Homebirth question

[Kidsandfarmers]

Hiya, i am 32+6 weeks and have just recently become extremely interested in having a home birth! ( No idea why it never came to mind before). Does anyone know if im too late to be considered for one or any advice/ opinions?
I live on a farm so no neighbours etc, i just think i will be much happier in my home with my own bathroom and kitchen etc.
Many thanks

Absolutely not too late! You can book a home birth whenever you like. Just let your midwife know at your next appointment, or phone on Monday if you'd rather get the ball rolling right away. Sounds lovely. Good luck!

You have plenty of time. In most cases, you don't even really go over the details of home birth until your 36 week appt (when they usually come to your house if they haven't been already). I would just start doing some reading and connecting with other mums who've had home births in the meantime until you see your midwife again just to get your head around it and figure out how to prepare.

I had a home birth with my first 5 years ago and am 38 weeks with #2 now and waiting for another home birth any day now. It was really lovely. My birth was so relaxed and straightforward and I felt so comfortable being in my own home. I was so comfortable in fact that the midwives showed up and then nearly left again because they didn't believe I was really in labour yet - turns out I was fully dilated and my daughter was born shortly after that. I did have to go to hospital that first month with my dd (totally unrelated to birth, she lost a lot of weight due to a poor latch, but was put on the maternity ward and it was so stressful and noisy, I can't imagine being able to relax enough there to give birth!). But I'm much like you that I feel very comfortable in my own home, I have everything here I needed, and it was really nice to just be able to crawl in bed with dinner after as a family and my dh didn't have to go anywhere, there weren't midwives barging in on us, etc. We also live fairly rurally, so it's really quite and peaceful out here.

I would have a look and see what home birth resources are available in your area. Some areas have dedicated home birth teams as well as home birth support groups (where we live does). There's also a few useful websites with information (Home Birth UK, etc.) and there is a Facebook group called Home Birth Chat UK, which you might find helpful too.

Happy to answer any questions you might have. My birth was really lovely and positive though, and I genuinely believe that because I was at home I probably avoided some unnecessary intervention (I had a back to back baby, which meant labour slowed up at one point while I was pushing so she could turn. In hospital I definitely would have gone longer than they would have 'allowed.' But in reality, all was fine. Midwives monitored me and baby and I were doing great and they just let me get on with it, and I had a wonderful, easy, natural birth because of that. I don't think I would have been as lucky in hospital.). Very much looking forward to my 2nd home birth any day now.

Also, I would ignore other people's negativity. I've found that many people who haven't had home births have weird hang ups about their own fears around birthing and like to project those onto other people. I got people saying a lot of crazy stuff to me before I had my first. Funny enough, I've never heard it since!

Whoa pigs, steady on

Thank you Mussie and mindutopia! Your advice and help is so much appreciated and mindutopia your experience sounds lovely! I hope this time is just as perfect for you sweet!

I have had a home birth and planning my second. It isn't too late to book one.

I would suggest reading research papers about risks to baby and you as you will have people who automatically assume everything will go wrong and say you're mad.

I am having a second home birth as I doubt my mental health would come out of a hospital birth intact because hospitals terrify me.

Valid question mussie

I've seen the brains of fit healthy first time mums with uncomplicated pregnancies saved by being in a MW led unit next to a delivery suite rather than in a distant one. Cord prolapse, shoulder dystocia and sudden abruptions are rare, but they happen without warning. She needs to know the risks as well as the fluffy stuff. Farm doesn't sound very close to a hospital.....

Pigshavecurlytails ...women have had babies since the beginning of time, its perfectly natural and from what i have read it is just as safe as hospital for 2nd or subsequent births so your comment feels pretty harsh

Just for balance, here is some research on homebirth safety.

www.nct.org.uk/birth/home-birth-safe

Im 15 minutes by car away from hospital

Oops that clearly should say the brains of the babies not the mums!!

That's too far, IMHO.

15 minutes by car - discuss with your midwife about the distance by ambulance which is what they would call (hopefully would be much quicker).

Definately ignore scare mongering and ask your consultant midwife for scientific evidence regarding the risks and benefits.

Don't forget there are risks delivering in a hospital too.

Pigs, I'm a midwife, so there's no need to school me about birth. OP is correct, if she's low risk, she is just as safe at home as in hospital for a 2nd or subsequent baby. Tragedies occur in hospitals as well, but no one pins the blame on the location - home birth gets unnecessarily vilified by confirmation bias.

OP, the Birth Place study is probably the best you can look at for reliable information on safety of different locations. If you google 'birth place decisions' there's a good pdf that lays it out in layman's terms. Your midwife can also discuss with you in more detail about what home birth would mean for you in particular, if you have any unusual medical history or background that makes your case unique.

It really irritates me when people say things like 'women have been having babies since the beginning of time'...yes they have, and until very recently lots of those mothers and babies sadly didn't live.

I'm not saying don't have a home birth if that's what you want (although I personally wouldn't consider it) but don't be so arrogant as to dismiss the amazing modern medical care that we are so fortunate to have in this country-you never know what that might be able to do for you and your baby.

This link is a study comparing birth places and results.

A lot of modern medicine can be harmful too though. It's about looking at the evidence and weighing it up based on your own circumstances.

Thank you for your help guys, i do understand both sides and im quite upset that i have come accross as arrogant, that wasnt my intention at all. I had my DS at 23 weeks in hospital after an extremely quick spontaneous labour that noone could have predicted, it is obvious he wouldnt be here without their amazing quick thinking and facilities so i am not slating hospital at all.
I think we should leave it here now, thank you though.

I’ve had two home water births. Both were absolutely lovely, very chilled and straightforward. I don’t love rurally but I’d still be at least 15 minutes from a hospital. I’m a HCP (not a midwife although I do care for obstetric patients): I had utter confidence in my midwife and I was encouraged to go for a HB as very straightforward text book pregnancies and very easy birth with my first.

Go for it OP: I knew instinctively that it was the right choice for me.