Home Birth

[Lemb]

Anybody have ever done a home birth or thinking about it? Is it safe? Because of the Corona pandemic by midwife suggest that I think about doing it. I am yeah and nay about it. What if some complication develops during the process?

[bms12]

They are very safe I'm a "normal" pregnancy. In fact there is a lot of evidence to suggest you are less likely to need intervention such as forceps or cesarean in a home birth and also less pain relief and a quicker active labour due to being in your own comforts. At the slightest hint something could possibly be abnormal they transfer to hospital straight away and it's not a wait and see case like it is when you are already in hospital. However you have to choose where you would be most comfortable as everyone is different. If I had the choice (I'm high risk for haemorraging) I would choose a home birth x

[LoumWi]

I have had 2 amazing home births. My first one was a really complicated labour. My midwide lead me every step of the way. I never felt worried or unsafe. When i spoke to her after she explained the same labour in hospital would have ended in either forcepts or C-section. I went on to have a super simple second home birth and i would recommed it to anyone.

[roxannacar]

npeu.ox.ac.uk/birthplace/re...

This is a study about home births worth having a read. Shows would be safer for people who have already had children. I think you need to think of what you want for eg. In terms of pain relief see what can be offered at home and not, consider how far you love from hospital of you live miles away I would be a bit more hesistant as transfer could take long, and sometimes you need that time. I had my two in hospital. I probably would have have been ok at home, however had a third degree tear that needed stitching by the doctor with my first. .

I would discuss any concerns with your midwife.

[Mamars]

I absolutely loved my home birth. I had my first at the midwife led unit and because I didn't want to go through the turning up to the hospital to then turn around again and go home, I opted for home birth the second time around.

It was very relaxing and the midwives were great. Very calm and respectful of my birtj preferences. About an hour and a half after the birth the midwives were going to put me in bed but I had a funny turn. They called an ambulance and I was transferred in. They were super calm throughout and when something did go a bit wrong they were very quick at getting me transferred in.

[Eme3sh]

I was seriously considering home birth for my second but decided against it at the last minute. I ended up with a postpartum bleed and needed a d and c and eventual blood transfusion so was very glad I was in hospital. Having said that my best friend has had two amazing home births and it’s the best thing she’s ever done! I think if I’d have been close to a hospital, I’d have been absolutely fine at home and they’d have transferred no problem. It’s really down to what you feel most comfortable with. I think for first baby you might be less prepared for what the contractions feel like and what support with them you might need, but with second onwards you know the score!

[Shelleybean]

I had a home birth with my first baby in April and it was a last minute change of decision due to the Covid pandemic. Can honestly say it was the best decision we could’ve made and would do it again in a heartbeat. I was pretty worried that I wasn’t going to cope with the pain at times, but it turned out I was much further along than we thought and was pushing before we knew it! Just had some gas and air right at the end. No bleeding/ tear. Would definitely recommend hypnobirthing to fully understand and have more control over the process (home birth or not) and I agree with the comments above about the factors you need to consider before making up your mind. There’s some good Facebook groups about home birth out there and the one I was in (Home birth support group UK) had different sections such as first time Mum’s/ Home birth after previous caesarean / “high risk” pregnancy for relevant information and for people to post their experiences.

Good luck making your decision and enjoy your birth (it is possible!) xx

[ali1009]

Hey lots of positive home birth story’s amazing I planned a hosp birth cus of complications with my first so when my contractions got to three min I rang hospital and they said stay home longer so I ended up having my son home alone on phone to 999 it was nice and fast birth and fast delivery of placenta the paramedic went to grab gas and air and buy time he was back I had delivered it had a nice time getting clean at hone and getting bags and then got took to hosp to b checked over I was fine needed loads stitches that hurt but Joel was cold nd needed be kept in on heated mattress till he could control his temp so went in at 9am ish fri was discharged 9 pm on sat night cus need 12 hours of monitoring after 24 hours on heat but was so relaxed at home been up and about I laboured from 1030 the thurs night till he was born ten to eight fri morning he even cane out in his waters so had move cord and break sac before paramedics got there my six year old at time got up went to answer door when knocked walked in lounge and cudnt believe she missed birth so cudnt of been shouting my neighbours were surprised to and had two ambulances incase baby was ill and the second lot walked in and sed welcome to the world Joel because the 999 operator messaged them and she was helpful my daughter was emergency csection and induced so his contractions were nothing compared to been on a drip good luck with wat ever u choose and U have midwifes with you to help you xx

[Sevy571]

I am planning for a homebirth with a private midwife (because I know she won't pressure me into going to the hospital unless really necessary) for my first baby, because it is what feels the safest for me. It is a personal decision. For me the hospital environment is very fear-triggering and I would not feel safe there. I have a belief that there's a risk of over-medicalization and not being listened to and that is what is scary for me. If you do go for a homebirth know that it takes some mental preparation, as does birth in any setting really - you wouldn't run a marathon without preparing your mind and body first. To answer your question the NHS states that homebirths are as safe as hospital births for straightforward pregnancies in terms of mother and baby physical outcomes; personally I think (for me!) that home births also may have a better outcome emotionally and that's super important to me - again that is a very personal feeling and another woman might not feel more secure at home. So I'd suggest you discuss this at length with a midwife you trust. There are plenty resources on this online too.

[Sevy571 in reply to Sevy571]

Also - "what if some complications arise during the process" - midwives are trained to recognize those "emergency" situations and to transfer you to the hospital if necessary. THe hospital will know you will be in labour and prepared to receive you in time if necessary because she will constantly keep in touch with them. She will monitor the baby's heartreate constantly so that real emergencies are quite rare because she will not wait until the last-minute to transfer you, but will talk to you sooner about what's happening so that you can go in a good timeframe. It's not like on TV! My midwife also said that should the woman tear, she also has all the equipment needed (including local anesthetic) to suture there and then - not sure if it's the same with an NHS-based miswife, so worth asking.