I have thought about home birth since I first fell pregnant with Noah. I didn't know much about what was involved but liked the idea of being in the comfort of my home and having complete privacy and calm. Not much has changed, I know a little more but have much research to do and I still love the idea of being in my own home in a calm and quiet atmosphere.
My main reason for actually bringing this up as a serious consideration next time around is due to the speed of my past deliveries. Noah was a 3 hour labour and Lili was 30 mins. Going from waters breaking to birth Noah was 4 hrs 15 mins and Lili was 2 hrs 20 mins. From the time I knew I was definitely in early labour with Lili til her birth was less than an hour... this is what worries me. Also she was 2-3 wks early (depending on which date you use) so who knows when the next one will arrive.
What happens if I am sitting at home with my 2 kids and I go into labour? I most certainly would not drive myself due to my history of going from early labour to active labour so quickly and the intensity of it. My husband works 40-60 mins away. Then add a 10-15 min drive to the hospital. Chances are baby would be here before he even makes it home! My sister lives nearby but has 3 of her own children and I have a neighbour who may be able to look after my kids while I go in an ambulance... if she is home. My mum works at least an hour away. That is seriously narrowing down my options.
This is why home birth has suddenly become a very real prospect! I am not sure when I will have my next baby but I want to be prepared. What if the private midwives indemnity insurance is taken away and it becomes illegal for them to practice? What happens to people like me?
Only time will tell what will happen and I can only hope that I am able to have a safe home birth with a private midwife present. Hopefully more people can help petition against homebirth becoming illegal... for more info visit: http://www.homebirthaustralia.org/keep-private-midwifery-alive
Even if you don't want a homebirth, if you believe in every woman having the right to choose then it's important to help fight!
I didn't write this blog just to get people to help the cause, I am genuinely concerned about my next labour and delivery. I was just lucky that I went into labour on a Saturday with Lili or I may have had her at home with no assistance and no husband. There is every possibility that my next labour will be longer but the odds are stacked up against that happening... "
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