Home births

[Tillyfloss]

Anyone had or planning on a home birth?

 

[KateK]

Hi Tilly, I really would consider it, it really appeals to me but I tore very badly with my first and I know i'm likely to tear again so would probably be looking at a trip to hospital anyway which is really putting me off I would have loved to though as it would have been amazing to have had my daughter nearby to have met the baby straight after delivery.. A friend of mine had a home birth with a pool that they hired and she said it was incredible.. You can have whoever you want there, the comfort of your own surroundings etc.. A couple of other things i'd also be concerned about are if the birth happened to be traumatic that association would then be with your home.. Also, different areas promote different things.. With my first they really supported and encouraged home births whereas at my booking this time (different area) they didn't even mention it which was an indicator to me that they're not particularly supportive of them.. Are you tempted? In all I think they're wonderful xx

 

[Tillyfloss]

Yes I think it would work better in my family,
They say your less likely to need medical intervention at home, you might not tear, or as bad as last time, why would you need to go hospital can they not stich you at home?
When I had my last they asked me at booking in would I b interested in one and at the time could not think of anything worse and now I'm very interested so will mention it at booking in,

 

[Rhiandell]

For me it's not an option as I'm going for a planned C-section. And with twins I think they would be advising against it anyway.

But maybe Kate you could look into if your area has a midwife centre? That might be more comfortable than hospital but easier if you need minor medical intervention.

Sent from my SM-G850F using Tapatalk

 

[KateK]

Yes Rhiandell I am lucky in my area they have a birthing centre which is completely midwife led and nice and cosy.. Probably why they don't push for home births so much.. I'm not sure Tilly, it was almost 3rd degree and they were stitching me for an hour It was horrific and even if they could do it at my house i'm not sure I'd want them to! But yes I know they can manage straight forward tears very easily in your home.. I've been told my chances of tearing in a similar way are very high but i'll just have to hope it's not the case! Definitely mention it and see how they feel about it - I was the same, I didn't even entertain it first time round!

 

[MrsT2011]

I had a home birth which was amazing - I wrote my birth story on here although not sure how to post a link to it?

 

[MrsT2011]

Found it! I know there's a few people on here thinking about having a home birth so thought I would share my experience.

It's a long story considering it was a short labour!

So I was overdue on the Tuesday (40+5) and decided I wanted baby out as I was getting impatient! I spent the day relaxing with my son and hubby, went for a speedy walk around the block and had a lovely clary sage and lavender bath.
Hubby cooked dinner that night and put chillies in it! We then Dtd that night and I just had a feeling it would work!

40+6
2am I got up for a wee and noticed some plug was coming away. I had a loose tummy from the chillies so was feeling a bit uncomfortable and got back into bed.
2.30 I needed another wee and thought I would have another loose tummy as tummy was cramping.
2.45 back to the toilet and it suddenly clicked I was having contractions!
(My previous birth was a silent labour so I have a track record of not realising I'm in labour)!

Woke hubby up to let him know and he suggested getting things cosy in the lounge for me. Popped my tens on and downloaded a contraction timer.
2 mins apart lasting 40 seconds but no intensity or pain.
This pattern went on for a while so rang labour ward and explained it was a planned home birth and although it didn't hurt I was told to ring early at night due to a lot of the on call midwives being out of area.

They said they would ring back when they found someone. 5 mins later they said they would send someone out but she was a hour away which was fine. At this point got my mum up so she could watch my son if things changed.

Midwife arrive about 4.30am and did all checks and made sure baby was head down.
She wanted to monitor me having contractions and was surprised I was talking through them at the length they lasted but at this point I was so distracted I wasn't even noticing them.

She checked me and said I was 3 to 4 cm but cervix wasn't ready so could be a while yet.
She offered to stay but I said I was going to have breakfast and rest ready for the big moment!

She said she would go to the local hospital rather than her own and to ring if anything happened.

So me hubby and my son snuggled in the lounge watching cartoons and having breakfast.
I had stopped timing contractions now as didn't feel like much was happening and I wanted to relax.

7.20am was texting my sis in law and said I was chilled watching greys anatomy and eating breakfast!

A few minutes later I felt some pressure and heard a pop! No gush of water though so just ignored it. Within minutes I started to feel things happen and I knew I was in transition as I felt a bit panicky.
Told hubby to take our son downstairs to my mum and for her to get someone to watch my son as I needed her to help as I knew the baby was coming!
Rung midwife at 7.45 and told her I thought my waters had gone and I was feeling the urge to push. She said she was 10 minutes away!

Well I was pushing! On my sofa. With my trousers still on and on my side with legs firmly shut lol.

Midwife arrived at 8am and told my hubby to get my trousers off by any means possible which somehow he did. (Midwife praised him after)
Midwife was setting up resus area and trying to get her gloves on. She told my hubby she needed his help to get me in position but I wouldn't let go of him!

Luckily my sis in law arrived at 8.10 to watch my son and my mum came up to help the midwife. She had to hold my leg out the way whilst midwife coached me through pushing (I had requested this in my plan to help avoid tearing)
Crowning was so uncomfortable as with my son his head popped out in one so didn't get the ring of fire.

Midwife was saying omg there's so much hair!
Next thing I know baby was put straight on me - whole head and body came out with one push.

Cord around neck so needed a bit of rubbing down to stimulate a cry which happened at 1 min.
I then felt a gush which was blood so midwife asked to deliver the placenta straight away before delayed cord clamping which I agreed to. My husband asked my mum to have the honour of cutting the cord which was lovely.
With a bit of stomach pushing the placenta came out pretty quick and no more bleeding which was good.

At this point I asked hubby to tell me what we had as had been team yellow and he said it's a girl! Real surprise as I'd thought boy!

We guessed the time as 8.24am but my sis in law downstairs said my mum shouted baby's here at 8.19.
2nd midwife arrived at 8.50 and established I had a small 2nd degree tear on same place as I'd torn with my son so needed stitches.

I agreed as long as I could have gas and air for this bit! Got high as a kite on the gas and air which was lovely and had to do a wee and a breastfeed before midwives would go - achieved both of these so they helped mum and hubby clear everything up whilst me and my little girl had skin to skin and she fed off me.

Hubby got skin to skin whilst I was having stitches.

Luckily I put down a dust sheet and towels on my sofa early on as it protected it from the blood although one cushion didn't survive lol

So to summarise baby M was born at 8.24 (or 8.19) weighing 8lb 9oz (my conversion was 8lb 6oz)! At home on Star Wars day. No pain relief and less than a hour established labour.

It was a bit scary when I was pushing and there was only me and hubby but otherwise it was magical! I'd planned to have music on softly in the background whilst I relaxed in my bath and birthed on a spare mattress we had.
The reality was I laid in a crap position, felt like baby was coming out of my bum (midwife was wiping my bum throughout pushing - so dignified) I did a lot of quiet sobbing rather than breathing baby out and paw patrol was on the tv!

But I got to have a lovely coffee from my nice machine after and a bath followed by lots of lovely visitors who ran around after me all day in exchange for cuddles!

M is now 5 days old and the first 2 nights I didn't sleep as she wouldn't settle anywhere but me and breastfeeding was so hard, she screamed at my right boob as if it was poison BUT I stuck with it and we're nearly at the point where she can latch herself and it's getting easier and enjoyable. I've managed to feed out in public today, on trains and in pubs. Not discreetly I might add as I frequently exposed myself but I couldn't of cared less.
We had a fantastic night last night and she gave us a lovely sleep of 12.30 till 5am - we'll see how long that lasts!

I've been really proactive in taking care of myself postnatally as I felt really poorly after my son so I've only been drinking water or a light squash (this stops stitches stinging when having a wee as urine is pretty pure) eating good meals and having liquid iron (spatone) everyday.

We've been out and had paeds check at local hospital on day 1, registered birth and had passport photos done day 2, stayed in day 3 to help get milk in so stayed in bed all day and fed, day 4 went to a family bbq and showed her off and today day 5 went to London on the train to get passport sorted and planning a day of rest tomorrow!

I'm on cloud 9 at the moment, my son has taken to it well and people have been really generous with gifts for him so he doesn't feel left out.

If you managed to read all this well done![/QUOTE]

 

[Sprout]

I'm really hoping for a home birth this time. I had a pph last time though so I'm thinking I may have to push for it...

 

[ruby2015]

I had a home water birth and it was amazing! Would do it all again in an instant

 

[Tillyfloss]

Found it! I know there's a few people on here thinking about having a home birth so thought I would share my experience.

It's a long story considering it was a short labour!

So I was overdue on the Tuesday (40+5) and decided I wanted baby out as I was getting impatient! I spent the day relaxing with my son and hubby, went for a speedy walk around the block and had a lovely clary sage and lavender bath.
Hubby cooked dinner that night and put chillies in it! We then Dtd that night and I just had a feeling it would work!

