Homebirth/ hosptial transfer experiences

[LionsandBears]

I've booked an IM for a homebirth (fx). We're meeting her in Jan, so I'll ask a bunch of questions then. Just some questions for homebirthers who had to transfer - what was it for, how long did the transfer take, were Mum & bub OK, did you go by car or ambulance?

I've been reading stories and things like prolapsed cords or bub getting stuck or PPH have got me asking questions.

[Kitt3n]

Hey there hun

We had a homebirth and ended up transferring due to a PPH.

My labour was very rapid (waters broke almost without warning and bub was born 1.5 hours later).

After she was born, while I was still in the pool, I felt a huge gush of blood. MW got me out of the pool and onto the lounge, and gave me some synto and got me onto the IV. The bleeding died down and all seemed OK until I got a bit lightheaded. MW called the ambulance and off we went.

Has it discouraged me from another HB? Not a chance

[phynna]

not my own experience, but i have had similar concerns too, my midwife lent us "Labour of Love" a collection of aussie midwives experiences, not all strawberries and cream stories, but there's lots of ones where complications arose and how the midwives coped, from hospital, to the outback, to homebirth, to shoulder dystocia, to waterbirth, to stillborns, everything, and i found it so reassuring to read! Hope that helps you, if you can get a copy to read!

[sarah.forbes]

We planned a homebirth with a midwife and transferred after a long labour at home which didn't progress beyond 8cm dilation. Our midwife figured out the baby was lying asynclitic (with the head slightly to the left of centre on my cervix), and we tried all sorts of methods to move her, with no luck. We had a few group discussions at the time to decide what the best options were, and eventually (after 30 hours) decided to transfer to a public hospital for assistance. My husband drove me there, with my midwife and doula following us, since there was no medical emergency. We arrived at midnight and were admitted, given a syntocinin drip with an epidural and then a ventouse delivery.

I am so glad that I had my own team with me at the hospital to advocate for my wishes. I was so tired, but still coherent enough to make decisions if people addressed me to my face (which wasn't what was happening with the hospital staff most of the time). My midwife sat with me to explain every procedure fully, including the benefits and drawbacks of each intervention offered, and then ensured I had time to make a decision. I cannot imagine not having them there to support me. In the end, we got the best outcome possible given the situation we had to deal with. And mostly because of the care I received from my midwife and doula.

I have planned another homebirth for our second child who is due within a week from now. Our plan in case of transfer is to drive ourselves (if medically stable) or call an ambulance. My midwife has all the medical equipment we need to assist baby or me if there is an emergency- to cover the time it might take for an ambulance arrive. The only real risk of an emergency transfer is if I were to lose blood after the birth (I have a syntocinin script with my midwife in case this happens) or if baby was having trouble breathing (she has oxygen for this). The truth is there are very few risks to myself or to my baby having a homebirth because I am with medical professionals who have what I need to make it safe.

Good luck making your own decision! It's not easy.

xo

[Alan]

Hi Sarah
I have my fingers crossed for you.

[Talia*L]

We are planning our HB with an IM, and have had our first few appointments (at home on the couch, how awesome!).

This is something we have discussed a LOT (DH has no experience with HB, while it's more common in my family) - the safety elements, with DH asking loads of questions.

Our IM books us in at the Royal Womens as a backup. She does this with all her women - it's just a formality, and in fact she does ALL the paperwork! It's already done and I didn't even know about it til she mentioned it.

She is possibly a more 'conservative' HB MW, but that sits really well with me. She has told a few stories of times when a transfer was required, and there was always ample warning, discussion etc. DH is really feeling very safe now. Having a MW with yeaaaaaars of experience IMO has helped me feel really calm about it. I trust her completely to know if something is not right, before it becomes a problem (she was the MW for 2 cousins, and my little sister).

I really recommend asking your IM what she would do in all those situations (PPH, prolapse, breech etc) because I found the calm and sensible answers from ours to be most reassuring!

[LionsandBears]

Thanks Talia - I think we have the same IM We're with Jan Ireland. Had our first meeting (on our couch) on Saturday afternoon. Feeling good about everything - she explained what would happen. I'm also booking in at Monash MC as a secondary backup, as it's closer to us. We're happy with her being "conservative". We just wanted someone sensible we could completely trust, so if she says we need to transfer, we're transferring!

