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Original poster

Home birth in Cambridge

27 replies

93pjb · 29/09/2007 17:56

Hi, I'm expecting my first baby in february and considering a homebirth. Has anyone got any advice/experiences to share?

OP posts:
cazzybabs · 29/09/2007 17:57

I am having a homebirth in Dec in cambridge.

Original poster
93pjb · 29/09/2007 18:48

How did you decide? Have you found mw etc supportive? sorry - trying not to ask you too many questions at once!

OP posts:
cazzybabs · 29/09/2007 20:19

Yes - very supportive. This is my 3rd - would have had the other 2 at home except for the fact we lived in rented. All the mws are trainned for waterbirths and so I have hired a pool. Dh is not so keen because of cleaning up all the mess.

Ask away BTW - although I may not be able to answer your questions!

Phonicsangel · 01/10/2007 23:33

A homebirth is the best experience you can have .. It's so relaxing and you feel in control of the situation . The fact you can bath , eat , drink when you want or whatever you choose is great ! I had 3 mw's and couldn't of asked for better support . They were there when i needed them & they gave me the privacy when i needed it.

The final stage they talked me through telling me exactly what to do and when to stop pushing etc and i gave birth no pain relief.. no stitches and a happy baby and mum . So different to my first labour in hospital ..

Sindie · 02/10/2007 17:51

I had a homebirth, although not in Cambridge, and it was one of the best decisions we ever made. I have really good memories of the whole event. My older son was able to stay at home and could be (somewhat) involved. Great to have a bath and go to bed in your own home.

RoguesPlace · 05/10/2007 10:03

Hi 93pjb - I wanted a home birth, and my midwife was all for it. Trouble was dd was 12 days late, and when my waters broke there was already meconium (no idea if I've spelled that right!) in them. That meant all plans out the window, and a hospital birth. I was lucky with labour though - waters breaking to baby out was only 3 hrs 50 mins.

I'd definitely opt for home birth next time, and hope for a little one on time! My midwife was a big advocate of HBs, but still took time to tell me that even if you booked HB you could still change your mind at the last minute and go to hospital if you wanted to. Hope your little one plays ball, and you get the HB you want.

callmeovercautious · 05/10/2007 19:30

Are you in Cambridge itself? They have a great Midwife led Unit and the Community Midwife I had actually suggested a homebirth even with my first. I am out in the fens though so opted for the MWL unit which was great - even laboured in water (although I chose to get out to push). You should find them supportive, just ask your Midwife.

Nice to see a few more posts on here!

cazzybabs · 05/10/2007 19:33

Mind oyu I have had my other 2 in the Rosie and both times have great experiences...no pain relief or tearing.

Original poster
93pjb · 25/10/2007 13:07

This is my first so as a result so far mw has said that's fine but need to wait and see how things progress and decide for definite nearer the time (23 weeks currently). But everything is going really well and since the longest time I've ever been in hospital was 2hrs for a visit to casualty 15 years ago, I've always put my good health down to staying away! Not keen to change that policy now and I love the idea of just being able to go upstairs to bed afterwards. It's great to hear such positive stories locally. fingers crossed lo plays ball.

Good luck Cazzybabs hope everything is going well for you.

OP posts:
neolara · 25/10/2007 13:12

I had a fab home birth in Cambridge. My midwife suggested it and was hugely supportive. I can't tell you how much nicer it was to do it at home instead of the Rosie. I would definitely seriously consider it.

ChasingSquirrels · 28/10/2007 22:38

I had my first at the Rosie and my second at home. Both good experiences. Are you Cambridge itself or the villages?

gizmo · 01/11/2007 16:39

Hello 93pjb

I had a homebirth in Cambridge about a year ago - I disliked the rosie when I went in 2002 for DS1, so was determined to have DS2 at home.

Not sure I can add much to what has been said below, except that when my midwife dropped a few hints about my possibly having to go into the Rosie because they were understaffed I hit the panic button and sent a stiffly worded letter to the director of midwifery and pretty much every other official in the Trust and local politics (I might have over-reacted a little, in retrospect ). I got an hugely supportive letter back from the DofM and went on to have a very trouble free homebirth, which was a great improvement on my experience the first time around!

