homebirth for fast labors?

[scottishmommy]

Hi all!
I had a fast hospital birth with my dd 12 months ago. dh and i would like a homebirth next time. my first labor was 5 hrs long. i'm assuming that the next one will be faster(of course, who knows!) I'm worried that I may go too fast for the midwife to get to our apartment. we live in chicago so there's the potential for serious traffic. I also had a lot of false starts to labor. I had tons of braxton hicks contractions that were painful for weeks before I went into active labor. It took me an hour or so to believe that I was in labor and by then my contractions were 2 mins apart. I know that I could probably handle a UC, but I'd rather have a midwife present. Do you think it's too risky? I'm worried that I'll either call the midwife at every little twinge, or that I won't know I'm in labor again, and I'll give birth alone. I don't know if this matters, but my mother was in labour for 45 mins with me.....

[phoebemommy]

My first labor was four hours, so I'm expecting a quick one this time as well. You should discuss it with your midwife -- she's probably always thinking about traffic and logistics and how to handle a potentially quick birth. One of our midwives talked to us, mainly dh, about what to do if she doesn't make it in time... I can't remember what she said, exactly, but the instructions were pretty simple. The idea was that she'd be there soon, and everything would be fine if we just kept our eyes on x,y,z.

Honestly, as much as I love my midwife, I wouldn't mind at all if she'd miss the birth and show up right after. I remember, the more people entering the room during my labor, the less I could relax. And there were only three people there, two midwives and dh.

[justmandy]

I'm afraid of this but my mw takes clients that live farther away then I do (45 minutes) I trust that she knows what she's doing. I'm also comfortable with UCing the birth but not the postpartum so it's not such a huge deal if she's not here for the beginning.

[jenfl]

I had a fast first labor (3-4 hours) and my midwife didn't make it because of SF Bay Area traffic and the fact that none of us thought I would go so fast. But her backup midwife lived right down the street, and came when I was pushing.

The speed of my first labor was definitely something we discussed with the midwives this time around. I had been seeing a midwife about an hour away, and she was ok with it. She emphasized that I should call her at the slightest twinge; that they'd rather be there for a false alarm than miss the birth. We also discussed basic training for my husband and father (since my DH works almost an hour away) on what to do in case the baby came before the midwife.

Turns out, though, that for that and other reasons, I switched to a midwife who lives closer (5-10 minutes). I'm more comfortable with that, although I would have done it with the hour away midwife if I'd have to.

[sweetpea_119]

I had a pretty fast one last time, too! 45 minutes from first contraction to baby shooting out

I'm going to say that if you have a super speedy labor, you could be stuck in traffic on your way to the hospital OR you could be sitting at home waiting for your midwife to get through traffic...which sounds better? Me? I'd rather be sitting at home, already prepped for a UC just in case & not trying to deal with laboring/birthing in a car.

I'm due in just over a month from now & I'm not worried a bit about having a homebirth...I keep reading UC stuff & will have emergency info printed out in case my DH actually has to do anything. My midwife knows last time was speedy & I know she'll be here as quickly as she can be, but I can't help but think I'd rather risk waiting at home for her than deal with the BS at the hospital & deal with all the unpleasantness that comes with that (did that the first two times!).

[scottishmommy]

I'm going to say that if you have a super speedy labor, you could be stuck in traffic on your way to the hospital OR you could be sitting at home waiting for your midwife to get through traffic...which sounds better? Me? I'd rather be sitting at home, already prepped for a UC just in case & not trying to deal with laboring/birthing in a car.

good point. i didn't think of that, which is kinda funny cause i was stuck in traffic while i was in transition the last time. i got to the hospital at 8 centimeters. i should read up on ucing. my biggest concern is what if the baby needs assistance breathing or something. i can learn how to handle that on my own, right? i also had fairly significant tearing last time so i would like a birth professional to do stitches if i need them. oh well, i'm not even pregnant, and don't plan on being so for a while!

[JorgieGirl]

I had a fast first labour too. 4hrs. My mw has also let us know what to do in the event they don't make it in time. We recently moved a half hour further out of their catchment area, but they are still comfortable taking us on. Everything is very regulated in Ontario as far as homebirth and midwifery, since the government health care covers it, so I trust that they know what they are doing and have dealt with this before.

