Homebirth experiences please!

[Allstoppedup]

Pregnant with number 2. Went 2 weeks over and was induced with DS which resulted in an epi and forceps delivery.

I was then in hospital for 3 nights as DS wouldn't wee ( although he probably had the first day we just didn't know we were supposed to note it/ check the nappy!)

Although the staff were great, I hated the hospital stay itself and providing I have a straightforward, low risk pregnancy I am very interested in a homebirth. I think I would be happier, more relaxed and would recover quicker afterwards and like the idea of having my whole family together (DP, DS and new DC) straight away in our own environment following the birth. I live less than 10 minutes from our local hospital if I needed to get there.

I would love to hear as many homebirth experiences as possible, either positive or negative so I can really decide if it is right for me.

Thank you!

Tiny bump

I have had two (first was forceps in hospital ). Both good experiences. Anything in particular you want to know?

Just really home birth experiences to be honest, nothing too specific just how they went outside of a hospital environment. I guess I'm particularly interested in the logistics of homebirth, when did the midwife show up and what did she do whilst she was there (not so much near the end but earlier on!), what pain relief did people have, particularly if someone previously had a hospital birth, how did it differ and how did they feel about their choice to homebirth.

I'm fairly flexible with the actual birth. If it does need to be in a hospital so be it and if it ends in an induction again, I guess that is how it was supposed to be!

I had a homebirth with DD four weeks ago and it was great. Had DS1 and 2 in hospital and was so much happier giving birth at home. Midwife came at 1.15am within 15 minutes of me calling in and saying she should come. Second midwife came just before I started pushing. DD born at 3.19am. I used TENS and a bit of gas and air. It was great having one midwife there for the duration and she was so confident I felt totally relaxed. DD was my biggest baby but easiest birth and quickest recovery afterwards.

Well, I'll do DS (DC3).

We called the mw as my contractions got intense (rather than 3 in 10 or whatever) as I have a history of labouring irregularly. She came out to either check me out and go, or stay. Things stepped up a gear once she'd been phoned and she stayed.

She mostly just hung around in the background. Every now and then she'd check DS's heart rate and she was the one who pro-actively suggested the pool, and then later the gas and air. She drank a lot of coffee too IIRC.

I was very happy with my choice. My previous hospital labour had been augmented with the drip, epidural, forceps. But the epidural was a really bad experience for me, so I kidn of felt that that was 'off the table' as pain relief. In my mind, I didn't want an epidural, I didn't want pethidine, so everything I could have was there!

It was lovely being at home straight after. Great for the older ones to wake up to their new sibling too.

I had a home birth with my first in November and it was a lovely experience, although obviously don't have anything to compare it to. Pretty much just got on with it, to be honest - it was nice to be able to wander about and make strange noises without being self-conscious. I needed some stitches but the midwife was able to do these at home - DH had some skin to skin with the baby next to me on the bed while that was happening. DD was born at 5.10pm, and by 8pm she was snoozing and we were snuggled up on the sofa eating a curry :) really can't think of anything negative to say, to be honest. As it's your second, I imagine you have a good idea of how you'll feel/how you'll deal with the pain - that was the one concern I had beforehand, that I might not be able to cope (was fine with TENS and yelling, G&A made me feel queasy). And you can always ask to transfer in if you want to. Oh, one possible negative: the midwives insisted the room had to be 25C. As I gave birth in November this was a struggle - DH was dispatched to Poundstretchers to buy a fan heater half way through!

Ha soundsystem, DC2 will due in October (so plenty of time to go/think about it!) thankfully I am a bit of a heat daemon anyway and always have the heating wacked up and the heater on in the front room come winter!

These all sound like great experiences though and very much what I'd like. I had G and A and pethadine with DS which was fine, part of me thinks the need for pethadine was largely down to the induction but I THINK I can request it as a home birth if needed.

Check on your area. Not all areas do pethidine at home births. Also, if they do it normally needs to be prescribed in advance by a doctor, rather than brought with the mw's.

Yes, I heard that if you think you might want it you require a prescription in advance and collect it from the pharmacy but will check that applies to my area!

Like I say, ideally I'd like to not need it but given I had it last time I think I'd find it reassuring to have it there. Don't think it would be a deal breaker for me though.

I had a home birth with DC2 2 years ago. Had hospital birth with DC1, all the pain relief going and a ventouse delivery. Home birth was by far a much better experience. Two midwives came within an hour of me calling and didn't stop for even a cuppa till DC2 was born 4.5 hrs later. I went through so much gas & air they had to get someone to bring more
DH covered the floor with a plastic decorators' cover (plastic sheet with absorbant paper on it) but we didn't bother with a birth pool or anything.

Midwives were amazing, hugely supportive and I was chuffed to bits to get the birth I really wanted.

Happy to answer any specific questions if you have any

I had a home birth with DD2 after an unsatisfactory experience in hospital with DD1.
Midwife called when I got to 3 in 10 minutes. It was 7am so I got the night shift MW who happened to be the supervisor of MWs. Baby was not over cervix so she gave me 3hrs and then would have to consider transfer. She listened to hb every 20minutes and was updating notes as she went along. Such a stark contrast to the pop head round the door once in 4hrs and make notes up after that I'd had in hospital.
I ended up delivering in the bath (not planned but was suggested), much less rushed after-care. I was allowed and actually encouraged to deliver placenta by myself rather than being whisked off for stitches. It was ages before I got out that bath!
The only downside is the temptation to get up and get on with your day. I'm sure I'd have had a bit more rest after in hospital.

I had DS1 at home by accident as the hospital told me i wasn't in real labour yet [hmmm]. He was delivered by a paramedic with g&a. Although a bit surprising, it was lovely not having to go anywhere afterwards.

Decided to have DS2 at home in the pool and it was perfect . We called the midwife once my contractions got more painful & started filling the pool. Once she got there i was ready to get in the pool & DS was born into my hands about an hour later.

I've not had a hospital birth to compare but would definitely recommend a home birth. You can still organise all the support like BF coordinators to come to you afterwards too.

Thanks for all your lovely stories! I feel quite excited at the thought so I think it is the right step! All of your experiences seem to be in line with what I would like for us all being well.

I see my midwife next week so I will flag it as a possibility early on!

The good thing with a home birth is that you can always change your mind at the last minute. Your mw will come round and do a risk assessment. I did worry about not having all the pain relief available, but tbh it's fine - sure it's painful, but it's soon forgotten when baby is born. Andit's so relaxing being at home, I much preferred it to hospital. And if you have any other DCs it's wonderful for them too

Blackbetty yes, I love the idea of DS1 being able to come and cuddle with me straight away outside of a clinical/hospital setting. He will only be 21 months himself and possibly still BFing if he hasn't self weaned by then so logistically that will be easier! I think it will be so nice for him to meet his new brother or sister somewhere he feels comfortable and then we can all go have cuddles in our bed!

I was exhausted after 3 nights on the ward, it was so busy and noisy all night and then during the day visitors/cleaners etc made it impossible to rest properly! As soon as DP left at 9pm I was just desperately waiting for him to come back- as soon as he did I felt more relaxed. Obviously hoping as this is number 2 the abject horror of not knowing what I'm doing will be less!

I'm under no illusions that having an (almost) two year old and a new born will be an easy ride but at least DP/ grandparents can help and cuddle whilst I rest up and I can still be there for DS if he wants me.

Had dd in hospital and ds at home 3 years later. Low risk pregnancy and no complications. I started contractions at 4am, called mw at 8am and she arrived about 9am with a student mw. Pretty much left to my own devices for most of the time which is exactly what I wanted. Dh supplied tea and bacon sandwiches

I think I was examined once or truce and the heartbeat listened to quite regularly. After waters broke mw called for 2nd mw for delivery who arrived about 30 mins before ds was born. Stitched up afterwards and was on sofa drinking tea and eating biscuits about 45 mins after birth. Mw's cleared up and binned the floor coverings ready for collection and left about an hour later. Best experience ever, totally relaxed and I was in control. Good luck with whatever you decide.

I booked a hb for #2 but didn't get it because the district midwives were short staffed (and I didn't argue, I know someone who did and miraculously a midwife appeared). So dd1 was a hospital birth, nothing of note, midwife was very hands off and I was home in much less than 6hrs. Booked another hb for #3 in the knowledge I might not get it for any number of reasons. Both times I had meptid prescribed by my gp that I collected from the pharmacy in advance.

In the event #3 was born at home, one midwife turned up about half an hour after we phoned to see where I was, 5cm it turned out so she stayed and called the second one immediately. Second midwife and student turned up another half hour later, they were all chatty yet unobtrusive. I really liked the day to day feeling of it rather then the more out of the ordinary feeling of being in hospital (which fwiw I didn't mind at all, although staying over after was less fun).

I would absolutely book a hb again if the opportunity arose although I have had a rubbish hospital birth and a great hospital birth too, hospital can also be a great experience under the right circumstances.

DS1 (2yo) was there whilst i was in labour with DS2 and it was so comforting knowing he was ok because we've never left him with anyone except nursery & i know i would have been worrying about him if i was in hospital. He was in bed when DS was actually born but was absolutely fine seeing me labouring.

Would highly recommend water babies birthing pool hire. You get everything you need & the lady that runs it is really lovely. They name the next pool they hire out after your baby

My home births were great: they're quite a long time ago now but I remember them vividly. I won't bore you with the details...

The best thing, in retrospect, is the sense of being a least a little bit in control of what is going on: you have made this choice, you are an active part of your child's delivery.

