What do I need to know about homebirths?

[Jackshouse]

I am pregnant with DC2. DC was born by EMCS. I am considering either a homebirth or an ELCS.

What do I need to know?

Best decision I ever made!
Have a clear birth plan/preferences written down and make sure your midwives understand.
My midwife was amazing my birth plan pretty much said to leave me alone, don’t touch me, don’t ask to examine me, don’t touch my baby unless there’s a dire medical emergency. She respected my wishes 100%

Speak to the community midwife and chances are she'll book you in with a consultant to discuss.

They will likely look at why you had a c/s first time around and are you likely to go through that again. They will also discuss the risk factors of a vaginal birth after c/s. This is NOT to scare you, it's 100% just to make sure you know all the facts before making a decision. Legally they will want to make sure you are aware of everything. Do your own research too. I don't know your history but risks are normally relatively low, but are still there so have to be mentioned.

If you decide to go for a homebirth then your midwife will discuss the policy in your area (how and when to call them/pain relief/ etc).

Whether you go for an elective or a homebirth I hope it goes well for you. They can both be amazing experiences.

I have had two, the second unattended as I didn't call midwife in time so DH delivered. They were good experiences for me.

However if I had had an emcs for dc1 I'm not sure I would want to unless it was for something like failure to progress. What was the reason for it?

Failure to progress. DD was not in a good position she she was only putting pressure on one side of my cervix.

Due to EMCS, 5 months past 35 years and having 0.1 higher BMI I am now high risk.

As long as it wasn't an actual emergency where time was of the essence I would probably then try it.

The home birth midwives were really good at getting me moving when dc1 took ages to appear. They made me go up and down stairs, lunges, squats and he was eventually born in the bathroom. He took so long as he was back to back and was twisting into the correct position really slowly.

I wouldn’t have a homebirth after a C section due to the risk of uterine rupture - I’d want to be close to an operating theatre just in case. Ideally I’d aim for a vaginal birth in a midwife-led unit that’s attached/adjacent to a consultant unit just in case.