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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Homebirth, am I crazy?

316 replies

rubberducky87 · 26/02/2015 21:44

Just that really. I'm a first time mum and I really want a homebirth but scared because I've never done it before. Only a few more days until I'm due! My midwife is very supportive but I'm still nervous. Any stories to share??

OP posts:

FoulsomeAndMaggotwise · 26/02/2015 22:44

I just had a home birth this morning! Not the greatest example as DD turned back to back so the labour was much longer and more painful than I was expecting. I think as long as you are aware of all the risks (like the chance of this happening for instance), and if your pregnancy is low risk and you're close to a hospital then go for it.

It was lovely being at home straight after she was born and I think if I'd have been in hospital I would have ended up having an epidural and lots of other interventions which I didn't want. So it was very very difficult, but I'm glad I did it.

Original poster

rubberducky87 · 27/02/2015 08:05

Congratulations on your brand new baby!

I'm sorry that you ended up with your DD back to back and it ended up being harder than normal.

I think I'll be able to deal with the pain better in my own environment really and I guess that's why I'm doing it. Im really scared though and I'm just worried that I'll end up freaking out. Maybe I'm just being too precious about it

OP posts:

BeverleyCrusher · 27/02/2015 08:12

I've had 2 wonderful homebirths. Once you get going you won't be nervous, and I found the pain much more manageable at home than in my hospital birth.

You can transfer in if you want to. So if you decide you want more pain relief, or if the midwife is worried about anything, so it's not like you are stuck at home unless you are a long way from a hospital. And often (not always) first births are fairly slow. So you've time to make decisions.
Best of luck :)

BeverleyCrusher · 27/02/2015 08:15

I have had a back to back baby at home too. Mine wasn't too bad, sometimes it doesn't make too much difference.

MamaWren · 27/02/2015 08:17

I had 2 wonderful homebirths as well. Being in my own environment really helped me feel safe and relaxed (& resulted in 2 quick births without g&a or any other pain relief). So nice being able to snuggle up in your own bed afterwards.

Annarose2014 · 27/02/2015 08:20

I wouldn't do it for a first baby, only subsequent babies, but thats just my opinion.

Before giving birth I didn't know what a contraction really felt like, and I didn't know what my pain threshold was, and it was much lower than I thought. Also turned out the gas and air made me want to vomit and baths during labour make me feel too weak - who knew?

So on subsequent babies I'd be able to tailor what I need more accurately.

I also wouldn't have a home birth longer than 30 mins from a hospital in heavy traffic. I ended up needing tons of intervention, despite wanting the opposite. You just never know.

Witchofthenorth · 27/02/2015 08:26

I had a home birth and it was the most amazing thing I have done (aside my babies of course!)
I found the pain much more bearable, I was infinitely more relaxed in my own environment and being able to do my own thing afterward was the best. My own bath while my husband cuddled his baby, and of course him being there rather than having to go home as would happen in hospital.

The midwives were great, and they let the ambulance depot know they are attending a home birth should you need to go to hospital. I should add also, my son got stuck, shoulder dystocia, and the midwives were able to deal with it amazingly...apart from a slightly wonky shoulder and me feeling decidedly battered and bruised, there were no ill effects. I would do of again in a minute and had I been braver, would have done it with all my pregnancies (first 3 were hospital births)

Congratulations on your nearly here baby

Witchofthenorth · 27/02/2015 08:28

And as a pp said...you can always transfer in

broomy123 · 27/02/2015 08:41

I can't comment as I don't have any experience with a home birth but I would just make sure you get the support you need afterwards. The help from midwives whilst I was in hospital was invaluable in the middle of the night and helping me to get to grips with breastfeeding. In fact I would have given up without one lovely one spending the time with me. Just something you may not have considered. But I'm sure those with experience will have more insight!

I know midwives monitor you very closely and take you into hospital at the first sign of any concern so try not to worry too much on that (I say that having had an EMCS) good luck!

Original poster

rubberducky87 · 27/02/2015 13:20

Thank you for all your replies! I am by no means expecting an easy time, but I really dislike hospitals and they make me clam up. I feel like I would be more comfortable at home. I will have two midwives present so I count myself very lucky.

If they said that there was some sort of problem, of course I'd go to the hospital as I have no interest in putting my baby in harms way. My midwife said I'm very low risk and I don't live too far from the hospital so I could definitely get transferred if I need to. Also, I had considered how I will handle the pain and she also assured me that if I'm finding too difficult then I can go in either way.

I think I'm just getting super nervous because I know it's going to be so soon. This little one can't get here soon enough for me!