40+6
2am I got up for a wee and noticed some plug was coming away. I had a loose tummy from the chillies so was feeling a bit uncomfortable and got back into bed.
2.30 I needed another wee and thought I would have another loose tummy as tummy was cramping.
2.45 back to the toilet and it suddenly clicked I was having contractions!
(My previous birth was a silent labour so I have a track record of not realising I'm in labour)!

Woke hubby up to let him know and he suggested getting things cosy in the lounge for me. Popped my tens on and downloaded a contraction timer.
2 mins apart lasting 40 seconds but no intensity or pain.
This pattern went on for a while so rang labour ward and explained it was a planned home birth and although it didn't hurt I was told to ring early at night due to a lot of the on call midwives being out of area.

They said they would ring back when they found someone. 5 mins later they said they would send someone out but she was a hour away which was fine. At this point got my mum up so she could watch my son if things changed.

Midwife arrive about 4.30am and did all checks and made sure baby was head down.
She wanted to monitor me having contractions and was surprised I was talking through them at the length they lasted but at this point I was so distracted I wasn't even noticing them.

She checked me and said I was 3 to 4 cm but cervix wasn't ready so could be a while yet.
She offered to stay but I said I was going to have breakfast and rest ready for the big moment!

She said she would go to the local hospital rather than her own and to ring if anything happened.

So me hubby and my son snuggled in the lounge watching cartoons and having breakfast.
I had stopped timing contractions now as didn't feel like much was happening and I wanted to relax.

7.20am was texting my sis in law and said I was chilled watching greys anatomy and eating breakfast!

A few minutes later I felt some pressure and heard a pop! No gush of water though so just ignored it. Within minutes I started to feel things happen and I knew I was in transition as I felt a bit panicky.
Told hubby to take our son downstairs to my mum and for her to get someone to watch my son as I needed her to help as I knew the baby was coming!
Rung midwife at 7.45 and told her I thought my waters had gone and I was feeling the urge to push. She said she was 10 minutes away!

Well I was pushing! On my sofa. With my trousers still on and on my side with legs firmly shut lol.

Midwife arrived at 8am and told my hubby to get my trousers off by any means possible which somehow he did. (Midwife praised him after)
Midwife was setting up resus area and trying to get her gloves on. She told my hubby she needed his help to get me in position but I wouldn't let go of him!

Luckily my sis in law arrived at 8.10 to watch my son and my mum came up to help the midwife. She had to hold my leg out the way whilst midwife coached me through pushing (I had requested this in my plan to help avoid tearing)
Crowning was so uncomfortable as with my son his head popped out in one so didn't get the ring of fire.

Midwife was saying omg there's so much hair!
Next thing I know baby was put straight on me - whole head and body came out with one push.

Cord around neck so needed a bit of rubbing down to stimulate a cry which happened at 1 min.
I then felt a gush which was blood so midwife asked to deliver the placenta straight away before delayed cord clamping which I agreed to. My husband asked my mum to have the honour of cutting the cord which was lovely.
With a bit of stomach pushing the placenta came out pretty quick and no more bleeding which was good.

At this point I asked hubby to tell me what we had as had been team yellow and he said it's a girl! Real surprise as I'd thought boy!

We guessed the time as 8.24am but my sis in law downstairs said my mum shouted baby's here at 8.19.
2nd midwife arrived at 8.50 and established I had a small 2nd degree tear on same place as I'd torn with my son so needed stitches.

I agreed as long as I could have gas and air for this bit! Got high as a kite on the gas and air which was lovely and had to do a wee and a breastfeed before midwives would go - achieved both of these so they helped mum and hubby clear everything up whilst me and my little girl had skin to skin and she fed off me.

Hubby got skin to skin whilst I was having stitches.

Luckily I put down a dust sheet and towels on my sofa early on as it protected it from the blood although one cushion didn't survive lol

So to summarise baby M was born at 8.24 (or 8.19) weighing 8lb 9oz (my conversion was 8lb 6oz)! At home on Star Wars day. No pain relief and less than a hour established labour.

It was a bit scary when I was pushing and there was only me and hubby but otherwise it was magical! I'd planned to have music on softly in the background whilst I relaxed in my bath and birthed on a spare mattress we had.
The reality was I laid in a crap position, felt like baby was coming out of my bum (midwife was wiping my bum throughout pushing - so dignified) I did a lot of quiet sobbing rather than breathing baby out and paw patrol was on the tv!

But I got to have a lovely coffee from my nice machine after and a bath followed by lots of lovely visitors who ran around after me all day in exchange for cuddles!

