I really, really want a homebirth. So far, my midwife is being really supportive of this and there has been no hint that this would change. However, my next appointment (34 weeks) is when they do a ‘homebirth risk assessment’. I am still planning on insisting on a homebirth, whatever risks they come up with, but in order to pre-empt them a bit I’ve been trying to find reasons why they may be against it. I found this handy list of excuses on the UK homebirth reference site.
For me, my ‘risks’ (based on that list) would be:
- This is my first baby. I think a lack of clinical history makes some health care professionals twitchy.
- We live in a rural area – but the hospital is still only 20 mins away, should a transfer really be necessary.
- I may be expecting a big baby. My bump is measuring 2cm ahead – as it has done since I was first measured at 23 weeks. Personally I would have expected that – I was overweight before I got pregnant, and the fat layers are not going to magically melt away – they’re going to sit on top of my bump! The other thing to consider is where the baby is lying, which is my case is very much down my midline at the front – exactly where the MW measures. I have been told that 2cm either way is ‘normal’ but if it has a growth spurt and nudges into 3cm over, they’d like me to go for a growth scan – which suits me fine as I’d get to see my baby again! The problems with growth scans as predictors for final size / weight of baby is they’re so damn inaccurate! I’m mentally prepared for a 10-pounder and size won’t put me off a homebirth.
- I am fat! My BMI was high when I got pregnant (34.7) and this has added risks of things like diabetes and high blood pressure. As it stands, I am otherwise healthy though and my MW knows my BMI and has never mentioned it as a problem. So far!
- I have SPD. Fortunately (!) this is not actually recorded anywhere on my pregnancy notes, as I was diagnosed (and am being treated) by private physios. And that’s how it’s going to stay.
There are other ‘reasons not to birth at home’ that could potentially be thrown at me later – to do with baby’s position, or waters breaking early and not much else happening, or going ‘overdue’ – but I’ll argue those if and when they happen.
Project Stork 