Home birth

[TwinkleStars15]

Tell me everything about your home births! This will be second birth for me, first birth was extremely straightforward and whole labour was 7 hours start to finish, so planning a home birth this time round

How far along are you OP? All home births are cancelled at the moment due to Covid :(

@TwinkleStars15 22 weeks. They are still going ahead in some places, and I’m hopeful they’ll be reinstated soon based on the RCOG guidelines.

You’ll be fine as you’re only 22 weeks but RCOG guidelines don’t mean a thing when the ambulance service are saying they absolutely will not be available for emergency transfer from a home birth. Leaves us with absolutely no choice but to suspend the service.

I had a home birth 3rd baby it went smoothly and was perfect for me no examinations no lying on my back all the time.
I was only in Labour three hours and the midwives really helped me through it but also didn't intervene to much which I found Better I hate being messed with when in pain.
When it was finished they made me tea and toast and helped me to bed and put the baby next to me.
I highly recommend it to any woman. I'm 21 weeks and am crossing everything I get another home birth

Many trusts are still going ahead with homebirths. I've had 3, after having my first baby in hospital and I can't recommend home delivery highly enough - such an amazing, positive experience. Did you want to know anything in particular?

I had a Homebirth 10 days ago- so they are happening in some trusts despite people saying they aren't. No problems with ambulances being overrun or staffing- at one point I had 4 midwives in my bedroom because of shift handover.
A very positive and relaxing experience - they were really calm and supportive the whole way through.

My trust (west mids) has just announced today they've reinstated home births and births in the MLU , had previously been that all births would in Consultant unit

Glad to see so trusts are reinstating them! As far as I am aware, there are no issues with ambulance transport times in my area (not a big city) so hopefully they’ll be reinstated here soon.
What did you do for relaxation/relief before midwives arrived with gas and air (if you used it). I’m worried my second labour may be rather which based on my first only being 7 hours, what can I do to ease things and keep myself calm?

They are still running in my area. I started off at home but ended up in hospital. However I enjoyed it at home, felt in control, enjoyed walking round the house, using my own loo etc! Although I had to transer in via ambulance, everything was very smooth and everyone relaxed and professional. I ended up needing an episiotomy, ventouse and lost a lot of blood in hospital. This is the kind of reason some people give for not having a home birth i.e that it's risky. However the midwives (and me) made sensible decisions and I transferred in when labour wasn't progressing so I was in the right place when needed. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have progressed as quickly up to the point I did, if I'd started off in hospital. I'm glad I had done plenty of research about potential complications and risks, medical interventions etc, as I had a good understanding of what was happening and the options I had. There are often local Facebook groups about homebirth, might be worth looking for one.

I'd planned a home birth but after a lengthy labour (only early though) with my waters having gone first thing, baby pooped and I ended up taking myself off to hospital. Still I can give you 30 hours worth of experience haha. I tried to keep myself busy. We went to a nice local cafe for brekkie, then for a Costa, the shops to get some bits and bobs in snackwise for the midwives then went home, had a tidy around and bounced on my ball eating pizza. I found a TENS machine really good and had a bath in the wee hours when things got particularly painful x

@TwinkleStars15 as my labour progressed very fast I couldn't really keep calm I have preticipation labours so I go from 1-10 really quickly. My second labour was just under two hours I literally just made it to hospital with five mins to spare that's why I chose home birth for number 3. As it's your second baby and your first was only seven hours I imagine you will have a fast labour aswell.
I took three painkillers when I first got pains the midwives were with me for about four hours as they clean up after etc but I didn't have gas and air it was offered to me but I was about 7cm when they got to me. I remember the pains didn't get really bad till about 8-9 cm and I was pacing the living room and that helped I hate lying there I had a fan on aswell which helps as you get sweaty so make sure u have one handy. My partner rubbed my back a lot and I had my son on my knees not all fours I was leaning against the sofa with arms resting. I found this position best. They don't break your water at home like in hospital they told me to push between contractions and my waters would break I remember thinking how hard it was it took a few attempts. They can bring you gas and air to help the pain I hate the feeling of gas and air and it makes me sick in my labours that's why I didn't have it. We had the soaps on and the midwives were watching the tv it was all very calm and they left me to it unless I asked them for help.
It was so good the care was second to non in my eyes and they helped me get in the bath after and put PJS on etc
If all goes smoothly you won't regret a home birth. I'm having one this time aswell when are you due ?

Thanks everyone! @Keha that was good to read, I think even if I have to transfer, I’d rather try a home birth. Glad to hear your transfer was nice and smooth.

@FirstTimeBumps gosh, 30 hours. Hats off to you! My first was only 7 from beginning to end, no idea how I would’ve coped with 30 hours

@maria860 That’s one of my worries - rushing to hospital and nearly having the baby in the car/car park/reception etc! That doesn’t sound very calm to me. I’d much rather stay at home, all being well. Some handy tips, thank you. Hadn’t thought of a fan, I assumed I should have the heating on so it’s warm for baby? But then I’m going to get very hot aren’t I?
I’m due 3rd September, so I’ve got a bit of time yet to figure it all out.