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Pregnancy

first pregnancy considering home birth

37 replies

Yankunian · 28/01/2008 12:50

I'm wondering if anyone has thoughts or experience to share about planning a home birth for your first child? Seems to be something people generally do for subsequent babies not first, but I think I will be so much more relaxed and happy at home... and I am healthy so far at 25 weeks.

OP posts:

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foxythesnowman · 28/01/2008 12:52

I wish I had DC1 at home. I had my other 3 at home and it was fab.

I think its the fear of the unknown which puts people off.

You can plan and prepare for a homebirth, and transfer into hospital at any time, but you can't do it the other way round.

My advice to you would be to go for it.

MarsLady · 28/01/2008 12:54

Go for it!

NatalieJane · 28/01/2008 12:55

Again a GO FOR IT from me!

pelafina · 28/01/2008 12:57

Message withdrawn

Yankunian · 28/01/2008 13:19

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. Of course can always go to hospital if I have to (only 15 mins away in preston) but why not try to stay at home in my own comfy place? Much more pleasant...

OP posts:

slim22 · 28/01/2008 13:26

defo go for it.
Wish I had the guts to do it first time round.
Now where I am, can't do.

gillythekid · 28/01/2008 13:27

Hi Yancunian I'm having my first in July and am hoping for a home birth. Looking at the recent NHS ratings has made me even more determined as both of my local hospitals come out 'least well'. I'm having to see an obstetrician at my next scan as I had some endometriosis pain early on but have been fine since. I suppose it might be down to how my health is further down the line but we have to trust our bodies and know that we are quite capable of giving birth at home. Good luck.

Fleecy · 28/01/2008 13:34

I had a homebirth with my first and am planning another one for my second. People seem surprised when you choose it for your first - but like others have said, you can relax more at home and you can always transfer if you need to.

fairylights · 28/01/2008 13:45

i had my first (and only so far!) at home and although it was a long hard labour i was so glad that i was in my own environment at home. i had a pool and a doula - both of which i would really recommend, esp the doula if you can possibly afford it, labour (for me) was hard work and unnerving and i think if it had just been dh and me at home in between the mw popping in and out we wouldn't have coped. Having a doula is just hugely reassuring, esp if your labour is long. Most people seemed to think i was a bit mad (a lot of "you don't know how you will cope in labour" - answer: i think i will cope better at home!) but i generally kept quiet about it unless directly asked..
i would just add that i knew i was only a minute from hospital by ambulance if anything went wrong and that was a big thing for me - when i have my next one this will again be a big consideration. Although i think HB is the best thing in the world, there are some situations (which have sadly occurred to some MNetters on here) where being near a hospital is v important. But your mw should keep a close eye on you and you will only be "allowed" a hb if everything if looking ok. Phew! long post..all the best to you and do ask more Q's if you want

loobyt · 28/01/2008 15:14

Hi, I'm due 9th Feb and am planning on a home birth (first baby). As others have said I think it will be far easier to relax in your own home than in a hospital. I intend to take a bath as and when I please/watch a film, walk around the garden anything to help take my mind off of what is going on! I have had a few 'oh aren't you brave having your first at home' kind of comments but I think it's a personal thing and that you should do whatever you are most comfartable with.

madmouse · 28/01/2008 15:47

Waiting for my first one to arrive (39+5 today) and planning a home birth. It is easy when you are originally from Holland - it feels normal and DH does not need any convincing as he is Dutch too. Luckily mws in Oxford are very pro-homebirth. Should be able to let you know how it went soon .

Yankunian · 28/01/2008 15:47

thanks for all the supportive comments. Great to hear that others have done/are doing this. fairylights, I have already hired a brilliant doula and where I live (chorley) you get two midwives attending your home birth so we will have plenty of support!

