Home Birth

Becles

Has anyone had a home birth? What was the experience like?

I'm considering it, as I'd be more comfy at home. My two boys were both born by normal delivery and there were no complications, so I'm hoping this one will be as easy.

My main concern is the mess and clearing it up!

I'm not keen on a water birth as I've got a fear of being underwater and I think I would panic about the baby being underwater, so it would just be a normal delivery.

Obviously I would listen to the medical staff right through, and give birth in hospital if there are medical reasons why I should do.

Loopy_Lobes

Hi Becles,

I am in the same position as you - I've had two straightforward births and am now 5 months pregnant with my third and would like a home birth this time if everything is OK with me and the baby.

There are some good websites with loads of info, I've found http://www.homebirth.org.uk/ useful, especially the home birth stories.

As you have two other children you'll need someone who can come and look after them while you give birth (depending on their ages of course) and be there just in case you should need to go to hospital.

As for the mess, lots of old sheets and towels would be useful and I've heard many people singing the praises of Asda Value shower curtains which are £1.00 each!

Loopy x

clairec79

I had two homebirths (https://www.homebirth.org.uk is great for advice) and ttended a few since I started my midwifery training.

They are fantastic, and statistically for a low risk pregnancy there are better outcomes than being in hospital.

A bag and mask is brought to the house in case baby needs help when it's born. Any signs of trouble and you'd be transferred to hospital.

Re the mess - don't worry about it - the midwives will tidy up any mess from the birth, your house will be the same as it was before the birth, just you are left with a new baby. Get a plastic sheet (one of the decorating type ones from B&Q works fab - about £2) to cover where you plan to actually give birth. Absorbant pads etc will be brought by the midwives, if you start pushing somewhere you haven't planned then they'll grab something and chuck it on the floor beneath you (My first catch was a homebirth born on the stairs because mum started pushing there so we stayed put - only a few pushs and she was out)

clairec79

Just to add I didn't have anyone to look after my older kids (first time she was 15 months, then had a 3 year old and a 22 month old) when the baby was born as I didn't want anyone else in the house.

First time she slept through everything - baby born 2am, second time they played in their bedroom, I was ok with them being there if they wanted - when the birth came close they automatically wandered off and came back after the placenta was out when their dad went and told them to come downstairs.

If I needed to transfer I would have got the next door neighbours to come in until a relative could get up to my house.

One I've been at there were extra relatives but they were in the room with us, not with the older child. Other time, just midwives and the parents - two children slept through it the other two watched

inkie

As a midwife, if you are low-risk- which from what you've told us you seem to be- you are an ideal candidate. I would say - go for it! clairec has covered the issue of managing the mess above. Also to consider is that you get a midwife all to yourself, and then an extra one too at the time of birth.

Becles

Thanks for the stories and weblinks

There's plenty of options for my boys should anything happen. Both my parents and his Mam would be able to come over within 15-20 mins, and most of the neighbours in the street or parents of school friends within a few minutes walk from here would help out too in an emergency.

The eldest is too squeamish, but my youngest (7) would love to be at the birth. At the moment he wants to be a midwife when he grows up, and has been reading a pregnancy book!

fesdufun

Becles - Go for it! I wanted a home birth with my first but ended up in hospital as I was 14 days overdue.

For my second I tried again for a homebirth. It was great. As others have said no mess - the midwives cleared it all up.

My story - One past my due date mild period pains at 3.00am. Called midwife at 6.30am. 3cm at 7.30am. Got into pool about 8.30am after having two paracetamols. Midwives swapped at 9.00am. My waters went in the birthing pool. Midwife asked to check on progress. Fully dilated:j Went to the loo and started pushing (I thought I was having a poo:o but midwife knew from those mooing sounds I was making that it was no poo I was having!). Managed to have a couple of puffs of gas and air. Wanted to go back in the pool but midwife was worried that I wouldn't manage to get back in (only 5ft2in tall) so had baby on the sofa bed with husband assisting:eek:. Second midwife and student arrived just as baby was born. After the placenta was delivered and midwife had stitched me up got back into birthing pool with husband - lovely. My other son had been at nursery for the day and got back to find his baby brother waiting for him with a present hiden under his moses basket.

I would do it all again tomorrow if I could. Trying to persuade husband to have another getting there slowly, it a few months he will think it was all his idea in the first place!

Good luck.

CharleneUK

I had a homebirth with my last daughter, last year and it was amazing!! I can't recommend it enough!

Any specific questions, you can PM me anytime!! I can also PM you my birth story, which is really funny, but if you're offended by rude language, you might want to give it a miss! :rotfl:

Best of luck.

Julysea

I planned a home birth with my first but was transferred halfway through and then had a home birth with my second, using an independent midwife. Looking back, if I'd used the independent midwife with my first I probably wouldn't have ended up transferred, but I can't praise home birth and IMs enough. I also am sure that it helped my oldest bond with the youngest as she saw him born, was involved every step of the way and never 'lost' her mummy to hospital.

themaccas

I've had a homebirth and can't praise it enough - any 'mess' is quickly cleaned up and once the midwives have gone you'd never know you'd given birth there. You just can't beat the feeling of waking up in your own bed the next morning with your baby beside you

mrcow

Becles this thread has made me cry (silly old hormones!) Congratulations to all of you with such postive and supportive stories.

I just wanted to say good luck. A home birth sounds really great and I hope that you are able to have one if it's what's best for you.


Good luck.