Home Birth - anyone else?

[starrysimon]

My local hospital has just released that they are treating people with Covid-19. In 34 weeks pregnant and definitely do not want to step foot inside that hospital now unless completely necessary. When I went for a growth scan last week none of the staff were practising safe hygiene within the antenatal unit and there was no cleaning of any sort being done within the whole 4 hours I was sat there waiting. I imagine the birth unit will be incredibly overstretched by the time I go into labour.

Luckily this is my second child, my first labour was very fast (3 hours) so I have been preparing to have this one at home anyway. I had no pain relief (not even gas and air as there was no time) and only minor tears. Not expecting any NHS midwives to be available for my home birth so considering going private. My midwife is also a quite forgetful and unreliable so don’t trust her to deliver my baby (long story). Does this sound like a sensible plan? No one is going to be coming in and out of our home aside from OH so it will be well sanitised and safe. I’ll definitely feel safer than at the hospital!

Is anyone else planning a home birth because of the virus or anyone else had one before? How did it go?

No experience I'm afraid but I think there are some statistics on second baby home births - something like that a first baby should always be born in hospital becuase of risk of complications etc, but if you've had one in hospital and it was all fine, it's generally considered acceptable to have a second baby at home as lower risk. Very half remembered I'm afraid and could be misremembered

Yes sounds like a sensible plan to me x

Sounds like a sensible plan even without the concerns about CV19.
Do ask about which midwife you would get as it might not be the one you've been seeing for antenatal appointments. Where I am you would get a relatively senior and experienced midwife for a home birth.
If you would get a different NHS midwife consider sticking with NHS and getting a doula to support you as well.
I'm pregnant with my second and have a doula for the birth, definitely feels like the right decision

I have had 2 home births. I preferred them, more relaxed and I was able to freely move about at able to do what I wanted. Currently pregnant and plan on having this one at home.

I’m not planning a home birth but I do know someone who was they are due in 4wks and they’ve been told it won’t happen now and they have to go into hospital because the team of midwives who look after home births are being put on shifts at the local hospitals instead. Having two midwives out in the community with one lady isn’t effective resource management at the moment. Especially if they start having staff off ill.
Obviously this might only be certain places but just something to bear in mind.

I would echo what pp says. I’m due next month and although I didn’t want a home birth, someone in our ante natal group did and they’ve been told it’s unlikely as they expect to be short staffed so would like as many midwives as possible in the hospital at once, makes sense I guess. Best to check what the policy is in your area.

I was at my maternity unit today. Was asked to wash my hands before we started, as did my midwife.

The consulting room was cleaned down after I left.

I saw cleaners.

Just want to say this as your post suggests no increased hygiene and that was not my experience this week.

Partners also not allowed in for the appointments- literally had to wait outside.

I was booked for a Home Birth but they have suspended the service where I live.

I'd definitely look into an Independent Midwife if you can OP. Although there has been previous guidance saying staffing issues are not a reason for NHS to deny Home Birth services and they are duty bound to provide a midwife even if it means they contact in Independent Midwives. Obviously we are now in exceptional circumstances but worth asking the question before you fork out privately!