OP posts:

gallicgirl · 27/02/2015 15:48

I had my first baby at home and it was fine. Because you're more relaxed, more oxytocin is released which helps your labour along. I took 14 hours with just a tens machine and entinox. No problems at all.

Also, you get one-on-one care with your midwife as she's not rushing off to see another patient. I felt very well looked after.

It was lovely afterwards too, having a bath and a little glass of champagne before settling into my own bed.

FoulsomeAndMaggotwise · 28/02/2015 08:50

ducky it sounds like home birthing is the way to go for you. The last thing you want during labour is to feel emotionally uncomfortable. You sound like you know yourself and have thought it through, so I would go for it. The more I think about my labour, the more glad I am I was at home. The midwives are fanatic and so on the ball, they'll take you in if they think you need it.

FoulsomeAndMaggotwise · 28/02/2015 08:51

Fantastic, not fanatic - that's a different thing entirely!

MrsHooolie · 28/02/2015 08:59

Definitely go for it,and like others have said you will be transferred in if the midwives think it's necessary or if you just feel like you need to go in for more pain relief or whatever.
I attempted a homebirth but ended up with an EMCS,but it was still good to be home for the first few dayshours

CityDweller · 28/02/2015 14:53

Why would it be crazy? I had a homebirth for my first. All very straightforward and quite quick. So lovely to be at home and not have to go anywhere in labour and not have to be in a horrible postnatal ward afterwards. I recommend hiring a birthing pool if you do go for it. I was so glad I did - the pain relief and comfort it gave was enormous.

weebleswillwobble · 28/02/2015 16:12

I have had three 'good' births - first in MLU, 2nd hospital labour ward, and homebirth. Technically all were positive, but homebirth was AMAZING. Physically I suppose the same - but was so much more relaxed, comfortable, being able to move around in your own environment, eat/drink what you want when you want - and as an aside my husband said he felt much more involved and less of a 'spare part'. Go for it!

Ratarse · 28/02/2015 18:59

For me there is absolutely no comparison! I've had 3 straight forward hospital births and a homebirth, I'm due another homebirth in 4 weeks. I was so relaxed and felt in control at home, it was a wonderful experience. I hired a pool as well.

soundsystem · 28/02/2015 21:40

I had my first at home and it was lovely. Was great to be in my own space and be able to wander about and do what I needed to do. And really great to not have to go anywhere afterwards! You won't know how you'll feel until you get going but you can always ask to transfer in if you feel you'd like to, so nothing to lose, really! Good luck x

Beesandbutterflies · 01/03/2015 17:21

I had my first at home, it was a fantastic experience and I wouldn't want to do it any other way now! You are definitely not crazy

cherryade8 · 09/03/2015 20:14

Have you had baby yet?! If so, congratulations! You're not crazy, however I wouldn't fancy a homebirth, I like the reassurance of hospital. Great that we can choose what suits us though.

slithytove · 09/03/2015 20:19

Best thing I've ever done in my life, no exaggerations

missmakesstuff · 15/03/2015 20:28

Interested to hear how you got on OP, planning my own hb, a vbac, due in a week. We've a doula, pool set up ready, all we need now is baby to hurry up!

Flowergirlmum · 15/03/2015 21:23

My second child is 6 months old. She was born in the hospital. I had a cord prolapse soon after my waters broke. This is a major emergency situation for which there is no advance warning. My pregnancy and labour up to that point had been standard stuff. When the prolapse occurred my baby's heart stopped. They had 3 minutes to get her out. They did this by crash section with me under a general anaesthetic.

My baby was born healthy and perfect. Had I chosen a home birth she would have died.
Birth is utterly unpredictable and in 2015 we are blessed with a huge amount of technical knowledge and skill. Don't play with your baby's life.

gallicgirl · 15/03/2015 23:33

Did you watch that documentary last week called All Or Nothing? Lady there had a cord prolapse during a home birth. It's incredibly rare and the midwives dealt with it quickly and delivered the baby safely.

Be informed and weigh up the risks.

My second baby was born at home today in a pool. I went from 3cm dilated when the midwife arrived, to delivering baby just 90 minutes later. Dread to think how awful the journey to hospital would have been once I was in established labour.

Flowergirlmum · 16/03/2015 07:01

Galli- my baby would have died if I'd had her at home. My labour was no where near far enough along to give birth naturally within 3 minutes. Cord prolapse may be rare but it happens and it happened to me. My beautiful baby is all the motivation I need to tell people to use the fabulous resources we have.

My baby, who could so easily have been lost, was delivered within 3 minutes and had an apgar score of 10. They did a great job. The scar I'm left with it testament to the speed at which they acted!!!

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