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Original poster

TTC for the second time and considering home birth

18 replies

SurprisEs · 31/07/2011 23:29

Is it available on the NHS. Anything major that I should consider when making this choice? Do I have to hire a pool privatly if I want a home water birth? And anything else you might want to say on the matter. I have a 2 year old daughter to consider as well

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gallicgirl · 31/07/2011 23:43

I assume you're in the UK?

Yes, available on the NHS but some midwives are more helpful than others. Check out homebirth.org.uk for more info.

If you want a water birth you will have to buy or rent your own pool. My friend got hers from ebay!

From a safety point of view, just consider how far you are from hospital in case anything should require you to be transferred in. Bear in mind though that you have 1-1 care and your MW will not take any risks.

It's great - give it a go and good luck.

Original poster
SurprisEs · 31/07/2011 23:55

Thanks for the info.
I live 10 minutes or less from the hospital (if on an ambulance). My biggest concerns are cost and the impact it may or may not have on my daughter. I can't say I had a traumatic labour last time but I hated having to share the midwives care (selfish I know)

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startail · 01/08/2011 00:00

Just go for it.
I simply said at my booking in appointment that I intended to have the baby at home. MW just smiled and got on with it. I live 13 miles from the hospital, that didn't raise any eyebrows either.
I was very lucky my pregnancy went without a hitch and DD2 was born at home at 39+4 in the very early morning with her big sister asleep in the other room. (My first labour took 26 hrs so I didn't bother waking my baby-sitter, I thought the morning would do, dd1 met her sister when she was 2 minutes old :-)
Nothing beats sitting on your own bed with your partner, your older DC and your new baby.
Go for it!

startail · 01/08/2011 00:05

Oh I should have said DD1 was 3 and totally unphased by walking in to slightly messy new baby and mum still delivering the placenta.
Rang baby sitter to say she wouldn't be need and she said oh yes I am I'm going to have DD1 for tea so you get some rest and that's what she did.

Original poster
SurprisEs · 01/08/2011 00:06

How old was your eldest at the time if you don't mind me asking?

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Original poster
SurprisEs · 01/08/2011 00:10

Just saw your post about the age. Sorry.
Very positive and encouraging posts. I hate hospitals, my home looks far more comfy and relaxing than a ward!
How long until the midwife would have to swap shifts? Any idea?

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jennifersofia · 01/08/2011 00:13

I had all three dc at home, with midwives from NHS, and had excellent care. It greatly worked in my favour that the pregnancies were straightforward. Yes, you would have to hire a pool privately, which can be pricey as sometimes they are hired on a weekly basis, so it depends how long you need it (and if you go overdue). In my circumstance (and I think for most NHS homebirths) I didn't know which midwife I would get - it just depended on who was on duty. For 2 of the births I had never before met the midwife that turned up for the actual birth, however, in the event it didn't matter - they were all great! If you are keen, I would definitely recommend it, they are some of the best experiences I have had.
Oh yes, in regards to 2nd births, I was told by a midwife that it is extremely common for them to happen when the first child is asleep - that is when the mother feels they can relax more deeply, which is what happened to me. I think it is good to have someone 'on call' though, that could take and look after your other child while you are in labour. I considered having my older children present while I gave birth but was glad I didn't in the end because I was able to concentrate on the task at hand much better, as opposed to worrying about them.

Original poster
SurprisEs · 01/08/2011 00:20

Thanks for the very positive and informative replies. I must go to sleep now or I'll be late for work for sure.
Will research pool prices tomorrow. Goodnight everyone

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nannyl · 01/08/2011 08:18

Im planning a homebirth and have been since before i was even pregnant my booking appt.

I have mentioned it at every appt since, (am now 34 weeks) and was always told "its too early to think about birth now" However at my 31 weeks appt, midwife finally acknowledged it and wrote it into my notes Smile

Where i live is a long way from the hospital... a good 40 / 45 min drive (much more in bad traffic) and i doubt that even an ambulence could get me there in < 30 mins from the phone call, but for this reason, home births are very supported where i live. More so than many other areas, so im told Smile

Homebirths seem to be positively encourgaged to "low risk" mothers where I am, which is great.

I got a birth pool in a box, including a new sealed sterile liner, + all the pumps / hose / tap adapters etc etc (the whole package) for £32 on ebay. (collection only about a 15min drive away) so much less than hiring, + I can buy a new liner and use it next time too.

Also be prepared for lots of random people to think and tell you to your face how mad / stupid / selfish you are etc etc Hmm. Make sure you have your facts fresh in your head to tell them back how what you are doing is actually the safest option for both you and your baby! Wink

Good Luck.

AnaisB · 01/08/2011 08:26

I just wanted to add that for my homebirth the midwife did not arrive until after I had started pushing because another woman in the area was in labour. Listening to other people's experiences this seems quite rare though.

Also, in my area the local NHS hospital hires out birthing pools and TENS machines very cheaply - but your midwife will let you know if this happens in your area.

I ended up transferring to hospital due to fresh meconium in the water and there only being one midwife available for the birth. The transfer was fine, even though I was in the second stage, but being at home was miles better than being in hospital.

Original poster
SurprisEs · 03/08/2011 21:16

I'm terrible with eBay stuff. Does anyone know exactly what to buy and not to buy.

New or used? What things should I buy new if the pool is used?

My husband is refusing the idea of a used pool. Any retailers?

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nannyl · 03/08/2011 21:51

the one thing that HAS to be new is the sterile pool liner. (but then they are only used once and i cant imagine anyone would sell or even keep a used one)
Given that the liner is new and sterile, and no normal person would use a pool without the liner, perhaps you need to educate your husband on how it doesnt have to be new...
just think how many people labour / birth in hospital pools, and if you hire a pool, it will have been used by loads and loads of other people too. Some midwife units have a spare pool in a box incase the permenant pools in their units are full, so all of them will have been used by far far more than 1 (or maybe 2) other people.

if the hose has been used you WILL need to sterilise the hose, or if worried by a new one (keep the new one as a clean, for clean water only, and use the old / used one to empty the pool after)

nannyl · 03/08/2011 21:54

Many people sell their birth pool in a box with all the stuff you need

(mine didnt come with a strainer so i bought a sieve (pack of 3) from the £ shop.... TBH i will probably throw the sieve away afterwards too.... its bad enough washing flour / icing sugar out of a sieve and dont wanna be washing bits of "grossness" out of a sieve when i have a new born baby OR have it lieing around either, ewwww)

LearningFast · 03/08/2011 21:55

Hi,

These people supply everything you need: www.homebirthsupplies.co.uk/?gclid=CPP_jomBtKoCFUFP4QodvwpF-A

Original poster
SurprisEs · 03/08/2011 22:03

nannyl thanks for the info. I think my husband is just a panicker and I don't think he's sure about a home birth. It's going to take a bit if reassurance. So if I go on eBay I'm looking for a used pool (obviously cheaper?) and a new liner and hose.

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Original poster
SurprisEs · 03/08/2011 22:06

Thanks learningfast, I'll be looking on there too

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sparklytoes · 03/08/2011 22:15

H, We are planning a home birth and did a lot of research on pools etc. We got a new one (La bassine) with all of the kit that you need for £109 from the birthease website. We have had a practise run at filling it and getting in and it seems fab, still to use it for the birth though - hopefully any day now! I was surprised at the cost as it was cheaper than hiring one.
Good luck!

Original poster
SurprisEs · 03/08/2011 22:48

sparklytoes good luck on your labour, let me know how you felt in the pool.

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