Home birth - with complications?
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Pregnant
Forum Name: Pregnancy
Forum Description: Pregnant! Wanting to chat to other mums-to-be (or dads-to-be)? Share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas... This is that place!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=28217
Printed Date: 27 August 2025 at 2:34am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Home birth - with complications?
Posted By: T_Rex
Subject: Home birth - with complications?
Date Posted: 19 August 2009 at 9:33pm
|
I'm thinking about having a home birth for various reasons. I am quite keen on the idea, but my biggest reservation is that I live 40 minutes drive from hospital (and I'd travel through the Manawatu gorge, for those that know the area). There is an ambulance depot 5 minutes away, but its often not staffed so is probably 30 minutes away in terms of the people getting organised to get here.
If the problem is failure to progress, thats do-able, because that doesn't happen suddenly and we can transfer to hospital with a bit of time to spare. But there are other things (haemorrhage is my biggest worry) that could complicate things and need treatment much faster. Has anyone had an emergency in a homebirth situation? How was it dealt with? Would you do it knowing you are at least 40 minutes away from the hospital? Thanks heaps for any feedback. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
|
Replies:
Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 19 August 2009 at 9:44pm
|
Hey I haven't had a homebirth but one thing to think about - have any of the ladies on your side had any post-partem haemorrages, or do you have any risk factors for haemorraging (like low haemoglobin etc)? If not, then I guess it's no more of a factor than anything else.
Also, I don't think 40 mins is that far in the big scheme of things. Your midwife would ideally be there so in that instance it's not much different to birthing at a birthing unit that is not a main hospital (as people that need c/s or other treatment need to transfer mid-labour or afterwards anyway). |
Posted By: toniellis
Date Posted: 19 August 2009 at 9:51pm
|
Hi there, while I haven't had issues with homebirth, I just wanted to reassure you that your midwife will carry a fair stack of medical stuff with her for "in case of emergency". They have to stock everything that a maternity unit has to offer even though these things are rare.
When I had my homebirth I was at least 30 mins from a main hospital (rural living) but I had my two midwives at my beck & call if I needed them  ------------- Mum to Alex (11), Blaire (10) & Erika (8) and Damien (6) Successful HWB VBA2Cs! Soon to be surrogate |
Posted By: Tastic
Date Posted: 20 August 2009 at 2:46pm
| dont mean to hijack this thread, but is there any chance possible to have a homebirth if needed an IV for ab's during labour? |
Posted By: T_Rex
Date Posted: 20 August 2009 at 3:58pm
Hijack away Trish  I want to know anything and everything about it really!
Thanks for feedback thus far. I guess I should do some research into family histories. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
|
Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 20 August 2009 at 4:50pm
|
Yip Trish its totally do-able you just need to find a supportive midwife.
T_Rex talk to your midwife about all your worries about it and see what she says. Home birth midwives carry syntocinon which they can give you if you start to haemorrhage and really in terms of emergency treatment theres not a lot a home birth midwife can't do that happens at a primary unit (birthing unit). |
Posted By: rorylex
Date Posted: 20 August 2009 at 5:00pm
|
i am wanting a homebirth but my worry sounds pretty much the same. i use to live 2-5mins from the maternity unit so id actually be that much closer to the big hospital need i be transfered. however we have moved house and now live 10mins from the birthing unit and even furthur away from the big hospital. it would take 20mins for a ambo to get here then 30mins to get there. apart from that my only worry is where to put the pool and how on earth are we suppose to fill it. ------------- Mummy to 4 boys Samuel - 18.6.05 Rory - 15.7.06 Mason - 13.06.08 Emmett - 24.01.10 Baby #5 - cooking |
Posted By: Paws
Date Posted: 20 August 2009 at 5:39pm
|
Interesting question, I would LOVE to have a homebirth this time around and live pretty close to the hospital if there was a major issue. Last time there was failure to progress and DD1 was prosterior, I ended up with an emergency c-section was told I was close to rupturing. All that said I badly want a VBAC and would consider a homebirth if my midwife thought it possible.
