Home birth in a flat?! Any thoughts?

[earlgreyismynectar]

I'm 35 weeks and planning a home birth and although the idea of being in a flat rather than a house doesn't bother me in itself, it is inhibiting me from going the route of getting a pool for a water birth (I'm hoping to go without pain relief). Has anyone had similar relief in a hb situation from a bath? Apart from that I am very happy with my choice, I have great neighbours(!) am 5 mins from the hospital and have a Doula lined up too. The midwife is coming over on Thursday so I'll find out more about what I need then. I'd be really interested to hear from any other home birther's in a flat situation & what I ought to think about and also from those who chose not to use a pool and what helped with pain relief / getting comfortable!

Hi Earlsgrey,

there are loads of birthing pools on ebay. Some new, some used once and others that were purchased for a home birth that didn't eventually happen so never used. I have just bought a never used one for 35 quid - much cheaper than either renting or buying brand new. I was uming and arring about getting one for a home birth but the lack of financial outlay eventually persuaded me.

I hope your floor is ok for one.

My friend who had a home waterbirth in her 1st floor flat bought a la bassine.

Hi

Can I just add that second births can be much quicker. In my case DD2 arrived several minutes before the paramedics and about an hour before the midwife....

Anyway, at MW's recommendation I had a bath once contractions were 1 min on, 3 mins between and had been for a while. Being in the bath was very soothing, and it turns out, got me all the way to transition. DD2 born c20 mins after I got out of the bath, hence the accidental "free birthing"!

So, bathe away!!

Good luck.

I had hb with first baby in a second floor flat and no pain relief. Used the bath a lot. Was fine - rather lovely actually

Ooo tablefor3 and Oxocube thanks so much for your inspiring stories! I am anticipating (hoping) for a quicker labour this time so it's great to hear that tablefor3! That was fast!! Likewise Oxo, really good to hear that you too were in a flat on no pain relief and got on nicely in the bath! You have each inspired me and helped me to make the decision to stick with the bath and not hire a pool which really does sit more comfortably with me! Thankyou! :)

EarlGrey, my third baby was also born at home, again with no pain relief but this time in a house. Made absolutely no difference!

Good luck with your choice. I had to have a hospital birth with my second child (was living in a country where hb was not allowed) and it didn't feel right for me, although I appreciate that many people feel more comfortable in a hospital setting.

Whenever I smell lavender oil, I think of having my first baby and it makes me feel very emotional

Thanks oxo, no I really don't mind the fact I'm in a flat, it was just the dilemma of the pool. It feels very right to me to hb, I had DD1 in a hospital and whilst the experience wasn't completely bad it has influenced this decision. It's great that you've managed to have 2 of your 3 children at home! Lovely anecdote about the lavender oil, did you use it in the bath? It's a nice idea, I love the smell of it and know how wonderfully relaxing it is!

Hope your HB is as lovely as you hope earlgrey, im hoping for my 1st bb in 7 weeks, still to get my MW on board, but fingers crossed! im in a house, but stll don't havethe room for a pool, it sounds bliss, but will have to stick to the bath, but am worried about getting back out! lol. you have mentioned a check list and being assessed, what does this involve? I would hate if I finally got her to agree and she came to my house and then disagreed for some reason, we are decorating the main bedroom and bathroom at the mo, would this be a problem? when do they do these 'checks'? should I get painting now! lol it sounds like I'm gonna be judged on my home!

No no manic not at all! Sorry if I've given you that impression. Your home isn't judged, it is more an opportunity to discuss with your midwife the kind of birth you would like & where / how you'd like to be. We were in my living room and looking at the space as I expect I'll be there for some of the time. I also showed her the bedroom & bathroom since I anticipate I'll use both of those rooms. She commented it was good to get around 3 sides of the bed (not essential though, I'm sure). Bath too was deemed as fine and she thought it was deeper than standard (hadn't noticed myself!) I too am dreading getting out as I'm like a beetle on it's back once I get in! She explained that they would need a clear area to set up their kit and a table or clear surface that a changing mat could be on. The other main issue was access which was more of an issue for me being in a flat. She explained if I were to be transferred it would be by ambulance and I would be on a chair so doorways, stairs were looked at but again were fine so you certainly will be too. She also explained to me that they would drop off a medium sized box of kit (entinox etc) from when they were officially on call for me, 2 weeks before due date. She also chatted about other hb's she'd done and how others had set up which was helpful. She mentioned that one created a nest in a child's inflatable paddling pool with an old duvet & cushions etc which I thought was a great idea! I'm hoping to make use of floor cushions / birthing ball, leaning on furniture and the bed, as well as the bath of course! She explained too that mess really is minimal too and they clear up after them! It really was a lovely appointment with her and one which made it all the more reassuring, real & exciting! Good luck with your own hb! There is a hb thread just started on here too :)

I will probably be flames for this but thisis my view. I have never lived in a flat but I have read loads of threads on here by peole who do. Noise is a massive issue and has an impact on peoples lives and mental health. If you are a 'loud labourer' (and I accept you might not be) then is that fair on your neighbours? Is the noise of you giving birth likely to keep them awake? If they have children themselves they might not be understanding. If they are awake all night listening is thus fair if they have to get up and go to work the next day? Obviously you have the right to give birth where you bit you also have a responsibility to your neighbours.

Well I must say that apart from seeing 2 midwives coming in and out of my flat, no one would ever have known I was giving birth! Mind you, this was in London and I don't think any of my neighbours apart from one spoke to me for the whole 2 years I lived in the block!!

And I do think that the noise (if there is any) of someone having a baby is a bit different to having parties til 4am every Saturday night It would be a very hard-hearted person who would complain about it!

My neighbours are great & having given birth already I know I'm not a loud labourer! The only neighbour who would be directly effected is below me as I am on the top floor. We're on great terms and I'm aware of the fact that her bedroom is below my living room so being mindful of that I'll be in the bath and bedroom away from that end of the flat in the later stages, should I be labouring through the night! I've given it all much thought but fair point!

Lol at the thought of being in labour and police knocking at the door and telling me to keep the noise down or me getting an asbo for noise during labour ;) thank earlgray, might keep it to myself and use the thought of an assesment by mw to get the kids to keep there rooms tidy and DP to get the last of the decorating finished! ( only been waiting a year, lol)