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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Home Birth suspended

146 replies

OneLilacAnt · 06/02/2026 21:57

I am just after a little bit of reassurance…

I am 39 weeks pregnant and had planned a home birth however I have just had a phone call to say that all home births (in my area) have been suspended for the foreseeable.

One of my main reasons for home birth was because I had a very quick labour with my first child (5 hours from start to finish) and I live an hour away from the hospital. My midwife encouraged me to have a home birth as I am low risk and she also felt it was the safest option due to where I live. I also have to think about logistics of childcare when I go into labour.
I am worried I will end up having the baby in the car!

Has anyone else been in this situation? Did anyone else have a quicker birth second time round after a quick first birth?

Any responses would be appreciated- thank you!

OP posts:

Hiptothisjive · 07/02/2026 11:23

stickydough · 06/02/2026 23:28

Would it be worth putting in a complaint given it is midwife advised and could increase risk? Perhaps they could reconsider in cases like yours. I’m sorry, this must be unsettling when it’s been your plan until now.

Putting in a complaint for presumably understaffing and inability to safely deliver home births? What on earth would change?

gototogo · 07/02/2026 11:23

one issue is that if it takes you an hour to get to the hospital, it could take an hour for a midwife to get to you, also if you need an emergency transfer getting an ambulance to you. The good news is you should notice the early signs of labour easier second time around, I was told be the hospital I was imagining it, i wasn’t, dd was born 8 hours later, 2 hours after arriving back at the hospital.

CarolwithoutanE · 07/02/2026 14:13

First 30 mins, second 2 hours and 20 mins, third just under 3 hours.

OhDear111 · 07/02/2026 14:32

@gototogo That’s the issue exactly. Midwife tied up with one delivery and staff shortages mean this cannot be efficient. I don’t see how the NHS can meet all requests. Just not possible. Most labour is more than 1 hour with no 2.

Original poster

OneLilacAnt · 07/02/2026 16:03

I can totally understand if it’s a staffing issue and midwives are over stretched- it really isn’t fair on them. However, it’s more that I was told I can have a home birth, got the pool (not cheap to hire) and to then tell me at 39 weeks pregnant that the service has been suspended without any prior notification that this could happen. It’s more just the stress of knowing baby could come at anytime and now not having a birth plan that I am happy with.
My midwife was also really encouraging me to have one and said how much she loves home births etc (obviously not her fault at all as she would have been unaware this was happening).

Thank you again for the all the response.

OP posts:

NotQuiteUsual · 07/02/2026 16:10

I dilated 2cm to 10cm in 2 hours for my first, 5 minutes for my second and 5 hours for my third. Labour is super unpredictable. I'd definitely be prepared for an accidental home birth, just incase.

I know it's stressful, disappointing and all round a bit shit. But since you can't change anything try not to be negative about it all. Its still going to be a beautiful experience, just different from how to envisioned it.

Nottodaythankyou123 · 07/02/2026 16:15

My first was just under 3 hours and my second was about 10 minutes longer. If they’re not doing them, then you don’t have much choice other than to really listen to your body and go in asap!

PonkyPonky · 07/02/2026 16:17

I was also told to plan a home birth if I had a second baby (I didn’t). Because my first labour was less than 2hrs from first twinge to birth and I never went into ‘active’ labour or had regular contractions. So they basically said I’d pretty much have no choice but to birth at home next time. I can’t fathom how they can take that option off the table if it’s medically advised. Surely they just mean home births by choice rather than necessity. Have they clarified that to you?

MyDeftDuck · 07/02/2026 16:37

First birth……..selective C section.
Second birth……..8 hours labour.
Wish you well OP with the forthcoming new arrival 💐👶

ScarlettSarah · 07/02/2026 16:45

Would you consider requesting an elective section in light of this? I think I probably would, in your circumstances, rather than risk giving birth on the side of the road.

(Full disclosure - had an elective section for my third and loved it, after a traumatic delivery with my second that I was glad I was in hospital for... it had been designated 'low risk' but I would have ended up in a predicament if I had been at home, I think).

BakedAl · 07/02/2026 16:47

My aunt gave birth to her second at home, with the help of the builder who happened to be there, after a really quick labour and I have a friend who had her third baby in a layby on her way to hospital. I hope all goes well for you.

BrotherViolence · 07/02/2026 16:48

RocketLollyPolly · 07/02/2026 07:48

Could you ask the hospital to induce you so you’ll already be there?

This is what I did when spontaneous labour would have been dangerous. It isn't ideal but probably the safest option.

Charliede1182 · 07/02/2026 16:52

First labour under 5 hours from waters breaking to delivery.

Second labour 17 hours from waters breaking to delivery.

Third labour 27 hours from waters breaking to delivery.

Life threatening haemorrhage every time, which couldn't have been foreseen the first time.

If your house has a well stocked blood bank, operating theatre, crash team and neonatal resuscitation facilities on standby then home birth is a great idea.

If not then I would seriously consider hospital as a voluntary first choice.

To me it is unethical the NHS encouraging women to have home births and no doubt a cost saving measure.

However, if you are genuinely well informed about the risks of home birth and absolutely set on it, there are private midwives that you can hire if you can afford it.

I know you shouldn't have to pay for healthcare, but sometimes getting what's right for you is more important than principles.

Alternatively do you know anyone who is a qualified midwife, even if retired? In the past, midwifery was a standard part of nursing training so there may already be someone suitably qualified in your circle. It's worth asking around.

They are also likely to be more reliable and less rushed, stressed and exhausted than an NHS midwife, ie they will come when you ask, not tell you to take a paracetamol and feck off.

