What's so wrong with a homebirth?

[FruitynNutty]

Whenever I tell people I'm hoping for a homebirth I always expect lots of support. However, almost every person I've told this to has looked at me in horror and basically think I'm putting the baby and myself at too much risk How can that be? I've heard so many homebirth stories which have all been nothing but positive experiences. Plus if the midwife was to ask for an ambulance it can be at mine and back to the hospital in 6 minutes flat so what's the problem? I just need a bit of support and encouragment FGS Even DP thinks I'm a nutjob

"It is there of their business. " was of course meant to read "It is none of their business. "

My SIL (a registrar at the time) said most transfers from the labour ward to the operating theatre took at least 10 minutes, so 6 mins does not sound so bad.

Thanks guys, and thank you AtheneNoctua It't good to hear both sides

Except that that 6 minute transfer time probably only gets her to the door of the hospital, so she may still have that 10 minutes to wait as well. Although this sounds very long. When DD was in distress and the decision was made for a SC, I was in the theatre surrounded by a team of doctors in about 3 mintues flat.

Just a thought.
If a homebirth is not going well and the mother is transferred to the hospital, how does it work out statistically?
Surely then all homebirths that went wrong will be counted as hospital births.
So then in general homebirths will statistically go well.
Anybody know this stuff?

i think somebody does.
but it might be paranoia

That's an interesting poing, Dragon. A bit like the way a vaginal birth gone wrong lands in the caesarean statistics.

Well, I think the OP has made her decision. So, I don't want to debate other methods of delivery and spoil her thread.

Good luck, Nutty (and you are nutty )!

It just strikes me that anyone who's had an actual homebirth will have had a good experience, hence the entirely positive reaction OP has had from people who've had one.
What about those who were transferred to hospital? How do you gauge their opinion?

btw AtheneNoctua, you're name is great. I discovered what it meant during an extended session on the loo (tmi) and found a book to read.

once a hb is booked as a hb, it stays as a hb on all the stats even if later on in the pregnancy, a decision is made to have a hosp birth instead (well this is my understanding).

I also understood that the hb stats include all unplanned hb ie all the ones where the mums go into labour too quick to make it to hospital. those are the most dangerous as often unassisted births.

(now stand back ready to be corrected!)

the nct do a good leaflet on hb
I seem to remember their research shows that even when mums transfer to hosp, they are mostly still positive about the hb experience.

I had a fantastic homebirth too fruittynnutty.

dp was really worried about it, and would have much preferred me to go to hospital. I absolutely did NOT want to be in hospital after ds1's birth.
everyone I met was like "oooh you're so brave" etc etc. but I don't think I was at all, would have been braver to risk hospital again lol.

it was brilliant.
I had 2 fantastic, very experienced midwives with me the whole time, compared to one very rushed midwife every 20-30 mins when in hospital.

I think people overlook the fact that you have these people watching you, constantyly. they can tell if something is not right.
they could tell I was ready to push just by looking at me! was amazing.

the birth left me feeling elated, and so very proud of myself. was really a great experience for me, and I will be having another homebirth for db3

morocco is right as well. ALL babies born outside of a hospital go down as homebirths.
that includes teenagers who deliver in the bathroom because they haven't told anyone they're pregnant, women who have very fast deliveries and don't make it to hosp, people who choose unassisted childbirth etc etc.

so the statistics really don't only show the "safe" homebirths

and there are also studies that have compared straightforward hospital births with homebirths and the homebirths inevitably have a better outcome re infections, mother's mood/pnd/ breastfeeding rates and all sorts

I don't think your nutty at all

I had 2 perfectly normal hospital births with ds1 & 2 so decided last year when preg with dd that I wanted a HB. Went nto labour at 41+1 early hours of morning, 1.20am. Had dd in my arms at 4.21am in my own lovely surroundings and ds's met their new sister 5 mins later (along with 3mw's and 2 paramedics that all got there a tad too late )

Still, it was the best one yet. Currently 33wks with ds3 and shall be doing it again this time. Although I am hoping for a slightly longer labour and a bit of help from the mw's.

IMO if there are the mw's available for a hb, your preg has been straight forward and there is no reason to need a hospital birth then I can't see why you shouldn't. I feel that having the undivided attention of one, probably 2, mw's has got to be better than sharing it with 10 other labouring women.

