Well that went well. GP very anti-homebirth...

[Ceolas]

Are they all?

Went to see him this morning as CMW said I had to go through GP to see them (turns out that is nonsense). After arranging appt with MW he asked where I'd like to have the baby. I said at home.

He physically recoiled. We then spent the next 10 mins arguing about the safety of HB. He felt it was an unneccessary risk and basically said that everything I'd read was biased.

Have appt with CMW on Thursday and don't feel hopeful

Meeting with IM next week but still weighing up with DH whether we can afford it.

Many GPs are I think - mine is and i have had 2 homebirths as luckily the midwifes are much more behind them.

Talk to the midwife and see what she says - you don't need to see the GP at all during your pregnancy.

Mine is awfully keen. Loads of women have home births around here. SHe and the MW were really disappointed when they decided a home birth wouldn't be appropriate for me. And I'd never even suggested one...

mine was keenish but have heard that lots arent. If you are low-risk and have a supportive MW you should be fine.

Did you have CMWs Enid?

There's no point arguing with him, I doubt anything you could say will change his mind. It's nothing to do with him anyway - he won't be expected to deliver the baby, that's the midwife's job! And community midwives are obliged to support you too, so if you find yours unsupportive and you don't want to go down the route of hiring an IM you can ask the Supervisor of Midwives to provide you with a midwife who will be supportive. I'm sure you've already seen it, but there's lots of good information on the homebirth website

yes they were utterly supportive and fabby

BTW my cmws were totally wonderful too.

Oh well maybe I'll strike it lucky. Will let you know on Thursday. I am going to have to tell my mum I'm pg now as I'll need her to collect the DDs from school! Appt is 2.30

My midwives were great about mine, never spoke to GP about it! They did warn that so many ended up in hospital, labour taking too long, wanting pain relief etc, but mine was fine and if I had had to go to hospital, so be it!

Good luck.

Message withdrawn

A homebirth is statistically safer than a hospital birth in a straightforward pregnancy apparently. I can't find the actual reference I'm afraid.

Probably the Birthday Trust 1994 study, Soupy. I was trying to say that but he wasn't listening. As others have said, I won't convince him so no point in upsetting myself trying to!

I've purposely avoided telling my Gp about my homebirth plans up til now as its not really relevant what he thinks, the MW is ok with it , so far. However I will have to tell him soon as I am planning to ask for a prescription for pethidine for the delivery, in case I want to use it...I just hope he doesn't misinterpret ' please can I have a scrip for pethidine' as 'please can i have a homebirth' as I'm not in the mood lol

it is not up to the GP.....

have you been in touch with AIMS...? they can advise you well on this issue..AIMS site

and

the yahoo group Daisy mentioned

and

homebirth site