Hey ladies 👋🏻

I’m pregnant with my first child, 28YO, low risk, and planning a home birth.

A few days ago my midwife told me she’ll be away on holiday between me being 33+6 and 38+3w, and I am terrified because I came at 38 weeks. She’s basically gone over the whole of December and New Year, with me being due on 13th Jan.

We live in rural Germany and if I were to go into labour whilst she’s away, the nearest midwife would have to drive out to us from Hamburg city, which is at least two hours away, possibly longer because it will be holiday season. Doable, but I would not have built up a relationship with this midwife.

Otherwise, my options are (as long as I make it to 37w, that is) to have an unassisted home birth, or to go to a clinic which is more local, but it’s definitely not the kind of place where you can labour at your own speed without having unnecessary checks on your cervix etc. I suppose I could attempt to go unassisted then transfer to the clinic if it doesn’t go according to plan. The clinic is about 25 mins away.

I’m 27w tomorrow so there’s some time left but it feels like there is not a lot of time left! I want to do everything I can to make it to the 2nd January, which is when my preferred midwife will be back. So any tips to help me make sure I make it that far would be very welcome.

What would you do? Why? Should I just go with a midwife I won’t really know? Are there any ladies who’ve had unassisted births and can tell me their experience? It’s not illegal here to attempt an unassisted birth. I’m not necessarily saying I would do it but I’d like to hear from women who tried, if there are any here.

Obviously I want to make the right decision so I hope nobody will lambast me for asking these questions. Thank you very much 🙏🏻