Good luck and let us know how you get on

I had mixed reactions tbh, but was well worth doing (and a frtnight after the hb my maternity unit was put on special measures as a risk to life - Royal Gwent)

If you have decided to go for a homebirth then good for you! I have had terrible experiences in the hospital- all in the name of "safety of the baby" and "risk factors" to only find out later that had I been at home they wouldn't have been so gung ho about using their toys. I ended up with 4 c/s because of it. Do research on the safety of c/s and decide! It is not as safe as delivering the way we are obviously built to deliver! I have a difficult ob history ("poor obstetric history" is what my chart says) and nothing blares that in my face as well as the nice docs who think I'm crazy because sterilization is out of the question (I researched that too...). I have had 3 babies die in the second trimester, the only one that could have been prevented was the second one who died soon after the first because I had a d and c (didn't research that in time) and the placenta for our poor baby didn't attach properly. For those 2 "safe" hospital births they used something called Misoprostyl aka Cytotec which I later learned is contraindicated on it's own label AGAINST the use in pregnant women because of the risk of uterine rupture. Tell me how safe it is to have the docs experiment with my already troubled uterus? They didn't even tell me that it was not approved for what they were using it for, nor did they tell me (even after the 2 dose) that it is a known cause of uterine rupture. Now that I am expecting again (any day) they think I'll be safer in a hospital. No thanks! I am only showing up at the grand finale in hopes they won't have time to sharpen their knives. If there is a problem, then I'll need their skills and will be 2 blocks away. My favorite birth was the stillborn we had at home. It was beautiful. My husband and I got to mourn and grieve over our precious baby without docs and nurses and psychologists coming in, however well meaning they each were. My husband was my hero. At the hospital he is just someone who takes up oxygen but at home he was everything a woman thinks of when they consider getting married. Go For It! As to safety, anyone who has truly looked at the evidence can't get away from the facts. Hooray for you and don't let anyone discourage or frighten you! Your body and your baby know what is best. Go to the hospital gratefully if you have trouble, but don't borrow any! Hospitals are for sick people, you're not sick, just pregnant! Ok... off my soapbox now... {wink}

oops... !

there's a thread in childbirth for those having or considering a homebirth for the first time, which other homebirthers have posted on if you want some positive stories nutty

have to say everyone we've told so far has been good enough to keep their thoughts to themselves - fair enough getting opinions on ppl who know something about childbirth but pretty much all our friends haven't so don't know the 1st thing about hospitals or hb

DS1s hospital birth was fine, I had wanted a HB but due to inexperience DH and I chose the former.
DS2 was a HB and what a fab experience, DS2 arrived 3.5 hrs after 1st contraction, DS1 got to say hi to his brother and witness DH cutting the cord before asking Nana to put him to bed.
Had a bubble bath in my own bathroom and the MWs had made me up a fresh bed and loaded the washing machine.
Ate a Chicken Tikka Masala, with rice and Naan bread that I had cooked earlier while DH and MIL cooed over baby.
Next morning DS1 was sat between DH and I in bed watching Scooby Doo like he does every Sat but this time there was an occupied moses basket to the left.
To give myself the best possible HB experience I attended Active Birth Classes and it was worth every penny as on D-Day the MWs couldn't get the gas 'n' air cannister open but I gotta say all the techniques I'd learnt in class truly helped me cope.
DC3 is due in 5 weeks and I'm really looking forward to my HB having taken a Active birth refresher.
Those that aren't aware that I have had a HB already come out with the same 'risk factor' concerns as everyone else but I feel that I am more at risk of things going wrong in hospital because every means of 'medical inteference' is at the hospital MWs disposal.

people are generally horrified about hb's because we have an attitude in the UK that pregnancy and birth are medical episodes/illnesses and therefore best treated in a hospital.

most midwifes will tell you that unless there is a known complication it is perfectly safe, if not safer to give birth at home, and in fact in the netherlands you have no choice but to give birth at home unless there is a known complication or you pay to give birth in a hospital. birth survival rates for both mother and baby are comparable to the UK.

It depends on your attiude to whether labour is a medical condtion.

good luck whatever choice eventually is!

fruitynnutty- I think the way to go is just not tell anyone you are planning a homebirth. I didn't tell anyone when I was planning a home birth for dd2, and hence had no judgements, no opinions, and no pressure on me to go through with the homebirth even if I changed my mind. It also meant my family didn't worry so much about me.

I'm pregnant again now with db3, and everyone is giving me the third degree about how I am going to give birth, and have done ever since I announced this pregnancy. So many questions constantly, that I never had to answer last time! It's actually making me feel a bit pressurised this time - I try and tell people that although we are hoping for a home birth, we may end up going to hospital.

It's my advice to say as little as possible regarding how you plan to give birth.

My first was a planned hb but transfered to hosp as no progress - stuck at 5cm for about 4 hours and the MW said best get to hosp BEFORE baby gets distressed.
They don't usually let you get to the point where you need a section immediately.
DS2 successful hb and a wonderful, wonderful experience.