Home birth - anyone have experience of one?
Discussion
We visited the hospital today on an ante-natal clinic day and my partner decided that she would prefer a home birth to going to the hospital during the visit. Mainly because she would prefer to be in a familiar environment, but also because she wasn't keen on the stale air and stench of the maternity ward which made her feel sick / dizzy, plus she doesn't like the idea of the hospital sending me home if the labour goes on too long as she'd prefer me to be there.
So was just wondering if anyone else has gone down this route and what your experiences were?
So was just wondering if anyone else has gone down this route and what your experiences were?
We considered it for our first, thank god we didn't Easy birth but she needed intensive intervention immediately afterwards which was done and dusted in about twenty seconds because a large number of trained staff were the other side of the door with the right equipment. The same with our second, both now lovely healthy girls. It wouldn't have been the same outcome if we had been at home. I'm sure thousands can and do have safe home delivery's but why piss about and take a chance for the sake of having the perceived comfort of being in a birthing pool in your front room.
Seems to be a load of militant mumsnet professional women with too much time on there hands whilst on maternity leave, bullying each other into having the most authentic birthing experience possible, then bragging about how many stitches they had to have?
Tell your partner not to worry about the smell of the maternity unit making her feel queezy too much, when she has a head the size of a water mellon coming down the birth canal she wont notice it as much
Seems to be a load of militant mumsnet professional women with too much time on there hands whilst on maternity leave, bullying each other into having the most authentic birthing experience possible, then bragging about how many stitches they had to have?
Tell your partner not to worry about the smell of the maternity unit making her feel queezy too much, when she has a head the size of a water mellon coming down the birth canal she wont notice it as much
At one time, the biggest risk to a fertile woman's life was childbirth. Today childbirth has a very small maternal death rate (Google CEMACH reports) and there are very good reasons for this decrease. Chiefly, it is advances in medical technology and early intervention which prevent maternal and fetal demise, as well as other significant fetal problems. Don't deny yourselves this opportunity with a home birth, no matter how 'close' to a hospital you live.
We had a home birth for our second child last October. I was really dubious for all the obvious reasons and took a lot of convincing. But having now been through it I couldn't recommend it more, although if it was my first I'd still go into the hospital as you've no idea how it will go. Our first child's birth was really quick and no problems so was much less risky for the second. Having said that, you dont just automatically get a home birth, a full risk assessment is done first, and then you are advised by the midwives whether it's a good idea or not.
We didn't bother with the birthing pool - not only do you have to fill the thing, but you have to keep it at temperature, and then empty it along with all the other gunk afterwards.....no thanks, not in my house.
The main thing that made it so good for us was that as soon as proper contractions were happening we had a midwife with us the whole time, and then another one appeared once the birth started really happening. In the hospital you would be sharing midwives with who knows how many other women...with the midwife being there all the time they can spot any problems really early and arrange to get to hospital straight away. Oh, and after the birth etc, they clear everything up and take it with them. You wouldn't know they'd even been there and the best part is that you are at home in your own bed, no nasty hospital wards/rooms etc.
That was my experience anyway, and I can fully understand the reasons for worrying about it, but it really was so much better for us...
We didn't bother with the birthing pool - not only do you have to fill the thing, but you have to keep it at temperature, and then empty it along with all the other gunk afterwards.....no thanks, not in my house.
The main thing that made it so good for us was that as soon as proper contractions were happening we had a midwife with us the whole time, and then another one appeared once the birth started really happening. In the hospital you would be sharing midwives with who knows how many other women...with the midwife being there all the time they can spot any problems really early and arrange to get to hospital straight away. Oh, and after the birth etc, they clear everything up and take it with them. You wouldn't know they'd even been there and the best part is that you are at home in your own bed, no nasty hospital wards/rooms etc.
That was my experience anyway, and I can fully understand the reasons for worrying about it, but it really was so much better for us...
In a city, you're - what - 5 minutes at worst away from a hospital. Out in the sticks somewhere, completely different story but that kinda goes without saying.
Midwives have access to the basics including more or less the same kit for neonatal resuscitation as would be available on a labour and delivery ward - it's not as if delivering in hospital means there's a neonatologist stood at the end of the bed in case the sproglet needs them. That includes oxygen, bag and mask breathing kit etc. available at home as standard.
The thing that's decreased mortality in childbirth so much isn't actually giving birth in hospital itself, it's medical advances in general: ultrasound to find out who's going to need help *before* they need it, antibiotics, germ theory, improvements in nutrition etc etc. Your access to the good stuff isn't drastically decreased by being based at home, balance that with the risks associated with *un-needed* medical interventions which crop up in hospital when there's a culture of time pressure, getting babies delivered by shift change and such... it's not at all as straightforward as being in hospital being best/safest.
Midwives have access to the basics including more or less the same kit for neonatal resuscitation as would be available on a labour and delivery ward - it's not as if delivering in hospital means there's a neonatologist stood at the end of the bed in case the sproglet needs them. That includes oxygen, bag and mask breathing kit etc. available at home as standard.
The thing that's decreased mortality in childbirth so much isn't actually giving birth in hospital itself, it's medical advances in general: ultrasound to find out who's going to need help *before* they need it, antibiotics, germ theory, improvements in nutrition etc etc. Your access to the good stuff isn't drastically decreased by being based at home, balance that with the risks associated with *un-needed* medical interventions which crop up in hospital when there's a culture of time pressure, getting babies delivered by shift change and such... it's not at all as straightforward as being in hospital being best/safest.
Our 3 year old was delivered at home, in a birth pool in the front room. We had a midwife there from start to finish, with another one turning up later to cover a potential shift change. (Both ended up staying anyway).
I was a bit dubious to start, but could clearly see the benefits during and afterwards. What made it easier to come round to was the fact that the hospital was less than 10 minutes away should anything go wrong.
My wife is an NCT teacher (thankfully not one of the stereotypical hippy/militant types) - she's pro home birth, but also believes there are situations where it's appropriate to be in hospital.
As has been said, there is so much information prior to birth that allows you to make a more informed decision.
I was a bit dubious to start, but could clearly see the benefits during and afterwards. What made it easier to come round to was the fact that the hospital was less than 10 minutes away should anything go wrong.
My wife is an NCT teacher (thankfully not one of the stereotypical hippy/militant types) - she's pro home birth, but also believes there are situations where it's appropriate to be in hospital.
As has been said, there is so much information prior to birth that allows you to make a more informed decision.
Thanks for the responses, luckily we live only 5 minutes (can probably be quicker if necessary) so it's not like we're out in the sticks and a distance from vital help. We'll chat with the midwife and see what she advises, my partner seemed a little less worried about hospital today so we'll see!
I think the way she sees it is that if she wants to go to hospital after arranging a home birth, she can dismiss the home birth and just go in, but if she hates it at the hospital she cannot come home for the birth and has to stay there.
I think the way she sees it is that if she wants to go to hospital after arranging a home birth, she can dismiss the home birth and just go in, but if she hates it at the hospital she cannot come home for the birth and has to stay there.
Both our kids were born at home. I'd recommend it if the mum-to-be is most comfortable with the idea, as my wife was.
With any medical procedure I'm a believer that a positive mental attitude is the most important thing you can have. If you believe that things will go well then you will deal with the inevitable stresses more positively and successfully than someone who is expecting failure. And giving birth is no different.
Because it was her wish, my wife approached home birth calmly and with the expectation of success. And so it went. She was well prepared, had diligently done her pelvic floor exercises for months beforehand, and was rational and calm during the births. (The second time, she didn't even need pain relief.) We're not hippy types or religious; just educated and pragmatic.
The midwives told us that, because our first child's heartbeat rose high during the birth, had we been in hospital the consultants would have rushed in with forceps or an episiotomy to get it all over with. In fact there was no need for any intervention and our baby arrived naturally a short time later. The risk of a hospital delivery is that in some cases everyone assumes intervention is the best solution and as a lay person it's hard to argue with them. Had we been in hospital we would have felt grateful for that intervention despite the 'damage' it would have done to my wife, and we would have felt our decision to avoid the 'risks' of home birth were vindicated.
It's a very personal decision and one that should mainly be taken by the mother, in my opinion. It's the father's job to support her with whatever decision she makes, allowing her to remain calm and focussed and to draw on his strength.
I wish you every success with whatever decision you take. If you or your partner want to contact us offline then feel free.
Edit: I should add that we live 25 minutes' drive from the maternity unit.
Another edit: despite the good surgeon's comment above, I don't believe that home births are statistically more risky for either mother or baby than hospital births. That may be something else to bear in mind.
With any medical procedure I'm a believer that a positive mental attitude is the most important thing you can have. If you believe that things will go well then you will deal with the inevitable stresses more positively and successfully than someone who is expecting failure. And giving birth is no different.
Because it was her wish, my wife approached home birth calmly and with the expectation of success. And so it went. She was well prepared, had diligently done her pelvic floor exercises for months beforehand, and was rational and calm during the births. (The second time, she didn't even need pain relief.) We're not hippy types or religious; just educated and pragmatic.
The midwives told us that, because our first child's heartbeat rose high during the birth, had we been in hospital the consultants would have rushed in with forceps or an episiotomy to get it all over with. In fact there was no need for any intervention and our baby arrived naturally a short time later. The risk of a hospital delivery is that in some cases everyone assumes intervention is the best solution and as a lay person it's hard to argue with them. Had we been in hospital we would have felt grateful for that intervention despite the 'damage' it would have done to my wife, and we would have felt our decision to avoid the 'risks' of home birth were vindicated.
It's a very personal decision and one that should mainly be taken by the mother, in my opinion. It's the father's job to support her with whatever decision she makes, allowing her to remain calm and focussed and to draw on his strength.
I wish you every success with whatever decision you take. If you or your partner want to contact us offline then feel free.
Edit: I should add that we live 25 minutes' drive from the maternity unit.
Another edit: despite the good surgeon's comment above, I don't believe that home births are statistically more risky for either mother or baby than hospital births. That may be something else to bear in mind.