GlasgowGal2014 · 07/02/2026 16:52

I had a home birth with my second child and I can totally understand your frustration because it takes a lot of planning and preparation and to be told no at the last minute must be very frustrating. I chose a home birth for similar reasons to you, and whilst my second labour was quicker I could have made it to hospital in time. However my home birth did turn into a medial emergency and we had to be transferred to hospital by ambulance immediately after the birth so it's not something I'd choose to do again, especially if the hospital was some distance away. Have you thought about renting a AirBnB near the hospital that's big enough for your family and the childcare person? I know it's not ideal, but it's pretty common for women in remote parts of Scotland to relocate themselves to close to their hospital in the weeks running up to the birth because of the distances involved.

Sarah24x · 07/02/2026 16:53

Personally I wouldn’t risk a home birth given you’re so far away from a hospital. Both of mine were c sections.

With my second, I went into labour before elective c section date and it progressed very quickly within an hour (at hospital).

All was fine until it wasn’t. I ended up gushing blood during the internal exam and was rushed in for an emergency c section.

I understand childcare is tough (I was a single parent at the time and had to leave then toddler ds1 with my grandma who was meant to be my birthing partner).

I’d advice trying your best to get as many family or friends as backup. Originally on my c section date, ds1 was meant to be getting cared for by his dad and I had my dad as a back up. In the end, both were away with work when I actually did go into labour.

Sarah24x · 07/02/2026 16:53

Personally I wouldn’t risk a home birth given you’re so far away from a hospital. Both of mine were c sections.

With my second, I went into labour before elective c section date and it progressed very quickly within an hour (at hospital).

All was fine until it wasn’t. I ended up gushing blood during the internal exam and was rushed in for an emergency c section.

I understand childcare is tough (I was a single parent at the time and had to leave then toddler ds1 with my grandma who was meant to be my birthing partner).

Namechangetheyarewatching · 07/02/2026 16:54

What would happen if you refused to go into hospital and said you want a home birth?

Pipersgirl · 07/02/2026 16:56

Hi OP, ahh I’m so sorry to hear this. It must be so stressful for you.
I had DC number 2 last summer, and was under the home birth team for similar reasons. My first was 3 hours from first contraction, with really rapid onset of back to back contractions- it was awful. Was advised home birth for second as likely to be quicker.
In the event, I went to hospital- I had a much slower onset, and we left as soon as childcare in place at home. Hospital 45 mins away, and managed to get there with an hour to spare. All felt very controlled. I wasn’t overly set on the home birth, just that I desperately didn’t want to have a baby in the car- and it turned out all right on the night. I know this is likely to be of zero help to you, and I’m so sorry the option has been taken away- but thought a positive story of a more controlled (although still quick) second labour might be comforting!

Destiny123 · 07/02/2026 16:57

stickydough · 06/02/2026 23:28

I'd have said being a long distance from a hosp whilst homebirthing would be more risky than a hosp birth (granted as an obs anaesthetist I only get involved when something is going off-track/wrong, but ambulances aren't in their abundance currently if needed in a hurry

Feel free to complain but if there's inadequate staffing (every day theme on most labour wards) unfortunately the hospital will have to prioritise over essentially 2x midwives providing 'private' home care

Could potentially ask if there's a neighbouring health authority that could offer homebirthing if are near a regional boundary

ponyinmypocket · 07/02/2026 16:59

My first birth was 3hr20mins and my second was 37mins. I believe you will know on the day whether it's safe for you to leave the house. You might have light contractions and think 'yep OK I can head out' or they may come on strong and you'll know it's safer to stay at home.

With my experience of birth (luckily both planned home births) I would never have gotten out the door on either occasion.

Make sure you've got a home birth kit ready, basically just towels and blankets. And keep the cord attached, it's nature's life support.

Mumofoneandone · 07/02/2026 17:00

My second birth was slower than my first (bit over 2 hours). However, I'd put a plan in place with my local maternity hospital for my second because of the anxiety caused by the speed of my first. Only just got to hospital in time. This meant I could go in anytime near the due date without any delays. It made a huge difference. Might be worth having a chat with the hospital, especially as they've suddenly changed the rules.....

Shufflebumnessie · 07/02/2026 17:01

How stressful for you, not what you need at this stage.

My first was just under 4 hours from my waters breaking (then had first contraction 20 minutes later) to delivery. I had him in hospital.

My second was 1h 40m from start to finish. I'd been advised by my midwife for baby #1 to consider a home birth if I had any more children. That was supported by my midwife for baby #2. I had a home birth (also planned because we had no one to look after DS) and DD was actually delivered by DH as my labour progressed very quickly, and the midwife arrived 5 minutes after DD was born. If I'd had to get to the hospital I think I'd have had her either in the car or somewhere in the hospital on the way to the labour ward.

I hope things go as smoothly as possible for you.

Destiny123 · 07/02/2026 17:01

Namechangetheyarewatching · 07/02/2026 16:54

What would happen if you refused to go into hospital and said you want a home birth?

You'll have to call an ambulance as the baby is about to deliver and hope the paramedics can blag it probably (often only see a few deliveries in their lifetime).

If you're v nearby/within a few roads and literally about to deliver/bleeding heavily most maternity units have a grab bag and will unofficially nip off site to help in emergencies, but they won't drive 2h return trip

Destiny123 · 07/02/2026 17:03

Oh firgit, can hire private midwives but wouldn't have a clue on prices sorry!

LeeshaPaper · 07/02/2026 17:04

In terms of childcare, could you ask local mums if they wouldn't mind being in a what's app group and at the first sign of labour, whoever is available would pop round until your (family member?) arrives? I wouldn't mind doing that even for someone who's a passing acquaintance

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