Homebirthers: When wouldn't you homebirth?

[stellarella]

When would you not homebirth?

Would you HB a breech?
Would you HB twins (multiples)?
Would you HB a premmie? How premmie?

Etc etc.

[OM]

Great thread Stellarella, I too am interested in hearing others opinions on this. If I were to fall pg again I would want a homebirth but I am hesitant and unsure if that would be a good idea as I had in my pregnancies gestational diabetes, a low lying placenta (with Isla), and 2 c-sections. I wonder what my options would be if I had the GD and low lying placenta the 3rd time

[QTB]

i would homebirth a breech, multiples etc

but i would go to hospital if I thought something was wrong (i know my body best afterall) or if DH thought something may be wrong (i.e i pass out, too much blood etc - he knows whats normal and whats not!)

i would also go to hospital if i couldnt find bubs heartbeat (i have a doppler) or if it was extreamly low.

if bub was less than 36-37 weeks i would go to the hospital too...

[prideNJoy]

Well, i have never had a homebirth, but it is something i have already considered for #3 when the time comes (If i don't get into the Birth Centre again it will most definately be a homebirth with an independant middie)

I havn't done much research on homebirth but as it stands atm...

When would you not homebirth? There would have to be something wrong with the baby or myself, and there would have to be proof from medical prof. as i don't have a huge trust for their medical 'opinions'.

Would you HB a breech? I would

Would you HB twins (multiples)? Not 100% sure, but i would like to think 'yes'

would you HB a premmie? How premmie?
I don't think i would feel comfortable HBing a bub that was more than 3.5 weeks prem.

[Tam-I-Am]

Would you HB a breech? Hmmm. Depends on the kind of breech. If it was a frank breech, sure, no problems. If it was a footling - I guess It'd depend on what my IM had to say about it

Would you HB twins (multiples)? Again - depends. If they were fraternal, yep sure. If they were maternal - depends on twin-to-twin transfusion, and how early they are...

Would you HB a premmie? After 36 weeks or so - I'd consider it...Before...Breathing and feeding problems are much more likely - so I'd go based again on my IM's advice...

[QTB]

oo also, if there was a cord prolapse i wouldnt homebirth!

[ikis84]

I would hb breech, twins... premmie would really depend on a few factors - like estimated size, how premmie, other health problems etc. Other reasons would be based on any medical conditions that crop up during the pregnancy... I think alot of scenarios I would take a wait and see approach - so monitor them during labour and transfer if needed, not automatically book a hospital birth. So, if a low-lying placenta was suspected, I would monitor that during labour (as it can move as you dilate as far as I am aware).

Did that make sense?

[ikis84]

oo also, if there was a cord prolapse i wouldnt homebirth!

I think she is referring to things that you would know about before labour :detective:

[QTB]

ohhh sorry... most things i guess are if it happens, deside then... or labour at home and see how you go... :)

[Jazuli]

I would do twins, i dont know much about them but if it turned out i was having some then i would research and make a decision, but straightforward twins with no complication i would do.

I would do breech, it would probably scare me a bit, but i think a c section would be scarier.

I would not do a premmie below about 36 weeks, we live in a small town, so the necessary equipment is a long way away.

I have never had gestational diabetes, so i dont know what that involves.

[Jazuli]

Placenta praevia i probably wouldnt do.

[shed]

I would homebirth twins, definitely, absolutely. I would feel safer homebirthing twins at home actually.

I would homebirth a breech baby if I was happy that the midwife was competent in breech deliveries - (not that you would get one more competent at the hospital anyway)

I wouldn't cancel my homebirth due to placenta praevia but I would keep an eye on it and decide when its relevant. You can't decide this till its time because it often moves and you can deliver naturally.

I wouldn't homebirth a premmie because they might need special care that the hospital would provide. i.e. they might be sick and hospitals are fantastic places to be if you are sick. Depends how premmie of course.

[stellarella]

I think she is referring to things that you would know about before labour :detective:

Yeah, I was wondering if there were any circumstances where you simply would not even trial a HB.

