Home births?

[candymycandy]

What are everyone's experiences/opinions on home births? I've been thinking about it today randomly having completely ruled it out. Only because I've been advised it would be best not to have an epidural and I know this way I couldn't be tempted?! I'm worried about the neighbours hearing it all though!

 

[mylullaby]

I think a lot of it comes down to personal preference and you would just need to weigh up the pros and cons before making a decision. For me, I was able to relax at home for a lot of my labour but I actually felt reassured by being in a medical setting for the delivery. I think my brain sees hospital as a kind of safety net in case anything goes wrong, so a home birth wouldn't suit me. I just think I'd be more anxious and that kinda defeats the purpose. It's not about me though and I think the best thing to do would be keep thinking through your options, talk to your midwife and figure out what you think would create the best possible experience for you. As an example, I would list "worry about neighbours hearing it" under CONS and have a think about how you could reduce or eliminate that concern. Then kind of work through all your pros and cons and hopefully that will help you decide.

 

[Belfa]

I'm the same as above. I was lucky with my first labour and has an easy time so I think I would be a candidate for a home birth however, DS had his cord around his neck and as a result was taken away to special care for a few hours to recover. For me the fear of something going wrong would and needing to be rushed to hospital would overcome everything and I'd feel safer in the hospital with everything close by x

 

[TORino]

I would have liked a home birth last time. Luckily I didn't have one as I'm quite sure they'd have sent me into hospital anyway as I didn't progress very well and the baby needed turning and got stuck on the exit. For me now it would not be worth the risk of something bad hapenning, though having said that I think they monitor you carefully and are cautious and will intervene at the first signs of any problems.

I hope you get the birth experience you want x

 

[CARNAT22]

Only first hand experience was my best friend, who had a failed home birth with her first baby (She bought her own birthing pool and everything). Ended up being blue lighted and had an emergency c section.

I'm personally not an advocate of home births for first baby. That is usually the most difficult Labour.

I had one very long and hard labour and one quick (not easy but just with G&A!) MW mentioned home birth and my immediate reaction was 'no thanks'. Main objection is other kids being around / neighbours hearing but stupidly my other concern is the house is cream carpet throughout and I'm not having baby in kitchen or bathroom..

It's just not for me. Birthing centre is my middle ground. And you can't have an epidural there??? So will help you avoid temptation to a degree?

Candy if you have been advised not to have an epi, can you actually be refused one if you ask?

X

 

[candymycandy]

Thanks ladies for your input, really helpful. After a sleep on it I'm back to the hospital plan! For the security as mylullaby says. My lb was in special care after birth so I realised I wouldn't want to be far away. Also had total mental blip and forgot I need IV antibiotics in labour so it's taken the decision out of my hands anyway!! So carnat that also rules out birthing centre too unfortunately which I would've liked to try. I won't be refused an epi, my consultant just said it would be better for pushing if I could feel it all (argh!) as I have pelvic organ prolapse. Thanks again xx

 

[Melly41]

The idea sounds appealing on one level, but with my first born...my DS...he had a few breathing problems and had to be given oxygen fairly quickly...thankfully he was fine but if we had been at home who knows whether things would have turned out differently. I'm going to have mine at hospital again, just in case some help is needed after birth....I'm 42 too so risk of complications does increase. Was toying with idea of water birth but then think my DH wouldn't be able to watch baby arriving as easier....a bit different looking through a mirror! So probably opt for normal birth, unless I have to have a c section....which again the risk of having to have c section increases with age! Sorry.....just been watching too many one born every minute!! Whatever you decide, like the other ladies have said, weigh up all the pros and cons x

 

[Wren83]

I had my first in hospital with an epidural then decided with my second to have a home birth. It was such a lovely experience and I cannot recommend it enough! I also had my third at home and without a doubt, as long as everything is ok, I will be having this one at home.
I was worried about the neighbour's but you're calmer at home and although I did make a bit of a fuss apparently nobody heard me x

 

[swipka777]

I am against it

 

[JD.Deedee]

You can always book one and decide on the day, once you've planned one doesn't mean you have to have it... I was born at home and so was my sister. My youngest was born at home due to a tear in the cervix when the middle one was born so complication post birth and my mom felt it was harder to relax in hospital and preferred to birth at home... even when the midwives come out at home and you want to go to hospital at any point you can go in...

 

[candymycandy]

Thanks JD, I since realised I need iv antibiotics so that made the decision for me! X

 

[JD.Deedee]

Even easier won't be having what ifs after xx

 

[treetrunks]

I would love a home birth but then when I think about it I would rather be in a hospital where medical intervention is on hand should anything go wrong.
The home birth idea is incredibly romantic and im sure alot of women have had lovely successful homebirths but personally I won't be taking any risks xxx

 

[kaypee]

When home births go well it is great but working where I do I feel anyone that is low risk is only low risk until they aren't and the thought of having to get an ambulance travel to hospital in an emergency is just time you dont have sometimes �� Labour is just too unpredictable for me. Sorry to put a downer on it ��

 

[GBLiz]

i had a home birth with my first and no regrets about it, i didnt have to travel anywhere when i was feeling sore after the birth, didnt have to stay in a strange hospital. My second i went to a midwife unit as i didnt want my daughter upset by everything. (my second labour was actually more painful) but i could still come home 2 hours after having the baby. Now my 3rd i'm gutted i dont have an option of a midwife centre so its either home birth or hospital but the thought of not having a midwife with me constantly and having to stay in a hospital for at least 6 hours is really offputting!

 

[pinkwater]

I was born at home even my brothers too. My mom was just brave to do that 3x!

 

[AmberDi]

I think the very first thing people have to think about is finding a professional obstetrician. In this case, a really good obstetrician will say if it is dangerous or fine to have the home birth. Then people have not to have any worries.