Choosing to have your baby at home

There are many of us who know that our own mothers and grandmothers gave birth at home. That was the norm. The pendulum for giving birth has moved all the way across and now over 95% of babies are born in hospital.

Many prospective parents, especially those having their first baby, reject the idea of having a home birth because they think that it's not as safe as a hospital birth. Indeed, many doctors would prefer women to have their baby in hospital as medical care is on hand. However, there are some mums to be who feel that they would rather embrace labour and birth as naturally as possible and feel no reason why they would be in any medical danger at home.

All women have the right to give birth at home.

If you are booking a home birth, you have the option to change your mind, any time before your baby is born. You must however notify your midwife and doctor of your decision and they will be able to talk it through with you. You are not in any way legally obliged to give birth in hospital. If you wish for an independent opinion from that of your midwife or GP, you may have to pay.

Advantages of a home birth:

You can experience labour and give birth in familiar, comfortable surroundings. You are likely to be more relaxed and this can help your labour to progress.

You don't have to make a decision about when to go to hospital or interrupt labour with a journey.

You may be looked after by a small team of midwives who could possibly have got to know you well during your pregnancy, and they too would take on a role looking after you in the days following the birth of your baby.

You may find labour less painful and are less likely to want strong pain-relieving drugs.

Your partner can be there with you and possibly feel more involved than he would at hospital.

If you have older children, you will not need to leave them.

Things you may need to consider:

If this is your first baby, it may be difficult to persuade your midwife or doctor to have your baby at home.

Other reasons which may hinder your efforts for a home birth are: diabetes, overdue baby, your waters have broken more than 24hours before, high blood pressure, previous C section, diagnosed problems with the baby or simply that home births are not available in your area.

You will need to transfer to hospital if you want an epidural or there are complications and this may involve additional stress to the progress of the labour or birth.

You may feel more anxious if you are not in hospital. Most women actually feel more relaxed at home, but if you were to start feeling anxious either before or during labour, you can still choose to go to hospital.

You may find family or friends try to talk you out of your decision. Just make sure that giving birth at home is the right decision for you. There are also some health professionals who are not particularly supportive of home births, despite the research on their safety.

There are specific safety issues for you to carefully consider if your baby is breech, if you are having twins or if you have had a previous Caesarean birth, although it may still be possible to have a home birth in these circumstances. You also need to take your own health into consideration when planning a home birth. If the birth is not likely to be straightforward, you may find it more difficult finding support from health professionals.

Who will look after you?

You will be looked after by Community Midwives who work for the National Health Service and will be attached to a local maternity unit. Your antenatal appointments usually take place in your own home or in a local clinic. Once you are in labour your midwife stay with you until your baby is born, and will visit regularly for between 10 and 28 days after your baby has been born.

Investigate the services of an Independent Midwife to look after you during your pregnancy and during the birth of your baby. These midwives specialise in home birth and may be willing to help you even if your Community Midwives are not confident to attend a home birth.

Preparing for a homebirth:

It's still important to have a birth plan so you, your partner and midwife are clear as to your decisions whilst in labour. Perhaps think about a TENs machine to help you through the contractions. You should also have an emergency hospital bag packed, just in case.

Your home kit should contain:
Old towels and sheets
Plastic sheet
Blankets for you and your baby
Sanitary towels
Clean clothes for you and your baby
Comfortable clothes for labour and birth - possibly ones you can throw away later

For more information on home births, visit

birthchoice.uk
homebirth.uk

rcmnormalbirth.org.uk