Home birth in Central Scotland...Anyone had/going to have one?

[emmabemmasmom]

I am going to look into a home birth for #2...very last min as I am due in 5 weeks. However, upon doing some research, I discovered that certain areas can be harder to get a home birth for various reasons.

I was just wondering if there was anyone in my area (Central Scotland/Falkirk) who has had one, and if they had any difficulty in getting the MW to agree...

Going to talk to my scary MW tomorrow so a little nervous!

Hi

I started a home birth in Edinburgh 17 months ago (transferred to hospital). I didnt' have any difficulty getting the midwife to agree. I also had some support from a doula from the scottish doula network www.scottishdoulanetwork.co.uk/
hth

I have asked for one in Glasgow. I'm due in August.

The consultant was dead agasinst it, but the midwife was really keen on it.

Nobody said I couldn't have one, it was definitely up to me.

i would go for it if that's what you want.

Thank you all for the replies!

I am about 30 min (ish) from Stirling...can get there in 20 if in labour with how DH drives lol But I know if it got bad they would call an ambulance anyway.

I spoke to my MW today and she did seem a little freaked out that I waited until now to say, but I did tell her nobody has asked about my birthplan or even looked at it anyway soooo...

She seemed supportive but made me feel like there was a lot to do and not a lot of time to do it in. Although, how much can there be? They have to come out to do a risk assessment, drop there crap off and then wait...I have more to do than that!

Waiting for a call tomorrow to tell me if we all systems go or if I have to give up the dream...

All depends on the 'higher ups' that she needs to speak to...

No complications, was seeing the consultant to complain about the lack of 20 week scans!!

She said that she only sees births where things are going wrong and is therefore biased against home births.

the midwifes were delighted that i wanted a home birth.

I have had 2 homebirths and live in Lanarkshire, we are about 10-15 mins from Wishaw General.

Babies 2 and 3 for me, both went very well, lovely experiences and being at home rocked.

Only thing is now when ANYONE finds out DD2 and 3 were born at home they are always and want the whole story, I sometimes feel like a freak as noone else I know (apart from MN) has had a HB.

I'm in central scotland too and certainly hbs have never been mentioned as an option like they are in some places. If I'd been really keen, I guess I could have pushed for one, but Stirling with ds was fine so just thought I'd do the same again.

Given that Stirling has only just got a waterbirth facility though, it does seem to be taking it's time catching up with some areas.

I had a HB in Edinburgh last September with DD2 which was great. They are very supportive of HB in the Lothians so would hope you'll get the same in Falkirk. Your midwife is maybe panicking if they have lots of other women wanting HB's at the same time as it means they have to put more midwives on call in case you all go into labour at the same time! But you're right, they just need to arrange for all the stuff to be delivered 2 wks before your EDD and come round to your house for a risk assessment, they also need to come and check that your gases are okay once the hospital service have delivered them. My next door neighbour is a midwife so it was all very easy for us!

As I said I had a great experience, the only thing was that while my team of midwives were very supportive and fantastic at the birth I did get the slight feeling that it was a bit of a chore for them but then I probably wouldn't relish being woken up in the middle of the night to deal with someone else's labour.

Best of luck.

I live in Alloa and so have Buttercup as my mw team. Due in August when I first saw mw and every visit so far have said that I am very keen on a HB. Some mw's have been fine but the sister mw that I was seen by just a few days ago was pretty awkward and VERY DRAMATIC about it all! Did a fair amount of research before talking to them in detail and found the team leader mw to be great but not all of the others.

So far my care has been pretty haphazard with almost no information being given to me, unless I ask specific questions but if I get a little stubborn suddenly I can be given all the information. I found out that in Forth Valley less than 1% of births are HB and for buttercup which apparently are the busiest for HB of all of the teams, this means just 1 or 2 births a year!! I was not expecting it to be that low!

Personally I hate being told what to do so when the awkward mw told me that in labour I would just 'have to do as I was told' it was pretty clear she is not the type of mw that I hope for so I will just keep asking my questions (until I get answers! ) and keep going for a HB unless some can give me clear reason why it should not be for me (no reason as yet!).

It is your body and your baby, and so for me, your choice although you need all of the information to make an informed decision but this does not mean dictation from any mw!!

Hi - I'm in Fife, and due in July. My mw hasn't been particularly accommodating, as at my home visit appointment she wrote on my notes that I was to give birth at Forth Park maternity in Kirkcaldy (about 45 mins from where I live) and said that she doesn't recommend hb for first time mothers. Matter closed, no discussion!

I have basically been brooding on this for a while, and got in touch with a local home birth support group who have been fantastic. They recommended that I write to my supervisor of midwives, and say what had happened (you can email them too if you feel that that's slightly less formal!) and I got an email back from her yesterday that providing my pregnancy remains uncomplicated, then I can have my hb, but I have to discuss everything with my mw on Tuesday when I see her for my 22 week check-up.

I'm going to be really prepared though, I'm taking DH with me for support, and I'm going to be firm. I understand fully the risks associated with it, and I am prepared to forego the hb if any complications arise (and will be willing to transfer to hospital should the need arise) but I do want the opportunity to try and give birth at home, not just be told no from the outset.

Also, something I have learned at the home birth group is that it is your choice, and if you're making an informed choice and you're willing to be flexible should you need to do something different that birth at home, then they cannot be wholly unreasonable and tell you no! One great website is the AIMS website, there's alot of good info on there if you're considering a homebirth and you're meeting with opposition from your care team.

Hope that helps - I'm so nervous about tuesday incase she's confrontational, but I'm trying to stay positive

Stirling not the greatest advocates for HB. Contact Head of Midwifery or the KCND midwife and state that you plan to have a HB and need them to organise suitably confident and supportive mw be assigned to your case.
With Stirling are you HAVE to go to the top!

Gillybean, again if you're not getting support ask to speak to KCND midwife to arrange suitable care. The mw in the midwive led unit are fab though, so you may wish to consider there as opposed to the labour suite.

Woowake - I also live in Alloa and was with the Buttercup team - was the awkward sister midwife one who goes by the initials KS by any chance?