Hospital birth vs homebirth!!

[RoxieHart]

My midwife is quite adamant that I am a great candidate for a homebirth as my last pregnancy and labour was fine.

She really did sell it to me! Having all my closest family around, being in my own surroundings, although she said I would have to go to the hospital the next day to have someone do the check on the newborn.

I can't stop thinking about the idea that a hospital birth would be more safe though? I mean, in emergency situations. I'm quite an anxious person, I like to know I have safety options. Also being able to wait there to do the newborn check. The only thing that puts me off the hospital is the infection I caught last time I gave birth there which had me rushed back to hospital a few days after my labour, ignored by a doctor and told it was nothing and to go home and take paracetamol, I refused as I pleaded with them about how ill I felt, I was hospitalised and put on a drip away from my daughter for a few days ... They never explained to me what happened, it was actually only when I by chance had my old midwife for my new pregnancies booking appointment that she explained to me! I must admit that hospital really isn't that great, but I'm always told I can't expect much from busy London hospitals ..

I just don't know what to choose? Can anyone outline any advantages and disadvantages... Anyone had a homebirth?

Thanks ladies!

Edit: I wanted a water birth with my first but there are only two rooms in the labour ward at my hospital.. They were both taken. My midwife said at my home visit for this pregnancy they can put up a pool in my home ... Was just thinking though that I live in a flat, 3rd floor.. Do you think that would be a problem?

 

[x Helen x]

Hi!

Well I have decided on a home birth for my second child (after a very quick and straightforward birth with my first). My friend, and her mum, are both midwives and completely sold the idea to me. The community midwives who are sent round for home births are far more qualified and experienced to deal with certain situations than the midwives who operate in the hospitals / hospital midwife led units. They are trained to deal with all sorts of complications should a problem arise, so in that sense I would feel more at ease knowing that I was in their care than I would on the birthing ward (the midwives were quite frankly rubbish at my first birth and tried to send me home 10 minutes before my daughter was born telling me I "wasn't in established labour" pffft!). Where is your nearest hospital? Although I am under the care of a hospital 40 mins or so drive from my house, I have been assured that in an emergency I would actually be transferred to the nearest hospital which is only 10 minutes away, but for all non emergency transfers I will go to my preferred hospital.

Apparently complications are less likely to arise with a home birth as mother is more relaxed in her own environment, thus less likely to need any intervention. My friends mum said that she has delivered hundreds of babies at home births and only ever had one proper emergency (first time birth) but even then, mum and baby were both transferred and absolutely fine. Although complications do happen, it's important to remember that they are actually very rare, and in most circumstances the midwives are trained to deal with many different emergency situations.

I will also (all going to plan!) have a water birth with my second, after an amazing experience with my first. It shouldn't matter that you are in a third floor flat, I'm pretty sure most buildings are designed to take the weight but if you're not sure then you could check with the birth pool companies. You can hire inflatable birth pools online for around £90, or buy new for a similar price.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[Yo_Yo]

I'm in the same boat. My midwife is very pro home home birth, but I have a niggling worry I need an emergency c-section or something goes wrong.

I do think on one hand there's a reason 4 midwives I've discussed it with have all had home births themselves-and that gives me a little confidence in it.

I'm leaning towards a hospital birth in a midwife led unit right now though.

 

[RoxieHart]

Hi!

Well I have decided on a home birth for my second child (after a very quick and straightforward birth with my first). My friend, and her mum, are both midwives and completely sold the idea to me. The community midwives who are sent round for home births are far more qualified and experienced to deal with certain situations than the midwives who operate in the hospitals / hospital midwife led units. They are trained to deal with all sorts of complications should a problem arise, so in that sense I would feel more at ease knowing that I was in their care than I would on the birthing ward (the midwives were quite frankly rubbish at my first birth and tried to send me home 10 minutes before my daughter was born telling me I "wasn't in established labour" pffft!). Where is your nearest hospital? Although I am under the care of a hospital 40 mins or so drive from my house, I have been assured that in an emergency I would actually be transferred to the nearest hospital which is only 10 minutes away, but for all non emergency transfers I will go to my preferred hospital.

