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

You have a higher risk of dying in a car crash - do you avoid driving as this would technically be an 'unacceptable risk' for you?

You’re not actually explaining anything. You know that, right?

When the very clear question is “why would you have a midwife there who can’t touch you and therefore can’t as quickly determine any issues?”

Your answer appears to be “because I can 🤷🏻‍♀️.”

What you’re talking about is the equivalent of driving a car, but not wearing a seatbelt, because you’ve researched them.

Or having an accident, and not allowing a paramedic to strap you to a board because it’s your broken back and you know it best.

They’re both unacceptable additional risks.

Lots of women even in hospital births decline vaginal examinations for various reasons including SA, trauma etc, I know quite a few women who have done. Why is this angering everyone so much?! Aren’t most home births/low risk births majority ‘hands off’ unless necessary anyway?! Vaginal examinations can come with their own increased risk of infection so I don’t think the OP is being wildly unreasonable.

Nope! I’m referring to overall risk. The annual risk of dying in a car crash is roughly 0.015%, which is actually higher than the risk of many of the adverse outcomes that are often emphasised in childbirth discussions. Risk exists everywhere; the key point is proportionality and informed choice.

100% this! I don't want my labour to be constantly interrupted. Sadly one of my friends who has had 3 children (2 HB, 1 Hospital) experienced relentless interruption during her labour, her baby caught an infection from the VE's. She also contributes his health issues to the excesses examinations and the fact that she was constantly interrupted which in her words 'effed her off' as she just wanted to be left alone.

In terms of risk, I think we all make risk taking decisions every day. I drive a car, I’ve got a log fire, childbirth carries risk.

I think adding additional risk to those decisions isn’t sensible. So I wouldn’t drive a car without a seatbelt, I wouldn’t climb Everest without oxygen, I wouldn’t give birth and not allow a medical professional to option to touch me if required.

Mojo doesn’t come into it, I’m more comfortable without the safety of a seatbelt, I still wear one. Midwifes are I guess in this case, seatbelts and safety features 😂

But you're ignoring the fact that many interventions come with additional risks. You are assuming that the VE's for example are completely risk free and that not having them poses more of a risk which simply is not true.

I've had a little look on Aims and I personally wouldn't trust all of it.
This article https://www.aims.org.uk/journal/item/who-says-ultrasound-is-safe#4
references a study in Helsinki stating that there were only miscarriages in the scanned group. If you look at the actual journal you will see that's not true - perinatal mortality was significantly lower in the scanned group. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PII0140-6736(90)91941-3/fulltext

Sorry, not trying to be difficult but I'm a scientist and I always have to look into the original references in these types of articles. All I would say if be careful what you read (unless it's in a peer-reviewed journal!)

OP will you accept screening for low PAPP-A?

Low PAPP-A isn’t a diagnosis in itself; it’s a biochemical marker that only appears as part of combined screening. As I’m declining the first scan, I won’t be receiving PAPP-A results.

The absolute risks remain small and most outcomes women worry about are still well under 1%, and the majority of pregnancies with low PAPP-A are completely normal.

I am sure even with this response someone is going to label me something or give their opinion 🤣

I planned a HB with DD; my area has an excellent HB department and they even agreed for me to try even though I was high risk due to BMI.

Unfortunately I had to go to hospital as I had meconium in my waters but I don't regret trying for a HB and I was able to pass most of the early stages at home which was so calm (and in hindsight the last time I was alone for a long time!), baby was born only a couple of hours after arriving at hospital.

I have a friend who had a HB with her second and she had a great experience, they are much more hands off generally and if you want minimal interventions they'll support that. I think being in your own environment where you feel comfortable can make a huge difference so definitely go for it

The mere fact that you talk about the 'pros and cons' of the 12 week scan, when there are zero cons, and just vague references by you to the safety of them 'being sketchy' (it's not) does whatever you are believing is not mainstream science, which falls firmly and unequivocally on the side of the scan being 100% safe.

Have it, don't have it, whatever. But it day that is might not be safe IS woo, and it does raise flags about what other woo you believe.

I disagree that there are “zero cons.” Every screening test has benefits and limitations, including false positives, anxiety, and follow-on interventions. Acknowledging that is not anti-science — it’s how informed consent works. Pros/cons/benefits/risks - choose whatever language you’re comfortable with.

I’ve made an educated decision for my own pregnancy, and I’m comfortable with it. I’m not interested in having my intelligence or motives questioned.

Risking your own life by climbing Everest or risky sport is fine. No life of a baby involved. Selfish - absolutely.

You don’t stay at home waiting; you know when they will arrive.

As mentioned, I had my first baby in hospital as it was what I wanted. I never felt pressured to have a home birth.