Home birth pros and cons?

[twizzlestix]

I'm only 20+3 with my first and DH and I have begun to think about birthing options. Initially, was all for hospital (well, midwife led unit) but now I think about being left alone post birth I feel quite :(
I like the idea of having our daughter and staying as a family unit afterwards bonding together with DH there to help me bathe etc

Is this naive? Am thinking that perhaps for first I might be discouraged from HB as I am an unknown quantity so to speak but have no evidence for this.

What are pros and cons of birthing at home aside from lack of drugs and will I still get Breastfeeding help before midwife leaves?

P.S Not sure we have room for birth pool does this change HB dramatically? You can see I'm clueless!

Hi twizzlestix, I'm in a similar position, just a month and a bit behind. Will watch this with interest.

We're lucky in that our community midwives are very pro home birth - have you sounded yours out? Not that they can stop you but I think its easier if they're not against it, especially if its a confidence thing. I know with me it is...

I'm obsessed with having a water birth, and there seems to be so many benefits to being at home. The UK Home BIrth site has tons of good info, including stuff about what makes a blue light to hospital, which made me feel a lot better...understanding what those situations would be which helps make an informed decision.

I think the only thing that would stop me would be not knowing what was normal, regular labour stuff, it being our first.

Sorry just to clarify, you don't have to have a pool/water birth to have a home birth :)

There are no lack of drugs with a home birth - I'm having one next week and had gas & air delivered as part of a home birth kit (bed pads etc, haven't actually looked in the large holdall and box) this morning.

I also have diamorphine (got this on prescription from GP as midwife put it on my notes to prescribe) just in case I need it. Also got paracetamol, ibuprofen, and tens machine on hire.

I'll let you know how it all goes!!!

I'm 31 weeks with my first and providing all stays on track I'm planning a homebirth. I've spoken to my consultant and listened to the information he has to provide me, so feel I can make an informed decision. The NHS recommends a hospital birth for me as I have a high BMI but so far I feel comfortable with my choice for a homebirth, assuming no factors change in the last weeks.

For me, I hope it will mean a more relaxed, efficient labour and calmer start to family life. However, I can always transfer in to hospital if needs must.

...and yes, the midwife will help you with BF post birth. They don't just vanish when baby plops out, a good midwife will make you tea and toast as per NHS regs

DO it, do it, do it!!!

I have had 3 home water births and hoping for the 4th soon (38wks!)

I was surprised MW was as supportive as she was for my 1st, I expected to be told to have 1st at hospital then think about home for next one when I knew what happens but she was happy as long as my BP, blood sugars etc stayed normal.

Have never used gas and air, just tens and water, never needed stitches (credit to the water for that )
MWs will help you feed before they leave, they aren't allowed to leave until you've had a wee after the birth anyway, and do their paperwork

Your own bed is always more comfortable
You can eat/drink what you like
The pool is optional but I can't imagine giving birth on dry land now, getting in the water is SO lovely
You don't have to sit in a car while having contractions - don't know how women manage that at all

With my 1st we lived 5mins from the hospital so I was happy that in the event of a transfer it wouldn't take long - I was more bothered about the speed bumps on the route!
2nd would have been born on the Oxford ring road if we'd tried to get to hospital (had moved between DC)

Good luck :)

Thank you and good luck for your imminent HB mummypocpoc!
It's good to know that you can still have gas and air and there are other options too. Am glad MW still helps with BF as an little worried about trying alone. Bag of worries me :)

Will look at the website bettybat I know the birth pool thing seems silly but everyone raves about their positive HB with birth pool and wasn't sure if itd be the same sans pool IFYsWIM

Will speak to midwife at 24/25wk check but wanted to hear others experiences too

for responding

Both my babies were born at home. This is a really useful website.

I didn't have a pool, did use the bath a lot in first labour. I hired a TENS machine, MWs brought G&A with them, didn't end up using it in the end, but good to know it was there.

First time round my MW was broadly supportive (as long as I was 'low risk') but did talk through the risks/benefits, and explained that a certain percentage of first-time home-birthers end up transferring to hospital, so not to fixate on it.

I had a few issues BF first time, and unfortunately we did end up in hospital when DS was 5 days old as he was jaundiced and losing weight. As a clueless first-timer I didn't shout loud enough for help when I had an inkling that things weren't right. We did get back on track though, and second time was much easier,

The Fathers Guide to Homebirth is a great read.

I planned a homebirth for DS. I was high risk, but felt the risks were lower if I were at home (lots of intervention in first birth, lots of issues after in third stage - retained placenta and PPH)

In the end I transferred in after pushing to no avail and duly had 11lb 7oz DS with forceps assistance. Had a PPH. I still think the homebirth plan was the right one. I managed 25hrs of strong contractions with natal hypnotherapy, gas and air and water. I felt in control which I didn't first time and the transfer was considerably quicker than they'd said it would be! I was definitely more able to negotiate with the MWs than the first time.