OP posts:

foxythesnowman · 28/01/2008 18:58

just don't forget to log on and give us a blow-by-blow account of your labouras it happens

fairylights · 28/01/2008 19:42

Yankunian - great, sounds like you have things as sorted as you can do!
All the best to all of you who are planning your first HB.. aaah it makes me all nostalgic! Look forward to reading your birth stories.. and please please please don't beat yourselves up if you end up being transferred, you have produced a baby: be very proud!

turtle23 · 28/01/2008 20:01

I am also planning a home(water)birth for my first, due in 8 weeks. I have never had a moments' doubt, and would encourage you to go with your instincts. Women have been doing this for a very long time!! Good luck!!

me23 · 28/01/2008 20:02

definatley go for it, you will be more relaxed in familar surroundings and you are not high risk so no reason not to.

look forward to hearing your birth story

mummypig · 28/01/2008 21:24

oh good for you Yankunian, I planned a hb for my first one but they took me into hosp due to high blood pressure and suspected pre-eclampsia and I ended up being induced. I was so fed up after 5 unplanned days in hospital I gladly accepted the induction. I wish, in retrospect, that I had been self-assured and confident enough just to discharge myself. Ds2 was born at home with an independent midwife and it was a wonderful, wonderful birth and I am hoping to repeat the experience with dc3 this July.

My next door neighbour had both of her dcs at home. No probs with either.

Yorky · 28/01/2008 22:02

I had a hb for my one and only ds last jan.
I was really surprised that it was so easy to arrange, as I was expecting the MWs to want me to have a good track record or problem free deliveries, kind of "maybe next time dear" comments but they were great, all they said was as long as you behave yourself during the pregnancy (bp etc)
I would recommend it to anyone
Good luck turtle and madmouse - where in Oxford are you?
Gillythekid - 9th is a lovely day for a birthday, hope the consultant says what you want to hear
I avoided the "do you know what you're letting yourself in for?" kind of comments by not advertising/telling everyone what I wanted to try until I'd done it. But I completely agree with fairylights - a successful birth has a healthy baby and a healthy mum at the end of it, how you get there isn't as important as it feels when you're pg!

Lulumama · 28/01/2008 22:04

definitely go for it

am a doula, quite near you , and have heard really positive things about the community MWs in the area...

hope all goes well !

LIttleMcF · 28/01/2008 22:14

We had our gorgeous daughter (first child) at home exactly one week go today!!!!! It was a fantastic experience. I echo much of above comments - we are near hospital which was reassuring; and I needed my husband to massage me through almost 3 days and nights of contractions (looong labour). Hire a birthing pool or se if your midwife can source one - the water helped HUGELY. As soon as i was in the water, I felt totally in control. The birth itself was VERY fast and we were snuggled up on the sofa with a glass of Champagne by 8.00 p.m. (little girl born at 6.30 p.m.).

I hated the idea of me and baby being in hospital at all, never mind my husband going home alone without us; and we were tremendously lucky to have a fantastic midwife team who were very supportive all the way through.

Lots of people said I was mad to have home water birth for first baby, but it really was the best decision and a brilliant bonding experience for our new little family. As long as you're fit and healthy, totally, totally go for it.

Jennster · 28/01/2008 22:14

Hi Yankunian I'm off to Chorley tomorrow. Went a few weeks ago and the parking at the hospital there is as bad as Preston. One massive reason to have a homebirth

Seriously go for it. I've had both of mine at home.

Lulumama · 28/01/2008 22:15

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Jennster · 28/01/2008 22:16

JingleyJen · 28/01/2008 22:18

2 lovely home births here - would thoroughly recommend them - birthing pool in our sitting room both times - long labour first time - great to be able to take my time (36 hours don't think they would have left me that long if I had had hospital care)
Fast labour 2nd time - no point in going into hospital really!
Loved it! can't bring myself to think I may not do it all ever again!

Enjoy

annieshaf · 28/01/2008 22:24

Just a note of warning. Even if you book a home birth you cant be sure that you will have midwives available on the day. I booked a homebirth for DS1 born in jan 06 (I am also in preston) including the private hire of a birthing pool costing about £200. The day before i went into labour (a friday) the midwife rang to say that if i went into labour over the weekend i had to go into hospital as the community midwife team was understaffed due to illnesses!! DS was born the next day and luckily i was able to use the birthing pool in the hospital. I believe that the staffing situation in Preston is much worse now than it was 2 years ago!!

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