I have also got myself into the frame of mind where if I were to birth faster than they can drive, I'm comfortable with that. It doesn't scare me and I will have things in place to care for myself and baby in case of emergency. (Though fast labours generally mean everything is just perfect, of course there is a chance some help might be required)

[homew/two]

This is me!
I'm still trying to decide home birth or free standing birth center w/ midwives who delivered first two babies. I love the mw, I can labor and push in any position, in water, they didn't pressure me about much etc, etc plus it's FREE/insured (that's the big one)
However at home would be so nice, peaceful. this baby might decide for me.
First two births I felt no contractions until my water broke then 40 min for first (38w,3d)) and 25 min for second(37 wks). Both times I happened to be in for weekly checkup when mw realized I was ready to go. First babe I was 9 cm , second I was 10 cm at the apt. Felt not a thing. She belted me up to watch contractions I only knew I was having them when I looked at the machine or put my hand on my belly and it turned rock hard. Pretty cool- the down side was my first ctx hit w/ the strength of mid transition and dropped me to my knees mid step -and then one after the next right on top of each other w/ no slowly building up.

Now I'm can't stop thinking- I could be anywhere when my water breaks - running errands, getting groceries, walking in the woods w/ my 5 and 2 yr old - and I'll have like 2 min. til ctx hit and maybe 20 til babe comes. The idea of birthing in the woods just with the kids would be very peaceful I think but both my births I needed a shot of pitocin and clamping down on my uterus to stop bleeding afterward - and that makes me a little nervous. There would be a better chance of being at home then out,especially 8-9 months prego, but the homebirth mws that I know of live 45-60 mins away

Who knows, I can't read the future so why worry about it! Maybe this will be my 3 day laboring baby at 42 wks

[mrsfrenchy]

Well, I think the risk of the MW not getting there would be the same as the risk of you guys not getting to the hospital on time. So I'd go for it.

[RedPony]

Originally Posted by mrsfrenchy

Well, I think the risk of the MW not getting there would be the same as the risk of you guys not getting to the hospital on time. So I'd go for it.

Yep. Our third baby was an accidentally unattended homebirth. Worked out great for us! I actually had almost three hours from start to finish, but it was the middle of the night and we didn't call the mw until and hour and a half in. So, she came, but slowly, and missed the birth by 45 minutes! I was super glad to have her there after, but DH and I were thrilled to deliver this baby 100% by ourselves. So I say go for it!

[MyBoysBlue]

My first son was born in hosptial. We lived 5 minutes away and he was born after about 40 minutes in the hospital. Total of 2 hours 29 minutes of labour. I too figured the next would be quick too. I now lived 30 minutes between the two closests hospitals. If I had left as soon as I figured out I was in labour, DS2 would have been born in the car on the way, only 25 mins of labour. The closest midwives are over and hour away and I would have had to pay around $3000. So we decided on a UC, not UP saw a family doc. Though if I had the money I would have gone with a midwife for prenatal care and to have after the birth even if she didn't make it. It would of been nice to have her look use over, as it was we went to see the doc the next day and I would of prefered not to take a newborn out and about that soon.

[LittleBlackBug]

My labor was 1.5 hours. I took after my mom in that way as her labor with me was 2 hours. Our midwife didn't make it and we almost didn't have the bed ready. We had gon over what to do if our MW wasn't there at our 36 week appt. I wouldn't think twice about having another HB. So happy were prepared for it from the beginning!

[mama_Agnieszka]

Another unintended unattended birth story here! With my second. The whole thing was about 4 hours but, as I slept through the first 3, the midwives didn't get on their way until the last hour... and arrived minutes after I popped my baby girl. I'm pg with my third and also trying to figure out what I'd rather do... stay at home and take a chance with another unattended or... or drive myself to the hospital (which is really close, by the way)... Traffic is not an issue here, so I'm leaving that option open for myself... The thing is that my unintended unattended - while it was really perfect and no one was hurt or anything - has contributed to a lot of anxiety this time around. So, I'm trying to ease my mind somehow...

