Probably been done to loads before - but tell me about home birth please

[insywinsyspider]

only just found out i'm pg again but ridulously excited and been thinking about birth and baby's arrival again as had PND first time round - had a good birth because was home in 6 hours but realised that badly carried out episiotimy (i wasn't cut during a contraction and my god i can still remember the pain) which then didn't heal properly (scar has started to ache again) and doc standing over me wanting to interve isn't something i want to repeat. I also don't want to get 'stuck' having to stay in hospital if i have baby 'at wrong time' for doc to discharge us as baby is due over xmas

dh is nevous about home birth because he's read some really neg things in paper recently and likes the idea that he knows what to expect in hosp so i need some advice about how to find out more info - done web search as homebirth.org.uk wasn't to helpful as nothing on there to help me convince dh its a better option than hosp - he's petrified of complications and neither of us can work out what happens if i need episiotimy again or i tear

i'd love to hear peoples experiences (good and bad) and if you know of anyone/organisation i can speak to about it - looked at NCT website as did my antenatal classes with them last time but couldn't find any info except one info sheet which i ordered

i know its earlyto think about it but back to work in two weeks so i have the time now to find stuff out and file it away (plus its prob going to take next 8 mo for dh to get his head round it!)

[Rhubarb]

I had a home birth, best thing I ever did even though ds's head was bloody large! I would recommend you get in touch with the NCT and go to their ante-natal classes, they were invaluable to me, even if you think you know it all, your dh might like to go along too.

If you search in talk you will find loads of threads on this topic as quite a few of us have had home births.

Best of luck!

[insywinsyspider]

thanks

rhubarb - i did nct classes last time with ds but we were happy with hosp birth then so i never asked about home - ds is only 10mo so i can't really justify the cost of another course! hence other sources of info needed!

loopsy - what you've said about getting to hosp is reassuring, we are only 15mins (although much longer in rush hour!) will have to be patient and ask MW about it to see her reaction, more i think about it the more sense it makes....

[Rhubarb]

The NCT will accept a donation if you are short of cash. I couldn't afford their full cost either so I gave a donation that I could afford.

[foxybrown]

I've only good things to say, having had 2 home births and a 3rd scheduled for DC4 in June. My MVs are incredibly positive and enthusiastic, its less upheaval for siblings and much, much more comfortable (no MRSA in my house as far as I know ). Don't underestimate having a shower in your own bathroom, or a cuppa in your own mug!

The only downside I found was I was up getting on with things, laundry on, kids to feed - life doesn't stop at home! MWs clean up everything, and I think they were out in a few hours last time. They came back later that day to check on us, and the next too. Post labour care was definately better than on a ward!

Its a lovely experience.

[kittyhas6]

Hi I had my last two children at home, the last only 8 days ago. Home births are just fab.
My first two were sections, then the next two vbacs in hospital.
Both home birth experiences were great, easy and uncomplicated.
Dh was a little apprehensive when he knew I wanted a homebirth first time round but I manged to convince him of all the plus points and he became an avid supporter.
When I was having some labour niggles a week ago Dh and I were actually in hospital waiting for some ctg monitoring as baby was 18 days overdue. There were no monitors available so I decided to go home.
On the way out of the hospital I started having strong contactions and was desperately trying to get OUT of the hospital so that I could give birth at home!!!!!

Anyways I highly recommend them, good luck

[insywinsyspider]

dh has said i won't be able to have home birth cause it'll be christmas and they prob won't be able to spare the staff - thats his way of saying he's worried! do you think theres any truth in that?

[foxybrown]

The thought of post-labour ward at christmas is worse!

[insywinsyspider]

oohh posted that at same time (am slow typer)

foxy - luckerly i was out of hosp last time in 6 hours so know how great it was to have breakfast in bed at home (in hosp you have to get it yourself) and would love to introduce ds to his new sibling at home and not on ward which would be pretty confusing for a 19mo

kitty - how did you persuade dh?

[insywinsyspider]

yep - worried they'll be no docs and i won't be let out!

[foxybrown]

Joking aside, the first time I planned for both, so had the birthing kit ready and was booked in to hospital. I booked into a different hospital the second time and they weren't doing homebirths so I changed.

I guess a lot depends on if they will support you.

Kitty, you are amazing! I'm surprised they'd let you have a homebirth after 2 c-sections, just goes to show, doesn't it? were they at all reluctant? Well done you, am SO impressed!