Of course even with a single, full term, 'head first' birth you would monitor the birth and transfer if required but I mean a situation which would make a HB out of the question for you. So if partway through your pregnancy (or even at the beginning) you found something out, it would make you scrap the HB plans altogether...kwim?

I too would HB a breech definately....I was thinking about twins today as there were a set at the park so thats what got me thinking.....I think I would HB twins too especially if there were close to term.

[QTB]

I would homebirth a breech baby if I was happy that the midwife was competent in breech deliveries - (not that you would get one more competent at the hospital anyway)

just a note on this one :)

homebirth midwives are usually more comfortable delivering a breech than a hospital midwife, because they know that you basically dont do anything... hands off the breech... a breech will deliver itself better than anyone else (Ob/Midwives etc) :)

[shed]

just a note on this one :)

homebirth midwives are usually more comfortable delivering a breech than a hospital midwife, because they know that you basically dont do anything... hands off the breech... a breech will deliver itself better than anyone else (Ob/Midwives etc) :)

Yeah, that's what I thought :detective:

[ikis84]

Yes, but IM's have different levels of experience in breech - my middie would call another middie who has attended many, many breech births.

[MrsO]

Hmmm...good question.

Breech? Depending on the type of breech and the experience level of my IM. As someone else said, my current middy wouldn't have much experience but would call on one of her fellow IM's who does.

Multiples? Again depends on the type. Non-identical most likely, identical I would have to seriously reconsider. Also depends on gestation and other factors.

Premmie? After about 35 weeks.

Placenta Previa? Most likely not.

Other? Well I have genital herpes and in the unlikely event of me having a massive outbreak around the time I go into labour (very unlikely, haven't had one in years) then I will be going straight to the hospital for a c-sec. It is one situation I wouldn't take a chance with.

[SassyMummy]

Would you HB a breech?
Yep. Well, obviously depends on which type of breech I suppose, but I would attempt it, in most instances because baby could turn once in labour. Hospital is a back-up that is always there if I truly needed it. I don't know enough about breech...

Would you HB twins (multiples)?
Yep. I would.

Would you HB a premmie? How premmie?
I don't know much about premmies (and considering DD came 2 weeks late, and only then because she was extracted, I don't think I'll have to worry about it too much), but I suppose I'd contact my midwife and see what she thought. If I was about 36 weeks or more, I'd probably do it for sure.

Placenta Previa is an issue... but I suppose I'd discuss that with my IM, as I read something not too long ago about the "degrees" of it or something... it's not something I'm too knowledgable about... so again, I can't make too much of an educated decision...

[QTB]

Yes, but IM's have different levels of experience in breech - my middie would call another middie who has attended many, many breech births.

yep totally! some have more experiance it breeches than others, thats to be expected... what i mean is i would still prefer a HB midwife to deliver a breech than the hospital midwives (if she felt comfortable enough to do it of course) :)

[Duchessa]

Would you HB a breech?
Yes, provided that the middie I had chosen was confident (which I asked her before signing up).

Would you HB twins (multiples)?
Multiples with their own placenta but definitely NOT monochorionics. Too little time to act in the event of a complication. Even with the benefit of 3 years of hindsight, I am very pleased with my decision to have mine in hospital.

Would you HB a premmie?
Yes, 36+ weeks if I were confident of my dates.

[pookiesossige]

There are no IM's available in the region I live in, but I know my body and birthing at home would be awesome :thumbsup: As long as I could go to hospital for a few days afterwards to get out of the house for good food, no household responsibilities and time alone with my new bubby :laughing:

I would homebirth a breech, if it was expected to be straightforward and the IM was experienced in breech births.

I would homebirth twins- I don't know anything about the identical twin issues, but again, if IM was happy with it, then I'd be fine.

I wouldn't feel good about homebirth when the placenta was low-lying.

I wouldn't homebirth a baby born before 38 weeks. I know that this isn't even premmie at all, but I am 350k's from a hospital that deals with babies born before 36weeks. I agree with what Shed said- premmie babies often need a little help, and hospitals are great for sick babies.