I guess I don't have much advice but I think first port of call would be talk to your LMC and see what she says. If you are having a problem free pregnancy and everything is lining up well I don't see much of an issue surely but I imagine they would be the ones to make the call. After that it's done to how comfortable and confident you feel. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: luvmylittlies
Date Posted: 20 August 2009 at 6:10pm
|
I think it's 1 in 400 deliveries that require lifesaving treatment for post-partum haemorrhages and trust me, 40 minutes is too far for that. I love the idea of home birth if you're well supported and not too far from emergency treatment - but since you're not.....things DO go wrong unexpectedly and do you really want to risk yourself and bub even if it's just a risk? That has come across more opinionated than I mean it, but I watched a 24 year old woman bleed to death after delivery in a rural hospital where we couldn't provide the emergency care she needed. ------------- Adoring Mum to Talisin 8/9/11 and Kiara 18/01/10 |
Posted By: luvmylittlies
Date Posted: 20 August 2009 at 7:31pm
|
Gods, I just re-read my post and boy it's a downer. Must have been having a sugar low, sorry. ------------- Adoring Mum to Talisin 8/9/11 and Kiara 18/01/10 |
Posted By: mum2paris
Date Posted: 20 August 2009 at 7:37pm
|
I too have a less than favourable outlook on homebirths. I love the idea for those who are close. But working in the neonatal unit and getting the babies after something goes wrong at home, who have had to last the 40min drive from out of town..quite often through that gorge, I have seen a few things that make me quite against the idea.
Again though - that is a very skewed veiw as all I do see is the stuff that goes wrong and I am sure there are plenty of homebirths even in rural areas, that do go well and to plan. Really what you need for any home birth - as near or far away, is to make sure that you are a good candidate, ie don't have any risk factors such as the histories that others have said or other conditions that might make things a bit more risky in terms of medical problems you already have, or any that might arise during pregnancy - your midwife can talk to you about any of those though and tell you whether they are conducive to having a successful home birth or what the risks are. Also you need a midwife that is skilled in assisting home births - it is good to have one that specialises in this sort of thing or has carried out a fair few in order for her to have the range of experiences needed to be able to handle the situation if it does indicate problems. Apart from that - you need a good birth plan - something that.. if you do choose to have a home birth, will indicate at which stage you would be wanting to "pull the plug" so to speak, or consider transfering for either your safety or the baby's - this ties back in with the midwife's experience, and listening to her knowledge and intuition of the circumstances and being able to know how things might go and how long you will need to transfer. Have a really good talk to your midwife about her experiences, find out her opinion on the idea and whether she thinks tha tyou are a safe suitable candidate for a home birth, and take it from there. It is a hard decision to make, and being further away from a primary care facility does add time in the event of any emergency, but as i said before, there are plenty of others who have had the beautiful home births they have planned and it's all gone swimmingly. good luck. :) ------------- Janine and her 2 cool chicks, Paris & Ayja 
|
Posted By: Mamma2N
Date Posted: 20 August 2009 at 7:51pm
|
I'm with those that say talk through your concerns with your LMC. Having a homebirth is really no different to birthing in a birthing unit which I did. The birthing unit I was in is atleast 20minutes drive to Chch Womens, in peak traffic the time could potentially have been more.
I was worried about post-partum haemorrage as my mother went 30 days overdue with me and lost 4litres of blood  She was in a small country hospital and we were both lucky that we each had experienced doctors to care for us. BUT, I am not her, I had a complication-free preg, baby was fully engaged & ready to go etc
With that said my subsequent babies will be homebirths (circumstances permitting). I also think you need to think about where you would feel comfortable birthing. Personally I didn't want to give birth at Chch womens, it just wasn't for me.. Just saw Toniellis' post and see she has the homebirth website in her sig. - take a look if you haven't already. I read the birth stories throughout my pregnancy and loved them. And remember you can change your mind at the last minute, if you feel like you don't want to be at home you can always transfer. Good luck with your decision 
|
Posted By: T_Rex
Date Posted: 20 August 2009 at 9:23pm
|
Thanks for all the comments (yes, yours too Sasha and mum2paris). I want to hear all sides. My MW specialises in homebirths and I will discuss it with her in much more detail, I just wanted to collect ideas/opinions from others too.