Apparently complications are less likely to arise with a home birth as mother is more relaxed in her own environment, thus less likely to need any intervention. My friends mum said that she has delivered hundreds of babies at home births and only ever had one proper emergency (first time birth) but even then, mum and baby were both transferred and absolutely fine. Although complications do happen, it's important to remember that they are actually very rare, and in most circumstances the midwives are trained to deal with many different emergency situations.

I will also (all going to plan!) have a water birth with my second, after an amazing experience with my first. It shouldn't matter that you are in a third floor flat, I'm pretty sure most buildings are designed to take the weight but if you're not sure then you could check with the birth pool companies. You can hire inflatable birth pools online for around £90, or buy new for a similar price.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

Thank you! This is really informative! I'm under the care of a specialist group of community midwives, the same as with my daughter, they don't deliver the babies at hospital but do cover home births so it would be nice to be under their care during labour as I have a better relationship with them. Like you I was pretty much ignored when I was trying to tell them baby was coming, I probably would of birthed her on my own if it wasn't for my sister!

They also supply birthing pools themselves which is helpful! It does sound really nice to be able to do it all at home!

 

[RoxieHart]

I'm in the same boat. My midwife is very pro home home birth, but I have a niggling worry I need an emergency c-section or something goes wrong.

I do think on one hand there's a reason 4 midwives I've discussed it with have all had home births themselves-and that gives me a little confidence in it.

I'm leaning towards a hospital birth in a midwife led unit right now though.

Thanks for this! It's hard isn't it... I'm worried about the newborn check too.. Like what if something isn't okay with the baby and I wouldn't know because I don't get the paediatrician check quicker like I might if I was in hospital? Ahhhh confusing!

 

[Hoping4Four]

I'm hoping for a home birth this time. I had planned one with my son but 24 hours after my waters broke I still hadn't gone into labour and I needed to be induced. I'd had the pool set up and everything!

For me, the main appeal/advantages of a home birth are:

1. Being in a relaxed, comfortable environment where I can do what I want, eat what I want, watch/listen to what I want.

2. I get to sleep in my own bed straight away and don't have to share a ward with other women and babies when all I want is my own space/privacy.

3. My older three kids and my family get to meet the new addition as soon as I want them to, and there's no restrictions on visiting.

I really feel like more women should be encouraged to give birth in birthing units or their own homes. Being pregnant isn't an illness that needs treating, it's one of the most special experiences of your life! Obviously high risk pregnancies and complications are a separate issue.. I think if you're very far away from a hospital then maybe it's not the right choice. But most birthing units are close to hospitals, and for me it's ideal because my house is only 10 minutes away in the event of an emergency.

As for the paediatrician check, my son was born at 9.50pm and didn't see the doctor until around 18 hours later. His white blood cell count was elevated (probably because my waters had been broken over 24 hours before labour started) and he needed antibiotics for 5 days. I honestly think the amount of time before he saw the doctor would have been the same if I'd had him at home. He was fine, by the way!!

Do plenty of research and make the choice that's right for you. Best of luck

 

[LuxAeterna]

I'm pregnant with my fifth, and this is the third time I am planning a homebirth. Between the two options there is no better choice than to birth at home.

The data and statistics are pretty established and readily available.

