Some questions about homebirth?

[LittleBoo]

Hello ladies for a while I've wanted to try a home birth but my fear of something going wrong has kept me going for hospital birth, and months ago when I first mentioned the idea of a homebirth my partner flat out refused.

Then today, I couldn't help myself and looked through all the amazing posts and pictures of homebirths. I want this, but I need some info from those who've been through it etc. My partner is also now up to at least reading the information and then giving his view, though I think the idea is seeming better and better in his head. He also said quite rightly that whatever choice I make is what's going to happen, and he'll support me either way.

Okay, so question time:

1. What are the actual chance of me being allowed a home birth? I'm 19, and had an emergency c-section in 2009 due to baby in OP position, failing to progress and finally heart rate dropping (turns out cord was round his neck three times). I also live in the UK.

2. If I want to ask for a homebirth, who do I ask? I haven't seen a midwife yet, only the ultrasound lady, though when I'm 15 weeks I'll be having my first ante natal app... is this too late to ask for one? Do I ask my GP or wait til the 21st to see the midwife?

3. What are the risks? I know the chances of last labour/birth repeating are slim and was just bad luck, but things like bleeding out after/during birth, needing another emergency c-section, I worry! Could someone give me some nice, calming statistics and advice?

4. How many midwives would be there, the one or two? I've heard different things...

5. How much is it to rent a birthing pool? & where do you rent them from?

6. My son will most likely be in the house... will seeing me in labour scar him for life or will he be fine?

7. I'm going to be trying for a natural as possible birth, so the most pain relief I'd want is gas and air, do midwives bring gas and air?

I could ask more but I'd be here all day


Oh and are there any good websites you could recommend for info to convince my partner I'll be safe?

 

[indigo_fairy]

Hi

I can't really answer all the questions although can tell you what I've found out etc...

The consultant will probably tell you that you aren't 'allowed' a homebirth as mine did, but legally they can't tell you what you are allowed to do, it's your right. They can advice but you need to look up the facts and decide the risks for you

This is what I did as I had an emergency c-section, with failure to progress etc... but I've done my research and with the help and advice of the ladies on here decided that a home birth will be the right thing for me and my baby this time. My previous baby was in the 'wrong' position too, but even the consultant said it was chance, and I know now things I couldn've done to help the position issue.

You don't have to ask anyone, but you can tell your midwife you are considering a homebirth and talk about it with her. Again it depends on your previous experience sometimes to how she will react. Mine was ok, which surprised me. The biggest thing they worry about is uterine rupture, but it's only 0.5% which is 1 in every 200 woman (also depends on what kind of incision, but I'm assuming you probably have the one across bikini line).

Usually 2 midwives are sent out, and they bring round a homebirth kit with everything they would need to help mum and baby if they have any problems, if it was something more serious then they would transfer you to hospital. They would have gas and air yes.

My 4yr old daughter will be in the house most of or all the labour if possible. I think it must depend on your child and how you feel about it. Personally I'm feeling very comfortable having her there and have been showing her videos (not too graphic obviously) of how babies are born. If on the day I think she isn't going to cope with it I have a few back up plans of people picking her up. But this is totally up to you and is a personal decision.

The best website I've been on so far is this one:

https://www.homebirth.org.uk/

But there are more if you look through this forum

Hope that helps

 

[chuck]

Hello ladies for a while I've wanted to try a home birth but my fear of something going wrong has kept me going for hospital birth, and months ago when I first mentioned the idea of a homebirth my partner flat out refused.

Then today, I couldn't help myself and looked through all the amazing posts and pictures of homebirths. I want this, but I need some info from those who've been through it etc. My partner is also now up to at least reading the information and then giving his view, though I think the idea is seeming better and better in his head. He also said quite rightly that whatever choice I make is what's going to happen, and he'll support me either way.

Okay, so question time:

1. What are the actual chance of me being allowed a home birth? I'm 19, and had an emergency c-section in 2009 due to baby in OP position, failing to progress and finally heart rate dropping (turns out cord was round his neck three times). I also live in the UK.

There's no being allowed or not - it is your choice, you may get told you arent allowed but it is BS, the NHS are duty bound to attend you where ever YOU CHOOSE

2. If I want to ask for a homebirth, who do I ask? I haven't seen a midwife yet, only the ultrasound lady, though when I'm 15 weeks I'll be having my first ante natal app... is this too late to ask for one? Do I ask my GP or wait til the 21st to see the midwife?