However I was very very lucky to have a fabulous regional health service, run by wonderful middies who all seem quite anti-intervention and it was so great to see. There isn't even a full-time Ob, so a lot of the time there's no one around who's even remotely interested in rupturing membranes or getting you on a drip!

[numnum]

When would you not homebirth?

Would you HB a breech?
Would you HB twins (multiples)?
Would you HB a premmie? How premmie?

Etc etc.


I would birth breech and twins at home and feel that home would be safer option to avoid intervention.

I don't know enough about premmie issues. I"m interested to read what other have said. 36 weeks on usually isn't a problem and I would take advice from my MW on that one. Was it Sarah Buckley that gave birth at home to a 35-36 weeker? I'm sure someone knows.

My BP gets a bit dodgey towards the end of pregnancy but even that can be managed on medication if needed. THankfully I didn't this time though it did rise a little.

[TwoBoysOnly]

Even though I'm not having any more babies - if I was it would be homebirthed and....


Breech - Yes (well I'm not having a c/s so it has to come out somehow)

Multiples - Twins yes more than that probably no depending on estimated weights and if I started labouring early etc etc

Placenta Praevia - grade 1 or 2 probably yes 3 or 4 no

I don't know if I would have an IM there or not - I think I would just educate DP in the months leading up to the birth and then if anything were abnormal transfer in to hospital - I am fairly calm when birthing so I think I would still be able to think straight :laughing:

[QTB]

I don't know if I would have an IM there or not - I think I would just educate DP in the months leading up to the birth and then if anything were abnormal transfer in to hospital - I am fairly calm when birthing so I think I would still be able to think straight :laughing:

yep thats what im doing if i end up freebirthing (im hoping too but will deside at the time)

[TwoBoysOnly]

I just don't really see the point of having an IM there when I'm a midwife and can think clearly during my births :laughing:

[QTB]

lol yep! im not a midwife (yet!), but i know that i think clearly during birth, im a calm labour'er and i know dh knows his stuff... iv attended enough births to know if something is wrong and trust my gut instinct :)

[Lillynix]

oOOO nice thread!

This is something i've had to consider a fair bit, although I realise freebirthing is a bit different to homebirthing, but the only time I wouldn't freebirth was if...

Bubs needed medical attention after birth
I had any grade of placenta previa
I went into labour after 24weeks but before 35weeks
In cases of PE and HELLP etc
Multiples pregnancy (however I would homebirth with a midwife so long as she was confident)

I think that's it! But YES I would most DEFINATLEY freebirth a breech bubby, in fact, it's probably the safest way to birth a breech bubby!

[bubs_and_us]

the reason i will absolutely not have a homebirth is severe pre-eclampsia.

if i had no history, i'd definitely HB a breech, multiples or premmie baby if my IM considered it to be ok.

obviously i'd put a lot of trust in the middy, so i would trust her opinion of when its best to head off to hospital

[sirhokko]

I just don't really see the point of having an IM there when I'm a midwife and can think clearly during my births :laughing:


Did you homebirth before?

I totally support freebirth and help women who freebirth. However not having and IM there just because your a midwife is not really thinking it through. I take it your an IM so have great knowledge of breech and twins at home. Having attended births with midwives as birthing women at home I couldn't see them as different to any other women and being a birthing woman myself having a midwife was important to me.

Lisa Barrett

[TwoBoysOnly]

Did you homebirth before?

I totally support freebirth and help women who freebirth. However not having and IM there just because your a midwife is not really thinking it through. I take it your an IM so have great knowledge of breech and twins at home. Having attended births with midwives as birthing women at home I couldn't see them as different to any other women and being a birthing woman myself having a midwife was important to me.

Lisa Barrett

IF (which I'm not cause I'm not having any more :p) I was to have a homebirth yes it would be just me and my DP and my boys if I was having a singleton....however if it were twins then I would hire an IM. And yes I have thought it through in great depth and know myself when I would and wouldn't need assistance to birth my baby :yes: