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Original poster

I’m hoping for a home birth - what do I need to know?

60 replies

Hopingforhomebirth · 02/10/2022 19:10

Hi all,

I’m pregnant with baby number two. I’m in the very early experiences of considering a home birth. I had a straight forward vaginal birth with my first baby.

I was hoping that women with experience of this would consider sharing with me their experiences and anything at all that might be helpful in informing my decision whether or not to have one.

If you did have a home birth, would you do it again? Is there anything you’d do differently? What are the must haves/ dos for the best possible experience?

Thank you so much

OP posts:
Original poster
Hopingforhomebirth · 03/10/2022 07:23

*my midwife is actively encouraging mine

OP posts:
ATwirlADay · 03/10/2022 07:36

Honestly, it was the most wonderful and empowering experience of my life. I was as high as a kite on natural endorphins for a couple of days afterwards; I have never experienced anything like it.

There was very little mess (they brought bed pads).... just had a few dark coloured towels to hand.

Such precious memories of finally getting to bed with our newborn, after the midwives left us in the small hours.

The only "tip" I could add, is to get someone to take your other children away. My labour was grumbling along until DC1 was removed from the house and then I relaxed and could really let go and get on with labouring, and it all happened pretty quickly after that.

PumpkinsMum18 · 03/10/2022 08:38

Hopingforhomebirth · 03/10/2022 07:22

Just for context a little bit more about my situation -

I’m 31, no underlying health conditions. I had my first baby in a midwife led unit, 3 years ago. My first labour was 15 hours. I suffered a grade 2 tear. Recovery was straightforward.

I had a positive birth experience but hated having to leave home to go into hospital by car. I also wanted nothing more than to be at home as soon as I had given birth.

I used a combination of Hypnobirthing and gas and air. I did find the last couple hours very very painful.

We live approximately 10 minutes from our local hospital.

My area is very pro home birth and my midwife is actively mine.

Oh, and we have hard wood flooring, no carpet!! 😁

You sound perfect for a home birth! Very similar to me - I’m 31, low risk, hard floor at home 😂

If midwives are encouraging you, then go for it

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

3rd trimester Childbirth Families General pregnancy
PumpkinsMum18 · 03/10/2022 10:18

There’s a book called The homebirth handbook by Annie Francis that might be useful

Perfect28 · 04/10/2022 06:26

Those talking emergencies, my son had sepsis and pneumonia and we were taken to hospital immediately after delivery. It was scary, yes. Really scary. But in the end we were in the hands of a specialist team so quickly and the ambulances were prompt (cat 1). Obviously this can never be assured but a newborn in distress is pretty much the most urgent priority, and emergencies are statistically rare.

Duplocrocs · 04/10/2022 06:52

Just a warning to be open minded about where you give birth so if it doesn’t work out at home you’re not too disappointed. I was textbook first birth so for my second was thinking home birth but then my waters broke with meconium in and home birth was over before it even started - had to go straight in to hospital.

Mossyeyes · 04/10/2022 07:14

I've been at some wonderful home births. They are lovely, quiet and such special occasions.

I still have had to transfer women into hospital, it can be incredibly disappointing for the woman at best to absolutely terrifying to woman (and Midwife) at worst. Be prepared for this. I used to tell my mothers, let's plan to labour at home for as long as possible. If you birth at home too, that's lovely.

Many hospitals have suspended home births due to the staffing crisis as there are literally not enough midwives to go around. Centralising care is the only safe option for the service. There are also current concerns on ambulances not able to respond immediately.

If you are lucky to live in an area where the home birth service is running and the ambulance service isn't currently affected - it's a very safe place of birth for low risk women. Just enter the process with an open mind.

Wilkolampshade · 04/10/2022 10:10

This was 20 years ago OP, but I would 100% second what @ATwirlADay said re' removing siblings. I had the same experience, grumbly rubbish progression until DD1 toddled round to a friends at 6 a.m then all hell was let loose (in a good way 🤣)

Oh, and don't assume you'll like the pool - we filled it, I got in, then immediately out again as felt overwhelmingly compelled to have 2 feet planted firmly on the ground as things crashed on.

Best of luck.

Pandapop3 · 29/10/2022 23:30

ichimedin · 02/10/2022 22:04

for a 2nd birth, homebirth is statistically safer than hospital

Show quote history

How do you know this @ichimedin ?

Considering a home birth for my second after an induced first labour so info like this is so helpful for me

lifeinthehills · 30/10/2022 00:28

I've had four homebirths. All straight forward except for the last one that saw me carted out semi-conscious to the hospital via ambulance. I wouldn't have another home birth myself due to that history now, but wouldn't hesitate if I didn't have that history. If one of my daughters decided to have a home birth, I would be comfortable with it.

As you have another child, consider whether they will be present or not. Mine were present for the births and I organised someone to be there whose role was to support them, and be with them to meet their needs. I think this is essential in case of transfer and just to make sure they are taken care of.

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