Is it normal for midwives to suggest a home birth when you had more than two babies ?

[LilyLoo]

I was just wondering why they do this ?
I had suggsetion made to me today . Neighbour had one last week it's her 4th and friends also having one it's her 3rd.

We went to a homebirth support grup last Thurday and asked all the questions about 'what if there's a problem/baby gets stuck' etc etc.

The midwife said that problems usually develop slowly, with plenty of time for a hopsital transfer if necessary - an ambulance would be called, and a theatre/team prepped while transfer took place. Even in hospital, you usually have to wait at least 30 mins for a theatre/surgeon/epidural etc to all be arranged.

In my PCT they attend about 2 or 3 homebirths a week - and there hasn't been a transfer to hospital since December (and in that lady's case, it was becuase bub was posterior, and labut went on too long for her to feel happy at home - but mw said she got MUCH further than she would have at hospital in the first place!)

Snaf - its boring as I have to focus on professional issues such as clinical governence and change management theory. Very zzzzzzz

lulu - you're on!

You'd best be free from mid October onwards too...

I think that I really am considering this you know. How rather exciting! Keep posting the happy homebirth stories...

Certainly it was suggested to me for no 3(also had no 4 at home0 both were fab experiences, Ds3's prob the best - blazing log fire, ds2 slept through for the first time ever, one push and baby out, then upstairs to my own bed - go for it

I was offered a home birth this time although its my 2nd and there were a few complications with ds.
I personally cannot imagine having a home birth. I'd really feel better being in a hospital.
I'm assuming you can't have epidural at home. I need all the drugs I can get.

I think it is good to bear in mind that women labour better where they are most comfortable, whether this be home, birthing centre or hospital maternity unit. Nobody should choose a home birth if they are not 100% sure about it, otherwise, it could be argued this could lead to complications. However, it is very true that women have very happy, positive experiences of home deliveries.

And midwives do not play fast and loose with the lives of babies and mothers...the slightest sign of things not going quite the way things are meant to, plans are made to deal with the situation.

I am biased on this view however, as my local community midwife group have an extremely high rate of home births, way above the national average, and they are very successful. It is a matter close to my heart and I am a student midwife too ......

Lilyloo I would say go for it, if you decide you want to transfer in when in labour they wont say that you can't

Finally got my hb myself 10 weeks ago, DS1 hosp forceps, DD planned hb but emlscs, DS2 lovely quick HB

Congratulations Snugglebumnappies!!!