You have the right to choose to homebirth when you are in labour if you want it that way, if your MW is supportive then bring it up when you feel the time is right or they will start making assumptions about the hospital you want to go to

3. What are the risks? I know the chances of last labour/birth repeating are slim and was just bad luck, but things like bleeding out after/during birth, needing another emergency c-section, I worry! Could someone give me some nice, calming statistics and advice?

The website mentioned about is brill take a look - if you had the choice would you go to a MLU or Birth Centre? As a homebirth is exactly the same in terms of what can/cannot be done. Remember that at home you will have 100% of your MW's attention and any issue will be picked up on far more quickly than it would in hospital plus you won't be subject to needless interventions because you have to fit to the hospital timetable of dilating 1cm per hour etc. Homebirth reduces the risk of needing a CS as you are free to move and more relaxed.

The usual stats state that as a first time momma there is around a 1:4 chance of having an EMCS with a VBAC its around the same - but individual factors also play a large par, for instance you did labour you must have dilated some etc so your body knows how to labour (my CS was slow progress and OP baby so I know where you're coming from)so your chances are better perhaps than someone who has not laboured before.

MW's can manage an awful lot without the need for a hospital and it's equipment, they can suture tears, resus a baby and manage quite a bit of PP bleeding,. The vast majority of issues that would require transfer to hospital in labour or postpartum can be managed effectively and dealt with and transfers made before they become true emergencies.

4. How many midwives would be there, the one or two? I've heard different things...
You start with 1 and when it gets close to lift off another one arrives, 1 for you 1 for baby

5. How much is it to rent a birthing pool? & where do you rent them from?
Prices vary - there are some good links in the various threads here a lot of ladies but theirs 2nd hand

6. My son will most likely be in the house... will seeing me in labour scar him for life or will he be fine?

Kids are tougher than you think - he'll mre likely want to get in the pool with you!

7. I'm going to be trying for a natural as possible birth, so the most pain relief I'd want is gas and air, do midwives bring gas and air?
Yes you can have GnA but water is awesome pain relief, also being mobile and relaxed all reduces the need for more, it has been mentioned here you can request pethadine but you need a prescription from the Dr and then if you use it you cannot get back in the pool - have you thought about relaxation techniques to help like hypnobirthing/natal hypnotherapy (the NH have VBAC specific set of CD's)

I could ask more but I'd be here all day


Oh and are there any good websites you could recommend for info to convince my partner I'll be safe?

Just to add I'm hoping to HBAC in May and so far hubby is on the fence and wishes I would go to hospital my Mum is unsure but my MW's are HUGLY supportive they think I'm doing the right thing for the right reason and wont regret it even if I get transferred for what ever reason I'll be doing things my way.


Here are some links I put together in another thread there are some other in the first post of homebirthers and hopeful sticky at the top of the page

HOMEBIRTH
https://www.gentlebirth.org/ronnie/homesafe.html

HYPNOTHERAPY/HYPNOBIRTHING
https://www.hypnobirthing.co.uk/
https://www.natalhypnotherapy.co.uk/


VBAC/HBAC
https://www.homebirth.org.uk/vbchances.htm
https://www.theunnecesarean.com/
https://www.plus-size-pregnancy.org/CSANDVBAC/shouldbegrateful.htm
https://www.childbirth.org/section/ICAN.html
https://www.homebirth.org.uk/vbacsigns.htm
https://www.childbirth.org/section/ICAN.html
https://wellroundedmama.blogspot.com/2010/12/vbac-after-2-cesareans-distorted-risk.html

LABOUR/BIRTH GENERAL INFO
https://tums2mums.blogspot.com/2009/06/are-we-pushing-too-hard.html
https://www.cmnh.ca/papers/pushing.pdf
https://midwifethinking.com/2011/01/22/the-anterior-cervical-lip-how-to-ruin-a-perfectly-good-birth/
https://www.mybirth.tv/
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/o/cochrane/clsysrev/articles/CD002006/frame.html
https://www.aims.org.uk/
https://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/RuleOf10.asp
https://www.spinningbabies.com/
https://www.scienceandsensibility.org/?p=1939


UK NICE GUIDELINES
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/index.jsp?action=byTopic&o=7261&ht=7252
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/index.jsp?action=byTopic&o=7253&ht=7252

 

[indigo_fairy]

Thanks for posting all those links, will take a look at the HBAC ones myself

 

[chuck]

There seem to be a few of us hoping to HBAC at the moment!

