home births.

[nwtrikette]

My 3rd child is due in 5 weeks time and I am planning on having a home birth. I just wondered if any of you had any experiance in home birthing.... good or bad?

[HM]

My sister had a home birth yesterday for her second baby! It worked very well, I picked up my 2 year old niece for the day around 7am, the birth went very smoothly and I was able to take her back at lunchtime to meet her new baby sister. The midwife came back again to check on them in the afternoon and a doctor came round. My sister really appreciated the fact they could all cuddle up in her bed and have a bath in their own bath. She said she would choose to do it again - but doesn't want more children!

I am planning to have a hospital birth for my first baby in February but will definitely consider a home birth for future births.

[loopey]

i had all my 3 in hospital due to complications, so the thought of a home birth would terrify me, but saying that my neighbour happilyy had all of hers at home, i guess it depends on what your previous labours were like...good luck anyway.

[emzy1986]

Hi , im a student midwife and i have heard about many successful home births and only a few which have ended up in a hospital birth. The trust i work for normally recommends that you have had a successful pregnancy and birth previously! Midwives are encouraging home births more and more, because the woman is more relaxed, she gets to be in her own environment with her own family, it sounds perfect to me emzy xx

[phae]

Iv had two children. One at hospital, one at home. The hospital birth was a nightmare. A load of students and 'midwives' who have never had children. 36hours of confusion, drugs and strangers.

For my home birth, I was assigned a very experienced midwife (a second one also arrives at the end). It was great. Relaxed. Then I had complication right at the end. The midwife knew exactly what she was doing, took charge and handled the situation. It was great. and totally natural.

You'll be fine. Good luck.

[nwtrikette]

Thank you all for your advice and encouragement. My other 2 labours were very straight forward, quick (6hrs - 3hrs) and easy. I have chosen a home birth as I want to avoid any kind of medical intervention. I want it to be completely natural, free from any drugs. I didn't use any pain relief with the other 2. And I want to do things MY way, not the doctors/midwifes.

[mimififi]

you'll be fine. I have had home births (except with my 1st and my 5th- they had complications to them with which I won't bore you now) But the middle three, despite being a tad early (4weeks early-which should have been a hospital birht, but the m/w misread my notes and thought I was 38 weeks and not 36 weeks ooops! and 3 weeks early and then term) were great birthing experiences. i didn't have to worry about my other children, i stayed on my feet the whole time so just cracked on and didn't have any stalling, my husband was there and after the whole thing, the midwives cleared everything away took 2 huge binbags of stuff away for washing and incinerating and I was left to sleep in my own bed, have a bath in my own bath and have a cup of my OWN tea in a proper tea pot and some marmite toast -still hot- in bed, Courtesy of Mr Mimififi. Bliss! Go for it, you won't regret it. You sound like a pro anyhow, you probably won't even need a midwife!!! LOL

[smudge]

Way back in the 60's, my friend had her first baby at home. She said it was a wonderful experience as the midwife propped a large mirror up at the bottom of the bed & she watched her little daughter coming into the world. It was a spontaneous birth with no complications, so all was well. She had her husband & her Mum with her at the time & it's something they'll always remember with great happiness.

Good luck nwtrikette.

[smudge]

Congrat's to you & your sister HM. I love babies.

[MangoPete]

Congrats on the impressive birth history there are other factors though to be aware
Are your other children goping to be in the house.
how will they feel if htey hear their mother in what they may think is anguish or pain. If they are cool with it thats fine but some children have early painful memories of a home birthed sibling
Depends on the midwife who is attending, Are you confident with her do you ttust her, do you like her? Also depends on the health authority. Our first was born at Guys in London , we told the sister we wanted natural and were with NCT. " "Good god you can get all that foolish stuff out of your head straight away" she responded
I must admit that was a while ago but it was terrible. We have found hospitals very stressful places to have children over the past twelve years.

I presume you are in contact with the NCT.
With the support of your children , partner and a support network and no complications I am sure you will have an amazing experience to treasure.

I wish you all the very best you