So, good luck, and if they give you any jip, I'm sure we can help you sort them out.

JenT · 23/11/2007 20:09

bit slow on the uptake with your thread..

we have had 2 brilliant experiences of homebirth we live in a village on the outskirts of cambridge about 20 minute drive to the rosie maternity

community midwife team excellent great support!

any other questions ask away.

Original poster
93pjb · 26/11/2007 15:21

Thank you so much for everyone's input - so far everything seems to be going well and midwife seems very supportive. I've actually seen the same one every visit which seems to be highly unusual given other people's experiences.

I am planning on having a waterbirth so am now starting to think about what type of pool and whether to hire or buy and how soon to order (currently 28 weeks). Does anyone have any advice on this?

Other major task is preparing dh for the clearing up being his job

Hope everything is going well for you cazzybabs and you get the birth you want.

OP posts:
JingleyJen · 09/12/2007 21:24

I used the active birth centre to hire my pool first time round - 2nd time I used a company called splashdown it was exactly the same make of pool but the same price for a month as the active birth charge for a week. They deliver and pick up. HTH

Sallypoo · 11/12/2007 12:47

Hi there

I'm due on 21st Jan, and at the moment I'm split in views between a home birth and going to the Midwife led unit up at the Rosie. DH isn't keen on me being away from lots of support at the Rosie eventhough we're only in Bottisham (about 15 - 45 mins from Rosie dependant on rush hour ).

As am compromise I've suggested we stay at home for as long as possible, and go in just around 'transition'.

Do you think this is possible? Also do you think the Midwife would come out and 'take a look' at progress so I know when to go in?

Oh I'm on midwife number four by the way!

Regards
Sallypoo

Phonicsangel · 11/12/2007 23:37

Hi.. I was really lucky & had the same midwife for both my children & all the way through .. No 4 cant believe that !
I planned to go to the midwifery unit in addenbrookes too & on the day i rang & said that i was going to come in & they told me to stay at home as couldn't take anyone in for a while . I then asked my midwife to come & check me as it was nearing rush hour & i didn't want to hit the problem of leaving it til last minute. My midwife was happy to do that came out & i was so far dilated that she suggested an ambulance or home birth ( what i originally wanted but partner wasn't keen )so had baby at home ! Best thing to do is see how you are on the day & call & insist that a midwife comes out to you .. Good luck

Original poster
93pjb · 12/12/2007 11:11

My dh isn't that keen either but we've agreed that he will spend a bit of time reading the research on outcomes etc over Christmas before finally deciding (rather than panicking based on the gory details that friends share...) Might be worth trying with yours - have you looked at www.homebirth.org.uk?

While it is something that I feel quite strongly about I know that I will need his support and want him to be comfortable with what we do.

It is worth remembering that you can change your mind about having a homebirth at pretty much any moment and transfer to hospital.

OP posts:
JingleyJen · 12/12/2007 12:37

Sally Poo I am in bottisham - wierd small world!

I had great midwife experience - has Jacqui left?

Sallypoo · 12/12/2007 13:01

Hi JingleyJen

Jacky/Jacqui is on long term sick - went off sometime before May. I did deal with her when I was planning to get pregnant but only on the phone. Then I had Sandra King, then Kate (who was great) and am now seeing a lady called Jane.....

You're not the lady who lives in my road who had to home water births??? if so I was going to come on say hello!

JingleyJen · 12/12/2007 15:40

scarey I live very close to the surgery

Sallypoo · 12/12/2007 23:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

JingleyJen · 13/12/2007 20:41

Coffee? Sally?

JingleyJen · 13/12/2007 21:27

Sally that was my request - don't want the world to know the car we have in the garage - sorry! still open invite to coffee

Sallypoo · 13/12/2007 23:24

Well it's a small world.... love to do coffee (although I don't actually drink it)!
Not sure how to get in touch other than I walk down the road - are you in on Saturday morning? I could come and knock or if you prefer you could come to ours... we're opposite J & A.

Regard
Helen (Sallypoo)