The problem is there arent many stats for HBAC as it is not all that common compared to VBAC.

Just bear in mind all the Homebirth stats hold true for us as long as the pregnancy isn't complicated by any other factors.

Uterine rupture can occur in any pregnancy not just VBAC, for a VBAC the risk is arounf 0.5% so 199 out of 200 VBACS will not rupture...and rupture doesnt have to mean alien chest burster type affair it can just mean a weakjeneing of the scar.

YES it can be very bad - however there are many other things that can and do happen in labour that are more likely adn just as dangerous...BUT having said that these things are usually spotted and and can be dealt with by a good MW who keeps her head alongside a calm mother who isnt being pushed to do things she isnt sure about....like a Mother who knows her mind and is relaxed because she is at home and she has 100% of her MW.



I dont think I put it in the links but there is a FAB yahoo email group that is full of very very helpful and knowledgable women who are more than happy to help you out with info and assistance - well worth signing up to even if you just lurk and dont post.

https://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ukvbachbac/

 

[rachiedata]

Hi LittleBoo! Some of the photos and stories around are really inspiring aren't they? I see you're in Warrington, my OH is from Bewsey, so I'm having a little half Scouse/half Warringtonian baby

As chuck mentioned, the question is not necessarily are you "allowed" a home birth - you are entitled to hospital/birth centre/home birth and it is your choice based on your assessment of the risks, and medical advice that you choose to take. You're right that the odds of having a birth similar to your last is very slim - the fact that the cord was round the neck does not affect this birth, baby being OP also doesn't affect this time round, and "failure to progress" (don't like the term much) is usually considered more common for a first-time mum. Lots of ladies on here are going for a home birth after caesarean and have already posted lots of links which will explain why the midwives or doctors might try to put you off (mainly uterine rupture and this does not have much basis in the facts and actual statistics). In the end, it's your decision.

One thing your husband may consider is how far you are from a hospital, should the need arise - some websites that consider this also consider that you might live in the middle of nowhere, or the Australian outback, or very far from a "suitable" hospital based on the American healthcare system, or any number of locations not relevant to you in a UK town with lots of obstetric facilities and an excellent 999 ambulance service. You will also have two midwives there - more than would be with you (and just for you) in any hospital or birth centre. There is a lot said about men being more uncomfortable with the idea due the culture of fear around childbirth - slightly different with your husband since you already have one but a few well-researched articles may help ease his fears.

I booked my home birth with my midwife at the 25 week check and you are entitled to ask at any stage, it's never too late. You'll have a long appointment at 36 weeks to discuss the plan for the birth and some areas do a visit to your home too. It would be quite good to ask at your booking appointment because some areas also then do all your antenatal visits, blood tests etc. at home too. Wish I would have had this rather than go the GP every few weeks to see the midwife. And they do carry gas and air, resuscitation equipment for you and baby, equipment to do stitches if you need them, everything!

It depends on how old your son is and his own personality whether he will be interested in the birth or not - some kids are bound to be fascinated and others rather go off and do something else, but I doubt he would be frightened by the process if everything was explained to him at his own level beforehand.

Anyway good luck and stay with us here, let us know how you get on!

 

[chuck]

i said at booking I wanted a HB but that was because the MW said right then Ashford or Margate hospital as one of her first questions! I didnt want either on my notes.

there was a sharp intake of breath and then she said well....the OB's will tell you that you arent allowed but they MW's will all back any decision you make.

 

[rachiedata]

I had a fantastic midwife at booking... really thought I wouldn't have the option of home for my first one, just out of ignorance, but I asked loads of questions about active birth and not wanting an episiotomy and this that and the other, then she told me her own home birth stories. Really planted a seed so well worth asking as early as that!

 

[LittleBoo]

Thanks so much everyone! Am about to take a look at those sites

I definitely want to try hypnobirthing, I've heard lots of positive stories about that we're in the process of moving to Leigh, which is right next to a hospital, literally about 5 minutes drive from us OH seems really keen on the idea now, and I really like the idea of Jack being around for the labour and birth, he's not easily bothered, my little tough guy I think I've made my mind up, if all goes well during pregnancy, it's a homebirth for me! x

 

[chuck]

yay another good way of gaining info as I found out was by contacting your local branch of the NCT they may run a homebirth info session near you.

I managed to find one just across the road as a 1 off info eve it was great. but there may be more regular HB support meetings near you. Speaking to people you have done it really gives you confidence.