Homebirths

[mrs_tommo22]

I was wondering of any home birth pros could answer this as honestly as they can.

Im planning my third pregnancy for 2009 and am hoping to have a homebirth this time around. I have my worries and i know my husband does as soon as i mentioned it, is there a reason why i shouldnt have a homebirth?

I am 14 stone and worried this could be a problem even though ive lost a lot of weight for a future child. I had problems delivering stephen but Imogen was easy, she just fell out No problrmd delivering her at all.

Any replys would be fantastic!!!!

 

[lisa&alex]

your weight isnt a problem hun.. midwives will say ohh your bmi might b to high for a HB but i was much heavier than you at the end of my pregnancy bmi of 41 and they still let me..if they dont support you write a letter to the consultant and tell them you arnt being supported by your community midwives. google homebirths and hombirths.org (i think) will come up its a fab site for info.. as you may know i had a homebirth after i was advised to go in as i wasnt 37 weeks.. at the end of the day a midwife HAS to attend a birth.. its illegal for them not to witness a birth..good luck.. i will be planning a homebirth with our next to.. i might not get it depending how early i go.. but we shall see xx

 

[valentine]

Hi mrs t,

I had a happy home birth with my first baby and am currently planning the same with my second next May.

I weigh more than you, I'm not saying exactly how much, but my BMI with my DD was 41, this time round its 42. In my area, if you're BMI is over 35/40 (depends on which policy you read) then you are classed as high risk and have to fight to get a home birth, however, remember it is YOUR choice and you should not be bullied. Every woman in the U.K. has the right to have a home birth. However, with second and subsequent children, it doesn't seem like you have to fight as hard.

The risks you face because you are overweight, I'm not too clear on. I think the issue is that anyone overweight/obese (by BMI standards) will find it more difficult to birth a baby simply due to size and bulk (although this certainly wasn't the case for me) and crucially that if you are transferred to hospital, it is much more difficult for professionals to give you emergency treatment again due to your size. I suppose there's the added issue of high blood pressure and higher risk of gestational diabetes, although this wasn't a problem for me first time round.

All I'm trying to say is that you may have a couple of small battles ahead of you, but get a supportive midwife behind you who is pro home birth and go into any appointment armed with your reasons for wanting a home birth (read this thread if you want any idea and check out the birth story links) and you should be absolutely fine.

I would recommend doing some reading in the meantime, then waiting until you get pregnant and mentioning it to your midwife at the earliest opportunity and ask for some alloted time to discuss it with her. The attitude towards home birth and support for it really varies from area to area. It may also be worth spending some time thinking through the practicalities of the home birth (where you would birth, would you have a pool, where would children go etc etc) to get this straight in your mind too. I would also talk to mr t again about your thought and try to get him on side, a supportive and understanding partner about this, is absolutely crucial.

I hope this helps

Valentine Xxx

 

[mrs_tommo22]

Mr T is definitely is very supportive of me and I know he trusts my judgement. But hes just worried about future babies bless him.

Im very pro having a homebirth this time around as 1st time was uneducated about the whole thing, and 2nd time i wasnt living in a house of my own so couldnt then either.

I have made my mind as to having a home birth, i do want one and will have one. The weight isn't a issue with me, i have lost so bloody much and am healthier then i have in years. I had a bmi of 41 when i got pregnant and gave birth to imogen and she was easy bless her. So not fazing me.

I guess i have so many questions and just kind of hoping for the negs and pos of having one.

 

[beanie]

I have had a hospital birth and a home birth and whilst both are very special, the homebirth was an amazing experience and I will always have homebirths now if I can. Just being able to be inmy own bed, and have people around me I trusted helped, and with having another child it felt lessdisruptive for her. I had no issues on paper, my pregnancy was low risk but because I was under a consultant (monitoring my mental health) I had to argue for my homebirth (even though going into hospital was one of the reasons for my PND in the first place).

 

[Sherlock]

TBH if you have a happy healthy pregnancy and do all your research and are happy with your choice then I can't see why not.

Valentine linked you to the homebirth thread so hopefully some stuff there will be of use.

FWIW in my area they advise against homebirth if your BMI was 31 and over at booking and it goes up to 35 or over at 36 weeks. Go figure when carrying a baby, placenta and fluid plus larger boobies and all that Of course my sodding BMI was going to beover 35

Mine was a first baby, older mum (37 at time of birth), higher BMI and a suspected large baby. Because of all of these (although any one on its own was enough for them to advise no to a homebirth) I was strongly advised to not have a homebirth and deliver in a consultant led unit. I thanked them and declined. MW reviewed my case, discussed with her fellow MW team and they supported my choice fully.

You need a supportive OH also for this. My hubby had reservations to begin with but once I did my research for him and he met and talked things over with my MW he was all for it and supported me 100%. We both agree having Galen at home was the best thing for us and him and we loved the experience and plan to have another homebirth all being well should I get PG again. I've already been told I will be under consultant care for any more pregnancies but have stressed I wish to try for a homebirth and my Gyne Docs so far have been understanding and supportive of this. I know I may well face a bit of a battle nearer the time with the Consultant but I'm prepared for that this time.

