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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Home birth advice

36 replies

Ladypug · 20/03/2015 13:31

Hi all,

I'm in the very early days of pregnancy, only 9.5 weeks but am starting to think about options. I would really like to give birth at home, preferably in the water pool. But it's my first baby and I'm quite petite (5 foot), not sure if that makes a difference but someone said it might.

I just wondered if anyone else had done this for first birth and if it was ok? I've run it past a few people (very limited as nobody really knows yet) and people are saying it's dangerous and there is no medical assistance if I need it but I still think I want to do it. Has anyone done it and survived to tell the tale? lol x

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LizzieMint · 20/03/2015 13:36

I had planned the same for my first - as it turned out I needed to be induced in hospital in the end. But I had nothing but support from the midwives when I was planning it.
Friends on the other hand, were a completely different matter, and I can't think of anyone who was actually supportive. Lots of 'you must be mad' type comments, plus anyone who'd recently given birth went to great pains to tell me how awful it was and how I'd be desperate for an epidural.
(It wasn't, and I wasn't)

I went on to have two home water births for my second and third babies, and they were absolutely wonderful. Good luck with your plans, but do bear in mind that things may need to change and if you can accept that and go with it, that'll only be a good thing.

scatterbrainedlass · 20/03/2015 13:39

Watching with interest, as we're seriously considering a home birth too. Our MW said homebirths with first babies are fine, I know in the past you had to have the first one in hospital. She said that the final decision won't be made until something like 32 weeks, and if anything happens that looks like it could cause problems, you will be advised to have baby in hospital. Ultimately, your midwife is the one who can advise you, and answer any concerns you have. If you live fairly close to a hospital anyway, then if anything does go wrong they can have you there pretty quick.

Original poster

Ladypug · 20/03/2015 13:41

Thanks Lizzie, yeah the general consensus is that either I will die or the baby will die (and I really should think of that, shakes head) so I'm already feeling really judged but I just don't really "do" hospitals.

Obviously I want to be safe and healthy and if I have to be in hospital then so be it but if I can avoid epidurals and stuff I would like to (just because I don't "do" stuff being put into me if I can help it). Of course, I'm aware I may lose the plot and beg for the drugs, I'm not saying never but I know home is where I'm comfortable with dim lighting, soft voices and somewhere that's mine.

Hopefully it will all be ok. Thank you for being so positive and encouraging x

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Jaffakake · 20/03/2015 13:42

I know plenty of people who've had home births, my neighbour has had 3, Unless there is anything about your pregnancy they discover later on that puts you under consultant led care, there's no reason why not. Your height is irrelevant. You would be attended by 2 midwives and if there's any sign of it going pear shaped you'd get an ambulance transfer to hospital.

Original poster

Ladypug · 20/03/2015 13:42

I'm 20 minutes from a hospital (at the speed limit, 15 breaking it), I'm not sure if that is close or not in terms of emergency action x

ps I think we're due near the same time Scatterbrain :-)

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Original poster

Ladypug · 20/03/2015 13:43

Thanks Jaffa :-)

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tinkerbellvspredator · 20/03/2015 13:44

Lots of old threads on here with experiences, had both of mine at home it was fine, midwives not fussed about it being a first time.

Original poster

Ladypug · 20/03/2015 13:45

Thanks Tinker x

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QuicheConverter · 20/03/2015 13:47

Loads of threads on this with lots of useful advice.

I had both dc at home in water and enjoyed every bit of it. I wouldn't hesitate to do the same again. I mostly didn't discuss it with other people. DH, my MUm and the MW were supportive, and that was all that mattered really.

Fattycow · 20/03/2015 13:50

I am doing a home birth and I'm just a bit taller than you are. No fuss at all from anyone over here.

Original poster

Ladypug · 20/03/2015 13:54

Wow fab, how far along are you fattycow ps I'm sure you're not!! x

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Fattycow · 20/03/2015 13:55

I'm 5'2 or something like that? And I'm 25 weeks today.