 

[RoxieHart]

Thanks ladies

 

[nicijones]

Hi there,
I had my first at home and Definitely having this one at home too!
The experience was amazing and I wouldn't change anything about it.
We had a pool too but I ended up giving birth in the sitting room.
The midwives were amazing and made us all tea and toast afterwards. They then cleaned up and left us to it. i had a midwife come out the day after to do the newborn checks!
Good luck with what u decide to do!
Xxx

 

[RoxieHart]

Hi there,
I had my first at home and Definitely having this one at home too!
The experience was amazing and I wouldn't change anything about it.
We had a pool too but I ended up giving birth in the sitting room.
The midwives were amazing and made us all tea and toast afterwards. They then cleaned up and left us to it. i had a midwife come out the day after to do the newborn checks!
Good luck with what u decide to do!
Xxx

Thank you! It's nice to hear how lovely your experience was! My midwife was like 'think about it, you could give birth, get into your own bed with your new baby and order take away! '

 

[JadeEmChar]

Home birth can be as safe as hospital, its just about knowing whats happening and when things are going wrong. Have faith in your body, and have faith that it knows how to birth. If your first was uneventful generally the second is too.

I'm not trying to pursued you but home birth can be the most enriching and most joyous birth, also being in your own surroundings can help you relax so much more.

 

[Kezzybear]

I hate to be the downer here but recently In Australia, a lady who was a massive advocate for home birth died when she had an unexpected haemorrhage at home. There was no indication that this might happen and her previous births had not been complicated. There was not enough time to get her to hospital. Stuff like that scares the crap out of me and I must admit I would rather be in a hospital just in case as I would never forgive myself if something happened to bub just so I could be at home.
But obviously things can go wrong In a hospital too! It's a tough one but good luck in making your decision xx

 

[RoxieHart]

I hate to be the downer here but recently In Australia, a lady who was a massive advocate for home birth died when she had an unexpected haemorrhage at home. There was no indication that this might happen and her previous births had not been complicated. There was not enough time to get her to hospital. Stuff like that scares the crap out of me and I must admit I would rather be in a hospital just in case as I would never forgive myself if something happened to bub just so I could be at home.
But obviously things can go wrong In a hospital too! It's a tough one but good luck in making your decision xx

Thanks for this! Good to hear negatives too... To be honest things like this are the main reason for why I would opt for hospital birth. I love the idea of home birth.. Just trying to figure out if my anxious mind could hack the what if's .... I do trust my body and I was very proud of my previous labour, I know I can listen to my body and trust it, it's just my head that plays games with me... All the anxiety and worry!

 

[Pearls18]

Home birth for a second time + mum in the UK is actually *safer* people forget about the risks that are in hospitals particularly overly heavy handed medical professionals.

What borough in London are you in if you don't me me asking? I'm in London, not a chance in hell was I giving birth in my local hospital the reputation is horrific, I had better care at home, I would of had (if I hadn't of delivered so quickly! I wouldn't have made hospital even if I wanted) 2 midwives, whereas in my local hospital women are often left to labour in the waiting room due to lack of space.

In my borough it has been shown that the transfer time of most homes to hospital blue lighted is incredibly quick and has been known to be slower within the hospital itself!

It's important to look at how far you from the hospital, not because you will need to get there quickly because to be honest there is a very small chance that will happen (not a transfer that's not uncommon, but needing to be there THAT instant is very rare), but so you feel comfortable.

You will labour where you feel safest, not a chance I would have wanted a home birth with my first, I wanted to be in a big hospital (even driving 40 miles to get there) to feel safe, this time around after a quick first labour I knew I would be safer at home, and I was, I would have given birth on the side of the road had I attempted getting to hospital in London traffic. It'll also depend what facilities you have near by, I personally would have loved a MW led centre but they don't have them here.

 

[Pearls18]

Also when you start labour if you change your mind they will just call an ambulance and you will be straight there, they won't make you stay if you're not comfortable, even if you're labouring fine

 

[RoxieHart]

Also when you start labour if you change your mind they will just call an ambulance and you will be straight there, they won't make you stay if you're not comfortable, even if you're labouring fine

