info wanted on homebirth "window"

[Pinoikoi]

I am trying to figure out what the recommended "window" is for homebirth.. my last son came on his own at 37 weeks- and I told my midwife that and she just nodded and wrote it down.. I am concerned that if this baby comes too much earlier than that though, that I will have to birth in a hospital..

I am trying to figure out where the preferred "birth window" of weeks is.. and at what point a hospital is recommended?

ok- not phrased well.. um, I want to know what weeks I should be shooting for as a goal to get to so that I can have the safest homebirth. Make better sense?

I guess I am trying to manifest my baby's timing..

[Jane]

37 completed weeks to 42 completed weeks for me. Your midwife might have a different window.
Here is a calculator for ease of use: http://www.mothersnaturally.org/natu...Calculator.php
Sometimes there is a little sloppiness in a due date, and if a baby comes a few days earlier in a non-induced labor, I give the mother the choice of staying home or going to the hospital. So 36.5 might be at home. Ask your midwife.

[MJB]

You should shoot for 37+ but could probably have a homebirth at 36+. The earlier it is, the higher the likelihood of having to transport the baby to the hospital.

[Honey693]

My midwife is willing to deliver at home from 36-42 weeks. That's also the window the doctor I used with my first kid said was "safe".

[Belle]

nak. our midwives attend births from 37-43 weeks.

[ginapueblo]

It may depend on your state's regulations (if any). Here we are limited to 37-42 weeks, but I know midwives who have pushed it (both ways) from time-to-time. The certainty of dates would probably make a difference.

[SilverFish]

i birthed naturally at 35+ weeks with my midwife at the hospital. when i was in early labour and discussing our options, the midwife said she'd be comfortable with me staying at home, given the healthy history of the pregnancy, as long as we understood the likelyhood of needing to transfer to the hospital after the birth was quite high. given that possibility, we decided to go to the hospital. sure enough, our little girl was fine all through labour and delivery, but had to go to the NICU about 8 hours PP for low temps, and ended up staying for 10 days for jaundice and poor suck reflex. anyway, i was surprised to see that 35+ weeks was considered doable for her.

[briome]

I think it sepends a lot on your local birth culture, regulations, type of midwife etc.....
My CPM will take as young as 35 weeks. The 'ideal' is always closer to term I think but you really need to ask whom you will be working with. Try to force a firm answer out of the woman you talked to so you can avoid the 'bait and swtch' where near birth they let you know how they really feel so falsely advertise themselves to a certain extent. Most woman feel like they can't change care providers so late in a pregnancy (but you can!)

[Paige, CPM]

Medical evidence suggests that a majority of babies born by 36 weeks should be fine, should have developed enough surfactant to avoid breathing problems. My window is 36-42 (and beyond 42 with testing).

It is common for medical practices to use 37wks because they err on the side of liability issues, and maybe not knowing their clients as well as many hb midwives know their clients and their dates.

If I had a client with unsure dates and late u/s or no u/s I would probably err on the 37wk side of things too.

[Nicole730]

My midwife would have done 36w+a few days and past 42w. For before 37w or after 42w, she would have to consult with a doctor though before attending the homebirth.

[dannic]

in my state, mw can only attend from 37-42, but some may fudge at bit on dates...in my town the hosp will transfer you before 37 wks as well...

[KBinSATX]

I think my midwives wanted me to make it to 37 weeks. I always had my babies early so I didn't really get too much into the post due date discussion.

[Pinoikoi]

Thanks ladies!

Originally Posted by ginapueblo

It may depend on your state's regulations (if any). Here we are limited to 37-42 weeks, but I know midwives who have pushed it (both ways) from time-to-time. The certainty of dates would probably make a difference.

State of Alaska is very homebirth friendly.. my midwife said she has practiced in several states, and Alaska is the most homebirth receptive states as per regs that she has experienced.. I was pretty sure the dates were up to her, but I wasn't sure..


guess I am shooting for 37 weeks! I was charting, so by O my due date is 6-20, by measurements from U/S my due date is 6-16... so pretty darn close either way.

[JamieCatheryn]

My midwife attends births 36-43 weeks if the mom wants to homebirth in that window. It's unregulated here so it's up to her and her research and comfort level.

[xixstar]

depends on lots of stuff. I know my mw will do 35weeks - 40+ ... I don't know if she has a cut off at all as long as things are going fine-- I think I've asked about 44 weeks before and she might have said sure as long as things are going well.

But just because she'll do 35 weeks, doesn't mean I would be comfortable with that -- mostly because my last two babies came at 41 weeks and 35 would feel very early for me. Now, if my babies had all come at 37-38 weeks, I probably would have no problem with 35.

[jorona]

My midwife will deliver at home 36-43 weeks. I was very happy she didn't say 37, which seems to be standard around here!

[springfever]

My midwife will do 37 weeks and on. She said after 42 weeks she recommends birthing at the hospital (she'd still be the care provider there, no OBGYNS unless there is an emergency), but it is the client's decision if they want to birth at home after 42 weeks.

[cathicog]

Most that I know will do 37-42 with no problem, some will do 36-42+ w/BPP, so a pretty big window there...Hope you go to 38!