DO IT! I had a fantastic Home Birth with DS and my next baby will definately be a home birth. Quite long labour and extended pushing stage but was just so wonderful to be at home after it all and snuggled in your own bed. I didn't have a water birth - kind of allergic to water and didn't tear but I was quite young at the time (23).

I really want to but I am scared I won't have the confidence to stand my ground for fear of being irresponsible? Especially when they talk about risk...I just seem to lose all confidence which is just not like me. I'm normally very assertive.

I think it's a confidence thing of being able to make an informed decision and trust in that.

presuming you are low risk -

Pros - shorter labour, (average 2 hours shorter)
home comforts
reduction of c/s rate from 11% to 2.8%
reduction of chance of forceps from 8% to 2.3%
increased chance of initiating BF successfully
much more likely to manage without epidural
baby less likely to be admitted to neo-natal care
more likely to labour attended by the same carers throughout.

cons
first labour - 45% chance of transfer (including post-natal transfer) though as others have said - this is very unlikely to be an emergency, the average time would be a further 6 hours in labour after transfer
first timer - very slight increase in the chance of some serious adverse outcomes for babies (+0.4%)
if you want an epidural, you will need to be transferred first.

on the touchy-feely side I had my first at home and it was a great experience, where all i had to worry about was giving birth..nice, warm, quiet, private. I would definitely do it again.

The birthplace study found all birthplaces safe for low risk mothers first time births - that's good quality evidence from a NHS source that Home birth is absolutely not irresponsible.

Congrats! Bet your can't wait to be a mum :)

I just want to say that the second you mention home birth, you'll get loads of responses from people that have had fantastic experiences, because people that have them tend to be really enthusiastic about telling everyone, so I think you get a disproportionate view.

you really need to think about why they call it labour. When I was pregnant I was just like oooh yeah going to have a water birth, no drugs etc etc. I was the perfect candidate for an easy labour, live 2 mins from the hospital, only 21, no probelmes during pregnancy. However my birth took a wrong turn really quickly, babies head was on a nerve in my spine and I literally have never felt pain like it. If I hadn't been in hospital, the thought of having to travel there in that situation makes me shudder! I had to have an emergency forceps delivery in theatre (was drugged up for a cesarean as they didn't think forceps would work).

There is nothing wrong with a hospital birth, it's a bit sad saying bye to DP/DH when it gets to 8pm, but some people even get to go home that day! I was in for five days as neither me or DS were doing very well and I don't know what would of happened if the forceps had been delayed and DS's and my hearts would of been under even more stress!

If you feel confident that you want to try it then go ahead, but if i were you i'd have this one in the Midwife led unit as you know the help is there, and then if you decide to have another child then try a homebirth? It's so scary giving birth the first time when you don't know what to expect and a hospital is so much safer!

"It's so scary giving birth the first time when you don't know what to expect and a hospital is so much safer!"

no it isn't. a hospital is actually more dangerous in terms of maternal outcomes. in terms of outcomes for the baby for a first timer - debatable as there was slight uplift in risk, though as most negative outcomes occur after transfer ...those would, for the most part, would have been happening in hospital too!

the evidence is, actually that the MLU (whether attached or freestanding) would be the most incontrovertibly 'safe' place for the baby to get born. though the average MLU has slightly worse maternal outcomes than home (longer labours, higher c/s and forceps though not as high as CLU) .

one of the many things women who labour at home report is how much less stressful and frightening it is than hospital - home is associated with higher rates of maternal satisfaction. whether the OP's individual experience would reflect that general picture, we can't tell...we just have research to go on to predict the likelihood...

I've had 2 homebirths and do recommend them to anyone having a problem free pregnancy.
When I had DC1 I wanted a homebirth but DH was so anxious he said no. DC1s birth was so text book and only gas 'n' air used, that DH did not hesitate 2nd and 3rd time around.
During a homebirth you have 2 MWs with you the entire time. In hospital you have to share.
Due to a lack of drugs at a homebirth (excluding gas 'n' air) a MW is unable to 'rush you along' if your labour is slow, she just has to sit and wait.
At home, anyone can pop in to see how're your doing, relieve DH if he wants a break. If you have older children as was in my experience they can check in on mom so it relieves their stress too.
After delivery, anyone in the home can immediately say to hi to baby.
The MWs run you a lovely bath (in your own bathroom) and make a fresh bed whilst you have a soak.
At home after all that hard work you can eat a proper big dinner instead of a lukewarm weak tea and cold rubery toast.
You can have a great nights sleep, no other crying babies (or wailing mothers), no staff doing rounds to disturb you and yours.
You and DH can cuddle up after hours of hard work and soak in the glow of your new arrival.
In the morning DC1 took his place between mom and dad to watch Scooby Doo in bed as he always did but this morning he had a little brother in the moses basket.
You need to contact your GP the next day to arrange a home visit to do basic baby health checks.
The MW will of course offer you BF support and still calls in daily just as she would had you had a hospital delivery.
Go for it.
I didn't have (or want) a birthing pool to be honest.

