Home Birth?

[LuckySocks13]

Am considering a home birth for my baby due in November. Anyone else planning or considering one?

Yes me! Planning on a homebirth but will be my third baby, second homebirth. Guessing this is your first? Homebirth is definitely an option for first timers if you have a straightforward pregnancy.

Hi there Bunch :) congrats on your pregnancy. It's my 2nd baby a little girl. I have a Son (3) who I had in hospital. When are you due? Any tips gratefully received. Only started seriously considering it this week!

I had one in October. Amazing experience, v relaxed - go for it! We bought a birthing pool off eBay for £40 and a new liner to go in it. Good luck!

One of my friends has had 3 home births and they all went well. But my first birth was in hospital and went tits up so I was glad I was in hospital.

My first was in hospital as went over 42 weeks and had to be induced but it went so smoothly it seemed obvious to have number 2 at home. Luckily it all went to plan and was fab! Just hope I'm that lucky again...You can change your mind at any time so if you think you want a homebirth let your midwife know...

Lovely to hear positive stories :)

Tip wise...buy a tarpaulin (got mine for about £5 at B&Q)
Also, with my hospital birth I had an episiotomy and was a bit worried about tearing at home. I made sure my midwife was good at suturing and got my GP to prescribe a volterol suppository to keep in the fridge incase I needed it. I didn't want a lovely home delivery to be spoiled by having to go in for suturing. Luckily it wasn't necessary but made be feel better being prepared.

I also had an episiotomy! What's suturing?

I had my first at home, it was all very lovely and I got my water birth. I did tear and the midwife seemed well prepared, I didn't have to transfer for that. Go for it! Only thin I would be cautious about is if you think you will need lots of help with feeding. I loved being at home straight after the birth but I really struggled with the feeding and I thought at the time if we'd been in hospital it might have clicked a Bit sooner. There was no one on hand to ask any uestions!

Sleep I did struggle with feeding DS and was in hospital for 3 days! I think I will look up some breast feeding support counsellors before hand in case I need it! Glad you had a lovely home birth though :)

Sorry, suturing is sewing you back up! I didn't want to have to go in just for that. The midwife should have all the equipment and local anaesthetic to do it but I had to get GP to prescribe the longer lasting painkiller they put up your back side!

I will watch with interest. DS was a very straightforward, quick birth in the MLU. Would love a HB for DC2 (due March). Got to hospital at midnight, had left by 1pm so didn't have to face the dreaded PN ward, which is one of my main reasons to avoid a hospital, that and being able to guarantee a WB at home. I had one with DS and had no tears or stitches so very keen to repeat the whole experience!

Thanks for clarifying Buch. I may also look into that. An really hoping not to have a repeat of that experience! I have also started a HypnoBirthing course for relaxation and birth preparation. DH wouldn't even consider a homebirth before that!

I had my second at home and it was lovely

I'd intended to with my first but they were short staffed and couldn't send anyone out to me so I had to go it. When I had my second things had changed and they had an on call homebirth team so I was not going to have the same problem.

The midwives, four by the time baby was actually born due to hitting shift change, were in my house less than an hour before DD2 was born, I'd been checked earlier in the day and knew I could call the community team anytime so they left me too it until I called. An hour after DD2 was born I was sat on my own sofa, eating real food and snuggling my new baby

I would recommend it to anyone who had an uncomplicated pregnancy and all being well I will be having baby number 3 at home in December.

I'm 38 weeks with my first and planning on a homebirth. Got my pool all set up and waiting!

At first I thought I'd have our first in a hospital, but the more I looked into it I realise its just as safe and I'll be a lot more relaxed and comfortable.

My hospital is also very close if the midwife thinks I need to transfer in.

Feeling very confident and excited, lots of reading and hypnobirthing practice has helped a lot.

I know a few first time mums who've done it and had wonderful births.

Can I ask your distance to hospitals ladies. That's one of my wobbles!

I'm about a 15 mins drive from the hospital, so less than 10 mins in an ambulance. The ambulance station will be on standby for any homebirth and it usually takes that long to get theatre prepped in an emergency anyway!

I'm about 20 minutes away by ambulance.

If there was any slightest indication that there might be a problem they will send you in well in advance.

Planning a March home birth for number 2 :) My 3yo DD was born in hospital with a third stage that was longer than I would have liked but I'm pretty certain it wouldn't have happened had I been at home.

I do worry about visitor control at home though!

Woman I was in hospital couldn't deliver her placenta so it was an ambulance for her

I am planning a homebirth sometime this month (Hopefully this week), not having a pool because I'm hydrophobic but have bought a spare duvet and plastic covers so the floor is comfortable as don't want to ruin my matteress and my bedroom is quite small, I have plastic dust sheets and some cheap second hand bed sheets to cover the floor too.

I'm a bit nervous though as midwifes only carry a max of 2 hrs G+A so if it takes longer than that I have nothing.

However I'm about 30mins from hospital by car (only 15 in Ambulance) and nearly didn't make it with DD3 so don't want to risk having DD4 in the car.

I have a lot of meditation music on CDs to concentrate on during labour and a good friend trained in massage, also another friend who will be on kitchen duties so I don't have to wait ages for something to eat or drink, in total 3 birth partners and could have more if I wanted unlike the restrictions at the hospital.

Loving all your plans and stories ladies. Think we are about 35 mins by car to hospital. Guess ambulance if came quickly would be quicker. I'm glad I haven't left it too late. Wish I had started reading up on it earlier though. I like to be prepared!

Lucky socks I've just started hypnobirthing Lessons and am now considering a home birth (due in November like you). I'm just worried about needing urgent care if anything goes wrong but all the evidence suggests home birthing is safe. Let me know what you decide; I'm watching with interest!

hi LuckySocks13 me im planning a home birth for november im due 2nd november this is my 3rd baby but 1st homebirth im excited about it cant wait i found the hospital less relaxing im close to hospital if i needed to be transfered so i feel safe & happy about that :)

I had a HB with dd2 and planning another with dc3.
The hospital was fine with dd1 - no horror stories. It just seemed unnecessary and I felt much better at home. I used g+a for about 3 hours+ and didn't run out. I would recommend hiring a tens machine as well as that really helped.
I'd also second the dust sheets covered in towels/sheets over the floor as it means you don't have to worry about making a mess.
Added benefit for me is the option for dd's to be there as much as they want.
I think the midwives response made a big difference to me- my local team are very pro and do much more than in some areas. I don't think I would have been as keen if I'd had to push for it.