HOMEBIRTH - your thoughts and advice

[iamwhaticallpregnant]

Hi all - I attended a 'homebirth' talk yesterday where the midwife advocated homebirth. To be honest she made giving birth in a hospital sound like the worst experience ever. fluorescent lights, strangers, shared toilets, invasive checks, bad rooms, exposure etc and implied that itll make your labour longer and more painful because yourbody will not like its surroundings.
On the homebirth side she made it sound like heaven. dimmed lighting and private, relaxing, safe, 2 midwives, your own birthing pools, all your choices and natural. She insisted it was "just as safe as a hospital birth" which previously we had thought was not the case so we completely discounted home births.
my partner and I are more or less convinced - but she was obviously biased ,,,, so - what do you think? and what are your experiences?

a bit of info about me - I am TERRIFIED irrationally of birth, incredibly anxious, terrified about being exposed/ having no dignity.

[AmericasTorturedBrow]

OP I honestly just advocate doing as much research as you can and going for what makes you feel the least anxious, as this is clearly a huge issue for you. Talk to your local MW team as everyone's experience will be different based on locations as well as how we all labour differently anyway.

Try not to let the talk colour your view either way, it does sons very unprofessional but makes a massive change from being told you're selfish for not wanting your baby in a hospital. For every story of a baby dying at home there's another of one dying in hospital, for every life saved at home there's one in hospital - bone of us know what outcomes there would have been had we opted differently so the least you can do is huge yourself a good headstart.

Don't worry love, your body has been preparing for this and all things being equal it knows what to do. Good luck!

[emmyloo2]

I had a straight forward and very positive labour experience in hospital and would not want to give birth anywhere else. I had midwives and had minimal intervention - no epidural, just gas and air. Was allowed to give birth in the position I was most comfortable with. However, for me, I wanted to safety and security of a hospital. There have been several cases where I live of babies dying during homebirths because the midwives didn't act quickly enough and it was demonstrated, through the coronial enquiry process, that the babies would have survived had the babies been born in a hospital. I don't want to give birth at home. I wanted modern medicine available to me - this is why rates of maternal mortality have dropped. I want every safety to be available to me.

[Springforward]

FWIW what the MW advocates may not be what she would choose for herself. At a recent MW appointment the woman stopped burbling on about local hyponobirthing classes just long enough to tell me that she had personally chosen to go consultant-led so she could have an epidural as she "didn't do pain". Refreshing change after NCT classes the first time round, I have to admit....

[DaveMccave]

I think she was right. I had my first in hospital. Hated it. Very invasive and over medicalised and the environment did make me very nervous. Planning a home birth this time. I advise you read and read and read about birth. The more informed you are the less scared you will be.

[rrreow]

Oh by the way I'm going to plan for another homebirth this time around! But having had a good experience with the hospital I won't be worried about transferring in, or possibly taking the decision to go to the birthing centre instead. I will see how I feel when I actually go into labour.

Since DS1 arrived we no longer have a room free for the birthing pool and I'd love to have a water birth (although there obviously isn't a guarantee that a pool would be free at the hospital when the time comes).

I had DS1 with just gas & air (although I did actually ask for an epidural, but there wasn't time!) and they do provide that for homebirths in my area so that's good to know. I don't think I'd plan for a homebirth if I knew I couldn't have g&a.

[rrreow]

I planned for a homebirth with DC1. Got a pool and everything. I am not very relaxed in strange places (I have IBS and I get really constipated when I'm in strange places, so I didn't want to be 'constipated' with a baby, iyswim and not be able to labour effectively because of being in a strange place).

As it happened I had to be induced so I didn't even get to go into labour naturally and never got to have my homebirth. My fears about not being out of my comfort zone on labour ward just ended up being not applicable. Once the pain really set in I couldn't have cared where I was or who was around me, and my body just took over and pushed the baby out without me actually 'doing' anything.

I think I was lucky though in that my labour only lasted 3 hours and my body just did stuff. If my labour had been very long and protracted I think I may have felt less comfortable. I did spend the night before in hospital (on the labour ward, had my own room as I was being induced) and it wasn't very comfortable (I think I slept for about 3 hours, but partly that was to do with terrible itching). It would've been much nicer to sleep in my own bed.

[LeBFG]

"She said that your body stops the process when it doesnt feel comfortable."

I wish this was true - I was desperately uncomfortable in hospital trying to stop a preterm labour this time two years ago. Did diddly-squat to stop the labour .

Pity the MW talk had the effect it did. I think the main thing OP is to make a positive choice at this stage. Whatever you choose (and it sounds like you've sorted this out now) do it for positive reasons (e.g. I want rapid access to pain relief) rather than negative, fearful reasons (e.g. I want to stay at home because I don't like lots of people at hospital).

This means you have made the choice, you're in control and it's always easier to tackle your fears if you feel in control.

[DoNotDisturb]

I had my first (and second) at home. I hate hospitals and felt that I'd be more relaxed at home. Home births are great but I think you have to believe that you're in the right place. I knew that I'd panic in a hospital and felt completely relaxed and empowered at home.

