To opt for a home birth amid virus fears...

[albazavi]

I had my 34 week appointment today and was discussing birth plans.

This is my 3rd pregnancy and I am low risk. 1 birth was difficult- very long and 3rd degree tear requiring theatre and physio. 2nd was also very long (latent stage) but when it ramped up it was very quick and was only in the room an hour before he was here and no tearing or issues.

My concern is the impact of coronavirus on the hospital when I'm due to give birth in 6 weeks. If the peak of the virus has hit which it is likely to do in the next few weeks- the hospital will be struggling with the infection and staffing. Is this the safest place to give birth and risk infecting a newborn? Or worse with issues of low staffing.

The midwife has suggested homebirth and it's not something I have considered before. It would mean we could secure a 1-2-1 midwife and not risk infections in hospital.

DH thinks if the hospital is in crisis, they won't have the midwives to come to homes for births and will retract the service anyway. At which point it is a moot point and we'd have to go to hospital.

But we need to make a decision soon as you have to have had the home birth assessment before 36 weeks. Is it silly to be considering this? I'm trying not to panic in the wake of this virus- I'm actually fairly chilled about the risk to me and newborn after research. Less so with other family members who are high risk.

I absolutely don’t think you’re silly to be considering it, but I do think your DH is right. Without considering the coronavirus, how would you feel about a home birth?

To hedge your bets you could have the assessment, say you’re going for home birth then you could always change your mind and go to hospital if you’d rather when it comes down to it.

I have also been considering this. Due at end of May. It’s also my 3rd. I had an induction and forceps with 1st but a spontaneous normal water birth wirh 2nd DD.
I have been told to decide by 36 weeks (I am 29 currently) I keep going backwards and forwards with the positives/negatives!!
We have a lovely midwife led unit at the hospital nearest to me, so I would be really happy to give birth there. But what will hospitals be like in 12/14 weeks time?who knows

I am also 34 weeks with my third and having a Home Birth. This will be my first birth at home and is my preference anyway but the only reason my husband is on board is the risk of infection, and that is before Coronavirus! So many stories of people going into hospital with one thing but coming out with another due to infection risk.

Home Birth teams are separately staffed to Labour Ward teams so staffing shouldn't be an issue. Also if you book for Homebirth they have to send someone, I've heard stories of labouring women being told there's no one to attend them and asking them to go into hospital but they've declined to do this and a Midwife had suddenly become available.

I am in a useful group on Facebook called Homebirth Support Group UK which shares a lot of useful info. Worth joining for research purposes!

@Pinkpeoniesplease sounds like you have it planned out! :)

Our area are starting a new initiative/push for Homebirths. The MW I saw at my last app (28wks) had only done something like 4 HB in a 12 month period. But she wasn’t the “main” mw anyway. I do also like the thought of having 2 of 4 MW’s that I have actually seen during this pregnancy! They are lovely and I would love to share the experience with them.

@Pinkpeoniesplease have just requested to join that fb group

@flissity I have just started an online hypnobirting course from The Positive Birth Company and it has honestly made me so much more confident in my decision! I really recommend it, plus loads of info in that group on Facebook, hope you find it useful!

@Pinkpeoniesplease that’s really good. Because I want (in ideal world) another water birth, The negatives in my mind are having to plan ahead and sort out a pool. One MW I spoke to said it can take a while to fill and also the ones you get for hb’s aren’t particularly deep. and also there’s the emptying of it!! Etc. At the midwife led unit near me, all rooms have lovely pools.
Also , have this thing, would it just be SO WEIRD going thru birth at home in my lounge or whatever!! What if I am noisy and the neighbours hear, or someone knocks on the door in middle of it all 🤣
But having an 8 and 10yr old at home, at least we wouldn’t have to worry too much about childcare.

See I am so unsure!!!

Thank you- it's helpful to know people are considering the same.

I'd not considered it before and wouldn't really consider home birth if not for coronavirus- not because of risks but the idea of cleaning up afterwards/ sense of awkwardness/ neighbours hearing- similar issues to above which are not difficult to work through if we decide it's the right decision.

It's just so hard to know what to do, but probably best to hedge bets and get the home assessment complete and then both options are covered!

I am in exactly the same boat. I'm due at the beginning of May with my second baby and spoke to my midwife at my 28 week appointment about the possibility of a homebirth. At the time it was to be prepared if I couldn't actually get to the hospital in time as my first was very quick but now I'd like it as an option in case I want to avoid hospitals all together.
She was very positive about it and I like the idea of being more in control but my husband is less keen. We did have a great experience at our local birthing unit (attached to the hospital) so I think that's our first choice but it will be good to be prepared. I think you're being sensible to consider it. Good luck!

I’m planning a home birth for my second DC. I’m 31 weeks pregnant. I was planning this before the corona virus outbreak. I’m thinking in 9 weeks time the hospital will be overran!

I definitely don’t think it’s a silly thought or consideration and the same has gone through my mind, but I do think realistically if the hospitals are in crisis with infected patients/staff the absolute last thing that is going to be on offer to you is 2 dedicated midwives at your house. I’ve seen many stories of planned home births being moved to a hospital because midwives weren’t available, not even at times of crisis. In which case I think it’s, as you said in original post, a moot point, sadly for all of us.
It’s an issue I am quite stressed about at the moment!

Also the point about home birth teams being separate to labour ward teams - i’m certainly far from an expert on this so I may be wrong, but if 2% of all births are homebirths I find it hard to believe they have whole teams waiting on standby to assist women at home? It’s more likely they are all one team and some are designated for home births if required that shift (which must be unusual? I for one have never met anyone who has had a home birth)

I had a home birth in october and would really recommend it even without the current covid-19 issues. I had 3 dedicated midwives including one in training. It was my second birth and was really quick and easy. If you look at the stats on home birth for second or more births it is safer than hospital settings, the lower risk of picking up infections being one factor in this.

In our area the home birth team was completely seperate to the hospital team. I guess though if there is staffing issues things may change.

Where I live the home birth team come from the community midwives rather than the hospital based midwives so it wouldn't be affected by staffing issues at the hospital. The community midwives have an on call rota for home births.

Looks like I am wrong then... maybe one to consider. Although I really don’t think I am brave enough personally! Admire people who are

@123456kent
Every trust I have worked for has a dedicated home birth team..