Edited by AcidReflux on Sunday 18th March 20:17
The wife has given birth to both our boys in a birthing unit, however this was directly below the main labour ward so any issues and doctors could be on hand. Both boy's were delivered in a birthing pool eldest weighing 7lbs 11oz and youngest 11 lb's with no issues, pain relelf or stitches required. Although watching the midwifes faces as my youngest appearred through was amusing given his head was the same size as a normal 10 month old!(que plently of ongoing jokes towards the wife..)
I guess we could of delivered at home but why run the risk? Also as said in an earlier post I couldn't look at my living room again!!
I guess we could of delivered at home but why run the risk? Also as said in an earlier post I couldn't look at my living room again!!
Looks like we won't get the choice now anyway as the original midwife was completely wrong and we have three weeks to the little dude making his way into the world 
Thanks again for all your views, I think we'd have gone with whatever made her comfortable but she seems ok with the idea of a hospital birth now. Apparently we viewed the high dependancy birthing rooms which were much larger and she thinks she felt a bit intimidated by the room size, the normal birthing rooms are much smaller and 'homely' (not sure how to describe them!)
But thanks again to everyone for taking the time to reply, much appreciated
Thanks again for all your views, I think we'd have gone with whatever made her comfortable but she seems ok with the idea of a hospital birth now. Apparently we viewed the high dependancy birthing rooms which were much larger and she thinks she felt a bit intimidated by the room size, the normal birthing rooms are much smaller and 'homely' (not sure how to describe them!)
But thanks again to everyone for taking the time to reply, much appreciated
My wife is a nurse/midwife by training and she didn't even contemplate it for a second.....
When our first child was born my wife lost a fair amount of blood....I didn't realise what was happenning until the medical equvalent of the SAS appeared in the room...we went from having a midwife on her own in the room to six to eight people in literally a couple of minutes.
Personally I don't even understand why people go "private" never mind have a home birth.
When our first child was born my wife lost a fair amount of blood....I didn't realise what was happenning until the medical equvalent of the SAS appeared in the room...we went from having a midwife on her own in the room to six to eight people in literally a couple of minutes.
Personally I don't even understand why people go "private" never mind have a home birth.
The_Doc said:
would you forgive yourself if the little one needed immediate specialist help and you'd chosen to stay at home?
if yes, go ahead
if no, tolerate the hospital
Good advice. if yes, go ahead
if no, tolerate the hospital
My wife wanted a home birth, I wanted it to be in hospital. Eventualy my wife agreed with me.
When the big day came, the fetal heart monitor showed that our baby was bradicardic (the heart rate was getting slower and slower with each contraction). Within a few minutes my wife was in theater having an emergency C section. Our baby was fine, but if it had been a home birth it might not have gone so well.
It's funny, I'm fairly practical person about most things and planning how I wanted to give birth I was the same but the one thing I was defintiely not interested in was having a home birth! I would never tell someone whether they should or shouldn't but I just could not contemplate the idea of a problem arising and not being where ALL the equipment is.
Good job I wanted a hospital birth as they had to do blood tests on him and fit and internal heart monitor on him before he was born and there was a very last minute panic about his heartrate just before he was born.
Good job I wanted a hospital birth as they had to do blood tests on him and fit and internal heart monitor on him before he was born and there was a very last minute panic about his heartrate just before he was born.
BlackVanDyke said:
it's not as if delivering in hospital means there's a neonatologist stood at the end of the bed in case the sproglet needs them.
Your access to the good stuff isn't drastically decreased by being based at home, balance that with the risks associated with *un-needed* medical interventions which crop up in hospital when there's a culture of time pressure, getting babies delivered by shift change and such... it's not at all as straightforward as being in hospital being best/safest.
In hospital, if there is a problem, there will be a neonatologist there within minutes of being requested, whether that is before the birth when a problem is detected, or after.Your access to the good stuff isn't drastically decreased by being based at home, balance that with the risks associated with *un-needed* medical interventions which crop up in hospital when there's a culture of time pressure, getting babies delivered by shift change and such... it's not at all as straightforward as being in hospital being best/safest.
You're right in that there is a lot of over-intervention, but I'd much rather have an emergency caesarian because they've detected an abnormal foetal heart rate,and it all turn out to be fine (I've seen it happen lots) than have a problem at home and risk the baby and possibly my own life. Having spent time on labour wards and also with ladies who have chosen to give birth at home, I'd definitely go for a hospital birth, even if it isn't such a nice atmosphere. Bugger the whole 'natural' s
t. Each to their own though.For us it would be hospital every time.
Ask yourself the question - If I had a home birth and things didn't go smoothly, how much am I willing to bet that the time taken to get to hospital in the very best scenario is enough, or that an ambulance turns up quickly, or there's no traffic.
If you're not willing to make that bet then don't.
Ask yourself the question - If I had a home birth and things didn't go smoothly, how much am I willing to bet that the time taken to get to hospital in the very best scenario is enough, or that an ambulance turns up quickly, or there's no traffic.
If you're not willing to make that bet then don't.
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