I'm 37 weeks and have just had my homebirth assessment. All went fine apart from the warning from my MW (reading from the form she was filling in) that "If the trust cannot provide two midwives to attend a homebirth at peak activity times you may be asked to come into the Midwife Birthing Centre to deliver your baby" (actually written in capitals on the form!).
I said that in the nicest possible way my answer would be "No." I said that although I don't want to be awkward or combative, they've known since my booking in appt (at about 6 weeks) so for 31 weeks that I intend a HB, and their staffing problems are not my concern. I have anxiety issues with hospitals, and although I will transfer in case of actual medical need, I do not consider their staffing problems a reason to transfer (nor "failure to progress", prolonged SROM or more pain relief). I really like my CMW so I found it excruciating to be so awkward, but I know going to hospital would slow labour, increase my pain, and increase risk of unnecessary interventions, all of which will increase risk to me and baby, and my risk of PND would be much higher (already have some risk factors).
MW argued they don't have staffing issues, it just depends on how many women go into labour at once (apparently nights are worse as fewer MWs available).
MW asked if I would prefer to have an unassisted birth rather than go into hospital, and I said no I would prefer they send someone, even if that's a paramedic. She explained paramedics will "scoop and go", so they're not going to stay here to attend. I said I knew some trusts have solved the issue by hiring at their expense an Independent MW, but obviously my MW couldn't comment on that. She's said she will get the Supervisor of MWs to contact me.
How do I handle this? This threat was what made me hire an IMW last time, but it was made at 8 weeks last time, this time is too late and anyway we now cannot afford it.
I said that in the nicest possible way my answer would be "No." I said that although I don't want to be awkward or combative, they've known since my booking in appt (at about 6 weeks) so for 31 weeks that I intend a HB, and their staffing problems are not my concern. I have anxiety issues with hospitals, and although I will transfer in case of actual medical need, I do not consider their staffing problems a reason to transfer (nor "failure to progress", prolonged SROM or more pain relief). I really like my CMW so I found it excruciating to be so awkward, but I know going to hospital would slow labour, increase my pain, and increase risk of unnecessary interventions, all of which will increase risk to me and baby, and my risk of PND would be much higher (already have some risk factors).
MW argued they don't have staffing issues, it just depends on how many women go into labour at once (apparently nights are worse as fewer MWs available).
MW asked if I would prefer to have an unassisted birth rather than go into hospital, and I said no I would prefer they send someone, even if that's a paramedic. She explained paramedics will "scoop and go", so they're not going to stay here to attend. I said I knew some trusts have solved the issue by hiring at their expense an Independent MW, but obviously my MW couldn't comment on that. She's said she will get the Supervisor of MWs to contact me.
How do I handle this? This threat was what made me hire an IMW last time, but it was made at 8 weeks last time, this time is too late and anyway we now cannot afford it.
