Thinking about home birth

Hi everyone,
I am considering giving birth at home and I would like some mums who have done so to share their experience, especially if they chose to give birth at home for their first child (ie, not knowing what to expect at all!!!).
I asked my midwife yesterday about it, but she didn't want to talk too much about it until i'm 36 weeks pregnant (I'm 25 weeks now), arguing that lots can happen between now and 36 weeks. But I felt a bit upset because I need answers to my questions in order to decide whether I giving birth at home is for me or not.
I live litteraly 5 minutes away from the hospital, so i'm not worried at all that I wouldn't reach the hospital in time should something go wrong. What worries me more is how to cope with pain (no epidural or gas and air), what techniques other mums used (my midwife suggested hypnobirth, do you know about it?, is it good?), and also, where do you actually give birth in your house? (I know, that sounds silly, but I need to know!). Is it just one midwife with you or two? do they stay with you for the whole time, whatever how long it takes?
And also, If you lived in a terraced house/flat, how did you feel about the idea of screaming your head off in pain with your neighbours right next door (I know this sounds awful, but I have my dignity and I'm not sure I want my neighbours to hear me shout in pain!)...

Sorry for this very long message, I hope someone can share their experience with me, it would be much appreciated.

Take care,

Flo

Go for it!

Apart from a few rare occasions giving birth is far safer at home than an institiutuion!

You may need to put your foot down and demand a homebirth - UK it is your legal right to give birth where YOU choose not where is convientent for your midwife and trust!

Your midwife may be putting you off as she may not be pro homebirth or confident about being a midwife!

Those that give birth usually feel less pain as they are not in an institution
Those that give birth at home usually need less interferance and this dont go wrong as much as they have not been forced into things they did not need. Oftne things go wrong in hospital as induction etc have been done which create their own problems.

There is an excellent website for the UK, do let me know if you would like the details.

I am now infertilie as I went into a hospital and given procedures I did not need when my insticits were to STAY AT HOME!! You loose all your legal rights when you enter a hospital - a little secret that is kept from most!

Good luck to all those staying at home

Best choice i made

Giving birth at home is the best choice I made.

I delivered my first baby at home in a birthing pool in March.

I have such fantastic memories of the experience. I was nervous about how I would cope with the birth of my first child at home until I read about the benefits of water birth.


I had an amazing pain-free birth without the need for medical intervention or drugs. My labour was over quickly in just 3 hours and 33 minutes and my daughter was gently pushed out in the water calmly and slowly. I felt so relaxed and I needed no stitches.


Bobbie May is such a happy, contented baby and I strongly believe this is because of her gentle and gradual birth.

If anyone else is considering a water birth then this website is worth a look: www.waterbabybirthingpoolhire. co.uk

They hire Birth Pool in a Box with all the accessories for a really reasonable price.

Lou x

Home birth?

hi there....i have 2 children, and want one more and would not consider a home birth.

only due to the fact that both births had complications which needed hospital treatment, my son wouldnt be here tody if i had had a home birth.

i just feel its more safer being in hospital.

are you good at cpoing with pain? gas and air is good but made me feel very sick. if its a long labour cpoing on gas and air may be hard.

about making noise lol i lost all that when the pain hits i think everyone does.

but make a decision that feels right for you...xx

Home birth with my first too!

Hi Flo,

well,, i'm 18 weeks today!!, i really dislike the atmosphere in hospitals they make me feel stressed and panicky, so i have decided to go for a home birth, i have spoken to the mw about it, and she has told me i will have her with me until the end of the second stage of labour, then a second mw will arrive for the actual birth, i can choose where in the house to have baby, it needs to be big enough for you, your birthing partner, the mw(s) and a sterile area to be set up, there will be plenty if gas and air availiable, they provide abosrbant pads to cover the floor from the mess and they even take the mess away with them! I have also decided to have a pool for extra pain relief i'm still unsure if will give birth in the pool, i not worried about the neighbours, i think as long as they know you'll be having the baby at home, they will be more than understanding about any noise, they will proberbley be listening for the first cry from the baby!!

i also like the idea of having family and friends round when i want, they can make a surprise vist but can be turned away if i want,with no set times you have no need to have be socialable at times you really don't feel like it!!

I think your mw should really be informing you alot more about what to expect, as my mw has told you will be deliverd the bag of essitials the mw's need at your house for the birth at 36 weeks! there really is not enough information about for home births, mine seemed to be very exited that i was wanting baby at home maybe as she would get a extra cuppa here and there!!

I hope your birth is as you want it, good luck hun

Gemgem and squishy
xxx

Home birth

Hi ya Flo,

I have just read your message and noticed that you are thinking of a home birth. I have had two children, one in hospital and one at home and I would definately recommend a home birth. In fact I wouldnt even consider a hospital birth again!

At home you have one midwife who stays with you the whole time as opposed to everybody walking in and out in hospital!! You also get to use your own bath whilst in labour and own shower afterwards! You can have who you want with you at home and are not restricted by who can see you and at what time. I gave birth in my living room, and used gas and air as a method of pain relief. Afterwards the midwife checked my daughter and left me with my family but came back later to check everything was okay. The midwife then came the following day!

I wouldnt worry about the neighbours hearing you shouting! it will be nothing compared to them hearing a baby crying or kids shouting when they grow up!!! oh and i found the tea to taste a lot nicer at home than in hospital!!

Good luck

karen

Hi flo

i would be really interetsed in hearing back from you. i too am considering a home birth, but unlike you this is my second child so i know what to expect in labour.
i had my first in hospital - with no pain relief only gas & air, (which can be given at home)..
i dont like hospitals & i think they make you feel worse, i get really nervous in them and start to panick. i really dont know how i got through my first without an epidural,
but very interested in having a go at home.
my midwife has spoke to me about it, she instructed there would be 2 midwifes present with plenty of gas & air & they can spot danger before it happens so could get to hospital on time.
i too am worried about neighbours! i screamed during the pushing stage with my first. the sounds were abnormal!! but you gotta do it. its the only way of getting through it.
i think i would have the baby in my living room. then go up to bed afterwards,
it would be great to get into your own bath & own bed, sleep when you want, eat when you want,
there is just 1 thing that concerns me. Vistors!!! in hospital they are very strict about telling vistors when their time is up, but at home family would be around alot more than what i would like.

im 30 weeks now. but seriosly thinking about planning this. what you think?
x

My brother done this

My brother and his partner had their thrid baby at home in Decemeber and highly praised it.

She started at 6:30am and called the midwife who was there within 15 mins and done all the necessary checks. She left soon after to go to the hospital for gas and air and return within 20 minutes and was by their side up until 2:30 in the afternoon when the little un arrived.

At the hospital with previous births they found that they may be left alone for long periods of time.

They didn't have the problem with neighbours though as they live in a semi and her mother lives next door and was at the birth!