Home birth for first baby

[MrsMagpie]

I'm at 11wks with my first unplanned but very much wanted baby. The trouble is I hate hospitals and I'm a very private person. The thought of a hospital birth fills me with dread. I've been doing a bit of reading and a home birth sounds much more appealing. Is there any reason why a first timer shouldn't go for it?

unless a compelling medical reason, then yes ! a planned homebirth for a low risk pregnancy is great!

www.homebirth.org.uk is a good resource

Go for it. You have ages too to sort out your dirty towels from your nice best ones too..... Good luck.

Go for it! A hundred times yes!

yes go for it. I had a home birth for dd2. But I was prepared to go to hospital at any time if there had been a problem, and you have to remember, it's no 'failure' if you do go to hospital for whatever reason.

I also didn't tell many people that we were planning a home birth, because some people have very strong opinions and I suspected they would try and scare me off a home birth. Also I didn't tell people because if I had gone into hospital for whatever reason, I didn't want to have to explain to everyone 'why' I didn't have the home birth in the end. Also I knew my parents would have been worried if they had known I wanted a home birth, and I didn't want to worry them.

For me, I got my wish, a home water birth, and even though it was far from the 'perfect' birth, all was fine in the end.

Thanks so much for your advice. How did you go about talking your partner around to it. Mine thinks i've lost my mind!

Let him read the homebirth site. He could also talk to men whose babies were born at home.

Home births are a fabulous idea!

Both of mine were home water births and both were really positive experiences.

If you are having a normal pregnancy there is no reason you cannot give birth at home, no matter what the NHS midwives say! In the end I went to independantminwives.co.uk as the NHS were being so awkward!

My husband thought I had lost the plot but it worked really well as we had the telly on have coffee etc. and it was totally relaxed.

Go for it - you will be pleased you did!!!!

L xxxxxxxxxx

I planned a homebirth for my first and was one of the 40% who have to transfer in for an emergency cs. Next time- if I ever pluck up the courage to have another- I will attempt another homebirth so even though I had to transfer in my second stage, I still plan to do it again.

Read up on it, men like statistics in particular I think, keep an open mind and accept that some things you can't control and stay positive.

A homebirth in a low risk pg is a wonderful thing.

I should re-phrase that. 40% of first timers have to transfer in, they don't necessarily end up with a cs!

I had homebirth for my first, suggested by the community midwife at the 8 week checking in appointment
also had 2nd at home.. if you have an uncomplicated pregnancy then it is a great option

I did and would strongly recommend it if your pregnancy is straightforward. It's not for everyone, be prepared for people to try and talk you out of it because its not what they would want!

I had a HB with my first, it was great! Having another one this time too, touch wood, go for it!

I agree that stats and talking to other men could help. Birthchoice.co.uk is a good site to go to for birth stats for your local hospitals. There may be a homebirth support group in your area (listed on the homebirth.org site) and you could find a dad who's been through one already. My dp wasn't too keen initially but said if it mattered that much to me, he would support me. Having attended one hospital birth and one home birth now I'm sure he would be far more positive about the home one. I'm currently pg with ds3 and we're booked for another home birth with the same midwives .

I had one for my son which was also first (only) pregnancy. It was wonderful. After the birth we had to go to hospital because he came out thinking he was superman with his hand over his head and I needed stitching by a dr. Once in hospital they try to keep hold of you for a few hours but after I had been stitched I asked to go home and the head honcho said - why don't you stay until after the 8 am rounds. I said thank you but no the whole reason for having a home birth is I want to be at home so I'm going now thanks - she said fair enough.

I told my DH that I knew that my labour would be longer and more painful in hospital because I wouldn't be as relaxed at home and he bought that. I think he is well and truly converted especially when I nearly gave birth on the cat (we both found that very amusing). Also he was asleep in his own bed for the most part of the labour with me and the two wonderful midwives doing it alone in the nursery!

Completely agree with Belgo that people (generally those scared of childbirth itself) will think you are mad. I just told them that of course I would go to hospital if any complications but in ideal world I will be at home.

I had a really positive birthing experience. Good luck and enjoy

I had a home birth for my first and second. Planned homebirth is statistically as safe as hospital birth.

I planned a homebirth for my second child. In the end when the midwife came out she suspected the baby had passed meconium so I transferred to hospital to be continuously monitored. Despite things not going according to plan and not getting 'my homebirth' I believe that the extra reading and preparation I had done in anticipation of giving birth at home, led to a very relaxed, enjoyable and EASY birth which I have very fond memories of So, I think what I'm saying is that if you plan for a homebirth but ultimately give birth in hospital I think you are possibly better prepared for the whole experience than just planning for a hospital birth all along, IYSWIM.

If all is straight forward, and all are happy with the concept, go for it! I did, and ended up having 3 fab hb's.

Homebirth for number one here, too. It's a good option to take!!!

This is a wonderful thread I want to have a homebirth for my first - not till December, but at booking appointment I found NHS midwife v. supportive of idea so I am now officially "booked in" for homebirth! Husband easily won round when I said he could have a beer and watch the telly.

Please do it. Or, at least, do some research and make an informed decision. I've had two magical home births. Luckily, I didn't have to convince my dh - he was very supportive from the beginning. As for others, I didn't tell anyone - it's no business of anyone else - and luckily, both dcs arrived early and I encountered no problems whatsoever. Best of luck.

I had a homebirth for my first. DH said it was great because he'd have done more hanging around if we'd been at the hospital but being at home we just did 'normal' things for as long as possible (me watching telly or having a bath, him on the playstation!). Might be worth pointing that out to your OH?

The other great thing about a HB is that you can have your own bath and bed afterwards. This time round I couldn't have HB due to complications and hated having to spend the night on a noisy ward afterwards although I suppose not everyone has to stay in.

You don't want detractors do you?

I'd feel really bad raining on your parade

My choice was midwife led unit 30 mins away, hospital 10 mins away or home. When I mentioned home my midwife suggested the mlu, and then went on to point out if anything went wrong I would be blue lighted to hospital anyway. No contest. Had 2 homebirths. Fab. Oh and Entonox is lovely too.

MrsMagpie!!

I planned a HB for my first. It was brilliant (I ended up with emergency C section cos of the positioning of the baby) but I swear until they said hospital it didn't hurt!! Was abso great!!