Home birth with third baby?? Any experience?

[Abneyandteal19]

I'm pregnant with my third baby and midwife is recommending a home birth. We have moved since having the first two so this area apparently has a great rate of home births etc.

1st birth struggled and ended up with forceps and episiotomy, 2nd very straightforward vaginal birth with gas and air.

We live a stones throw from the hospital so on one hand we could get there quick if there was a problem with home birth but on the other I think why not just go there anyway?

Worries I have are...

Where do your other kids go if you have home birth? I have parents nearby who would help but I'm worried hearing me etc might be frightening? They will be 4 and 2 just.

Where in your house do you give birth? We have a town house with living room on ground floor and kitchen diner downstairs.

Anyone with any experiences would be so gratefully received!! I love the sound of the kids meeting new baby straight away and sleeping/showering in your own bed etc.

Had 3rd at home. Also best hospital and with parents about.

Also had similar 1st and 2nd births, though no instruments in first.

I actually went into labour in school hours, so my eldest then 4 was at school and my mum picked her up. We sent 2 year old to my mums once labour got going.

I birthed in my living room diner. We moved the dining room table. I didn’t want a pool. He was born at 3.11 pm- my older kids had their tea at my mums and then came back home.

Had I gone into labour in the night, I would probably have left them asleep and got my mum to collect before school. If I’d gone into the night, I would have let them stay with my mum overnight.

It wasn’t that messy. I used a birthing ball and we actually washed out all the old sheets and towels we were given and they were fine.

Got in my own bath after and then my own bed. It was lovely!

Thank you! Glad you had a good experience.

I guess that the thing to have a plan for the different times of day it might happen!

I'm pregnant with my bird, like you also have a 4 year old and a 2 year old. I had home births with both of them, so not quite the same, but...

In terms of where you give birth in your home, it's really up to you. If you're planning on having a pool then that will limit you somewhat, in terms of where it can be set up. I had both of mine in my bedroom, crouched next to the bed. Just because that's where I felt comfortable at the time (didn't have a pool).

For what to do with your other kids, the can be in the house though it's a good idea to have another adult around to focus on them (separate to your birth partner).

*third, obviously, not bird!

2nd born at home with one asleep, 3rd born at home with 1&2 watching TV in the morning. They came in when their brother was 15 min old. Absolutely beautiful and part of life.

My mum had my sister at home when I was 3. I just slept through it apparently and when I woke in the morning had a new baby sister!