Thinking of home birth for my first

[RunningGuerita]

Am 25 weeks and am currently booked in at St Thomas' in London. My care is shared care between community midwives team (Stockwell Midwives though I live in Clapham Junction) and my GP.

My next appointment with the midwife isn't till 15th July. What should I do to explore a homebirth? Should I schedule an apppointment with the midwife or just wait till I see her next? The midwifery care I have received so far has been completely un-inspiring so not sure if I am setting myself up for more disappointment as won't the community midwifes that are doing my antenatal be the ones to attend to a homebirth?

St Thomas' has an excellent home away from home birth suite, which I am booked into. I could just stick with that but I really like the idea of trying to not have a medicalised birth.

Thoughts? Advice?

Thanks, G

I just had my second at home - wish I'd had a homebirth on my first it was a fantastic experience.

Tracy

Thanks Tracy and congrats on the birth of your second child!

Obviously things are different in all areas - I'm in Birmingham and this is my experience.

I planned a HB with number one, but had blood in my waters so was transferred to hospital to be monitored - everything fine so was moved down the corridor to the birth centre which was amazing. Had a lovely birth to the point that with number 2, didn't consider a home birth as I couldn't imagine doing it anywhere else.

Number 2 was a v, v easy birth and I laboured at home but at 11.30 on a cold january, sunday night, the BC wasn't staffed so I had no option that to go to 'hospital'. Although I only had three contractions between the car park and holding my daughter, the after care was shocking. Waiting around for hours to go to the ward, no pillow on the bed none available, loud midwives chatting about Eastenders while I was trying to feed, dirty bathroom, because it all happened v quickly partner came in the morning to bring me my tens for after pains and was accused of perving on women in nightware by the ward staff (!!!?) got caught in the system so was only discharged after threatening to leave 15 hours after birth despite not even having a whiff of gas and air Etc Etc.

I am just pregnant with number 3 and both husband and have already decided that we'll try for a HB.

That said, if your BC is well staffed in your area, my experience of midwife led care was excellent.

There is no reason you can't have a home birth. Discuss it with your midwives but remember it is totally your choice at the end of the day.

Easier to book a homebirth and then transfer into hospital if needed than to book a hospital birth and want to stay at home. They will have to send somebody out to you if you decide to do it that way around but easier to do if already in place.
I would definitely recommend getting a pool - they are relatively cheap these days. Had 3 babies at home and had a doula twice! Definitely definitely money well spent and how wonderful to have your babies at home and snuggle up in bed afterwards with your baby and your hubby!

not had a water birth but have had a home birth - and that was fab. no pain relief needed as so relaxed in own environment - loved it. it wasnt my first though - make sure you near enough to a hospital if needed and if no contraindications id go for it. its a far far more pleasant experience at home.

Thanks again for the lovely replies. We're definitely leaning towards booking in the homebirth. We're 20mn to 30mn from the hospital we're booked into (in a car, faster by ambulance I should think) and the ambulance station is actually just around the corner from our house...

We've found a doula to work with us and I think that will make both of us more confident in our choice to HB.