Home vs Hospital

[Minime]

Anyone thinking of a home birth? Been discussing it with DB and he's terrified something may go wrong and all the what ifs. He also said we'd have to make sure the house is practically sterile, whos he trying to kid, has he been in a hospital lately?

I'm thinking that if there were complications that these would be evident beforehand so time to get an ambulance etc? Do the midwives bring equipment for most eventualities i.e forcepts etc?

I tore with DD and will never forget having a spotty young trainee doctor sat between my legs stitching me up, I take it the midwife does this on home births?

I'm O rh negative and DB is O rh pos. I had the anti D but would this affect choice for a homebirth?


The more I think about it the more sense its making. I worked in the local hospital for 4 years and cleanliness is certainly not the best. When I had DD I was left for hours at a time in a not so nice room and didnt feel comfortable enough to be able to walk around to ease the contractions. I would feel a lot more at ease at home plus I can ring for back up when DB passes out with fear

Anyone else had homebirths and how did it compare to a hospital birth?

 

[Tam]

Hi hun,

I did toy with the idea of a home birth, but it didn't last long.............when it was pointed out to me that...............

a) if things go wrong there will be a certain amount of delay
b) You may have to travel to hospital and it may not be comfortable, depending on stage of labour etcl
c) painkillers & other help is limited

To be honest it is the thought of possinly having to travle that does it for me, I wanna be as comfy as possible and I needed more medical intervention last time too, so I am no way going to take the chance!

But I can't imagine there can be anything better than doing it in your own surroundings if you knew everything was going to go fine!

Good Luck hun, let us know what you decide?! xx

 

[Minime]

I want to try gas & air only his time. They overdosed me on pethidene with DD and I was out for the count for most of it and it prolonged the labour.


Delay, is there much delay if youre in the hospital i.e night birth and having to raise a duty dr? Do the midwives carry defibs?

Had a straightforward birth with DD, slept most of it

 

[LouisecH]

Hi

I planned a home birth with Zara but she came 7 weeks early so that went out of the window.

My midwife was the home birth co-ordinator for the area and she honestly believes that a well planned home birth is actually safer than a hosital birth.

Women are more relaxed at home, there's less panic and needless intervention. You are in familiar surroundings in which you can eat and drink if you want to, get in the bath if you feel like it etc.

You don't need it to be sterile. I was told to buy a couple of shower curtains (plastic sheets) and have some old sheets and towels ready.
The midwives have everything you need otherwise.

You need to think how far you live from your nearest hospital. I'm only 10 minutes away so I didn't see it as a big problem to get there and to be honest labour hurts anyway, whether you're travelling or not.

And just think after the birth, yuo can cuddle up with your new family in your own bed. Bliss!

I say go for it!

 

[nikki1306]

You are pretty much the same as me minime,we have the same blood type and so do our partners and i also wasn't happy with pethidine the last two times so am just gonna try gas and air this time . I am gonna have this baby at a birthing centre as i don't fancy hospital and i am not sure about being at home,do you have any near you? xx

 

[rusks]

first time for me, so im going to play it safe with the hospital but hoping to come home asap afterwards.

 

[Minime]

I dont fancy a birthing centre, might as well be in hospital as I'd still feel uncomfortable in unfamiliar surroundings. I like the idea of being able to relax in my own home, watch tv, put on music of my choice, mooch around naked if I so pleased, do some cross stitch or rubber stamping whatever took my fancy and all in the familiarity of my own surroundings. Its really appealling to me. Im only about 15-20 minutes from the hospital and as I said I can fone a friend when DB passes out

 

[nikki1306]

You go for it then hun xx

 

[skatty]

There are some great home birth stories in the new arrival section

 

[Tam]

I want to try gas & air only his time. They overdosed me on pethidene with DD and I was out for the count for most of it and it prolonged the labour.


Delay, is there much delay if youre in the hospital i.e night birth and having to raise a duty dr? Do the midwives carry defibs?

Had a straightforward birth with DD, slept most of it

Midwifes Delivery Pack:

Basic Items

Blood Pressure Monitor
Thermometer
Pinard Stethoscope
Doppler Sonicaid
Gloves

Pain Relief

Gas & air cylinder
Opiate drugs such as pethidine
Local Anaesthetic

Emergency Equipment

Oxygen Cylinder
baby resuscitation equipment
Antiseptic Solutions
Intravenous drip set
Urine test strips
Scissors
Stitching Equpiment

Pack a maternity bag so you have all things to hand in one handy place, and if things didn't go according to plan, you are still organised for it.

Plan where you want to deliver the baby

The essential requiremants are comfort, warmth and cleanliness. Make sure that you have plenty of plastic sheeting to protect bedding, mattresses, chairs, and the floor and large bin bags to clear up the rubbish. You will also need lots of towels, copious hot water, soap, bowls and sponges. If you are going to use your bed, it should be eaily accesible to your midwife from both sides. Several changes of bed sheets will come in useful, together with extra pillows or cushions.

As for delays in hospital Docotrs are usually available quite quickly, it all depends on what the problem is really, as mainly midwives attend. As for epidurals and the like, that depends on whether they are in theatre or not and how many are on duty etc?! So there isn't really a straight forward answer!

If you have a straight forward birth in hospital, if you are fine after 6 hours, usually you are allowed to go home not long afterwards if you so wish, unless you birth at night time.

I hope this gives you a bit of a better idea hun, but obviously check with your midwife as things may be slightly different in your area xx