I guess what I'm saying is that if you have any doubts about being at home then maybe it's not for you. Doubts will be magnified once the labour starts..

[ReallyTired]

The pain of a natural birth is not as bad as an induction because your body has time to build up to the pain. Natural endorphins do help a little bit with pain relief. Not all women need an epidural. Childbirth is not the same for all women, women who manage with no pain relief aren't any braver. There are circumstances where having an epidural is the most sensible thing in the world.

I'm glad I had a homebirth for dd as labour was so quick. We would never had made the hospital. I am also glad I had a hospital birth for ds and had the epidural.

[aufaniae]

"She said that your body stops the process when it doesnt feel comfortable."

Well, this is true AFAIK. But, hospital is not necessarily a nightmare.

I haven't had a homebirth (high risk last time and this so not an option) but I would consider it if I was allowed.

For me, not having access to an epidural would be an issue for homebirth. I was open minded about whether I needed one the first time, although my preferred option was not. In the end I was induced. The pain was horrendous! There was no question about not needing an epidural! I have no idea what the pain will be like for me if I wasn't induced, it could well be manageable - however if it was like that I'd need one again. If I was in your situation, the fact that I'd be 5 minutes from the hospital would reassure me on this front, (you can wait a while for an anaesthetist to come even if in hospital!) So I think you're OK there.

Your local hospital doesn't sound particularly good as far as making an environment comfortable for labouring women. I wonder if this is why your midwife was so biased about homebirth?

In your shoes I would be tempted to give the homebirth option serious consideration, particularly as you're so near to the hospital and can go in any time.

However if you do decide to go in (which is perfectly understandable!) please remember you can do things like dim the lights you want to. When you get into the room, you could even push the bed up against the wall (if you want to). You could take the mattress off the bed and put it on the floor if this felt more comfortable to you. You can have music playing etc. When it seems like a medical environment we're used to giving control over such things to the medical staff, but actually in labour you can do what you like to change the environment (within reason!).

As an total aside, the thing I missed last time which I think would have really helped me deal with labour, was music. This time, I'm going to have an iPod, with a playlist of my favourite tunes which I like hearing really loud, and I'm going to blast the out while having contractions and on the gas & air.

I like the idea of it being on the iPod so I can have it as loud as I like without worrying about others present.

[ReallyTired]

Hospital births have risks and so do homebirths. If you have a hospital birth then you have to share a midwife with 3 other women. To make matters worse the midwife who is looking after 4 women maybe newly qualified.

If you have a homebirth you have the exclusive attention of a highly experienced midwife for the the first stage and two midwives for the second stage. Complications tend to be picked up faster because you get more attention. Midwives are highly trained professionals who can deal with a lot of emergencies like a cord wrapped round a baby's head. The can even do resusitation.

The biggest danger of a home birth is a prolapsed cord because it needs a rapid c-section. However a prolapsed cord usually happens if the presentation is a breech or the presentaiton is not quite right.

Even then a prolapsed cord is extremely dangerous in a hospital enviromnent. I know a little girl who was severely brain damaged from a prolapsed cord because the one midwive was far too rushed off her feet in the hospital.

People do have positive hospital births and having a homebirth is no guarentee that everything will be lovely. I had a hospital birth for my first and home for my second. Both birth experiences were good.

[RhinestoneCowgirl]

OK, I've had 2 homebirths, but I think the talk your MW gave sounds awful! I know that it's their job to prepare you for all eventualities but I think hospital-bashing is not helpful.

I chose homebirth because I knew the care I got would be more consistent, a MW comes out to you when you are in established labour and then another comes when birth is imminent. Having that 1-1 care during labour (they monitor the baby with hand held doppler) means that you're not left on your own. It's a lot more likely that issues that might be a problem are picked up at an earlier stage.

I always knew that I had the option to transfer to hospital, and that I might be advised to do so. In my first hb the MW who first came out was ultra cautious (I had a slightly raised temp, but it was during a heatwave). She sent us in to the mat unit in the middle of the night to get checked out. I sat hooked up to a monitor for 30 mins and as everything was fine we went home. I was offered the option to stay as contractions were strong and every 5 mins. DS was born at home at about 2pm the next day.

[RoxyLady]

Id rather be in a hospital where I know I can get immediate care for my baby then being in my home

[bigbadbarry]

The other thing to think about is that most things that need hospital intervention do not happen very quickly. If they happen in hospital it might feel quick because you are left on your own! But at home with a midwife there all the time there is every chance that she will be able to say peacefully and calmly look, I think you should go in. If it is for an EMCS they will know you are coming and have it all set up ready (and it doesn't happen instantly in a hospital either: they have to prep and find the people...). I think your decision sounds very sensible, best of both worlds (except I think you should be prepared to not feel like getting in the car!) - and I agree with the people who say maybe have a chat with another midwife.

