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

I don’t know what the OP is basing that on, I’m not aware of any data supporting scans as specifically harmful. However its not true to say that screening is always a neutral act - it can lead to over treatment and anxiety and that is a risk in all screening programme, its always a balancing act.
I also have known women who declined scans because they did not wish to be pressured into terminations if something was identified as abnormal with the foetus.

Ultimately, it is of course a choice for the OP, and she's entitled to decline the scan, but it's undeniably odd to not want to see your baby.
Not sure I agree about that. I had all scans offered because I wanted medical professionals to be able to make any observations they felt were helpful or necessary and I don't feel in the least that I know better. Also being at King's I was part of multiple studies and happy for my data to be used to potentially help others.

But I didn't see it as "seeing my baby". The vague images didn't relate for me into actually being my baby at all. I took nor paid for any pictures from any of my scans because I had no emotional attachment to them at all. They were practical and useful. Fully aware this makes me unusual but I don't agree that not wanting to "see" your baby or not considering a scan as seeing your baby is completely odd.

The 12 week scan is important for confirming that the pregnancy is developing in the right location, and confirming if it’s a single pregnancy or multiples. Multiples require a very different level of care from 12 weeks onwards.
Also, if there is a missed miscarriage, it’s better to know about it sooner rather than later, for management purposes.

Genuine question- you say you will go to hospital if there is an emergency.
How will you know that there is an emergency ( before it’s too late) if the midwife cannot touch, examine or speak to you?

Not according to the NHS “An ectopic pregnancy doesn't always cause symptoms and may only be detected during a routine pregnancy scan.
If you do have symptoms, they tend to develop between the 4th and 12th week of pregnancy.”

Ectopics can definitely be found at 12 week scans.

Actually you are being incredibly insulting and wildly hypocritical! Most of have given birth and you have not!
It’s hilarious that you are telling posters that they can’t comment because they have not experienced your imaginary version of labour!
People are genuinely trying to help you here . Please don’t be so closed minded to advice from experienced and well meaning mums.

Can you tell me how it shows a 'degree of woo science' - I struggle to understand how you've come to this (slightly ignorant) conclusion when you have zero idea on the research that I have undertaken.

What on earth are you talking about? I asked for women's experience on homebirth and that specific pathway. In what world can someone who has only had hospital births understand what a homebirth (with low intervention) is like if they've never experienced it?

You say that I have an 'imaginary vision' - yet this initial thread is about learning from women who have experienced homebirth. I literally cannot win with you people!

I’m lucky enough that I’ve never had an ectopic. But I’m not a sonographer!

You won't share that research which is very odd when you keep reiterating how much you have done and that it highlights risk posed to baby if done at 12 weeks. If you were just declining it because you didn't want the screening tests then that's different but you aren't painting that picture. What about if you have low PAPP-A that you don't know about as its only done as part of the screening bloods but indicates the health of the placenta, whether you are at heightened risk of pre eclampsia or intrauterine growth restriction? You wouldn't know and that would surely influence whether you will accept growth scans in the 3rd trimester.

As I said on my previous reply, I am very pro home birth but I would want all the testing done to ensure I was as low risk as I thought. My brother and SIL had my nephew who was born with Downs syndrome, they declined screening but had all usual scans- it wasn't detected. He had a heart defect and was rushed to NICU after birth. Thankfully she gave birth in a hospital with access to those facilities. I'm absolutely not trying to fear monger but I would want to ensure I had had all the available screening, scanning and testing done to ensure my baby's wellbeing.

Declining to share my research doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. My decisions are shaped by extensive reading, reflection, and lived experience — some of which is deeply personal and not something I’m willing to disclose publicly.

I’m not being difficult. If I felt the discussion was genuinely open and respectful, I would be more than happy to share what I’ve gathered. However, based on past experience and my instincts here, I don’t believe this is coming from a place of genuine curiosity. I’m trusting my gut.

This decision is mine and my husband’s, and it is an informed one. I’m comfortable with it, regardless of others’ opinions. I’ve already signposted a starting point for anyone who is truly interested in understanding a different perspective. If someone wants to explore this further in good faith, they’re free to do that independently.

I’m choosing not to spend time or emotional energy justifying a decision that is already settled.

I respect your right to choose a home birth.I am not against home birth in the right situation with help ( including touching, looking and speaking) from a midwife.
I only ask that you respect the lived experience of posters who have had ANY kind of birth. You have no experience with of ANY kind of birth.
As I previously said, the potential for serious harm to occur must be acknowledged. My own baby would not have survived birth without the skilled ,hands on , early intervention of my midwife.
Is really upsetting to think of any one having a difficult birth without out real, suitable help. People are asking questions because they are concerned for you and your baby. Good luck.

So I have to respect other peoples experiences (not sure where I have been disrespectful), yet as I have mentioned previously on here - people have been quick to judge my decision for a homebirth, declining the first scan and wanting low intervention. Hey doesn't respect work both ways?

Like I say - I can't see where I have been disrespectful to women's birthing experiences here but I don't know, I am at the point where I clearly see that any response that I give is not good enough for any of you on here.

I asked a midwife on this thread, who has been very supportive of your decisions, whether there was increased risk in low intervention birth. She said…

”Yes. It does increase the risk of not making a timely intervention.”

You cannot be unhappy with people for pointing out risks that you must know you’re taking, and querying why you would take that increased risk.

They are your risks, and if you want to take them then fine, but you must acknowledge that they exist, and that other people reasonably question why you’d take them when it may harm your baby.

This thread demonstrates that medical schools and universities should just shut down as we can rely on the extensive Google research the poster and her husband have done on all matters relating scans, risks and so on. Should be nominated for Nobel prize 🔜

I do acknowledge they exist though? As I have previously mentioned, I have done a lot of research and assessed the pros and cons to come to this decision with my husband.

I am really not too sure how much clearer I can be on this - You have just said I must acknowledged the risks yet another poster has accused me of being a know it all 🫠

Literally cannot win LOL

I’d say any elevation in risk would be unacceptable, for me.

Okay, if you can accept (for example) that not allowing physical contact from your midwife will increase your risk of undetected problems, and still want to take that increased risk - there’s probably very little that anyone can sensibly say to you.

You've completely misunderstood that no intervention is 100% risk free! I guess 'there's probably very little anyone can sensible say to you' ☺️