homebirths, how do u go about it?

[misdee]

how do u get a midwife to do a homebirth? does it cost more? i absolutly hate hospitals and seeing i am back in the area where i had dd1 and hate the local hospital as had a bad time there, and doubt i'll be able to get to the hospital i had dd2 in, which was lovely, a homebirth has crossed my mind? but i dont have a clue. as it is i had dd1 at around 10pm, was home at 3pm the following afternoon, with dd2 i had her 7.45 and was home by 1pm. i'd really like to miss out the waiting for paedictrian to come round to see us, and would rather be at home.

i had a dream home birth. I just asked my normal midwife. There was a lot of uncetainty about it but i went through with it and it was great

You just tell your GP or midwife at your booking appointment that you'd like a home birth and then you do it! There are several home birth threads here and I'd really recommend it, I had both mine at home. No it doesn't cost more, in fact it's cheaper apparently.

mine didnt cost anything (apart from the plastic sheets i bought!!) Went with the community midwoves. I would really recommend it. 6 hours after the start of labour, it was all over, midwives were gone (they even cleaned up all the mess and changed my bed sheets!!!) and we were all cuddled up on the sofa together......lovely

Yes, just ask at your booking appointment, and book the place of delivery as home. Shouldn't be a problem - some people have midwives who aren't keen, but on the whole I think they are very happy to do them. Dd was born at home - labour started 6:30, midwife arrived 9:40, dd born 10:10, midwives all gone at 10:30. So it was really lovely!

Oh, go for it! Just say you want a home birth, and there should be no problem (you're legally entitled to one, you know). I had dd2 at home and it was completely wonderful.

misdee I intend having no3 at home, the m/w's here are really supportive of it and get quite excited when you say you want one!

We can compare notes as we are due at the same time.

There are some good websites to look at that go into some detail try homebirth.org.uk I think its that one, was esp good for preparing your home and outlining all your options. hth

Girly, how are you? I tried emailing you a while ago but don't think it got through. Congratulations!

I had dd at home in March. My area has Surestart funding and one of the things they encourage is homebirth. It was rather long but I agree that it was great getting into my own bath and then my own bed immediately afterwards.

thanks. i didnt know if homebirths were considered an luxery way of doing things and u needed to pay for anything. if there are complcations, same as the dd's, then i dont see the point in me hanging round the hospital when we are all well just to get seen by paediatrian. will look at the sites u gave girly, and will compare notes. I have my 1st appt with gp next week to get booked in etc.

Hi Motherinferior, long time no chat! I have not had any emails from you for ages , had to change addys cause I got soooo many spam and virus mails so maybe thats why, anyway how are you and yours? We are all well here and am newly pregnant with no3 (mad I know)!!

misdee, homebirth is getting quite common now! wild horses would not get me back on that postnatal ward again, I will google some more sites soon and post them here soon.

I have my appointment tomorrow, suspect it will be just a load of form filling! my gp leaves it all to the m/wives to do, see you on the March 2005 thread!

Hi. I'm due to have my 3rd in less than 2 weeks, although I think she will be early as I have been up with pains for an hour now (hence the time!). I'm booked in for a homebirth this time with the community midwives. You don't even have to tell them you definately want one at your booking in appointment, and if you do tell them you can change your mind if you want to. I have had no trouble at all with mine, I only told them about a month ago that I wanted the baby at home and they have been great; no fuss at all. All I have to supply is plastic sheets, old towels and lots of biscuits!!! Good luck, and remember you are entitled to a home birth and they are obliged to provide the care for one.

Does anyone know if you can have anything other than gas and air at a home birth?

You may get pethedine, but in many areas you have to get this on prescription from the doctor in advance.

With most practices, you have till 37 weeks to decide for or against a home birth, btw.

Gas and air is lovely stuff, incidentally, and the first thing I ever posted on Mumsnet to enquire about, way back in the days when I was havering about a home birth!

misdee; the only expense you will incur at home is if you want to hire a pool - which personally I would recommend - but the most basic inflatable one is absolutely fine, and I think the cost was about £150 from Splashdown. Brilliant relaxation / pain relief. You don't have to actually deliver in it if you don't want.

i survived dd2 birth with gas and air, was in lister hospital for 1hr 45mins before i had her, and had been asleep untill an hour b4 i got there so i think i also want a home birth in case this one is just as speedy. i dont know about hiring a pool, would we have time to fill it and keep it at the right temp lol.

Pools are ESSENTIAL for giving DH/DP something to faff around with frantically - it's their substitute for the mad drive to the hospital!

And keeps them busy so that they don't reach for the camcorder.....

well i've lost the leads for the camcorder, tho may hide the digital camera lol. dh can be faffing about making cups of tea and settling the kdis downstairs with grandma watching a video. i will find him tasks to do!!

Another pool recommender here. Invaluable.