It is very unlikely that things suddenly go wrong in a normal labour following a straight forward pregnancy.  If a problem is detected there is usually plenty of time to discuss what is happening and arange transfer to hospital. The most common reason for transfer to hospital during labour is that labour is progressing very slowly.

The National Birthday Trust report confidential enquiry into home birth 1994 showed “16% of women booked for a home birth transferred to hospital. Dividing women into primigravidae (having first baby) and multigravidae (having second or subsequent babies), 60% of first-time mothers who had planned to deliver at home, did so, and 40% transferred. 90% of multigravidae who had planned to deliver at home did so, and 10% transferred."

Some of these transfers occurred before labour actually started, whilst others occurred in labour. The single largest reason for transfer was slow or no progress, accounting for 37.2% of transfers. Premature rupture of membranes accounted for 24.8% of transfers, and most of these occurred before labour started. Foetal distress accounted for 14.8% of transfers.” See more of the report at www.homebirth.org.uk

I carry the same drugs that are available in hospital to treat haemorrhage.

If baby needs help breathing (which is rare after a normal labour and birth). I carry resuscitation equipment and am trained, and experienced in using it.

If you do have known risk factors I will always call a second midwife to be at the birth.