first pregnancy considering home birth

[Yankunian]

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.

annishafe

what the hospital did is NOT ALLOWED

you are legally entitled to a homebirth

you are entitled to have the care you need at home

www.aims.org.uk has sample letters and things to say if the hospital try to deny you a homebirth due to lack of staff

am so sorry that happened to you

Yes I was lucky because I got mine a week after and luckily not at the weekend

I had the same phonecall and that was not the impression we were given Lulu

Had my first and second (and hopefully third!) at home. Can't recommend it enough if all is well and healthy.

it is absolutely true . AIMS are collating information from women who were denied a homebirth for this reason.

hospital do not tend to tell you that though.

you should not be denied a homebirth for this reason

www.homebirth.org.uk back this up

Lulu
Thanks for your concern, I know that now but at the time i did not know any better and did as i was told!! Even the midwives themselves advised me to complain particularly as i had gone to the expense of hiring the pool. However in the chaos which was life after the birth of a new baby i did not do anything about it!!

My no 1 priority was to have a pool birth and i did not want to take the chance that the hospital pool was not available. In the end it was and i was lucky.

Yankunian - at least you will be better informed that i was and if you decide to have a homebirth dont let them get away with what they did to me

reall sorry about that annie. am gald you had a waterbirht even if not at home
you could still complain and look into contacting aims too

Hi Jenn hows you - need to catch up as didnt get back to you the other day. Sorry but struggling to make a decision.

'S OK. I'm great thanks. See you on Saturday?

Yes jenn will do

hi yan

i have a hb planned for my first [i am due today ]
it took a LOT of pushing for me to get it even though there is nothing medically wrong with me or the pregnancy just a case of laid back unsupportive midwives. anyway i finally got it agreed at 38 weeks and saw a different midwife for the home visit, she couldnt reccommend a pool enough for pain relief so i have bought one.
i also did a lot of research before broaching the subject of a homebirth with anyone anf from what i have read - your first baby is the safest to have at home as labour progresses slowly allowing for more time to transfer to hospital if neccessary.
i was very adamant after taking the tour of my local hospital (and having a panic attack in front of everyone) that it was not the place for me and i feel happy with my choice and i am actually looking forward to the experience.

i hope all goes well with your delivery and you get the birth you want.

xx

LittleMcF, congratulations!