Info to help DM understand my choice for a Homebirth.

[Cazzr]

Had my booking in appointment with my WONDERFUL midwife who actually got excited when I mentioned I wanted to try for a homebirth for DC2 (aparently not many people do in our area).

So, was at my parents place this weekend for some rest and relaxation and the conversation come up about the birth and mum asked which hospital I was going to this time...
Cue uncomfortable pause before mentioning I was planning a home birth (preferably waterbirth like with DS).
It was not met well.. Of course she is worried about my/the baby's safety but I had hoped for more interest especially as I'd mentioned it previously to getting pg. She basically thinks i'm nuts.. :/

So, despite trying to explain how it all works etc I think I need some more 'official' information to give to her to read...
She used to work for NHS on an orthopeadic ward (auxillary tho rather than medically trained) and had my sister (prem) and I (breech cesarean) in hospital over 30 years ago.

Of course, she understands it's my choice but i'd like it if she were a bit more accepting of my decision.
Hospital is about 20 mins blue light away.

NHS/ College of Midwives official advice on homebirth? Does your hospital have an online info leaflet on choosing where to give birth (mine does, with a big section on home births).

I had a brilliantly successful homebirth, also 20 min blue light from the hospital.

Many studies show that it is no more dangerous than any other birth - providing that your pre-natal medical advisors agree that you are low risk.

Community midwives are very experienced and will advise you to move to hospital if required and it would take at least 20 mins for a theatre to be prepared for a c-section wherever you are labouring so you shouldn't be at any greater risk from starting a low risk labour at home.

I think the main worry is if there were problems at the time of birth/post. I guess things like if I hemorrhaged cos I know they are fully trained in cpr for baby etc.

Will take a look for info mentioned above re: college of midwives.
Thanks.

Also think google might help, tho trawling through the rubbish could be fun... :)

My mother-in-law is also sceptical of our home birth plans but is keeping politely out of it. Having said that, she also views breastfeeding with some suspicion so it's no surprise!

The homebirth.org website is brilliant, with loads of positive stories and Q&As.

I had a fantastic (and unplanned!) homebirth with DC1, and desperately wanted one for this baby (am 38 weeks today). Because of placenta praevia, I am not allowed a homebirth this time, so you can reassure your mum that you'll only be able to go ahead with your homebirth plan if it's a totally straightforward pregnancy.

One of the main selling points for a homebirth for me was that it would be much less stressful (no nasty fluorescent lighting, for one thing!), and that it would be so much easier to arrange care for DC1 (he could have stayed downstairs with a relative while I laboured up in the bedroom). As it stands now, it's all going to be a bit complicated if I go into labour before my planned CS date.

i Have had three HBs and each has been a relaxed experience - good stats -

1. HB is less painful (studies show less reported pain)
2. fewer injuries/ 50% rate of c/s from comparable births - so safer for you in that respect
3. just as safe for the infant.

homebirths are known to progress faster also.

geneally you will receive 1:1 care from a very experienced midwife, which you would be unlikely to get in hospital.

as a second-timer you have a 90% chnce of ccompleting your delivery there without transfer. Most transfers are for pain relief.

My friends and family were all like this in varying degrees when I mentioned our plans to have dc3 at home. Ds1 spent time on scbu. Homebirth appealed as both ds's were very quick labours that I only used some g and a.

My dm and dmil (who are both normally completely supportive of my parenting decisions and never interfere) both on different occasions asked me questions along the lines of "are you still planning this homebirth idea?"

Luckly it was the most amazing experience and dd1 was born over night so both ds's slept through it and we didn't need any childcare. It was lovely also as my lovely community midwife who had looked after me for all three preg, was on call and she delivered her.

Ironically since our homebirth I have over heard (at family parties and on the phone to friends) both of my parents and my dmil almost bragging about it! "oh and she had the baby at home don't you know" !!

I'm sure that all of their reservations are out of concern and we would prob feel just the same in their position. Best of luck and I hope you get your wishes and have a very special experience!

wow, after a quick google and read I come back to find lots more replies, thanks!