Fattycow · 20/03/2015 13:57

It is quite common over here to have a home birth and most women do not have a pool. The only reason I am thinking about one is because my UK friends (and places like this) seem to mention a pool in one breath with home births.

soundsystem · 20/03/2015 13:58

I had my first at home and it was great! I do don't hospitals either so was much more relaxed being at home. (So much so that the midwife told me to have a paracetamol and a shower as she didn't think I was really in labour - I asked her to check and I was 10cm!) You've got a while to decide but if your pregnancy is straight forward there's no reason why not. Remember you can always transfer in if you feel it's getting a bit much. Good luck whatever you decide x

missmakesstuff · 20/03/2015 14:01

I am booked for hb, I am doing it after c section first time, no experience of labour and probably 20 Mins to hospital, blue lighting it. It's all fine, only had a little bit of resistance. My advice would be research it, get a Doula if you can afford it, look at it as staying at home for as long as possible and anything after that is a bonus. Be prepared that things can change, I booked in with dd but she was breech so elcs. I'm only just now starting to believe it might happen with this one! (due in 3 days, convinced I will go 'over' and chances are Will end up in hospital anyway) Oh, and just don't tell people!,I haven't really told anyone unless they've asked directly, and then I've just said I'm hoping to stay at home, had nothing but supportive comments.
There's good homebirth websites about and most places have a homebirth group, it's a good place to start.
I'm also a shortarse.

Trinpy · 20/03/2015 14:01

I had my first baby at home, though not a water birth. My mw was the one who suggested but it's how I had always thought I would give birth. The only negative comments I had where from friends and family.

Really positive experience for us .

Original poster

Ladypug · 20/03/2015 14:07

Wow thank you so much everyone, this is priceless! missmakesstuff please update me on how it all goes, how exciting for you! And soundsystem that's insane! A paracetamol and a shower made me giggle! x

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PenguinsandtheTantrumofDoom · 20/03/2015 14:19

I am very supportive of homebirth.

However, another option to consider is whether there are any Midwife Led Units (MLUs) near you? These tend to have all the lovely soft furnihsings, low lights, birth balls, birth pools etc (and much better staff ratios) so don't feel so hospital. But they are often on the same site as a hospital. Or if not will usually have a well oiled system for transfers.

Just another option to consider.

Original poster

Ladypug · 20/03/2015 14:28

Thanks Penguins we do have one but they are further from the hospital than my home is. I will look into it as an option though x

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scatterbrainedlass · 20/03/2015 15:11

Lol Ladypug, if I didn't know better I'd say we were the same person (though I'm a bit taller at 5'4")!! About 20 mins from hospital, there is a birthing centre available but it's further away than the hospital.

I don't think I'll go for the water birth, but it's probably something to think about/discuss. My EDD is 30th October, I think you're a couple of weeks ahead of me?

smilingthroughgrittedteeth · 20/03/2015 15:22

I'm planning a home birth for my first, due any day now.

My midwife said every pregnancy is unique so it doesn't matter if it's your 1st or 10th birth.

I've had a low risk pregnancy without any complications though and wouldn't consider it if I'd had any problems.

Original poster

Ladypug · 20/03/2015 15:29

I am indeed, EDD 20th October! :-)

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BleachedBarnet · 20/03/2015 15:32

Watching this thread with interest too - I'm only 6 weeks but I have a strong feeling I would like a home birth. A colleague of mine just had a daughter yesterday and that was a home birth so I think it's becoming more of an accepted thing round my way!

Oh and LadyPug I'm only 5"2

Plonkysaurus · 20/03/2015 15:43

I'm newly pregnant (due Nov 12) and I've set my mind on a nhome birth. This is my second pregnancy though - I had my ds in hospital 2 years ago.

I had complications with ds but they were mainly due to labour taking a long time. I honestly think that had I been at home the problems wouldn't have occurred, or we would've been given a bit more time to get things moving. We then spent the next three days on the postnatal ward waiting to be discharged, feeling like bed blockers and practically begging to go home! Home births sound heavenly by comparison.

OP read up on natal hypnotherapy and Ina May Gaskin. and ignore the naysayers. Birth is a natural event that doesn't usually need medical intervention.

Original poster

Ladypug · 20/03/2015 15:44

Hey Bleached congrats! Yay for all the shorties with home births! x

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