I had a home birth at 16 - AMA

[sparklydust]

If anyone is interested, I'll try to answer as many questions as possible

Hi OP. Did you want a home birth, or did it just happen that way?

Well done!

Screamingvalenta nope, it was planned

how long ago was that?
was it planned?
who was with you when you gave birth?

Good for you op! How did you come to feel empowered for a home birth at such a young age? I had a home birth with dc2 but was 30 and can't imagine having the strength to do it at just 16.

Popeye it was six years ago now! Time flies! Also, yes it was planned and my husband (fiancé at the time) and mum was with me

Namechange thank you! I'm not sure how it started to be honest, I looked into different things and home birth just felt right for me. I am also a little funny about hospitals so that may have come into play somewhat but mainly, I just wanted to be as relaxed as possible

how amazing x

Thanks penis

Do you have any tips from your experience that you would pass on for other mothers planning to have a home birth?

Mint yes I guess I would. My tips would be:

• be aware that pain relief is minimal and throughly think this through before deciding on a home birth.
• if it's your first child, consider that the birth may be long and drawn out (being at home for a lengthy birth has both its positives and negatives).
• call your on call midwife/labor ward if you have any concerns, no matter how small it may seem as them getting to you is obviously not as instant as it would be in a hospital.
• and finally, enjoy it as much as you can considering the circumstances! A home birth can be a really beautiful thing and holds with it many precious memories.

How many children have you got? Did you have your own home? Was your partner on board with a home birth?

Did your midwife try and persuade you to give birth in hospital or were they supportive?

Thanks OP! I’m 40+6 at the minute and just trying my best to stay in a positive frame of mind.

Tinsel I just have the one and think I'd only like the one to be honest my home was rented and yes my husband was on board, he preferred the idea of a home birth too

In terms of a midwife persuading me otherwise, there was definitely some of that going on with it being my first child but as my pregnancy was smooth it did boil down to being my decision in the end and she was very supportive in the run up to end of term.

Mint no worries! Are you considering a home birth?

Sparkly Yes! I’m just waiting for my body to kick things off and really hoping I naturally go into labour so I can give the home birth my best shot.

Why did you choose to have a baby so early? No judgement! I had mine at twenty and will have three by 24. I usually get people who are absolutely unable to understand why I chose to do this, and I’m interested if your reasons are similar to mine.

Mint congratulations! I'm sure you'll be just fine. Things I tried were pineapple, chilli and DTD one of them worked but will never know which!

Mrspock ooo, that's a tough one as usually I am frowned upon when I explain but I'll give it my best shot.

Firstly, I always wanted to be a young mum, since I was a child (or more of a child than I was ). My childhood meant I had to grow up fast and so I was 'above my years' if you will. Me and my DH met when I had just turned 15 and it was the good old 'love at first sight' although we were tested for sure. I moved out shortly after and in with my DH. We started a life together rather quickly, he proposed and we both decided we would like a child (please don't hate on me ). We were stable, he had a good paid job etc.... then we became pregnant.

8 years later we are married, have a fab home, are both in uni and have really good (hopefully life long) careers

Everyone told us we wouldn't last because of both of our backgrounds but we proved them all wrong I guess

Sparklydust

I think it’s lovely you and your DH are still together.

I also decided I wanted to be a young mum. In my case, I had a horrible fear that I wouldn’t be able to get pregnant and I also wanted to be young enough to spend time enjoying my dc. I also was never interested in typical “young” hobbies like drinking, clubbing, going on girls holidays and so it wasn’t detrimental to me to have kids early.

I’m very happy with my decision but I get comments from people telling me I’ve “missed out” . I don’t tell women in their twenties without kids they’re missing out, so I’d appreciate the same respect!

Mrspock I feel your pain! I've often had the same array of comments. Like you, I wasn't interested in all the 'teenage' stuff. I was more interested in settling down, getting married etc... I don't think there's anything wrong with that whatsoever!

Plus there is an upside, when our children grow up and leave home we will still be young(ish) and be able to enjoy our middle ages plus, I'd like to hope me and my DD with have an amazing relationship when she's an adult - with me still being more on her wavelength and all