How near to hospital do you need to live for a homebirth?

[Kathyis6incheshigh]

Sorry, I know it's not quite that clear-cut; I am sure last time I researched this online there was a recommended maximum distance (in driving time rather than miles) but I can't find one now. Does anyone know?
Thanks.

I was 30 mins from mine.

Sorry can't remember what it is either but tbh I'd go with your instinct. My first labour was v quick so I'd want to be closer than an average person would iykwim.

Also worth remembering that in an emergency you'd be transferred by ambulance so would probably get there a lot quicker than in your own car.

I am an hour and 15 mins by car - homebirth is pretty standard round here due to the distances to hospitals!

xxx

Thanks all. We are about 30 minutes when there is no traffic, usually more.
The thing is, ds came along much quicker than we expected and he was only 5 minutes away from being born in the footwell of the car. So we want to avoid that next time, but equally, don't want to end up going to hospital too early and getting sent home again (which happened with dd). However most of the people I know who have had home births have been 10-15 minutes away.

I am about an hour on a good day and an hour and a half on a busy day. I had DS2 at home and there was no mention of how close we are to a hospital.

My sister had her baby at home last week and is 30 mins away from her hospital. The hospital said their limit was 20mins by blue light but it varies by trust to trust I think.

Ah is there likely to be a local preferred limit? That makes sense.