Home birth - sick of negative reactions

[Dibbydab]

That's it really. Am 33 weeks with first baby and really want a home birth. Am fit and healthy, text book pregnancy so far (apart from minor niggles - heartburn etc).

I have done sooooooo much research into the pros and cons of hospital vs home birth it could be my specialist subject on Mastermind, but nearly everyone I have mentioned it to has looked at me like I've told them I want to deliver my baby half way up Mount Everest and come back down on a Yak!

Needless to say, none of the people who have been so negative about it know anyone that has actually had a homebirth - they just regale me with stories of "how my friend had such a terrible time, she ended up with an emergency c-section - they won't be able to do that at home will they?" Well no, they won't, perhaps your friend had such a terrible time because she was in hospital after having every intervention they could throw at her, I don't know?

My baby's well being is my number one priorty and if I thought I would be any better off in hospital I would be there like a shot.

Feeling so and thinking I should just forget it.

i had a home birth and am so glad, it was wonderful to be at home where i felt safe and not at the mercy of an entire hospital, and then to retire to my own bed afterwards... bliss. do it. every single person's birth is different, pretty impossible to predict the outcome and nobody else's experience can really apply to you... stop talking to anybody else, sign up for a homebirth forum or two, have a friend/birthing supporter who can say soothing and supportive things to you whenever you need them to and do it!

oh yes - and our house was spotless after the midwives had finished with it! no mess anywhere

Really good luck. I was desperate for a home birth, as I hate hospitals. Hate 'em. Birth pool all set up and everything, but ultimately had an ELCS

Don't listen to anyone else, you've got to do what is right for you. Your body will labour better the more relaxed you are, and if that is at home then so be it. Everyone else can bugger off.

Also note what you're saying about acting on midwife's advice if you need to go to hospital. What more could you do to ensure your and baby are safe and well. All sounds great, best of luck!