Hospital vs home birth?

[aliss]

Home birth all the way. I cannot have one next time due to being too far away from any birthing centres but I'm looking into alternative options to have one at home anyways. I'd rather do it alone behind a tree than go through what happened to me and my boy last time.

 

[silver_penny]

unassisted homebirth all the way!

 

[Saljae]

In the news today was an article on home births, saying more women should have their babies at home. What do you think about this?
https://www.publicservice.co.uk/news_story.asp?id=16897
I would worry about my daughter being scared of by hearing me! And the neighbours...also if things went wrong no immediate care.
So whats your opinion?
xx

Well maybe if you did unassisted, but midwives bring oxygen, pitocin, etc with them in the event that you should need it!

 

[JackiePed]

Well, since we want to do our research, perhaps we can share what we discover.

Advising for homebirth:

• https://www.cfmidwifery.org/pdf/safety.pdf
• https://www.vbac.com/2011/01/home-birth-is-safe-despite-medical-opinions/
• https://www.changesurfer.com/Hlth/homebirth.html
• https://www.globalmidwives.org/files/Article-homebirth-safety.pdf

Advising for hospital birth:

• https://skepticalob.blogspot.com/2010/11/ten-things-you-shouldnt-say-to-dr-amy.html
• https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/the-tragic-death-toll-of-homebirth/
• https://blog.practicalethics.ox.ac....-low-risk-obstetrics-is-home-birth-unethical/
• https://homebirthdebate.blogspot.com/

If anyone has more, feel free to add -- not for warring purposes, but for educational purposes. I don't claim to be an expert, so there's no reason to debate any of the articles with me. I have simply found them to be informative and interesting. A few of the articles on both sides can't be counted as technically valid sources, as some of them are clearly from biased sources like blogs or clinic literature, but they still cite other valid sources that we can then follow and read as well.

 

[SyllyPoohBear]

Home births are apart of the statistics so when they say they have had less mortality rates that INCLUDES home birth. With well educated people it is PERFECTLY safe. If anything is unsafe about birth it's being uneducated check out my birth story. I would have had a preemie baby had I listen to the doctor. They have a license to PRACTICE they aren't perfect either they loose moms and babies too. In all actuality it is about YOU and YOUR baby. If you feel comfortable at home then you probably wouldn't feel comfortable in the hospital it which case you will probably have more problems at the hospital and vice a versa. But you should ALWAYS do in my opinion what's best for your baby. Bringing them in to this world with love not PUSH PUSH PUSH. My daughter didn't even cry she was perfectly content looking up at me..

 

[Ashley8806]

Hospital birth any day. If things were to go wrong and they needed to get the baby out right away, I would hate to risk not getting to the hospital in time, where if you're there, you're there already. That's just my opinion, but I couldn't do home birth anyway. I know some places will let you VBAC at home, but I wouldn't even consider it considering the risk of uterine rupture and only having 3 minutes to get baby out at the most.

^^ This is the perfect example of why those of us who have researched birth extensively enough to be confident in home birthing (and those who have done the same but still feel hospital is their comfort zone) want to share that information. Risk of uterine rupture for a VBAC is actually incredibly small, so there's not much risk to consider at all. And the risk increases with certain interventions, such as augmenting labour, which is only available to be used in hospital.

If people want to birth in hospital, that's fine with me. But it does irk me to hear, "oh, I'd love to homebirth, but...." or "I can't home birth because...." when those reasons are inaccurate because it spreads misinformation to women who are doing their research and trying to make a decision best for them.

For your information, I CAN'T birth at home because they DON'T ALLOW IT here for a VBAC. I did not once run anyone down for doing home births, so I don't appreciate you talking down to me because of my opinion in the matter, which is what this thread was started for. I have done my research, and looked into it, but is NOT AN OPTION HERE. And if it was, I don't think I would choose it, but not because I am running down anyone who does home births or feel any differently to them, that is MY OPINION that I am entitled to and my choice.

 

[Ashley8806]

And, they don't intervene to induce labor, etc which is what you are talking about to increase the risk of uterine rupture. I have to go into labor on my own, and will not be allowed any medication to push on labor or contractions, because of the increased risk.

 

[PeanutBean]

There is a whole library worth's of links to research, evidence and opinion on birthing in the home and natural birthing section so rather than duplicate links here I would recommend women to visit the section, even if you're planning a hospital birth. You'll find particular focus on homebirthing, alternatives to pain relief (hypno/tens/water), vbac/hbac, the natural birth process (physiology), gbs positive.

 

[Blah11]

Does anyone actually know anyone whos baby has died during a homebirth? I don't but I do know of a few hospital births. Obviously you have to take into consideration that way more people hospital birth and home birth and that people who have high risk pregnancies and preterms are born in hospital too, but still

 

[Blah11]

p.s. the US attitude to 95% of births is disgusting (not the mummys, the medical profession)

 

[queenlavera]

Ashley I am seconding you on that condescending post from MandAanda, I love how some people comment on others personal situations like they have all the facts. I have also done my research and in PA they don't allow homebirths when you have conditions like diabetes (which I never said was GD - totally different from pre-existing!) or hypertension. Also MW bring basic equipment not the whole hospital with them.
I researched my hospital, and adore my OB. I'm good with my delivery route, though it may not have been my first choice.

 

[Snuffy]

Hospital birth any day. If things were to go wrong and they needed to get the baby out right away, I would hate to risk not getting to the hospital in time, where if you're there, you're there already. That's just my opinion, but I couldn't do home birth anyway. I know some places will let you VBAC at home, but I wouldn't even consider it considering the risk of uterine rupture and only having 3 minutes to get baby out at the most.

