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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

home birth

26 replies

loujan26 · 02/03/2008 17:52

anyone else planning one??? i am and now i'm getting scared..lol i got 13 weeks to go....

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sorkycake · 02/03/2008 18:35

You'll be absolutely fine

I've had two and it isn't nearly as bad as you think it will be, meaning honestly if I can do it, anyone can!

What exactly are you worried about? Is this your first?

JingleyJen · 02/03/2008 18:37

Try not to be scared.. it isn't good for you.. you will be fine.. We had both of our boys at home and can highly recommend it.

foxythesnowman · 02/03/2008 18:41

It is the best way, IMHO.

Nothing like a shower in your own bathroom and tea in your own mug afterwards.

Keeps the indignity of childbirth behind your own front door.

You get far better midwife care than you do in most hospitals.

go for it, you won't regret it

pickie · 02/03/2008 18:50

Same here had both DC at home and if there is ever going to be a DC 3 and all was going well during pregnancy I would do it again!

Peachy · 02/03/2008 19:04

Planning one as well, have ahd a few false starts so its if we get that far... but only a week away now and the entonox is being delivered tomorrow morning!

MarsLady · 02/03/2008 19:09

Wonderful way to give birth!

Original poster
loujan26 · 02/03/2008 21:52

awww good... i have 2 other children. but this will be my first home birth.. just nervous.... i only had gas and air for the last 5 mins with dd so i should be fine.. xxx
loux

OP posts:
arewethereyet · 02/03/2008 22:11

I had one and LOVED it. Lots of attention from MWs and DH felt very involved filling up the birthing pool (make sure you have connectors that fit your taps though...). My top tip would be to buy a cheapy duvet from somewhere like Asda and use that to give birth on - nice and soft and you can bin the lot afterwards. Good luck!

fingerwoman · 02/03/2008 22:15

it's fantastic. I had one for ds2 and it was so good I want another baby so I can do it again.

feetheart · 02/03/2008 22:19

ABSOLUTELY the BEST way to give birth

Your own bath/toilet/people around you and your own food at 11pm after everyone has left - omelette never tasted SO good.
Dh doesn't have to leave you in a strange place with a new baby and getting into your own bed with your hours-old newborn is wonderful.
As is said newborn's new big sister appearing at the bedroom door as usual in the morning and saying "Where is OUR baby?" then all 4 of you snuggling up in bed.

Wonderful memories

Kaz1967 · 02/03/2008 22:48

would love one but my midwife is advising no I have a friend who had 3 hospital ones including one disastrous where her daughter nearly dies due to mistake Her 4th child she was in a right state had a magnificent midwife who delivered her at home an she says it was the best experience ever

To add to what feetheart says you have a midwife with you ALL through the labour and someone who actually knows you so any problems (they occasionally happen) are picked up a lot quicker than in hospital when you will probably be seen by at least 2 different staff and they will not be with you all the time.

Being in your own environment you are more likely to be more relaxed, have a shorter labour and are less likely to have complications. You are also more likely to have a level of pain you can handle because you are more relaxed and in an environment you know.

er is also the advantage afterwards that you can go to bed in your own comfort bed no plastic covered pillows or matrices no one snoring (unless your parter does ) an only your baby to cry.

Oh bliss I really envy you

Tigger13 · 02/03/2008 22:56

HI loujan

I am due in 13weeks to and am planning a home birth will be first time for me, although 3rd baby, am very keen on trying it although hubby very worried. Mid-wife in this area very for it as DS2 I was proper labour only 1.10hours and made it to hospital with minutes to spare.

Any tips on how to reassure hubby and what to say to older children 2 and almost 5 ???

I am going to NHS home birth work shop on Tuesday so hope to have some more information.

I am secretively scared but think I would be going into hospital as know whats coming!!

Kaz1967 · 02/03/2008 23:24

There is a book called Runa's Birth: The Day My Sister Was Born by Uwe Spillmann

www.amazon.co.uk/Runas-Birth-Day-Sister-Born/dp/0955281407

I don't know anything else about it but it is mentioned on sheila kitzinger site so I suspect it is quite good may be worth searching it out in the local library (ask if you cannot find it)

As for hubby can he not go to the home birth work shop too?

If he is into reading research try the sheila kitzinger website www.sheilakitzinger.com
or the home birth website www.homebirth.org.ukthey have a list of home birth support groups here www.homebirth.org.uk/ukhb.htm

wahwah · 03/03/2008 08:23

Hope to be having second home birth in May. Had first with first baby at 38 and my midwives were totally supportive. I had the best birth out of anyone I knew because it was in my own surroundings and although husband was anti at first, he ended up ordering birth pool and getting really into the idea, once he'd researched it for himself.