Anyway, in either case, I'd say be ready to an UC! And it can be very exciting and totally empowering!!!

Agnieszka

[MammaV]

I've had two fast homebirths and am waiting for my third to occur any day now. My first homebirth was 90 minutes and by the time I knew I was in labor and called the midwife the timing was tight. She arrived 20 minutes before the baby was born and just hung out while DH caught him. My second homebirth, (2 hours long) I was at my moms when my water broke about 25-30 minutes from my house. She drove me and my two kids home while I made all the phone calls and DH filled the birthing tub. The midwife arrived about 45-60 minutes before the baby was born. Again, she hung out while my 6yo and DH caught the baby. I prefer being at home and am a bleeder as well, so I have my herbs handy for emergencies. Should I need to transfer, an ambulance would be called. I'd rather have someone come and attend me in an emergency situation than try to make it to the hospital in my van.

[mommyfied]

I agree you'd rather have a fast labor and have the baby at home than in the car! My second one would have been born in the car had we planned a hospital birth. That would have been "fun" - not to mention the hysteria of everyone else. I probably would have had an ambulance called and my baby whisked away because I gave birth in a non-sterile environment or something.

My mw arrived about 10-15 min after my last birth and I am planning another home birth. I didn't bleed hardly at all so I am not worried about that. I think the mw may leave when I call her this time too.

[amandaleigh37]

My first one was fast, but induced (2 hrs from being hooked up to pit to birth). So I didn't know what to expect with #2, my homebirth. Early labor started in the evening. I went to sleep. Active labor woke me up at 2am, baby was born at 5am, about 30 min. after midwife arrived. I am really glad I did not have to worry about getting in a car and getting checked into a hospital while in active labor! I was not even worried about midwife getting there - I knew if she didn't, she would be there soon enough after. We were prepared. It worked out perfectly. They are used to getting to births quickly!

[Briannasmom]

My first labor was very fast - 5 hours from first twinge to delivery. We barely made it to the birth center, so for baby 2, we decided being home would work much better And it did! I ended up with 25 hours of prodromal labor (basically, just contractions every 10 minutes or so); water finally broke and baby was born 7 minutes later. While there's no guarantee that your second labor will be just as short, I think a homebirth is almost always the bestest way to go!! You'll love it and won't have to worry about going anywhere while in labor

[firewoman]

All of my labors have been super fast. The last three were all under 3 hours and all homebirths. I live in San Diego which has traffic and is also quite spread out. My midwife lives at least 25 minutes away without traffic and made it to every birth, even the one that started with water breaking and 90 minutes later we had a baby! I also have a lot of false starts and have on one occassion called her out for nothing. It wasn't a big deal. I think if you are comfortable staying home, you should definitely do it. Just call the midwife as soon as you KNOW you are in labor. Once it really starts, you will know.

[AnnR33]

My first 2 births were less than 6 hrs so I knew my next ones would probably go fast. My 3rd birth was planned for a free standing birth center. I spoke with the mw about the potential to go fast and we planned on talking on the phone a lot to determine when it was time to go. Well, needless to say, I went really fast and had my baby in the van UC. My Dh was great though! The mw did make it shortly after and took over and all was well-really an easy birth! Labor/birth was 3 hrs total.

My last birth was a planned hb so there was little chance for another van birth LOL The mw was about 40 min away so she knew she'd have to come shortly after my labor started.
I called my mw with my first contrax and we talked every 20 min. When my water broke she ran for the car and made it about 15 min before baby was born-which was about what I had in mind anyway since I like to labor alone.
My labor/birth was a little less than 3 hrs total.

I think you can certainly do a hb but you should be prepared for an UC just in case.

[Vespertina]

I precip. My labor with DD1 was 3 hours and DD2 was 47 minutes. My midwife with DS1 always used to joke about not missing a placenta. So we prepared for a UC just in case she didn't make it. I ended up being induced with him and it was 1 hr 40 min. Took a little time for my uterus to decompress and begin contracting efficiently (had severe poly/distended uterus).

My midwife this time is expecting another fast labor. Good thing she's only 35 minutes away.