M is now 5 days old and the first 2 nights I didn't sleep as she wouldn't settle anywhere but me and breastfeeding was so hard, she screamed at my right boob as if it was poison BUT I stuck with it and we're nearly at the point where she can latch herself and it's getting easier and enjoyable. I've managed to feed out in public today, on trains and in pubs. Not discreetly I might add as I frequently exposed myself but I couldn't of cared less.
We had a fantastic night last night and she gave us a lovely sleep of 12.30 till 5am - we'll see how long that lasts!

I've been really proactive in taking care of myself postnatally as I felt really poorly after my son so I've only been drinking water or a light squash (this stops stitches stinging when having a wee as urine is pretty pure) eating good meals and having liquid iron (spatone) everyday.

We've been out and had paeds check at local hospital on day 1, registered birth and had passport photos done day 2, stayed in day 3 to help get milk in so stayed in bed all day and fed, day 4 went to a family bbq and showed her off and today day 5 went to London on the train to get passport sorted and planning a day of rest tomorrow!

I'm on cloud 9 at the moment, my son has taken to it well and people have been really generous with gifts for him so he doesn't feel left out.

If you managed to read all this well done!

Congratulations on that lovely birth I got a little teary eyed reading it x

[/QUOTE]

 

[Pambi]

I like the idea of a home birth (and respect others decision to do it) but when you get into the stats for risks to mum and baby in the event there are complications, they're too scary for me.

I laboured in a pool with my DD but they took the gas and air off me and made me get out to monitor her so I ended up having her laid on my back in bed. it was such a palava I wouldn't even bother with a water birth again!

First time around I wanted it all natural (and I did it) but this time I'll be having an epidural thankyou and a altogether calmer and pain free birth if at all possible!

 

[KeelyT90]

It's not for me. If my mum bad birthed me at home I wouldn't be here having my second baby now.
My heart beat stopped and minutes later I was delivered by emergency c sec and resucitated. At home that wouldn't have been possible. I personally feel the hospital is always safest for me x

 

[BlondeP]

In planning on a home birth. Can't think of anything more relaxing for me. My MIL is a midwife & the hospital is on the same road as us so I'm not anymore scared of it then the idea of actual labour itself. We are also hoping to have a pool at home too.

MrsT2 your birth sounds lovely! Xxxx

 

[Phoenix85]

I had an unassisted homebirth (freebirth) with my 3rd baby 4 weeks ago. It was a really fab experience. Yes it hurt, but it was a quick labour and so calm. Would definitely do it again. Also I had a 2nd degree tear but declined stitches and feel like I healed and got back to normal quicker this time. Maybe that's just in my mind though LOL

 

[KateK]

Oh my goodness Phoenix I didn't even know you could turn the stitches down. Never occurred to me! I'm still in pain now (I guess scar tissue) 4 years on :'( I can't imagine what state my bits would have been left in had they not stitched it back up though!! Your birth sounds beautiful - congratulations xxx

 

[Phoenix85]

Thank you.

Yes I asked the MW if I HAD to have them (if she'd said "yes it's really bad, you have to" then I would have lol) but she said I didn't have to so I didn't, and it feels to have healed just fine.

 

[Tillyfloss]

OK something I'll be asking the mw anyway but thought I'd ask here as a few weeks still away for appointment.
If you have a hb I believe ( in my area anyway) a delivery box is dropped off about 37 weeks with everything the mw would need, and the mw will/ should have gas and air in her boot on arrival, so what happens if baby needs a little help breathing once born and needs a little oxygen??? Does mw have this as well???

 

[MrsT2011]

Tillyfloss they set up a resus area in case baby needs a bit of help. They don't bring the delivery box at 37 weeks in my area they tend to do it when you're in labour, in my case the midwife didn't get time which is why I never got any gas and air lol.
Also baby's head was crowning but rather than assist me the midwife got the resus set up as a priority as she was on her own and just instructed my mum what to do until she was ready.
My lounge was a bomb site - it really looked like chaos lol

 

[Tillyfloss]

Wow thanks for that information! That's good to know that they set up an area, thanks

 

[Phoenix85]

Where I am they brought a birthing kit (my MW brought a suitcase on wheels! LOL) at 37 weeks. She also brought 4 tiny vials containing drugs which I had to keep in my fridge, there was Syntometrin, Oxytocin, and I can't remember the other two, but basically it was for if I had a managed 3rd stage.
But I gave birth without the MW there and the placenta came out only a few minutes after my baby