[Bootoo]

I had a wonderful homebirth with with my second (midwife unit with my first) and I would do it again. I felt very in control (even though the midwife only arrived as my baby's head was being born). I had my own bed, my own shower, my family close by and my own fridge! Unless there is an underlying problem, the chances of complications are bound to be reduced if you are relaxed and where you want to be.

[kittyhas6]

insy, I had my first homebirth on 22 Dec 2005.

[kittyhas6]

Foxy, I had 2 hosital vbacs before the homebirths so by then I'd had so many children no one could be bothered to argue with me

[coleyboy]

IWS - I have a feeling that they are not able to refuse you having a homebirth, as whether they are short staffed or not, someone HAS to attend you. Something to do with Duty of Care?

Maybe the seasoned homebirthers can agree/disagree with this?

I planned a HB with DS, but it ended in an emerg c/s. However, I have no doubt in my mind that the next one will be a hb. I may be a bit of a freak, but I have fond memories of labouring at home in my lovely birthing pool! It was bliss.

[Bienchen]

I had homebirth just over seven weeks ago and it was fab. Was my second DC and first for DP. If you like, get DH to CAT us and DP will talk to him.

DP is an engineer and so I thought would believe that a hospital might be the best place but was totally supportive of homebirth from start to finish.

[feetheart]

Homebirths are fab!!!

Had a good hospital birth experience with DD but knew I wanted to be at home with this one. Best decision I've ever made - I felt relaxed, in control and I think I can say I enjoyed it!
Didn't get one MW for labour then an extra one for the birth as it all kicked off rather quickly! MW suggested ringing 999 when we rang her as they would get to us quicker so we had 2 paramedics, 2 midwives and a student in our living room when I delivered!
Inspite of a bigger audience than planned (and they were an audience as I was pushing like a good'un when the paramedics arrived and delivered within 10 mins of the midwives turning up!) it was a brilliant experience and I still feel incredibly proud 17 mths later that I did it.

My DH was unsure about it too - the mess and the 'what if something goes wrong' scenario. There was very little mess and as others have said you can be transferred very quickly if there is a hint of a problem. If you are only 15 mins from the hospital an ambulance with lights and sirens would get you there in minutes.

Don't under-estimate the wonderful feeling of your own bath, your own bed, your DH not having to leave you for the night (I hated that 1st time round), omlettes and hot choc at 11pm with a new baby suckling happily and being able to introduce your DC to the new baby within minutes of their arrival.
I've gone all gooey remembering it all

[kittyhas6]

It's true they have a duty of care. They don't have to send someone out. They can say you have to go to them where they will care for you.

[Emmymummy]

Thank you to all who have posted on here, am really enjoying reading this as am 39 weeks pregnant and due to have a home birth. Am looking at cannisters of entinox as we speak and have various drugs in the fridge, so all ready to go......am actually looking forward to the experience and the fact that I do not have to go anywhere this time. The thought of having my own shower, bed, toast etc afterwards is just so reassuring.

Insywinsy, my DH was also terrified when I first voiced my intentions, but he sat in on the MW's chat about all that could go wrong, and in spite of that, he is now 100% behind me in my decision. They can be talked 'round!

[gingeme]

Congratulations insywinsyspider
I dont have much more to add realy except I have had 3 hospital births and my last one was a home birth and it was briliant. I tore quite badly as he was a biggun but my mw said it was better to heal naturaly as it would take longer if stitched.
I didnt have 2 mws as baby came before the second one turned up.
As the other ladies said also it was wonderful to have a HOT cuppa and HOT toast withing minutes of giving birth and a shower in your own home is the best.
I decided quite late on in the pregnancy to have a hb and dh was dead against it too. I think once the mw and I talked him round he could see all the benefits of it. Especialy as I delivered at 6.04 am and at 8.15 am I was in bed ready for my other dc's to meet their new baby brother
Go for it and all the best with the rest of your pregnancy

[insywinsyspider]

thanks everyone - lovely to hear about all your positive experiences

just found out that lady 6 doors down had her baby last week at home so will be grilling her about it after my 12 wk scan - hoping her dh can also chat to mine about it all although he did say tonight he loves the idea of padding around in his slippers in the comfort of his own home (although has requested we use the spare bed )

[foxybrown]

sounds like he's coming round to the idea ...!

I hope you get the birth you want - it really is worth considering and is lovely.

keep us updated when you speak to your MW. Hope she is as supportive as mine.

[insywinsyspider]

it will prob be same MW as lady down road had so hopefully is supportive and if not hope she'll give me all the tips on winning them round

think he is coming round to idea he knows its worth it for me to be relaxed

its a long way off yet but i'll keep you all posted!