Please remember to be informed about all the things that may worry people about homebirthing (transfer times to hospital in case of emergency, pain relief options, MW one to one care (and two during second stage and after) etc. If you know all the facts and are happy with them they hopefully others will be more understanding and supportive. I found once I explained my reasons for wanting a homebirth the onconvinced at least were less sceptical. Not many supported my decision outright but understood my reasons and knew I had done my homework and was prepared for possible transfer to hospital etc if need be.

Feel free to drop me a PM anytime if you want to talk more about BMI, bigger baby and so on.

 

[Snuggle]

We are discussing a homebirth next time I see MW. Our worry is that Maddison came out not breathing and several doctors were rushed in to resuscitate her and if that were to happen with this baby then what would happen? I would love a homebirth, I would love for Maddison to be there when I have the next baby rather than Mummy disappearing then returning with another baby

 

[Tadpole]

I won't reiterate what has been covered but I just wanted to say that it was Valentine's & Sherlock's birth stories that made me confident about having a homebirth. And I had a beautiful birth (see below). If it is what you want I would really encourage it. Research all the options and be prepared to be firm if necessary. Good luck.

 

[chickadee1976]

My BMI iswas 31 at first and is 38 at the moment. And nobody has ever mentioned my weight to me. Ive not met with any problems from the midwife although i still have this fear as soon as i labour they will make some excuse and pack me off to hospital.

 

[Sherlock]

We are discussing a homebirth next time I see MW. Our worry is that Maddison came out not breathing and several doctors were rushed in to resuscitate her and if that were to happen with this baby then what would happen? I would love a homebirth, I would love for Maddison to be there when I have the next baby rather than Mummy disappearing then returning with another baby

In the first instance the homebirth MW's would do the same as they do in hospital to help baby. That is why there are two of them present when you actually deliver your baby. They are trained and experienced to do this and deal with any problems. The chances of the same thing happening with a second baby are probably very small. You should discuss with your MW. If she is up on homebirthing and does them herself she can hopefully reassure and explain things to you fully - mine talked me through all the possible things that could happen and what they would do in event of. I was more than happy with what she said about it all.

 

[Sherlock]

I won't reiterate what has been covered but I just wanted to say that it was Valentine's & Sherlock's birth stories that made me confident about having a homebirth. And I had a beautiful birth (see below). If it is what you want I would really encourage it. Research all the options and be prepared to be firm if necessary. Good luck.

Awwww glad our birth stories helped you

I know I've read your birth story before but I went back and read it again and was all weepy and smiley at it. You did sound like you had an amazing birth and I am so pleased it went well for you. Makes me want another one soon thats for sure. Yay for homebirthing

 

[Hazel]

My mw encouraged me to have a homebirth but felt as it was my first I wanted to go to hospital just in case and also we have a noisy neighbour problem so thought it might stress me out being at home. But I nearly did have her at home as she came so quick and now wish I had . Next baby will definitely be a homebirth .

My BMI was 30 at booking in and I had put on 4 stone by delivery day and my weight was never even mentioned throughout my pregnancy. I actually asked them in the last weeks and they said they hadn't even thought about it.

 

[lisa&alex]

my problem with my bmi was because the booking mw didnt weigh me.... i would have bn ok if she has they went on my weight at 30 weeks.. lol..

 

[Snuggle]

We are discussing a homebirth next time I see MW. Our worry is that Maddison came out not breathing and several doctors were rushed in to resuscitate her and if that were to happen with this baby then what would happen? I would love a homebirth, I would love for Maddison to be there when I have the next baby rather than Mummy disappearing then returning with another baby

In the first instance the homebirth MW's would do the same as they do in hospital to help baby. That is why there are two of them present when you actually deliver your baby. They are trained and experienced to do this and deal with any problems. The chances of the same thing happening with a second baby are probably very small. You should discuss with your MW. If she is up on homebirthing and does them herself she can hopefully reassure and explain things to you fully - mine talked me through all the possible things that could happen and what they would do in event of. I was more than happy with what she said about it all.

Hubby and I have talked about it loads recently and are going to discuss it with MW at next appointment. I kind of have my heart set on it TBH

 

[mrs_tommo22]

In definitely having a HM now, i coped so well with labour last time im quite looking forward to it, holding the baby i havent even TTC yet and giving it a cuddle and falling asleep in my own bed lol.

 

[trixipaws]

i know iv only given birth once so cant compare the two- however i am still confident that home births are the best!!

i had 2 midwives all to myself 100% of the time

no strangers saw me naked and contorted with pain not looking very fab lol

no sounds of other women screaming during labour, no sounds of other babies crying and setting mine off!

no worry of baby mix-ups!

no chore of travelling home when exhausted after givin birth, no travelling TO anywhere while in labour being cramped in a car

own "territory" is less threatening, more "secure" so less frightening/distracting.


the fact u had 2 natural births with no complications counts towards you- and as for your weight well sherlock and valentine both had high BMI's- plus they had their FIRST babies at home (first are seen as more "risky" too) so dont let anyone try to say u cant just coz of that.

big up the home birth crew!