However, I did attend active birth classes (yoga) to give me the very best advantage and birthing experience. It certainly was a worthwhile investment. At DC2s delivery the MWs couldn't open the gas 'n' air cannister and I was too far gone for them to risk leaving me to fetch another. Just as I was about to lose the plot cos the pain was so bad I focused on all I'd learnt during my classes and I sailed through, couldn't believe I did it.
DC3 was back to back, I did the classes again, luckily had gas 'n' air this time, but again I stayed totally focused.
I have photo's from DC3s birth of the five of us cuddled up together, me with not a stitch on, blood around and the older children looking at the baby in utter fascination.

No one ever said giving birth will be easy :) And I don't think anyone considering a HB thinks it will magic all the pain away.

For me the appeal is about feeling more in control - I really just want to be left alone to get on with it, and rightly or wrongly I equate hospitals or birthing units with being bothered, less in control, not left alone, being told what's happening rather than giving me the space to figure out what I need. I genuinely believe given adequate time and space, I'll just do what my body needs me to do.

It's my first baby, so what do I know :) But already my instincts are - my body will know what to do, and I am more frightened of intervention and not being able to say no to something than I am of contraction and labouring pain. I feel like a dog or cat that needs to find itself a cubbyhole to just get on with it in private.

Just to add, if there is any emergency a consultant or anaesthetisit isn't hovering outside your hospital door and walks in the minute he's called, you have to wait for him.
In a homebirth situation a transfer to hospital can take just as long as it takes for a specialist to arrive on a unit IYSWIM?

Don't forget though, that if it all goes well, you can be home from hospital within a few hours.

You're describing me bettybat, in my birthplan with DC3 my main instruction was NO TALKING, not to me or each other. If the MW needed to communicate anything DH would be signalled out of the room.
The MWs weren't allowed to even tell me if I was fully dilated or ready to push, it was an experiement in trusting and listening to your instincts.
If you allow them your instincts are loud and clear.
I'd previously read about lots of cases of pregnant mothers in coma's going on to have natural vaginal deliveries.
Sorry OP I'm hijacking your thread .

Wow Treadmillmom that's intense and very cool!

And the women in comas giving birth - double WOW!

See if everyone just left us the F alone, we'd be able to get on with it fine. I'm not saying things can't/won't go wrong but I do believe on the whole, women need background guidance and should be encouraged to get on with it themselves. The very first time this thought took seed in my consciousness was seeing a water birth and the woman pulling the baby out herself - I know that's not uncommon but for me seeing it the first time - it was the concept that she was given the mental and physical space, and encouragement, to do that.

How close do you live to a hospital?

I'm in the same predicament! Until this morning I was all for giving birth at the hospital, but at my 25week appointment the midwife suggested that as my pregnancy is progressing so well I should really consider a home birth. This will also be my first child.
I really am unsure what to do. My head tells me that if I were in hospital and anything were to go wrong, I would be in the best place, complete with fully trained doctors, surgical equipment, drugs etc.. Thinking about a home birth though I can see lots of positives being in familiar surroundings (the television & a kettle namely), I like the idea of having a midwife with me throughout and I feel a lot happier having Hubby there after the birth without worrying he may have to leave at the end of visiting hours.

Golly, it is a difficult decision isn't it?

Will keep reading this tread in the hope it can help me make up my mind.

Responding on my phone so will try to respond to all but will have to do in chunks :)

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond and for giving me helpful facts and information as well as telling me about your own experiences

Edlessallen thank you for straight forward data. I'd like to think that if we did decide to birth at home I wouldnt be too hung up on staying there if advised otherwise. I am prepared that lots of 1st timer either change mind/are transferred but it's always good to know the statistical likelihood.

treadmill that's a very comprehensive list of info. You addressed my questions and more. Thank you your post birth experience sounds like the one I would like to experience but I'm aware this isn't guaranteed!

nofood thank you for sharing your experiences and I am aware HB can induce very strong feelings on each side. I think my parents will be [shocked] and concerned about it. I have been reading a home birth website which has stories from those who planned a HB which went to plan and those whose HB did not. Will of course not put my baby at risk by being 'stuck on' HB scenario.

milk I am close to local mat. unit it's only 15 mins away and have read it takes 30mins to prep for emergency c-section even if in hospital so we would be transferred in time.

Will address others in separate post, silly phone!