Home Birth

clairec79

You probably wouldn't have died, midwives take drugs to deal with a PPH at home, so the first steps would have been done there, while awaiting the ambulance to take you in, during this time the midwives would be doing exactly the same as they would in hospital - giving oxytocin, fundal massage etc, when the paramedics arrived (all homebirth transfers are done by paramedic) then there would be fluids so you'd have them pumped into you as you were going in - by the time you got there the theatre would be on stand by for you for an emergency hysterectomy if things were that bad

Savvy_Sue

Sorry to hear that you DH has said 'no', Becles, but I think you said it's his first. I know my DH wouldn't let me have my first at home, but I had 2 and 3 here, and wouldn't do it any other way! No water involved ...

For anyone else interested: my midwife recommended thick cardboard on the floor: large cardboard boxes opened out flat. Less slippery than a shower curtain!

hex2

joanne0620 wrote:

I would love a home birth (opinion has dramatically changed since going on a tour of my hospitals delivery suite and post natal ward! :eek: ) but have high BP and am considered to be "high risk"

Joanne,

I was having a homebirth for mine, but pre-eclampsia put an end to that. I pushed very hard to have number two at home, no PE but still high blood pressure. We were fine, can't recommend it highly enough, dont let them blind you with information, get the facts and make a balanced decision.

My homebirth was great, I had him in our bed complete with plastic sheets. Midwives cleaned up the mess. 16 month old ds1 was next door, ds2 arrives and cries, then over the baby monitor a little voice says 'wah, wah baby!' :A . A lovely cherished moment. Would recommend it to anyone - I was born at home myself.

Doozergirl

Becles, please ask your midwife to come and talk to your husband. Mine was dead against the idea of homebirth, but it really was what was best for me and the midwife managed to allay virtually all of his fears. My H felt better when he knew that the ambulance crews would be alerted of the fact there was a homebirth and would be on standby. Things very rarely go wrong without warning, so if any signs did appear, there'd be plenty of time to call the ambulance and as has been said, midwives a re well prepared and they've seen it all before and know what to do.

The fact that you are at home really does seem to relieve the pain that you feel as you feel totally in control and at ease to do whatever you want and be in whatever position you want without feeling tied to the hospital bed or bound to what is expected of you. I laboured in the bath and the pain relieving qualities were almost magical for me at one point, I thought my contractions had stopped - until I tried to get out!

The most wonderful thing about homebirth is that as soon as you've had baby, things are suddenly back to normal; you have a beautiful child that you don't have to worry about taking home, the TV is on, there's a glass of champagne or a cup of tea in your favourite mug and things are so calm and relaxed. There's no 'eeeeurgh' hospital showers to contend with, no one elses babies to keep you awake, you are just at home.

The reasons for my choice were things my husband couldn't comprehend until the birth and then he understood. It was me giving birth and my pain to contend with and I wanted to manage it my way. I'm so glad I did as it was (this will sound ridiculous) sooo empowering and made me really appreciate my role as a woman.

Don't give up at the first hurdle; allow the midwives to educate your husband before making a final decision - Information is Power!

Peakma

I've proably mentioned this before somewhere on this thread(sorry can't be bothered to run through it all and check!)
I have had all my 3 at home with no pain relief but a tens machine and gardeners knee pads, and reccommend it to anyone expecting a normal delivery.I was 21 with the first and only met one old male consultant who was strongly against the idea,everyone else was fully supportive.
I can't imagine what it would be like giving birth in hospital, nor what it must be like for the Dads.
Hospitals;
Sharing midwives,other babies crying,hospital food,loads of strangers/visitors+ their germs,Father having to go home,temptation of using pain relief you wanted to avoid due to being un relaxed,packing a bag and forgetting things,having to lug all the cards flowers etc home again....
Home birth;
You don't have to remember or forget anything,you have your own home comforts,food,bed,music,tele,bed,bathroom etc,you have your own midwife(usualy 2),Dad gets to bond with baby as much as Mum-it's so lovely the first morning waking up together(I'l never forget just looking at our new baby with her tiny hand wrapped around my partners finger)If it's a 2nd baby Mummy doesn't have to go away and return with a new baby(although with my last one I did send the other two to grandparents for the night)....
The only bad thing about home birth(from my experience) is that I didn't really let myself rest,I was straight back into the hoovering and washing the next day,and my partner seemed like he was the one who deserved the rest !!A lot of people seem to think they'l be loads of mess,but theres not really,and the midwives sort it all out and take it away with them.And a midwife visits every day for 10 days to check mum and baby out.

Why isn't your husband up for it ?Mothers who have homebirths are more relaxed in their own environment,so gennerally have an easier time giving birth,and allow there bodies to naturaly work.Rather than being stressed and anxious in a clinical busy environment.At home Dads can play a much more involved role in the birth,and get to spend as much time bonding with the new baby in the first hours/days as the mother does.
I am very pro-homebirth.Partly because my Mothers sister died in the early '70's as a result of her childbirth.I only know vaguely what happened as I was born after the event.But she was given a drug,the dose was meant to besomething like 0.5 and she was given 5.0,they didn't notice ,she suffered brain damage,couldn't walk or talk and never left hospital,she died 3 years later,her baby died aged 2,which was also related to the birth.Very tragic,but if she'd had a homebirth I beleive I'd have another Aunt and Cousin.
I know cases like this are extreme,but I personally felt safer and more in controll of eveything at home.I've done having my babies now(unless we have a happy accident!)but if I was having another,it would need to be a serious reason for me to give birth in a hospital.
Good luck,with it where ever you end up!Do you know if your expecting a girl or a boy?
And as for the mess factor,the midwives just did it all,then made my partner and I tea and toast before going.

Becles

I don't know if it's a girl or boy - haven't had scans or anything yet.

Hubby suggested home birth at first, but I was unsure as I'd not considered it. I've since read up about it and heard other people's stories and I am really keen on the idea now and it is my preferred choice now. Given my past history of normal births with my other two, I don't think there is any risks to me or the baby.

However because I said no initially, he now says I have to give birth in hospital. He said he would now be too worried about me giving birth at home, and it would be too stressful for him if I did. I said I would give birth in hosptial to keep the peace. It's his first baby, and my third.

margaretclare

clairec79 wrote:

Margaret, my son was born face to pubes at home as well - I do think had I been in hospital I would have had forceps or a section, so being at home was definitely best for me and him (plus he was 2lb heavier than my first 2)

You did well. My daughter was 6 1/2 pounds and my wonderful midwife told me that if she'd been any bigger I wouldn't have managed it. She had a poor little bruised face, bless her.

DO NOT be tempted to get straight back into the hoovering etc! Although I've seen this wherever birth took place - planned early discharge, and mu was straight home and into it all. Not good news!

Margaret

jordylass

My first 2 were born in hospital, next 3 at home. Youngest is 10 and it met with some disapproval, but I was older and more mature, well read and sure of what I wanted. Hubby had been born at home and was supportive.
I had wonderful midwives, and the home birth was way and above better than the clinical experience of hospital, at home it feels natural and not a medical procedure.
Apart from high risk, I can see no reason for anyone to have a hospital birth.

Rikki

I had a home birth for my second and my first was born in the hospital birthing suite. I had my own (same) midwife for both.

Raksha

My youngest was a home birth - OH wasn't keen for our first son, but relented with the last - he weighed 10lb 3 oz, but was the easiest of all three - the best bit of all was being able to relax, sleep in my own bed, and not worry about all the strangers wandering about........