Pregnany and childbirth

[Sallyh]

Don't be too put off by the homebirth thing here. I have to say I am now at the "business end" of the Group Practice homebirth scheme through Womens and children's. There is a hospital homebirth scheme for pretty much anywhere you live in Adelaide and having used the NHS Community midwifery model for homebirth in UK and the Group Practice here, actually apart from the dreaded protocol (!) I'd say here rivals there.

In fact, I have had a named midwife all the way through.

All of my appointments have been at home. This was never the case with our UK homebirths. (Had 3).

I don't expect to be told when I am in labour that they can't staff it and that we have to go to hospital at a point it's too late (and if I wanted that first off i'd have chosen it...) - happened twice in UK so we had 2 BBAs

My named midwife is on call for me whether she's on duty or not

They have delivered homebirth kit and medical supplies to our house... including oxygen. In the UK they used to go on and on about the fact they don't carry oxygen. Here it's all waiting, including drugs in my fridge, and whilst I hope not to use these things, the midwives are equipped.

So - whilst the protocol and the politics surrounding homebirth here aren't pretty, if you are considered "by them" to be low risk... actually the care is very very good, the service is accessible and I am very pleased with it. The independent midwife is no longer such an option (tho they have a way that they can practice legally without calling themselves midwives) but from what I hear from friends working independently in the UK... it's all going pretty much the same way worldwide.

I'd not (though did consider) base my decision on moving on whether I was having a baby or not. Although I have to say, birth is one of those areas where if you have a good support network for homebirth etc, and you "know who your people are" coming here and having to make new contacts isn't 100% fun. But on the other hand, it's a quick way to find like minded people.

Stick with me snifter, I'll introduce you to some nice people!!!!

[snifter]

Stick with me snifter, I'll introduce you to some nice people!!!!

Thanks Sally, though alas I have been put off already. Just the fact its now made so hard, like they have lost faith with midwives and want every woman to deliver in hospital. Also I would probably not be classed as low risk and may well be refused. A chance I am not willing to take.

Here in the UK I was not classed as low risk by the doctors but my homebirth was never refused. Advised against by the docs and consultant but never refused. My midwife discussed my case with the other two midwives in the team and all 3 were happy to support my choice and for me to deliver at home. I was confident, had a husband who also supported homebirth and it was a wonderful experience. I was appalled at the doctors tactics trying to scare and guilt me into delivering in hospital it only strengthend my resolve to try to deliver at home.

I also had total one on one midwife care and she would come out to the house for appointments and also I'd go in to see her. She also went above and beyond the call of duty as I went into labour proper after her on call shift was over by a few hours. But she said I was one of her ladies and to phone her and she was happy to be the first midwife attending and the on call one could then come out and be the second. Which is what happened. She came out at 8pm having gone off duty at 5pm and stayed till 9am the next morning.

My homebirth experience was great. I can't fault them. I had all the medical stuff dropped off at 36 weeks, never a question that there would not be a midwife to attend (we lived very rural and our team of midwives didn't cover from hospital so it was never an issue they would not be able to send one) and I was so much happier and comfortable being at home.

This time round, although we live in a different area, its still covered by a team of community midwives who do not cover hospitals but who do cover homebirths. My two midwives both really support homebirth. Perhaps I've just been lucky both times. My first, in West Somerset, has a much higher homebirth rate than anywhere else in the UK. In double figures per cent wise compared with as low as 2,3 or 4 per cent elsewhere. As high as 17 or 18 per cent in some years they are recorded as.

I also need an operation after next baby is born. And I am not confident I'd be able to access this easily if we moved to Australia and I give birth there. Its a pre exisiting medical condition and one that I can have operated on on the NHS here without worry.

So yes, lots of reasons for us to have our second here before we make the move. Believe me, we've given it a great deal of thought and neither of us are confident we'd get another homebirth over there or my op, and so won't chance it.

[Sallyh]

All you've said Snifter... very wise. CAn't wait to see you when you get here we are most definitely on the same page. And aint that rare!

I was thinking about this and yes if you're not classed as low risk the only choice is an "independent midwife" but now "birth worker". And something about me feels that's not right and I wish it hadn't been shoved underground. I am very sad about the state of midwifery as I perceive / experience it as a "user" here... like any job I am sure midwives vary and there will be those on PIA who feel similar and those who are happier with the more medical approach, I am sure.

I think to be honest the community midwifery where we came from was very poor in terms of staffing so we had nothing like you are describing, and only through good support were able to feel confident to stay at home when ostensibly abandoned by our carers at the 11th hour... but we were already in a place where we knew we needed a doula who by that time was a very good friend and we were not alone. "Freebirthing" is too common here for my liking and not my style at all... though I won't begrudge others the decision to do it, I'd never choose it.

So Snifter... what's your timetable for "baby" and moving? Do you have one?

[snifter]

Sally, I had a miscarriage very recently. I was 10 weeks pregnant and had this one lasted we'd have been having a Christmas baby and then planning to move in Sept/Oct 2012. We now have to start trying again sometime in the not too distant future which will then push the move back. But there, it will take as long as it takes, just hopefully not too long. I'm fit and well, don't seem to have problems getting pregnant, even being older, and so we are just keeping our fingers crossed it will happen for us in the next 6 months or so and this one will stick. We then plan to push for my op as soon as possible after so we can then move at the earliest possible date we can manage. If we don't get pregnant within a certain time we will probably rethink our plans about keeping on trying for another.

Cross those bridges and all that. We are keeping optimistic :)

And yes, very much look forward to meeting you once we are over there. It does seem like we have things in common and its always good in my book :D

[Sallyh]

((((((snifter)))))) really sorry to hear that. Hope you didn't mind my asking but I hope because you posted that it means I didn't ask out of turn. Will be thinking of you. xxxx

[snifter]

Not at all Sally. I'm quite open about it. Of course I am upset and everything else that comes with it, but I can't change it and I'd rather not sweep it under the carpet or be afraid to talk about it from time to time. I don't talk about it in such a way as to be offloading all my feelings about it, I just try to be matter of fact and hopefully people won't feel awkward or unsure what to say. I don't tell everyone I see in my day to day life or anything either, but some people do know. We'd told them I was pregnant, so had to tell them the news when I miscarried. Rather that than the never telling about being pregnant and never telling about the miscarriage. That seems more wrong to me.

I'll stop waffling. I'm good, looking to the future and all that.

:)

[Sallyh]

Can confirm following using their services on Sunday afternoon (!) that the Women's and Childrens Group Practice Homebirth programme is FANTASTIC. :)