Keen for a homebirth. Any advice?

[naturelover]

Am only 17 weeks pregnant so it's too early to tell if I'll be able/allowed to have a homebirth, but I'm very keen to. It's my first baby. I'd welcome any advice about preparation for homebirth. My midwife presented homebirths as an option without any bias for or against, even though the homebirth rate in my London borough is very low (1%). I was very encouraged by this.

it is an option, not a question of being allowed ! if you search the archives you will find some great advice , but this is an excellent site to look at....homebirth site great the midwife is positive too !

here's a useful one if you're planning a waterbirth

at home

Great news if you have a positive midwife...

ALWAYS keep an open mind........

One advantage of homebirth is not having to strap your newborn baby into a carseat to get him/her home!

I didn't have homebirth because there was nowhere suitable in my house to put the birthing pool, which was a higher priority for me.

Search here, lots of homebirthers on mn. I had both mine at home.

read up as much info as you can and if its what you want go for it,
good luck.
lins xx

had DC2 and 3 at home, wish I'd had DC1 at home too but let my mum talk me out of it. Its so much better, benefits far outweigh hospital birth (save the obvious).
I'm in SW London, my MV here didn't even question my decision (PG with no 4, and had expected some reservations from her). GP also very supportive (some aren't).

And, I do believe that the stress-free, unpressured environment at home was beneficial to BF.

I, and assume its the same for everyone, didn't actually have to make a decision until labour. I'd booked into hospital, as well as preparing for a HB, (MV brought birthing pack round and was totally supportive). So you really can wait and see how you feel on the day!

My advice, go for it

had my last one at home after 5 hospital births, the only thing for me was getting over the feeling that i 'should' be doing it in hospital ie my body/brain couldn't quite get it that I was staying here at home. you won't have that problem as its your first. keep an open mind but be prepared to state your case just in case you get a midwife you don't know or isn't sympatetic as I did. kind of tainted it for me, but still by far the best birth I've ever had.

Ds1 was born in hospital, the birth was horrible and I'm sure things would have been much better if I'd hade some emotional support. (DH was totally terrified and concentrated on his gameboy). DS2 was also born in hospital as he was induced. I refused to be induced with dd and give birth at home 11 days overdue.It was so, so much better.The midwives were so lovely and kind (unlike the hostpital ones) My only advice is that you look into Hypno Birthing. It may sound cranky, but it was worth every penny and realy, works!

had home delivery for dd3, after cs for dd1 footling breech and ventouse after a bit of a turn for dd2.
Had a fab midwife who was willing to go with the flow, like I was. All went well and fabulous, but strangely never really believed that it would happen, and was still trying to decide how ambulance men could get me down stairs past mess when lovely dd3 popped out.
First comment was could do another delivery like that easily, unfortunately doesn't look like will be given that option but never mind...

Best two pieces of advice. Have an open mind and have a fab midwife.

Following up from what Muminfife said, I actually think the care was BETTER postnatally. Snr midwife came later same day/next day (depending on what time baby born) to check them and me. Post Labour ward care was shocking after DS1, just wanted to get the hell out of there!

And there's no MRSA at home, the foods better and believe me, using your own toilet after giving birth is a big deal!!

Always very few negative responses to these threads, I do wonder if that is proportionate to positive HB experiences.

Prepare for both is my advice, then you can go where your instincts take you.

naturelover...you might want to think about having a doula with you, cheritongirl had her first baby at home recently, and had a doula, and found it to be a really positive experience...she can also help you ante natally to gather the info you need..

hi naturelover - i had my first (and only so far!) baby at home 4 months ago - i had a Doula as lulumama said who really encouraged me to think about it and although at first it seemed like a crazy idea, i am sooooo glad my LO was born at home. Its great you have a supportive mw, i hope you can stick with her, i had one who was amazing! I would recommend a doula if you can possibly afford it (mine cost £500 inc a few antenatal sessions and a post natal check up, but think she was relatively expensive!) as this will probably give you extra confidence if your labour is long - likely with your first - and the mw isn't there all the time (this happened with me). Also, i had a lot of people say "ooh is it wise to have your first baby at home?" - but don't let that put you off, it unnerved me a bit but your mw will not let you have your baby at home if its not safe. All the very best and do post again if you have more questions later! if you want to email its rachelfarrier at hotmail dot com