Childbirth - which is the greater risk?

[Coffeenofilter]

Due to give birth in the coming weeks. Am just sitting here (over)thinking.

The prospect of midwife appointments, not knowing who else the midwife has been seeing, followed by a day or 2 in hospital for the birth, on a shared ward with goodness knows who, being treated by medics who don't get a say in who they treat (and it's hardly as if someone who may be carrying the virus can be told to come back and give birth in a few weeks when they're definitely in the clear), is frankly terrifying right now.

But, having had a previous c-section plus a bad vbac, I'm not sure a home birth is my best option either?

Honestly I want to just stay home and give birth on my own with just my husband here, given that we're already "extreme social distancing", and working from home, only going out for food when needed. It seems daft to then invite midwives into our home and risk introducing the virus at the point of birth.

But which is the greater risk? Childbirth alone at home, or being in hospital surrounded by goodness knows what and who?

Ugh. Oh for the worries of a few months ago when it was "c-section or vaginal?"...

Child birth alone at home is a greater risk to the survival of the baby than being in the hospital. In August, that may have changed.

Depends on what you mean by "coming weeks".

6 weeks.

I just worry about the baby or me picking something up whilst in, and having to stay in longer etc.

But then, giving birth at home could lead to complications meaning we'd have to go in anyway...

I guess I want to know what my chances are of having a smooth delivery at home on my own :(

Also have older kids, so want to reduce the risk of bringing anything home or having to be separated from them for weeks.

I am 31 weeks and a few saga and am already worrying. Esp as someone has died of the virus in the hospital. I am trying to tell myself that they would have been well isolated and they wouldn't want to introduce anything into a maternity ward and would be very careful.

Not an hcp but I think we would need more info. Did you need a lot of intervention for the vbac?

I'm 27 weeks so not as far along as you but is just so difficult being pregnant right now. Sorry that doesn't help or answer anything

@Coffeenofilter I’m having the exact same worries OP. I have four more midwife appointments before giving birth and am terrified about exposing myself to the virus, not only in the surgery waiting room but also from the midwife herself, who will have come into close contact with lots of different women.

I'm considering a homebirth now (this isn't my first baby)

I would not be birthing at home if it was a VBAC though. Absolutely too risky in my opinion

I feel so awful for anyone, not just pregnant women, who is having to contemplate unavoidable medical treatment right now. I wish I could just continue to gestate for another couple of years to see how it all pans out...

Sorry to those of you with similar worries.

My vbac wasn't horrendous. Just a 50hr labour, followed by episiotomy and they had me in theatre fully prepped for emcs within seconds if they hadn't got her out. So not loads of blood loss or anything. Just a bit frantic at the end.

And I figure that having had once vaginal delivery since my section, surely that's a good sign that my body can, eventually (!), get a baby out naturally!

I just want to cancel all medical things. @wondering7777 the waiting room scares me too. I've spent weeks listening to "DON'T GO TO THE GP SURGERY. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES VISIT THE SURGERY" etc, to now be told to pop in for a blood pressure check and a bump measure??!! It just doesn't seem essential anymore!!

I did a hi for my third pregnancy (long labour)) and it went very well and I think they could still do an episiotomy if needed.

Can you see if your midwife can discuss it with you?

You could also consider an independent midwife?