[iamwhaticallpregnant]

tomato - it wasnt even a talk about homebirths - it was supposed to be about having an 'active' birth and she said that she wasnt going to advocate home births but the entire talk turned into a homebirth talk. Honestly - I have never ever listened to such a biased talk. But even my usually very level headed partner was completely sold. She kept saying hospital births have never reduced any risk to the child/ that we were never meant to give birth in a hospital/ listed the terrors of a hospital birth/ talked about how amazing home births were/ listed writers that advocated homebirths that still werent taken seriously by medical professionals. I can't imagine a single woman leaving there who didnt feel that they HAD to have a homebirth.

[iamwhaticallpregnant]

thanks Leannac - I completely get you. That is what the woman said yesterday - that you have nothing to lose - and I do like the idea of having gas and air at home. I will speak to this woman later and hopefully she can help. But I agree with the people who have said as it is the first baby to resort to a hospital first time.

[tomatoplantproject]

Just read your last post - she sounds really unprofessional and pushing her own agenda. You might want to talk it through with a different midwife. I look back on my own experience and am just so very grateful that there was such a good team waiting in the background who swooped in to assist when things didn't go to plan.

[leannac]

I had a v traumatic delivery with dd 20 months ago & as a result I am now terrified of labour even more than I was last time. I've been through all the options 00's of times & have decided for my next birth (I'm 36wks now) that I am going to try a homebirth. Its a really hard decision especially given everything that went wrong last time but I really believe that if you're not in the right frame of mind during labour (& in hospital again I imagine would be pitiful gibbering crying wreck again) that you can seriously slow down your labour & make things worse for yourself. I am going to gamble that being at home will be more familiar & comfortable & hope that the difference that makes to my mental state will help with the physical side of labour too.

Plus as my midwife pointed out, by booking a home birth what have you got to lose? They will bring everything to the house & get you all set up for a home birth but you can change your mind at any stage at all, even if first contraction makes you think you might need stronger pain relief in hospital, you can always head in. But once you are in hospital if you don't like it you can hardly turn around & ask for a home birth then.

So what would you have to lose by booking it? Worst case scenario that halfway through you decide to give up & go into hospital, at least you'll have laboured more comfortably at home up to that point as will have access to gas & air etc.

I'm kind of trying to convince myself of the above too. Its got to be true! Its horrible thinking of making the wrong decision for such am important event so I totally know where all your panic is coming from!

[tomatoplantproject]

I think that sounds like a good decision. I don't know about you but if I'm anxious about something I try and prepare - so pack your bags with some nice treats (my jelly babies got eaten after rathe than during the birth though!) and maybe meet with a local doula, look at hypno birthing etc. Keep your eye on the outcome too - your prize for going through birth is so special! Mine as snuggled in feeding in a very drowsy way!!

[iamwhaticallpregnant]

Thanks Merci - he knows how i feel. I want no one in there (not even my partner really!) and would love dimmed lights and access to the pool but I think it is entirely down to luck what happens and what you are allocated. The woman honestly made it just sound as bleak as you can imagine. She said women aren't supposed to give birth in a hospital. She said that your body stops the process when it doesnt feel comfortable. I am a gibbering wreck and wish we hadnt gone. I was actually feeling semi ok before hand and now i can't stop crying.

[mercibucket]

it is v hard in the last few weeks, i have always been v anxious. your decision sounds a good compromise. you could also start prepping your dp so he knows what you want and can ask for you eg access to the pool, an inflatable ball, to stay upright, to keep the lights off, to keep people out if not needed etc.

[iamwhaticallpregnant]

Merci - yes I have called and left a message but I think I have decided that i will labour at home for as long as possible and then go to the hospital at the end stage. I think if something bad happened we would never ever ever forgive ourselves if anything went wrong and we weren't at a hospital.

I am completely shattered after the talk. I am actually quite angry at the nurse who made it seem to us all that you were doing a disservice to your baby if you went to the hospital.

[mercibucket]

i travelled to hospital at 8cm in our car and tbh i'd rather have gone in an ambulance! way faster and less bumpy!

op, there must be a replacement for your mw, i'd really recommend phoning and asking for a chat. it sounds like last minute jitters, and who can blame you !!

[shelley72]

personally, i am in favour of home births. i know you dont have consultants on hand, theatres, epidurals etc. but you do have a midwife (two for the birth) that stays with you and monitors you and the baby constantly. and would get you to hospital if needed, though how quickly i guess depends on how far you are away from the hospital and how busy ambulances are that day.
saying that i attempted a home birth with my first DC, and ended up being blue lighted to hospital as the little monkey turned his head and i just couldnt push him out. DD was breech so ELCS, but i too had already planned a home birth with her.

for me, i found being in my own environment much more relaxing, had a great labour with DS with just G&A (the end once i got to hospital wasnt great). i absolutely hate hospitals, hate the idea of unnecessary inervention, being hurried if i wasnt progressing at the speed they wanted. obviously safe delivery of the baby is the most important thing. i know things can go wrong at home, as they can with all births and to try for a home birth was a decision that i made after gathering lots of information about the relative 'safety' and speaking to our CMWs.

am now pg with DC3 and feel very that i will never get my home birth. i think if you had a MLU in your area that may be a good compromise? good luck with whatever you decide.