Who do I speak to about a homebirth?

[TisTheSeasonToBeJolly]

Hello ladies, Im only 12 weeks pregnant so got plenty of time to prepare, but would like to know who I speak to about planning a homebirth? I don't see my midwife again till January so can't speak to her till then.

My midwife didn't need a decision until 36 weeks (and even then you can change your mind!) do you have plenty of time

Good luck. I've had 3 and loved them!!

*so not do.

Oh sorry I didn't mean she wanted a deciipn by then, I meant I can't speak to her about it until January but is there someone else I should speak to? Someone at a hospital or somthing? Sorry didn't explain myself very well then x

No I realise what you meant but don't understand the rush. January is only a couple of weeks away and really there's not much to plan.

If you have any general questions, maybe ask on here?

I like to plan lol. Not many questions really just would I need any equipment, do I have just one midwife there or two and if I ended up wanting an epidural could they bring the stuff to my house or would I end up going into hospital?

You need to go to hospital for an epidural. Midwives don't administer them, that's the anaesthetists role. Usually at home you can have gas and air and possibly some sort of painkilling injection.

You speak to your midwife, but it won't be confirmed till 36 weeks.

You can't have an epidural at home - you can have gas & air, & in some areas pethidine is possible. If you feel you can't cope at home you wil be able to transfer.

What draws you to a homebirth?.

I'm 12 weeks too and considering a home birth...think I'm going to make a list of questions for my MW for when I see her in January - I do get why you'd want to make a decision soon but there's loads of time yet.

It's usually one mw until you're quite advanced then they'll call a second mw to attend. I had to make sure I had waterproof coverings, a bucket, a torch and plenty of old towels.

I know it's exciting when you decide.

Things to have,

Lots of old towels
Space to deliver (I chose the sitting room floor but you might want your bed)
Plastic sheets but midwife will have some
Food and drinks for you and midwives
A torch or lamp
Pool?
Clock

You'll usually have one with you throughout and then they will call a second when you are about to deliver.

No you won't be able to have an epidural at home.

Hi
You don't actually need anything although you can hire a birth pool and a tens machine to help with pain relief. You just need a few towels and a willingness to go with a natural birth (I.e. trust your body!).
The midwife will bring everything else. You will usually only have a midwife when you go into active labour (I.e. 6cm dilated and/or 3 contractions in 10minutes lasting a minute or more) and then a second midwife arrives for the actual birth. The only pain relief you can have at home is gas and air (and limited supplies of that) although you can have water and tens as I mentioned earlier. If you want or feel you need an epidural you have to be in hospital.
I had a home birth for my first and am planning another for my second.
Check out www.homebirth.org as loads of info and birth stories on there.
Good luck. Often professionals will try and put you off especially if it's your first but if you are within 15 minutes blue light to your nearest hospital should you need it, the risks are minimal.

Thanks everyone. Rilla im more drawn to a homebirth because of one born every minute tbh and a few of my own reasons. One born every minute was horrendous to watch. It made me cringe. And my mum had a homebirth with just the one midwife there and she loved it. In hospital they want to look up your fanjo ect when I see no need lol. I'll stop there I could rant about it all day lol

Kickbacks what will I need a torch or a lamp for?

Ah yes orange was going to start a thread asking if tenas machines actually work or not. Id quite like to start off in my bath and then make my way to my bed if I can

You just tell your midwife next time you see her.

Unless your high risk you don't have to see anyone else.

It really is that simple.

My midwives were totally supportive they just grinned and said they liked doing home births.

They need a bright light to check the placenta and stitch you up if you need it.

Go for it, it truly is a very special experience

I've probably been very naive but I was hoping to avoid the whole people looking at my fanjo thing haha

Have a look at the NCT website -- lots of useful advice on there.

I'm using an independent midwife as I wouldn't trust my local NHS trust to provide anything -- they are so skint, it'd be just like them to say 'oh actually there aren't any community midwives available after all'. Also I understand it is luck of the draw which midwives you get, depending on who's on shift and it was important to me to have got to know them. If you're outside of London things are probably different/better?

www.nct.org.uk/birth-topics/home-birth

If you're in London & in the Kings patch there is a brilliant team of homebirth only midwives.

People will look at your fanjo. With DD1 I can't remember but with dd2 I had at least two vaginal checks plus stitching afterwards. Then various inspections to check if stitches had healed!

Phinej do you have to pay for an independabt midwife? Im close to Bury

Tis if you wanted to avoid people looking at your fanjo you probably shouldn't have got pregnant

Oh god, that's the only thing im dreading about the labour. It didn't even register to me that they'd need a look afterwards. I need to get my head out of the sand and start doing some serious research. Even thinking about people looking at my fanjo is making me cringe

Haha aimingtobe I was under the impression I could give birth naturally send the midwife on her way and that be it lol. Didn't think of possible tearing ect. Perhaps been a bit naive I think

Haha well for starters they'll have their hands up there a fair few times before baby makes an appearance. Don't tell me you wanted to keep your underwear on too