Homebirth?

[Leonora94]

I had a check up with my midwife yesterday (18 weeks) and she suggested I think about having a homebirth. I'm currently midwife led but their birth centre is closed for refurbishment, apparently (according to my midwife) lots of women have been choosing it recently and it's been working really well. It's my second baby and my first was luckily very straight forward. It's not something I've thought about before but with everything going on and the new rules around partners I am considering it. The main thing I'm worried about is safety, what if something goes wrong? I just wanted to see if anyone else has had one or is going to have one? What's it like, did you need anything for it? Thanks :)

I had a home birth with my second. It was brilliant. I had 3 midwives all to myself the whole time I was in labour (senior midwife, midwife and student midwife). They told me beforehand that if they started to have any concerns they'd call an ambulance before it got to the point where it was an emergency. If you're low risk it's just as safe as hospital. I had a birth pool and they brought gas and air.

It's not for everyone though and I only lived about 10 mins from the hospital.

I can see why it would be an attractive option.
I would not chance it personally. I am going to be induced on Monday and I am going to the delivery suite. I want an epidural to be on hand!

This is my second baby and, as others have said, my first labour did not go to plan. I would've been in trouble if I hadn't been in the hospital.

Lots of people have had positive experiences though, so it's a matter if whether you're happy to proceed despite the slightly greater risks!

I heard only the most experienced midwives attend homebirth. I'm thinking about it as well. We're 7 min sway from the hospital.

@MrsK89 I don't care where you want to give birth (which is totally your call) but please book a home birth if you labour quickly. You can still plan on hospital but if you have the baby before getting to the car, a midwife is probably more use than a paramedic. (Paramedics are great but a midwife clearly has more experience). Also you get gas and air even after the birth at home (exams/stitches) if you ask.

@Viletta You need to have attended a certain number of home births in the past x number of years, but it's not a high number, Although I suspect it varies by trust and how many want on the Rota. Home births are different to hospital, and they don't happen often enough for many midwives to have a great deal of experience in them. It wouldn't/didn't put me off, but if it's important to you it's worth discussing with your midwife the situation in your area.