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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Homebirth- where did you deliver?

43 replies

flissity · 10/02/2020 16:14

Just been to 25wk MW appointment and have asked about a HB! Its my 3rd baby. First was induction, 2nd spontaneous water birth at MW led unit.

Where did you give birth? Would be more practical for me downstairs. More room, we have bath downstairs too, so could use that in early labour? MW said in last few HB she has done, the pool couldn’t get to correct temp and a bit of a faff... so experiences of HB and where you delivered (lounge, bed etc..) pleas !

OP posts:

RhymingRabbit3 · 10/02/2020 20:04

Following, I am wondering which bits of the house to cover

OP I'm also planning a home birth, there are some great facebook groups which are great for advice and support so have a look.

RhymingRabbit3 · 10/02/2020 20:06

Also yes you can use the bath in early labour but its not recommended as an alternative to a birthing pool because the water isnt deep enough to deliver.

isitpossibleto · 10/02/2020 20:07

I hired a pool and delivered in that. Downstairs.

LangClegsOpinionIsNoted · 10/02/2020 20:11

Dining room. Pushed the table to the side and put up birth pool once my contractions started (I labour very quickly!). Dining room is off the kitchen so filling the pool was easy, and we have gas instant hot water so no need to worry about running out of hot water - maybe that's what happened with the homebirths your mw mentioned? The pool was ready before the midwife arrived so I had to wait to get in as they want to check you before you go in. Laboured and delivered in the water, it was great.

mintbiscuit · 10/02/2020 20:18

DS2 was delivered on bathroom floor. Despite having a birthing pool set up in living room labour was v fast and I couldn’t make it to pool!

DD Labour (3rd child) was slower. I created a ‘nest’ on my bedroom floor with lots of old duvets and pillows. This worked well for me as it was away from the kids bedrooms, warm and quiet. (I was in labour during night). My ‘padded’ nest on the floor allowed me to labour and birth on all fours, which I have always found more comfortable.

freedles · 10/02/2020 20:23

Unplanned home birth as it was a fast labour but homebirth team got to me just in time and delivered in the living room kneeling on the floor and using the sofa as a support. Worked very well. Good luck with whatever you decide 🙂

sweetkitty · 10/02/2020 20:29

In my bed both times. When I go into labour I don’t get any let up in contractions and never fancied a pool. I Labour on my side in a foetal position only turning to actually deliver. Had a shower curtain on my bed secured with a smart price fitted sheet (mumsnet advice). Incontinence pads underneath me. No mess midwifes just put it all in the bin whilst I was in the shower, remade bed then put me in it with my new baby.

rednsparkley · 10/02/2020 20:35

In my bed all three times. My labours are fast and relentless with no breaks between contractions - and I hated the pool when I tried it with No1.

I did the same as kitty and birth-proofed the bed which the midwives disposed of while I showered. They remade the bed while DH made tea and I got back into my own bed with my new baby, it was lovely 😍

avinitall · 10/02/2020 20:40

Hired a pool, put in dining room in through lounge (having removed table/chairs). Was in pool when mw arrived, they had waterproof Doppler but I kept moving as they tried to check me. It was my second and all went well.
Nearly just went upstairs and gave birth on our bed as midwives were too chatty and I remember wanting peace and quiet.

Original poster

flissity · 11/02/2020 08:05

I love reading all these stories thank you!
I am really 50/50 on the HB or midwife unit (where I had DD2)

I know it’s also good to have an open mind as last minute things can happen but I need to decide by 35 weeks really x

OP posts:

ZoeandChandon · 11/02/2020 08:10

In my lounge, hired a pool, No problems with temperature.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 11/02/2020 08:16

In my bed. I didn't want any faff with pools etc as had 20 month DD (who was at neighbours house duribg the actual event, but was home an hour afterwards.

TheBitchOfTheVicar · 11/02/2020 08:18

Pool in the dining room.

DH was reassured that he had been told midwives help clear up and everything should be nice and clean after...then I was sent to hospital with DC and everyone rushed out - hours later he came back to a bit of a mess!

RumRumRum · 11/02/2020 08:21

Unplanned - in the bathroom. The midwives scooped up all the towels etc and cleaned down the tiles so we had no mess to sort out!

ThePolishWombat · 11/02/2020 08:24

I’ve had 2 planned homebirths and delivered on the living room floor both times.
We had plastic DIY sheets taped down to protect the sofa and carpets, and another couple taped up the stairs and across the landing to protect from any “drippage” as I waddled up to the bathroom afterwards.

Only word of advice from me: get your soft furnishings protected at the first inkling if labour My third was in an unexpected hurry! Labour went from moderate to “Baby inbound!” Very quickly, and my waters broke on my sofa before I’d had chance to cover it

TinklyLittleLaugh · 11/02/2020 08:26

In the spare bedroom. Had the bed all set up with mattress protection, incontinence pads etc and the midwives brought plenty.

After much juggling and swapping over the years, spare room is DS’s now. I think it’s kind of cool to sleep in the room where you were born.

Original poster

flissity · 11/02/2020 20:05

@TinklyLittleLaugh definitely! Stories to tell him!

I think I just worry about a possible transfer to hospital. But birth is generally unpredictable! Who knows

OP posts:

Sweetooth92 · 12/02/2020 14:35

We brought a birth pool & set it up in the lounge by the fire. It was lovely-so different to my first.
Nothing nicer than your own shower & bed afterwards! Unfortunately for us DS1 woke up just as we were seeing the midwives off at 6am so we didn’t get any sleep but was absolutely lovely being home

RhymingRabbit3 · 12/02/2020 16:10

Transfer to hospital rates are fairly low for 2nd or 3rd babies, but ask your midwife about the statistics. In our area the home birth midwives have a phone number for a time critical ambulance. They explained it to me that they phone that number and an ambulance comes directly to you. Even if they're heading to a suspected cardiac arrest on the other side of town, they will turn round and come to you.
For me personally with a history of fast labour I would prefer that to husband driving me to the hospital in an emergency (or not) situation.

Posharmchairs · 12/02/2020 16:15

I had my first at home. Long first stage, went for a walk, made a cake, played cards. Got into the pool just as midwives arrived and it was fine. That made it me in a pool in the front room, my dh, dm, two mw’s and a student all in our two bed terrace. It was lovely and I plan to do it again with the addition of a toddler (hopefully sleeping) upstairs.

lineandsinker · 12/02/2020 16:15

I had booked a home birth and managed 30 hours of labour at home. We hired a birthing pool and put this in the corner of our lounge, but I also spent time sitting on the toilet and also on all fours on my bed.

Ended up being transferred to hospital due to failure to progress in the 2nd stage - didn’t have access to a time critical ambulance as a PP suggested - we had to wait 2 hours and were told that it was normal to wait between 4 and 5 hours for an ambulance. This was also emphasised to us when we signed for the home birth that an ambulance arriving quickly was not guaranteed.
Luckily, I needed to be transferred to hospital in the early hours so less demand.

Ended up with a Caesarian but do not regret going for the home birth. Was lovely to do most of the hard work in my own surroundings.

Moltenpink · 12/02/2020 16:16

Spent the early stages walking round the kitchen bracing against the counter for contractions, the middle bit in a bath, pushed holding on to the bathroom sink and the final push on the spare bed. Plastic cover on bed, topped with old sheets, topped with beach towels. Plastic over floor (wasn’t necessary). I was quite lucky that my waters broke in the bath.

mamamalt · 12/02/2020 16:17

I bought a pool (second hand but unused as ladies baby came early) on FB and dc2 was born in there in our front room! He brother slept though upstairs! It was lovely, I could watch tv and look out at the stars. It's as actually far too fast to fully enjoy it all but still amazing! She was born at 6am and we went to hospital after as there was merconium in waters, spent the day in bed being fed and home to our own bed that night! Fabulous. Go for a home birth! Ohh and I'm eyeing up number 3 so come back and let us know! Good luck

Original poster

flissity · 13/02/2020 22:41

@mamamalt I’ve got a lot of thinking to do!!

It just sounds lovely how you all just move about the house, instinctively, labouring where you are comfortable. Not resigned to one room.
Am enjoying reading these :)

OP posts:

Sewingbea · 13/02/2020 23:19

DD2 was born in the tiny downstairs bathroom of our previous house. I had planned to birth in the living room or upstairs in our bedroom (which had an en suite). However once in labour I refused to leave the smallest room. Rather like a cat refusing the lovely bed her owners have made and instead birthing in a wardrobe. Midwife brought a student with her the next day and student couldn't believe that midwife, DH and I had all fitted in the room It was a fabulous birth and I treasure the memory.
If you like home birth stories then Abigail Cairns book "Homebirth, stories to inspire and inform" is lovely.

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