Home births?

[Smilenow2008]

Can I have some of your experience on home births please? I am consider my options after discussing with midwife yesterday

I had my first at home, and am planning another home birth for my second if possible.

I live less than 2 miles from the hospital, and was fortunate enough to be considered low risk. They were clear from the start that they wouldn’t hesitate to transfer us in at the first sign of trouble though.

I had a nearly 3 hour pushing stage - if I’d been at the MLU, I would likely have been transferred to the labour ward after 90 minutes and would probably have had further intervention at 2 hours. I was very glad to have avoided what would have been unnecessary intervention due to hospital policy as we were both coping fine.

I had one midwife there from 6cm and then another from 10cm when I started pushing. They literally didn’t leave my side so I was extremely well monitored. They left after doing all the newborn checks and helping to get him latched on. We hired a pool so cleanup was quick and easy.

I can’t imagine having to have deal with the start of active labour anywhere not totally private, and mine was quite long so I probably would have been stuck on a ward which would have been stressful for me and would likely have slowed things further.

It was a great option for us, but I think you really need to be totally comfortable with the idea or it sort of defeats the point!

Planning a home birth here. Check if you're area is covered by One to One midwives who specialise in home births (30% HB rate rather than the national average which I think is just 2%). You get the same MW throughout which is beneficial x

My first was a good birth in hospital, although with some intervention at the end. My second was a home birth and was so much more relaxed. Two midwives, a student and my husband present but very much left to get on at my own pace. Was told they would transfer to hospital if there was any concern. the midwives can cope with most things that might happen, and set up a station beforehand in case baby needs help, although this wasn't obtrusive. They stayed to check everything was fine afterwards, saw the first fed and cleared up so all my husband had to do was turn the washing machine on. Would definitely recommend home birth.

See if there is a local homebirth group near you. Ours has a facebook page and meets once a month, they also hire out birth pools (you buy a new liner), extra towels and anything else you may need.