Homebirth in Hackney

[Fufulina]

Hello - I'm 20 weeks and due at the end of November. I'm planning a homebirth and live in Hackney (midwife care at Green Lanes and hospital care at Homerton). Has anyone had any experience of home birth in hackney? What is their attitude?

Thanks very much in advance.

I didn't have a HB but my mw encouraged me to think about it. I got the impression they were pretty positive. What has your mw said?

Just that we'll chat at 36 weeks - and reading poor Starlight's thred below this one suddenly gave me the fear that unless I talk about it sooner, I won't know how they feel about it and will just add additional stress when am the size of a house and potentially even more emotional!!

What about ringing the mw line at the Homerton? I think I talked about a home birth before 36 weeks (fuzzy memory) but a lot seems to have changed this time (am currently 16w with DC2).

FWIW I found the H pretty good for giving birth, though there were some problems with shift changes. All clean and the mw led unit was nice. Didn't get my water birth though

Thanks Effie - will do that, actually. Had a pretty rubbish midwife appointment today as well, so generally feeling all a bit overwhelmed if you know what I mean.

I planned a HB in hackney, supported by my midwife. But, and this is very common in Hackney, no community midwife on duty EITHER DAY I was in labour to come out to me and I ended up going in to the Homerton. Tried facing it out but lost my nerve.

I found out subsequently that this is a major issue for hackney, very supportive but not enough midwives to support everyone when it comes to it. So I would mentally prepare youself for a hospital birth if necessary, which isn't so bad. x

Fan-sodding-tastic. Spudballoo - when you say facing it out - what do you mean? Just sitting tight and demanding my rights to be attended in labour at home?

My general feeling is that they are a bit crap this time round. Partly because all our mw are from the H rather than based at the surgery so neither knows what each other is doing IYSWIM. 16 weeks and still no notes (finally see the mw for the 1st time this week). Gah.

If you really want a HB, have you thought about an independent mw?

Effie - I am starting to seriously consider it now, actually. Just think the idea of having someone absolutely on your side would make an immense difference, iyswim? Can't believe you have no notes at 16 weeks! I would have been crawling the walls with frustration.

I have 2 friends who were told by the Homerton that they couldn't guarantee there would be midwives available for their homebirth. One ended up using an IM, the other had her baby in the hospital. I can recommend a very good IM who covers that area if you're interested?

no, perfectly calm about the whole thing...

I am looking into hiring a doula (note to self: discuss with DH) as a kind of halfway house. But a friend had an independent mw for her first and was v pleased with the support (she ended up being transferred to hospital anyway in the end, but I think some things are out of your control)

Hi SP - I would like the details of the IM, please - that would be great. And am assumning the 1976 is birth year..?? Same as me!

Effie - also thought Doula, and am looking into both, but for me if the issue is Hackney being understaffed, I think I might go the IM route...

Chances are we won't be living in Hackney when DC2 arrives so planning the birth is a bit previous for me atm

If I could afford it, I would def consider an IM. And a doula. Can you have both?

I have had two births at Homerton. I had an IM both times; for the first time I was planning (in theory) to attempt a homebirth, but wasn't dependent on the Homerton midwives for this (am out of area technically) as I had an IM. But I have consistently heard this about Homerton, them agreeing enthusiastically about a home birth but then not having the staff on the day. I know they are not SUPPOSED to do this and you're legally entitled, etc. But it may be something you have to face up to realistically and plan for.

Yes, born in 1976 - a great year clearly!! My friend used The London Birth Practice for her first baby and has booked the same midwife (Elke Heckel) for her second, due in September - She really loved her. Although, I think she said she might be taking a sabatical at the end of the year... Good luck!

ooh my friend had Nina as her IM

obv a good bunch of people

Nina does sling workshop as well

Ladies - thanks so so much. Will give them a go. Good luck Effie with the move

Friend 1 - inexperienced midwife. Mother, baby and midwife taken into hospital in shock.
Friend 2 - midwife turns up with empty gas & air canister. No staff to bring replacement. No pain relief.

But other women have had good experiences

My mate had a planned hb in Hackney supported by the midwives. She had two turn up and everything went really really well. She had heard they might not be able to guarantee, but it was fine.

I am planning a home birth in Hackney (currently 36 weeks) and so far have been really impressed with the care. You might want to try speaking to the head of the hb team, who is great and seems to have really improved things since she joined a year ago. Apparently they are much better staffed now so you are far less likely to be told that no one is available to come out to you. But I am also hiring a doula so that I have someone to be assertive on my behalf if that does happen.

There is also an independent Hackney hb support group which seems very good. I can give you contact details if you want.

I've had a fair few clients who have had homebirths under the Homerton. Talk to the homebirth team and take it from there. They are rather lovely.

Yes if you want an IM and a doula you can have both. I supported a client who used Elke (mentioned further down in the thread).

The homebirths that I've attended have been good, some have transferred in. If you do have a homebirth (or plan one) and end up transferring, your doula will go with you.

As Mars says the new Homerton homebirth team are ace. You can self-refer to them (DM me for the mobile number) and they give great antenatal support.

I've supported women through homebirths with the new team and I've been very impressed.