[Talia*L]

Yay! Midwife buddy! Yes we *heart* Jan.

Agree completely about wanting a sensible MW... When push comes to shove (so to speak lol), I trust that if she says "we need to transfer", then we need to transfer!

[Tegam]

I didnt need to tf but we had talked a lot about when/when/why/how! I felt calm that the MW new my wishes and i new going into my labour that i trusted her enought that if it got to a point that she said go i would go!

Just think how much we plan all these what if?? and people say that we are not taking the safe options. How many people planning a hospital birth even think through these same situations?

Also try to think of all the reasons why you will not need to tf, there are a million to one positives to neg!

Hey Sarah, enjoy your birth, i look forward to reading your birth story!

[sarah.forbes]

Hi all,

I thought I should share my recent homebirth experience here! I gave birth to my second child, a baby boy, at home, with two IMs present, Gaye Demanuele and Jan Ireland, and a Doula, Julie Bell. Our boy was born after three hours of active labour, with no complications, and I couldn't speak more highly of the care I received from everyone present. Both Gaye and Jan were respectful of our plans for privacy during labour, and for few interventions during the birth and afterwards. I would recommend both of these wonderful women to anyone considering hiring an IM for a hospital or homebirth.

And I'd also like to thank you, Alan Rooney, for supporting me through my first birth, during the long labour at home, and eventual birth of our little girl in hospital. Your unwavering support helped prepare me and my body for our second birth, at home.

Hooray!

Sarah.

[fionas]

Just subscribing as a homebirth is an option I'm considering but it would be quite a lengthy transfer if I needed to be transferred which is a definite downside ATM.

[Alan]

Hi Sarah
I am so very happy to hear that you managed to birth at home. I would have loved to have been able to be there with you this time but distance prevented that. If I can do anything for you just let me know.

[feeb]

fionas have you thought of option about hopsital funded homebirth through Sunshine hospital?

[fionas]

I hadn't feeb but how will that reduce the time it takes me to transfer? It's the potential length/faff of the transfer that I'm concerned about, not the cash.

[fourthontheway]

I had a very firm transfer birth plan that my entire team had tattood on the under side of their eyelids The hospital were pushy and tried to side step our plan, but we held on tightly and had a reasonable outcome. I needed surgery, but because of my plan and my partner and mw's ability to stick to it, I'm ok now

[sarah.forbes]

Hi Fionas,

I too live a long way from a maternity hospital (about an hour) and discussed this with my midwives for both of my births, one which ended up in a transfer to hospital. It is important that both you and your midwife are comfortable with how long it might take to get you from your home to hospital in case of transfer, but you should also find out more about why you might be transferred.

Many people believe that complications will arise suddenly, and therefore the longer it takes to get to hospital the worse the risk to you or your baby's life. But your midwife has the tools needed to keep both you and your baby well while an ambulance might be called, and almost all transfers happen without an emergency. Midwives attending homebirths are very vigilant about monitoring the situation for possible problems, and will suggest transfer at the earliest possible sign of trouble.

I hope that helps a little. It helped me to talk different scenarios through with my midwife so that I was sure why and how and transfer might happen.

Good Luck!

[Talia*L]

Hi all,

I thought I should share my recent homebirth experience here! I gave birth to my second child, a baby boy, at home, with two IMs present, Gaye Demanuele and Jan Ireland, and a Doula, Julie Bell. Our boy was born after three hours of active labour, with no complications, and I couldn't speak more highly of the care I received from everyone present. Both Gaye and Jan were respectful of our plans for privacy during labour, and for few interventions during the birth and afterwards. I would recommend both of these wonderful women to anyone considering hiring an IM for a hospital or homebirth.

Hi Sarah!

Do you mind if I ask who was the lead midwife? I am having Jan and Julie too, which is great! i think I am having Andrea Bilcliff as my second, not Gaye...

[sarah.forbes]

Gaye was our lead midwife. Julie was also at our first birth, and was a wonderful support both times. I liked that there were a team of people working with us. I've done it that way twice, and was very happy both times. I think it's ideal to have a midwife who is focussing on you and the baby, and has a medical focus during the birth, as well as a doula who is looking after your physical needs too (always with the drinks: "Drink some MORE!", "Another sip?").

Good Luck! It sounds like you've put together an amazing team!

Sarah.