Actually, this time round he announced I was having a home birth before we'd even discussed it - he couldn't imagine why I would want to go to hospital. Fingers crossed, I'll get to use the pool again and this time there won't be worries about the 'mess' -there's hardly any and the midwives clear it all up after! Remember to stock up on tea and snacks for them, they'll be very appreciative.

I can only echo Tigger13, it was lovely when everyone left to be in our home with all our comforts there.

feetheart · 03/03/2008 14:54

Tigger13 - try to get midwife to meet up with you and DH so he can discuss his fears (usually its about the mess!) A positive, confident midwife should be able to puit him at his ease and reassure him.

As for DC, mine was 2.9 when DS was born and we found this book brilliant. She found the bit about the shouting really funny and I think was a little disappointed that I didn't make too much noise - she was upstairs with her Auntie and came down to meet her brother about 5 mins after he was born - another real benefit of homebirth.

needahand · 04/03/2008 12:43

loujan I am planning a home birth too and am slighly nervous too. I have bought a good book from Nickky Weeson I think on Amazon very originally called "Homebirth". Would recommend.

Can I hijack the thread to ask the posters if they have any tips./dos and don't/things they wished they had been told before. I am just not sure where to start.

Tigger13 · 04/03/2008 14:45

Thanks for the positive comments, they are very helpful.

I have been to home birth workshop today with hubby, it was fantatsic and very relaxed, only 4 of us there and 2 honest and supportive midwives there. Would really recommend going to one if they run them in your area and if you are even thinking about it.

Met a lady there who is having 2nd in few weeks and had 1st at home she was great and answered lots of questions before we even started, 2 dads there both with similar feelings bout risks and mess, very happy to say my hubby completely convinced and already planning how to sort house out for it! Midwife was reasuring and maybe helped as knew her from previous pregnancies.

Will be buying the homebirth book you mentioned needahand had a look at it earlier and maybe some for older siblings.

Had good tip from other lady at group about buying a portable spa as you get to use it after!! so busy researching them now! slightly more expensive then buying the ones in a box but have thermostat control and heat themselves which might be handy.

Feeling strangely excited now and have weeks to go yet!!

Sorry to go on and hijack loujan's thread, think we must be due at same time, so fingers crossed we both succeed at home!!

Sayuri · 04/03/2008 15:01

I've been seriously considering it - although I have a long time to make my mind up - I mentioned it to my midwife who passed no comment on it at all so I have no clue if she is pro home birth or not - although I think not.

I think the only things putting me off are that this is my 1st baby and I dont know if I will cope and also I live in a flat and it may annoy my neighbours to have to put up with any noise coming through the floor when they dont want it. I only live 10 minutes from the nearest hospital so I think if I am going to have a homebirth than this is the place to do it.

Good luck with your home birth, I hope it goes well

icklegem · 04/03/2008 16:17

Homebirths are brilliant, I'd say go for it to anyone thinking about it.

I had both ds in hospital and tbh with ds 2 there really wasn't much point.Was only there 45mins before I had him, no pain relief and was home 7hrs later. I so wish I'd stayed at home.

DD was born at home last July and it was wonderful! There's no way I would have made it to hospital in time anyway but that's another story!

Good luck to all considering it, even for a 1st I'd say at least give it a go. If there are ANY signs of something being not quite right the mw's will arrange a transfer to hospital. Imo it's safer to have a hb as you have the undivided attention of the mw's so things are picked up with no hesitation.

I'm planning another hb, due late Sept and this time would love a home water birth. Just hope it's not as quick as last time or might not have time to fill the pool!

Good luck ladies

HowlingCow · 05/03/2008 21:32

I'm expecting 3rd daughter in 3 weeks. This will be my 1st home birth all being well-was diabetic in 1st pregnancy so was induced early and didn't really consider hb with 2nd-wish I had as found it a really impersonal, lonely overnight stay! Midwife very supportive, my main concern was the wolf/cow noises but DH has suggested selling tickets and keeping the curtains open anyway so what the heck!!
Hope it all goes well for you (and me!!).

ara · 05/03/2008 21:39

i'm v , i wanted a lovely home birth but they made me go into hosp for induction as dd was 15 days late ! enjoy it [smile

ara · 05/03/2008 21:39
Smile
Thomcat · 05/03/2008 21:42

I've had 2 home births, wonderful, positive experiences. Best thing I ever did, other than getting pregnant in the first place!

needahand · 06/03/2008 10:13

Tiger

I would be interested in that workdhop. Who ran it? Was it a private one or a NHS one?

Gem

Thanks for reassurance re anything going wrong as this is my only concern. But then I need 10 mn from the hospital so I am probably fine. PS re waterbirth there are some pool you can fill weeks in advance but they seem v expensive!

icklegem · 06/03/2008 11:10

Let us know how you get on and what you decide.

With the hospital being so close I would definately give it a go.

Will look into the pools but don't want to spend too much just incase I change my mind at the last hurdle!!

Gem xx