Home birth

[Pomi]

How many of you had a home birth and was it a right dicision for you. Also what are the things you need to have at your home?

I had my first baby in hospital and my other two at home. It was so much better (although the midwife didn't turn up on time for my second baby but that's another story...). I did it at home specifically because I wanted a water birth and it wasn't available at hospital for my second baby and I wanted to get some rest afterwards which was impossible as well because of all the noise from other babies and visitors. They also refused to allow any visitors in the mornings which I thought was appallingly unfair on my husband who would want to spend time with our baby.

You don't really need anything for a home birth - the midwives drop off a pack after you are 38 weeks pregnant and you can get birth pools (if that's your thing) here (or buy them second hand on ebay and just use that site for a new liner .

Thanks for your replies.

It was the right decision for me, both times. I had the full attneion of a great midwife, I didn't have to worry about finding childcare for my older children as they slept right through it, and I felt very comfortable in my own home.

I had a home birth for my second this time last year (planning one for dc3 in June) - definitly the right decision for us as I didn't want to get 'stuck' in hospital over xmas and I got rest and lots of help from my family rather than being on my own in hosp.

You don't really need much (in our area you don't get a birth pack mw just brings everything she needs with her)

• let midwives know where tea and biscuits are so they can sort them selves out
• decide where you want to have baby - we collected old towels from relatives, I had ds2 in living room had plastic decorators sheet on sofa, duvet on floor (also covered with plastic sheet) and towels
• need fresh towel to wrap baby in
• I got a bucket nearby as I was really sick during transition with ds1
• lamp in case needed stitches

mw should give you a list but think thats about it also consider parking outside your house, dh moved cars off our drive when waiting for mw so she could park easily and get stuff in from car (gas and air is heavy and my mw is tiny!) better than having to park miles down road

I also packed 3 bags, one for me in hosp and one for baby (in case needed transfer) and one for ds1 so he had everything when my mum and dad picked him up

I also posted loads on here - loads of good advice and encouragement

I intended to have a home birth, i had a pool in the front room. It was great, relaxing, calming and very special. I ended up delivering in hospital as I got very exhausted due to a long latent phase but will be having a home birth with my second. All i had were candles, music a fridge full of food and the midwife brings the rest - oh dont forget a fully charged camera, some towels and a strong torch or desk lamp!
The midwife was great and i ended up having 2 for the majority of it and you get all the attnetion you need.

I planned a home water birth but as my labour was too long I had to go to hospital.

One thing I will say is make sure you still pack a hospital bag, just in case. I packed mine, but very roughly and was rushing about at the last min trying to get everything together propely!

Thanks for your replies. Its my third ome and i have not disscussed it with the mw about home birth.

I had my fist two in hospital, third baby came at home, the best experience ever.

useful things to have, - loads of old towels / sheets that can just be got rid of afterwards. Bucket for placenta or general cleanup afterwards. hospital bag as the others have said. Do have clean bedding for your bed, even if you give birth elsewhere, it is so nice to get into fresh bed afterwards.

One of the joys for me, was that my other children got to see the baby when he was just minutes old, they were asleep until just after I gave birth, so they woke up to their new baby brother being there.

It was wonderful not to be woken by nurses / other babies crying the first night. And no travelling from hospital home after giving birth.

The only negative was that I ended up having no gas and air available, but I did it, and survived through the encouragement of others around. Normally in England the gas and air is delivered to you beforehand.

I wanted a homebirth with my first birth, but got too tired with a long hard back-labour. With my second I thought I was too far away from the hospital to risk it. But with the third I was really pleased to have got my dream homebirth.

I hope that you get your homebirth too, if that is what you decide to do.

Happy to hear your story rainbowdays.