I guess ultimately I have to weigh up 2 outcomes - (a) everything goes smoothly, in which case I'd have a slightly better birth at home; or (b) something goes wrong, in which case its much more likely to turn bad for bubs or I if I'm at home... Not much of a choice really is it? I won't be going to a birthing unit - Dannevirke has the nearest one, and that puts me almost twice as far from the hospital as I am at home, without any real benefit that I can see. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
|
Posted By: jazzy
Date Posted: 21 August 2009 at 11:00am
|
I know that area well, lol.
If you were high risk or develop any problems closer to delivering they would advise you to have a hospital birth. With DS2 we lived 80ks from the hospital & due to problems I was put into hospital a few weeks prior to delivering & he was my only v delivery. I think it would be a good idea to check out other options also. At the end of the day all you want is the safest & best option for you & baby. |
Posted By: HuntersMama
Date Posted: 23 August 2009 at 3:55pm
|
Is it your first baby? I personally wouldnt take the risk, but its totally your call if there are no health issues before hand.
My midwife has advised against the birthing unit, just incase I need a c-section or epidural. She said the 30 minute drive to the hospital will the the worst of my life! We are pretty close to the hospital, so Ill be going there. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 23 August 2009 at 5:10pm
|
My cousin birthed at the birthing centre at Kawakawa but had a massive PPH and had to transfer by ambulance to Whangarei and from what I understand it was pretty touch and go - it was bad enough that it's totally put her off having another baby.
I considered a Birthcare birth with lil miss but I wasn't allowed as I had a small PPH with the gremlins. I said to my midwife that it was silly as Birthcare is so close to the hospital, but she pointed out that the 5-10min trip would be a lifetime if you were hosing blood everywhere. -------------  Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
|
Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 23 August 2009 at 7:44pm
| you guys are all so luck to live so close to a hospital...and yes I think 40 min is close. Here, the nearest hospital is 3 hours away and a lot of the midwives here are, in my opinion, bordering on negligent. They actively encourage home births and I know so many cases that have ended up in helicopter rides to hospital!!!! Including on the other night where the mother was helicopter and, get this, the baby had to travel with Dad by road and dad had gone home for the night and had to come back. Our maternity care sucks the big one here!! |
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 23 August 2009 at 9:52pm
|
My cousin's midwife went in the ambulance with her and her DH had to drive the midwife's car from Kawakawa to Whangarei! ------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
(02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
|
Posted By: my2girls
Date Posted: 24 August 2009 at 3:11pm
|
Just my 2cents worth - I had a large PPH with DD1 and i had her at a birth centre, even though i was 10m ride by ambulance to the hospital it was very scary, i had to leave our new baby with my husband at the birth unit while they took me to hosp and he had to dress her etc and put her in her carseat and drive to the hospital and meet us there, it was a truely awful experience. I had dd2 at the hospital (we live 40mins from the hospital now) and it was really good knowing that everything was there incase of emergency.
But in saying that only a small number of people need to be transferred to hosptial whilst giving birth at home/birthing centre. We were told at our antenatal class that it was 1 in 5 approx that needed to transfer for various reasons. Maybe just go with what feels right. |
Posted By: ButterflyMum
Date Posted: 26 August 2009 at 11:01pm
|
I had homebirth with second, but it was fine. I don't think I could if I lived so far away from help tho we are only round the corner from hospital. however I can't imagine doing a home again partly cause we have too many kids here now and I don't think i could focus. -------------  
 
|
Posted By: Andriea
Date Posted: 27 August 2009 at 12:22pm
|
Ive had 2 homebirths both times I was about 30 mins from a hosiptal. With me it all went fine, but I also didnt have any 'risk factors'. With my last baby she was gonna be a homebirth to but because she was sooooooooooo overdue my midwife wanted me to birth in the hospital. We only just got there in time but literally popped in gave birth and left 2 hours later (at 3am none the less, he he he). ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
|
Posted By: Paws
Date Posted: 27 August 2009 at 4:58pm
Nice!! I was secretly hoping for a HBAC this time but can't thanks to one small spanner in the works, I'll settle for your result though! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
|
Andriea wrote: