Homebirth - anyone had a bad one, or regretted their decision to have one?

[jennifersofia]

I have had both my babies at home and both times it was a brilliant experience. I have heard so many sad and horrible stories from women about their hospital births, I wonder how much of my good experience was from being at home. Hardly hear about homebirths that have 'gone wrong'. If this is the case, why doesn't the NHS encourage more homebirths?

It's great to hear sories of no mess! My dh is a bit worried about that bit. We went out this morning and bought a couple of ground sheets to put on the bedroom carpet as advised by the midwife. The kit that they have delivered does have some small plastic backed sheeting though. I trust them - they are the experts. They also advised me to buy a pack of the pampers disposable change mats for me to sit on on bed. This seems like a great idea and I have already put one under the sheet in case my waters break.

I like the idea of the champagne too - we do have a bottle ready.

I'm really excited now about the prospect of a home birth and it is so reassuring to hear of other positive experiences. The midwife said yesterday that the baby had dropped and was 3/5 engaged and ready to go so I suppose it could be any time.

Hughsie - you'd be amazed... DS did not wake at all during DD's birth!

The change mats were provided to us by the MW... several in the in fact... ASK for it... they get lads at the hospital!

Good luck, Hughsie! Fingers crossed for you xxx

My first delivery in hospitla was a bit of a blood bath as I tore really badly (I just pushed and pushed until he was out so my own fault) and when we decided to have a HB DH said he's rather we didn't use the bedroom as he was worried he would associate it with an abertoir afterwards!!

In the end I gave birth in the office/spare room which had a really comfy old sofa but one we didn't mind spoiling. I perched on the edge with a bean bag behind me and a plastic sheet under me. It was really comfy - much better than bed. When DD shot out there was plenty of fluid too but it landed on the plastic backed sheets the MW brought and within a couple of minutes was all cleared up and no mess at all (although projection was pretty impressive so don't go too near a wall!).

So don't worry too much about the mess. You MWs will have done loads of these and will sort it all out for you afterwards. You probably won't even notice as you will have other things to occupy you....

Due date today and feeling a bit twingy! My favourite nmidwife returned from a holiday a couple of days ago so I'm ever hopeful she will be on duty if I manage a home birth. ds1 is in nursery so I'm on my own and just waiting really - I've felt twingy before but feel it may be a bit different today - but due dates rarely are accurate so I hear.

It would certainly be convenient if number two would make an appearance while ds1 was in safe hands!!

Just read this thread and feeling very excited for you Hughsie. I hope it all goes well over the next few days.

I wanted a HB with first baby but changed my mind halfway through my pregnancy as I wasn't too keen on my midwife (although she was v competent and experienced). Had DS in hospital in the end after being transferred by ambulance from a midwifery unit. He was fine but I was a mess and although I know that we would have ended up in hospital anyway - difficult presentation - I am now not sure where to have #2. Wouldn't want to return to (same) hospital as felt very powerless there (not helped by being induced to speed up my contractions 6 hours into second stage!!!) and not sure I would want to return to the unit either as I felt they let everything go on for too long. So... that leaves HB as the only other option. Fortunately, don't have to make a decision now (#2 not on the way... yet ) Having had a bad experience I was glad to leave all associations behind when I came home so not sure how I would feel about being at home. Next time there will be DS to consider too though and with no family around, not sure about having parents moving in and waiting so a HB would be the best for him from the sound of the other postings.

Enough rambling, I hope you'll come back (when you have time!) and let us all know how it goes. Good luck!

Everyone assures me that care of your first child just falls into place so don't let that be a factor to put you off homebirth. Lots of friends and even acquantances (sp?) have offered to take ds1 if we need help - even neighbours who are mainly quite old have volunteered - it really is something that people want to help with.

My first hospital expwerience wasn't particularly pleasant and I felt that i didn't matter (midwife kept getting my name wrong!) so I feel more positive at the prospect of having a one on one relationship with the midwife who I hopefully should know unless they are all off sick together!!

I'm still twingy and quite uncomfortable but I think the baby is too active for this to be it! It's so strange as I am the sort of person who likes to be in control and I feel the need to know when this baby will arrive as I dont wasnt to drag poor dh home from work and alert the family until I'm sure. Perhaps an elective c section would have suited me better - not really!!!

Hi Hughsie, let us know how you get on, any more definite signs? jemw

No not really - I'm getting quite frustrated - I'm so impatient! I'm getting lots of braxton hicks (but have done throughout really)and a few low down cramps but nothing regular.

I'm just killing time really - wandering around the house which makes it feel very heavy and low down. Knowing me it will just be a false alarm and I'll still be here this tme next week!

Sending you lots of positive labour vibes hughsie! All the best!

Wow have just tuned in, good luck Hughsie hope all goes well am dying to hear how you're doing.
I half heartedly decided on a homebirth with dd (living in Holland it is encouraged) but buckled out and went to hospital. After dd was born my MW said I should have the next at home as although labour was a little long, it was all straightforward and at the pushing stage it only took 6 mins.
Am now pg with no:2 so am really considering this option as if anyone has seen my other postings am a little concerned about hospital care.
HHHMMM Pupuce I may be calling on you yet

Go for a homebirth
I can give you references of books to read.... if you want!

Yes please Pupuce ! Feel free to get my details off Tech or are you going to The Old Bell 19/03 ?

Hughsie any news ? Hope all is well

Hello all

Fantastic homebirth this morning at 6.55. ds2 came into the world at 8lbs 6oz and the midwife was fantastic. ds1 slept through the whole thing and there is no mess left at all. Wonderful experience - so much better than last time and managed on minimal pain relief as the trust in the midwife and relaxing environment proved more beneficial- TENS at the beginning followed by a few blasts of entonox and slow breathing. Highly recommended. Will post again when I can focus a bit more!

congratulations, hughsie and family!

Great News. I had a similar experience with dd2,at home, relaxed,dd1 slept through. It's great isn't it, had no problems with jealousy from dd1 either. Congratulations again.

Congratulations Hughsie, hope you are both well.

Great news Hughsie! Congratulations!

Congratulations hughsie, well done

What wonderful news. Lucky girl!

Congratulations!!

Big congrats Hughsie am so glad it went well for you and cyber hugs to baby

Congratulations Hughsie, fantastic news!

brillant news Hughsie - LOL
xxxxx