Home birth / independent mid wife

[summerhillgang]

Hi there!

I am thinking about a home birth with an independent mid-wife (who would accompany me to the hospital if that was needed). This is assuming I have an uncomplicated pregnancy and everything is ok with me and the baby prior to the birth.

Does anyone have any experience of this? It's my first child. I am not massively close with my mother. I do feel like having continuous care and someone who I can learn to trust from now until after the baby is born, would be really good for me. Even if it might not go to plan.
Xx

Hi I'm in the same boat first pregnancy and have found private midwives (online) who are able to accompany me to hospital in the event of needing a transfer. At the point they'd be the only birth partner due to Covid but would be able to advocate for me in a way my partner just couldn't. Have a look at the positive birth company for more info too.

Sorry meant at that point (if needing transfer)

Oh great glad there's someone else thinking the same thing for first baby.

I am not due until October, so hoping they might change the rules, but I do this an experienced mid-wife might be more practically useful than my partner. Even though I obv would love to have him there too!

Have you started meeting your mid wife yet?
X

I am going for a mid range service so that means we won't meet much before 32 weeks then lots until birth and twice weekly support visits for a month after.

I have met the NHS ones though yep. Mixed views on home birth.

I had an independent midwife for my birth with ds. She was worth every penny and I credit her with how positive my experience was (and I didnt have an easy time of it - 28hrs back to back labour ending with ventuse). I felt calm and in control the entire time and she worked well with the midwives at the hospital without stepping on their toes. This was pre covid when you were allowed 2 partners at your birth. I'm due baby 2 shortly and unfortunately have moved area and will have DH at my birth. I so wish I could have the same midwife there though.

I had a doula (two home births, different doulas). Obviously in that case a risk that an NHS midwife isn't available to attend or you dont like the midwife but it worked well for me. I wasn't too bothered about having a long relationship, just had 2 meetings with them prior to birth.

I liked having a few people with me not just 1 (I actually had a midwife, student midwife, doula, DH at my first birth, plus at the end the second midwife that you're supposed to have!).
With an independent midwife what happens at the pushing stage where you're supposed to have a second midwife attending, do they have a partner? To be fair I didn't have one at my second birth due to speed but did have the midwife, doula and paramedics (due to speed they arrived before midwife...).

@Ldnmum7 Glad it worked for you, just feels like the best way! I am hoping that the rules are relaxed in time for my birth and that I don't have to chose between my partner and my mid-wife.

@tinkerbellvspredator awesome that you had a positive experience. Agree not sure I need a long relationship, defo want to get past a couple of milestones before I get too far into it. I believe they bring a partner to the birth. So is an NHS mid-wife supposed to come to a home birth as well?

Xx

I dont know how independent midwives work, if they bring a partner that would cover it.
If you have a community NHS midwife they are suppose to arrive once you are in established labour, then a second midwife arrives before the pushing stage. This is so one midwife can focus on the mother and one on the baby once arrived.

I will have to sign a form to say that my home birth is being attended by independent midwives and no NHS staff will not attend mine because they have said they can't do shared care.