I was very organised before hand: I had everything ready, the MWs' kit in the corner, and the cradle stacked up with everything we'd need, and the cradle itself ready for the baby: clothes to labour in, inco pads, grotty old cot sheet to wrap baby in on arrival, towel to dry baby once washed, nappy and clothes, clothes for me.

Hope it all goes well for you.

I tried for a homebirth with dd1 but ended up transferring due to prolonged 2nd stage. Then had episiotomy, ventouse, third degree tear, retained placenta - followed by two hours in theatre for placenta removal and repair. Not much fun. Because of all of this I had to see a consultant whilst pg with dd2 who recommended another hospital birth and basically said that choosing a home birth was risky and against medical advice. Fortunately I had a great midwife who said pfft! She was so supportive and said that there would be a slightly higher chance of retained placenta and that if I was happy with the worst case scenario of transfer to hospital then I should go for it! I had a wonderful homebirth! No pool as I hate baths. Just in bed (got a waterproof bed sheet), very hands off midwives (only examined once on arrival and then every 15 mins to check baby's heart rate). Next to no mess. Most cleared away by midwives. L

That was going to read - Lovely!

Had hb with DD (my first, only so far). Was great. Painful, but quite quick. We live in a small flat in central London. Rented a pool (birth pool in a box), inflated that on my due date. DD was 2 weeks late, so it just sat inflated upstairs for that time. Also had a bunch of plastic sheets to put around pool and in-between pool and bathroom, etc. Lots of cheap towels and fleece blankets from ikea. Put an old duvet cover, etc, on the bed.

I called midwife when contractions seemed to be a few mins apart. Filled pool at this point. She arrived and despite me not being very dilated, she put me in the pool to 'help calm me down a bit'. DD was born about 2 or 3 hrs later. Can't remember when 2nd midwife arrived, possibly just before I started pushing.

They stayed quite a long time after DD was born as she got quite cold and it took ages for her temp to come up. All in, I think the main midwife was at our place for about 8 hours. But they sat downstairs while we all snuggled in bed upstairs. DH emptied pool (boak) and packed it all up so things were pretty clean and tidy once I surfaced the next morning.

All pretty straightforward other than me spending most of labour bellowing, begging to be taken to hospital and waking up the neighbours at 1am I'd do it again! It was so nice not having to go anywhere - in fact, we didn't leave the flat for about 8 days (as docs and midwives all come to you when you have a hb!).

i had a home birth with my 4 year old. best ever :) it was not a planned though. it all happend very fast. it was just me and my then 3 year old in the house. i think i was in labour for about 40 mins not sure, lost track of time. it started with period type pains and got worse. i thought im gonna leave it until i can no longer handle the pain because i don't want to be stuck in hospital for hours on end. so i allowed myself 2 more contractions and called for an ambulance. few mins later the head was there. i just pushed her head out and paramedic rushed in and sort of caught her. placenta came away not long after. i cant remember what happend about the blood clotting jab thingy :/ maybe paramedic gave it not sure. midwife turned up a while later. it was best birth ever.

im planning a home birth this time round as well but this time properly planned :)

Did you decide what to do yet OP?

Make sure you talk it over with midwife.
I think it's easier to book a hone birth then change your mind and go to hospital rather than decide you want to stay at home at the last minute.

I had a homebirth two weeks ago so still very fresh.
I had a hospital birth with DD1 and while it was a positive experience overall, I hated being in hospital and hoe medicalised things were for no real reason.
I knew I wanted to try a home birth for our second and talked hubby round by 22 weeks.
I woke up on the Thursday knowing I was going to go into labour that day. Had s bloody show that afternoon and mild contractions started that evening. They stayed irregular and mild through the night and on Friday morning. Hubby and I actually had a lovely, chilled morning watching movies on the couch and I stocked up on oatcakes, lucozade and ice lollies. Contractions got closer and more intense by 3pm so I callec the assessment unit and they sent the on call mw out, she arrived about half past 3. I was pretty sure I was only 2-3cm and she confirmed that but said she thought it would be quick now. She left as she said she didn't want me to feel under surveillance but promised she wouldn't go far.

She left about 4 and waters went 10 mins later. Things really ramped up after that. She phoned around 5pm and hubby asked her to come back but she got stuck in rush hour traffic and it took her over an hour to get back. I was in the pool when they arrived around 6.25pm so only had my tens machine and hypnobirthing to get me through. Got my gas and air at about 6.40 then body started pushing and DD born at 7pm.

Decided on a natural third stage but placenta wouldn't come which was a bit scary so had injection and thankfully it then came.

Overall it was an incredible experience and wonderful bonding for hubby and I. It was just us doing it together until about half an hour before she was born and MWs were very hands off. Hubby caught her and passed her through to me in the water which was very special.
It was wonderful to get into my own bed after and it didn't feel medicalised at all.
Good luck whatever you decide. Xx