Home births

[DanniiF90]

Hey everyone,

I've just found out I'm expecting my second child (11 years after my first!) and this time round I'd really like a chilled home north. The first time round I was only 21, very naive and unfortunately had to have a forcep delivery and then an internal haemorrhage followed, meaning I had to have 3 days in hospital with blood transfusions. Whilst my first birth was rather traumatic, each birth is different and ideally I'd like to be at home. I'm really into holistic approaches and want it as calm as possible. What are other people's thoughts? I'm going on to train to be a midwife next year, and this is the route I'd like to specialise in.

Thanks everyone!

Home birth ** typo

I had a homebirth with no.2 and it was wonderful. But I'd had a textbook first delivery in hospital three years before. With your obstetric history you might considered too high risk for a home birth. You'll need to discuss with your care team what happened last time and the likelihood of it happening again before you can make a decision what you are hoping for next time.

@DanniiF90
Ask your midwife but due to the complacations with your first birth as they take that in to consideration be prepared to be told no thou goodluck 💐

I had DCs 2 & 3 at home after a less than wonderful experience in hospital with DC1. The birth itself was straight forward, but I found the entire hospital experience quite traumatic in itself.
My home births were definitely the best choice for me and my family. If I were to have another baby, birth setting wouldn’t even come into question - I’d choose home birth every time.

@SlamLikeAGuitar thank you for this. I've been told hospital is the safest option, but this narrative really irks me. Only if you're a very high risk pregnancy, plus if you have a midwife, you can be transferred to hospital in emergencies anyway. I definitely think a home birth will be in my birth plan. X

I’m a midwife and I’ve had 3 beautiful homebirths. Happy to answer any questions or just chat more about them, give me a shout or ask here if there’s anything you want to ask x

@DanniiF90 the statistics tell us that for low risk women in second/subsequent pregnancies, home birth is actually just as safe as hospital birth.
www.bmj.com/content/343/bmj.d7400

I had a home birth with no2. Because of the lack of monitoring equipment he presented forehead up instead of crown. Second stage lasted 3hrs but because no1 had a 2 and a half hour second stage the midwives thought it was just 'me'. He caused some damage (he was fine, just had a funny shaped head for a while!) and I saw a consultant who argued with me that I was mistaken, he wasn't a home birth because forehead presentations are always a csec. It was actually hilarious! But I wouldn't change a thing. Us having the tv on and watching a hospital programme about women giving birth, watching Corrie, ex DH going to the chippy to buy them all tea whilst I was howling! Just the best experience. Go for it OP!

Oh and my mum came and watched her grandson being born. She said "I never knew how big we opened up" - so that was also funny!

Take a look at hypnobirthing. The aim is a natural birth with no interventions, but I found it really helpful with my (hospital, theatre) birth too.

Hi everyone, thanks for the replies. I've looked into Hypnobirthing and it's something I'd like to look at but I also have to be realistic with myself and know I'd need to do it alongside some gas & air at a minimum! I know I'd had a complicated birth last time, but it was over 10 years ago now and every birth is different. I was lucky that my actual pregnancy and Labour went pretty well, it was just once I was actively pushing things became a little harder. We'll see, but I'll definitely ask for a home birth if I'm not classed as high risk 😊

@Peacefulspirit I would absolutely love that. From a mother and professional POV. Thank you!

Hello,

I had a crap hospital first birth ending in a pph (no transfusion needed), epidural, ventouse, 2nd degree tear.

I had a home birth with me second. Was amazing! I actually was fine with no pain relief, just a tens, had a water birth. Did do hypno birthing which I’d recommend (positive birth company digital pack is great value)

Because of my first labour (2 yes previously) I discussed my choices with the head midwife at hospital- midwife in charge of birth choices. She was brilliant and reviewed my first Labour notes and signed off on my home birth. My local home birth team were highly recommended and I knew a few women who’d had home births with them so that was reassuring.

There’ll be someone along shortly to scare you with anecdata but look at the actual statical data and fact from the home birth study. Very reassuring!