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!

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

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 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!