Who's given birth at home?

Question

I'd love to hear about your experiences!

Watching my partner cut our son's umbilical cord was memorable, I'm really happy the midwife let him do it. I could have water and tea whenever I wanted, nobody tried to put me on my back, nobody shoved painkillers at me, and - best of all - I got to make a huge great big mess all over the bedroom floor which someone else cleaned up! :)

Is it a normal thing in America then? I've no idea, go on ladies tell me what's normal over there. A friend was telling me that in France you don't get a choice? Like, hospital or nothing. Here, we can get home midwives, or paid birth helpers.

Deborah: the midwives had to clean up the "clinical waste" - my then-partner got to clean up the rest :)

Answer 1

I decided to give birth at home and it was a wonderful experience.
I dont like hospitals - they scare me! When one baby starts crying, it wakes all the others up!
My husband was with me and I had 2 midwives that kept checking on me and keeping me calm. If there was any problems, then the hospital wasnt far away.
You have the choice on who you want to be with you - even other children etc. Being in an enviroment that im used to, helped me to relax.
If I had any more children, Id definatley have another home-birth!

Answer 2

Hi,

My mother cut my sons cord, but we were in a hospital. I have to admire you, a home birth is something I find even more scary than a hospital.

On the other side of things I think there are a lot of advantages to hospital birth. I'd met my midwife team a few times in advance, so I knew everyone I was working with. I was in a clean safe environment ( obviously you had that at home to though)

But most of all I had a big fat epidural ( makes you feel nothing from the waist down, this was my choice and was not offered i asked/begged believe me) I was able to sit up to give birth, i didn't feel anything of the later stages of the birth, i watched my son arrive as i pushed, in a mirror the mid wife gave me. Plus due to the fact I felt no pain I had a very relaxed birth and my son was just so relaxed to. The only thing I felt as he arrived into the world was pure ecstasy!

I think its all personal choice. But well done you an thanks for sharing. Who cleaned up the floor by the way?

13th July - Lucky partner! I have to say about the hospital mind it couldn't have been closer to home. Maybe thats why I'm so positive about hospital births. I had my own room with a shower bath and w/c. Two armchairs, bed, a bean bag and a big ball tobounce on, plus i had my mam, dad ( he left at "sensitive" moments ) and my best friend there. This is for the whole three days i had to stay.

Answer 3

Hi, I gave birth in a hospital and before I was totaly into womens own choice and having the baby where they wanted, after my birth I wouldnt want anyone to go through something that can be potentialy dangerous for mother and baby away from a hospital.

My daughter was distressed and had to be born by emergency c-section, whilst operating on me the pain killers wore off and I felt everything so they had to knock me out - with more drugs! Then when trying to bring me back round, my left lung collapsed and I nearly died - all before meeting my new baby girl for the very first time.

If I would of been at home my baby would of most certainly died, I thank the hospital for all their help - although I wouldnt have another there, - or anywhere else again to be honest!

I think women who have babies at home are risking their and their babies lives unnecessarily.

But thats MY opinion. Im glad you had an amazing birthing experience, I would say one thing, I'd stay at home during the early stages and then only go to the hospital once needing pain relief, or help with delivery, as its a long long wait in a strange place for both you and the partner if you go into hospital with the first contraction or so.

Answer 4

We're in the U.S. We had the first one in a hospital and that was enough! The next two were delivered at home by a couple of midwives. It was much better!

A big problem over here is insurance coverage. Insurance carriers don't like you to go with home birth even though it costs them so much less money for you to do that (no hospital overhead)--go figure. However, most people over here wouldn't think of home birth as a viable option. They want every medical intervention if they need it and think if they're in a hospital they'll get it (yeah...right...)!

Hope this helps.

Answer 5

i was by my mother also my partner was to but by her mother

Answer 6

Women mainly..............usually pregnant though

Answer 7

Not me.

Answer 8

MOM,SISTER,ME