^^ This is the perfect example of why those of us who have researched birth extensively enough to be confident in home birthing (and those who have done the same but still feel hospital is their comfort zone) want to share that information. Risk of uterine rupture for a VBAC is actually incredibly small, so there's not much risk to consider at all. And the risk increases with certain interventions, such as augmenting labour, which is only available to be used in hospital.

If people want to birth in hospital, that's fine with me. But it does irk me to hear, "oh, I'd love to homebirth, but...." or "I can't home birth because...." when those reasons are inaccurate because it spreads misinformation to women who are doing their research and trying to make a decision best for them.

For your information, I CAN'T birth at home because they DON'T ALLOW IT here for a VBAC. I did not once run anyone down for doing home births, so I don't appreciate you talking down to me because of my opinion in the matter, which is what this thread was started for. I have done my research, and looked into it, but is NOT AN OPTION HERE. And if it was, I don't think I would choose it, but not because I am running down anyone who does home births or feel any differently to them, that is MY OPINION that I am entitled to and my choice.

VBACs are not allowed to give birth here anywhere other than hospital. No home birth, midwife unit - hospital.

I could probably argue with them, but why would I want to go against the strong advice of my midwife and consultant, even if home birth was for me?

 

[PeanutBean]

Snuffy if you're in the UK you are "allowed" to vbac at home should you choose to. The NHS is legally obliged to send mws regardless of the circumstances and their own recommendations. Evidently it wouldn't be your thing anyway but it's not correct to say a vbac has to be in hospital.

 

[Ju_bubbs]

Because ultimately, its YOUR birth, and YOUR choice! Ive not read anything apart from the last post (snuffy's post), so I dont know your deatails, or anything.. just answering the question with my own opinion!
No midwife would ever get away with telling me 'I am not allowed' to do something, that I had researched and felt I wanted to do.. they are only allowed to 'advise' you to help YOU make the choice.

 

[Snuffy]

My MW told me that I would have to give birth in hospital. I am happy to accept that after what happened last time. I am quite certain they wouldn't have these policies unnecessarily.

 

[PeanutBean]

Obviously you need to you what suits you snuffy but I'm afraid your mw was lying and your hospital trust would be breaking the law should they not support you or others in your area who did wish for a homebirth.

 

[Snuffy]

Well this is the same MW who tried to talk me into a home birth last time, so I am satisfied that if she says I have to have a hospital birth this time, then there is a very good reason for it.

I am not going to argue about it.

 

[MandaAnda]

Hospital birth any day. If things were to go wrong and they needed to get the baby out right away, I would hate to risk not getting to the hospital in time, where if you're there, you're there already. That's just my opinion, but I couldn't do home birth anyway. I know some places will let you VBAC at home, but I wouldn't even consider it considering the risk of uterine rupture and only having 3 minutes to get baby out at the most.

^^ This is the perfect example of why those of us who have researched birth extensively enough to be confident in home birthing (and those who have done the same but still feel hospital is their comfort zone) want to share that information. Risk of uterine rupture for a VBAC is actually incredibly small, so there's not much risk to consider at all. And the risk increases with certain interventions, such as augmenting labour, which is only available to be used in hospital.

If people want to birth in hospital, that's fine with me. But it does irk me to hear, "oh, I'd love to homebirth, but...." or "I can't home birth because...." when those reasons are inaccurate because it spreads misinformation to women who are doing their research and trying to make a decision best for them.

For your information, I CAN'T birth at home because they DON'T ALLOW IT here for a VBAC. I did not once run anyone down for doing home births, so I don't appreciate you talking down to me because of my opinion in the matter, which is what this thread was started for. I have done my research, and looked into it, but is NOT AN OPTION HERE. And if it was, I don't think I would choose it, but not because I am running down anyone who does home births or feel any differently to them, that is MY OPINION that I am entitled to and my choice.

I never once said you could or couldn't birth at home or hospital. Re-read the post. I was using your post as an example of misinformation. Without drugs (as you say you won't have anyway), risk of uterine rupture in a VBAC is very, very small. Yet, to read your post you would think it was such a big risk. That's all I'm getting at. Facts are one thing and worth correcting if misreported so that others have the correct information to be able to make informed choices. Opinions are another thing entirely, and I definitely feel you should birth where you're most comfortable.

 

[PeanutBean]

Well this is the same MW who tried to talk me into a home birth last time, so I am satisfied that if she says I have to have a hospital birth this time, then there is a very good reason for it.

I am not going to argue about it.

I'm not arguing about whether or not you are best off in or out of a hospital or whether your mw's advice is good or bad. I'm simply stating that you cannot be told where to give birth, as you implied she did, as it is illegal to not provide an alternative should the mother desire it. She's probably perfectly right to advise a hospital birth for you - I don't know as I don't know anything about you or you circumstances - but she can't legally say it is the only option.

ETA: It's an important point I'm trying to make as though you are happy with the hospital birth there are women who aren't but think they have no choice in the matter.

 

[indy and lara]

I recurring theme in this thread seems to be about 'risk'. Is HB riskier than Hospital birth? What is the risk of rupture with VBAC? And so on.

It is worth remembering that risk is a very personal thing. Some people's small risk is another person's too high a risk. Personal circumstances and experiences play a huge part in that. Because people choose the hospital birth path as they feel it is less risky does not mean that they live their lives in fear as has been suggested. It means they have weighed up the choices and feel that one way is too high a risk for them. It is worth remembering that when you stats like 1 in 100 or 1 in 1000 then someone has to be that 1- when you have been that 1 you will do anything you can to never be that 1 again. And that may well mean choosing a medicalised birth that other people see as unnecessary.