Ah thank you for this! I am in Woolwich, South East London .. My local hospital is Queen Elizabeth hospital ... I have to admit they were pretty crap there! I was left to labour alone with none of my birthing partners... I couldn't contact them because I was so high of gas and air and nobody offered to help because no one was regularly checking on me, my birthing partners had to try and find me and luckily they did ... Then I began to naturally push but was told by loads of people even a doctor that it was so unlikely it was time because I was only 3cm a while ago, I was shouting at them! A midwife was confused to wether she could see blood or babies head and kept telling me off for pushing I was trying to tell them to check me check me!! When she did the look on her face was priceless, baby was coming, nobody listened to me! Pushed her out in about 15 minutes. Was rushed out of the labour room onto a ward ... And like I mentioned in original post had to return to hospital a few days later as I had got an infection, and that was also about to be ignored, but I wouldn't allow them to send me home, luckily I didn't!!

Sounds crazy but I have to say my whole labour was very calm.. I was in my own zone and in a calm place, even whilst pushing, no screaming, very quiet lol. (Apart from when I was trying to get the to listen lol)

London hospitals really are not great! Im probably like about 15-20 minutes away from my local hospital with no traffic, but there usually is traffic! (London lol)

I would love a home birth, but like I mentioned I have awful anxiety, why I feel that I might be safer at a hospital I don't know? Maybe because if baby is born and there is a problem and he needs to go straight to Neonatal unit? Or if I fall ill after midwives have left and there is nobody to help quick enough? Don't know .. I'm just too anxious but it's annoying because I really do want a home birth ...

I also worry that being anxious might make the birth more difficult, I'm a believer in the idea that a calm and controlled mindset helps get you through a labour rather than being swamped with worry and fear. Confused!

 

[Pearls18]

Absolutely if you are anxious you won't labour well so if you think you will be anxious at home it won't be for you

It's ironic, I'm from rural wales where our birth options are pretty limited, I was looking forward to moving to London thinking I would have more options for birthing but actually had less, it was either birthing in an over crowded consultant led unit with only one water pool or home, so for me, home won.

If it's 15-20 mins normally that is very close for emergencies, any issues and they will blue light you to hospital so you don't have to worry about traffic for that, but you do have to worry about it if you choose to get there yourself traffic is a big issue here too, you can't win! The MW will also have resuscitation kit if baby comes out struggling.

It sounds like your first birth was quite quick so I would just say factor that too.

But I'm honestly not trying to push you into it the good thing is it sounds like you will birth quickly wherever you are, even if the hospital is rubbish you hopefully wouldn't have to be there long anyway lol just follow your instincts.

 

[RoxieHart]

Absolutely if you are anxious you won't labour well so if you think you will be anxious at home it won't be for you

It's ironic, I'm from rural wales where our birth options are pretty limited, I was looking forward to moving to London thinking I would have more options for birthing but actually had less, it was either birthing in an over crowded consultant led unit with only one water pool or home, so for me, home won.

If it's 15-20 mins normally that is very close for emergencies, any issues and they will blue light you to hospital so you don't have to worry about traffic for that, but you do have to worry about it if you choose to get there yourself traffic is a big issue here too, you can't win! The MW will also have resuscitation kit if baby comes out struggling.

It sounds like your first birth was quite quick so I would just say factor that too.

But I'm honestly not trying to push you into it the good thing is it sounds like you will birth quickly wherever you are, even if the hospital is rubbish you hopefully wouldn't have to be there long anyway lol just follow your instincts.

Thank you for your advice! I'm still not 100% decided but I guess I don't have to rush at the mo! .. Will have a few more discussions about it with my midwife as we only briefly discussed it at my booking appointment which was like 7 weeks so about 10 weeks ago haha! Thanks again x

 

[superfrizbee]

I've been thinking about this because my first labour was so short, but - and this is a stupid question - is there a lot of mess and who cleans it up??

 

[RoxieHart]

I've been thinking about this because my first labour was so short, but - and this is a stupid question - is there a lot of mess and who cleans it up??

I think the midwives help to clean things up! Depends where you want to give birth as well I guess, it could be a sheet situation or a birthing pool? Would be good to know what ladies that have done a home birth used? Lol