were great and minimal intervention was required.

thank you so much! This is amazing advice. I have got 2 of Sara Wickams books, and I have read AIMs Know your rights. A few others have recommended other books on here which I will definitely buy soon!
I am sorry you were bullied/coerced in your first pregnancy - I suspect I may be victim of the same as I will be age 39 when baby is due.. I will be using the BRAINS method though and will be calm in my approach. Husband 100% backs me on everything and is all for low intervention 💖

He 100% backs me and has done a lot of research on homebirth v hospital births and the cascade of interventions. We're a team 💖

I wanted more or less what you want OP. I was 35, BMI of 19, fit and healthy, uncomplicated low risk pregnancy. I read a lot about hypnobirthing, my friends had doulas... we were very much of that school.

One of my friend’s homebirths was transferred to hospital as it wasn’t progressing. There was meconium, the baby was in distress, and she had a c section. Another friend had a homebirth, but was transferred to hospital afterwards with a 4th degree tear. Another friend, an athlete, went in with reduced movements at 39 weeks and had a c section that narrowly saved both lives.

I wanted a water birth at home. I was so positive, so convinced I could do it. I had an induction at 41 weeks because I had a bleed, and ended up with an emergency c section.

I always said I was open to intervention if necessary, but honestly in reality I was devastated. For quite a while.

The main thing is that we all came home with healthy babies. The care I received in hospital was phenomenal. One of my midwives had had 7 children!

everyone is different - I am not a chatty person and am an introvert that likes to be alone. Yes my husband will be with me holding me if needed, he will be right by my side. The doula is there because there's a significant likely hood of having lower/less interventions during labour with a doula present. I don't have a mum so I kind of see it like having my mum present.

at the risk of getting pilled on again - the research on the safety of early scanning is sketchy. I would recommend the book by AIMS and visiting aims.org for more info.

hmmm if there's good reason to scan, then I will do it..

I arrived at hospital just over an hour before the birth for my third DC. It was just the midwife, myself and the radio in the room. I was in complete control, there was no talking and very little pain.
The midwife just asked if I could make some sort of sound every five minutes so she knew I was ok. I spent the labour on all fours, gently rocking which is my preferred position. Then when it was time I told my midwife I was going to lay on my back and start pushing which is what I did. The whole thing was an incredible experience, I just wanted to share an experience of a really low intervention hospital birth.