Stiffy: thanks, I found that website actually and have the information ready now for her to browse at her leisure. :)

Labour with DS was fine, despite needing to be induced (pessary only). I was contracting for a long time, started at 2 mins and stayed there just got stronger, but didn't dialate at all until getting into the pool. 4 hours later DS shot out like a torpedo! LOL

I swear things were slow to start dialating to start with because I wasn't relaxed enough.
The overnight stay in hospital afterwards was not something I look on fondly.
We got to the postnatal ward and DH was promptly kicked out and I was left to it more or less. I barely slept and when I did it was uncomfortable as the bed was, wait for it, too short! (i'm 6ft 2).
We left at 2pm the next day and despite a rough first night home felt much happier.

The thought of travelling anywhere in a car whilst in the throes of labour fills me with dread and so long as things progress nicely without complications, I WILL be staying home. :) Just hope DM is not so anti it by then (only nearly 11 weeks now)..

Currently browsing La Bassine pools.

Your local NCT may have a home birth group. In my area they are a really helpful group of experts & you don't have to be a member/give to the charity.
I took my partner to a meeting of theirs. I wanted more info, he was sceptical because it wasn't something he had ever thought about, but he REALLY came round to the idea while he was there & we are both hoping to have a successful homebirth asap (currently 3 days overdue)
There was a woman at the meeting who had brought her mother along too.

OO sorry I missed this reply.
Thanks for the advice estya and hope your homebirth goes to plan. :)

Had homebirth for DS2. Was a water birth. Most amazinfg experience EVER!

Midwife said that in the event of any sign of a problem she would get an ambulance and I would be whisked off to hosital without question. She also said if I needed an emergency C section in a hospital it would still take up to half an hour to get the team together and this can be done whilst I am being transported. She also said that if there were any problems after the birth there would be 2 ambulances - one for me and one for the baby!

Friend planned a homebirth for DC2 having had one for DC1. All went a bit quicker second time and her DH ended up delivering the baby while midwife was enroute. Ambulance was sent, checked Mum and baby over (all fine) and left.

I would say go for it! Your midwife will not take any risks! You will have a much happier and more relaxed birth (I watched Dirty Dancing while in the pool - missed the water lift by 2 minutes!!).

Good luck x

I planned a homebirth with dd and met with some raised eyebrows. I did start out by trying to educate but found in a lot of cases that it made no difference. So in the end I took the line of 'well this is what's happening'. Of course when it all didn't go to plan, I was met with a lot of 'I told you so' type comments.

I was v well looked after at home. I had 2 midwives at all times, I was well monitored, as was dd. Obviously as I mentioned above it didn't go to plan and I had to transfer in (for an em cs) and even though they knew I was coming, I still had a 2hr wait at the hospital for a theatre slot (anaesthetists all busy). And this was at 10cms dilated for the previous 8hrs.

I guess what I mean is, being at hospital didn't make the speed of care any better (slowed it down if anything), I was brilliantly looked after and if I had another I'd try for a HBAC.

Reading this thread with interest as I am in the same possition. Would you be able to share things you find? I've been reading lots and will also post some links later.

If you decide to go for a wtaer birth at home, I can highly recommend 'Birth pool in a box'

I know when we were hoping for a HWB (now ruled out by me having OC) it helped to discuss it with concerned family members. Pretty much all their specific concerns were situations where I would've already been trasnferred to hospital.

I've decided not to bother trying to convince MiL, and my mother is keeping her thoughts to herself.

It's partly just a generation thing - my grandmothers are both very positive about the idea, since they had their 2nd babies at home (no choice, you weren't allowed to go to hosp!), and much preferred it to their rather grim 1950s hospital experiences.

Hospital maternity care was in some ways much better for my MiL's generation in 1970s, especially postnatally. And just generally mothers not treated like crap in hospital, which let's face it we often are now. So the 3 generations aren't comparing like with like.

I can only echo what other people have reported. Had a home birth with DS now 2, great experience, had one to one care from a very experienced midwife - 2nd one only just made it in time. Midwives don't take risks so be assured that they will blue light you to hospital if required. I was 37 and first timer so did not fit the obvious criteria for home birth but it wasn't a problem.

Good luck!