UK only - Did you have a home birth? What was it like?

Question

Did the midwives clean up afterwards or just leave you to do it?
How long did they stay?
Was it better thatn any previous/later hospital births?

Answer 1

I didnt but my best friend did. It was her second and she said it was waaaay better than the 1st which she had in hospital. The atmosphere was calm and her hubby and 3 year old were there with her. I also spent some time with her while her hubby sorted out the child with meals, drinks etc.
The midwife cleans up (she uses protective sheeting anyway) and takes it all with her. She stayed almost 2 hours after the birth (I dont know if this is a normal amount of time for them to stay).

Answer 2

Hiya !
I currently work as a Registered Midwife and yes we do clean up as much as possible but unfortunately leave you with your own laundry to do.
Local policies vary about how long the midwives have to stay for after the delivery, and also depend on how well mum and baby are. Where i work it is 2 hours, but in some areas its only an hour.
As for whether home or hospital births are better - it is purely a personal choice !
Hope that helpful and good luck x x x x

Answer 3

I wanted a home birth but as its my first baby no one was happy about it so I'm going to a midwife led birthing centre which is like a "home from home" atmosphere - I am terrified of hospitals and only want to go to one if it becomes really necessary. Obviously if things go wrong or just don't go to plan I know I'll have to go to the hospital but I am hoping that I'll be able to give birth naturally at the MLU.

Although I'm 34 I've had a an uncomplicated pregnancy and everyone's happy for me to the go the MLU. Obviously if your pregnancy runs into problems you will be advised to go to the hospital, but for a healthy risk free pregnancy it doesn't need to be an automatic decision to have the baby in a hospital.

Our nearest hospital (Uni Hospital of Wales) is so dirty and crowded and not at all friendly or homely, I would be so scared of going there and like I said, only want to go there if its absolutely necessary. The MLU is small, friendly, warm, clean and homely - you get your own individual room etc a birthing pool and I already know all the midwives as I've had all my ante natals there.

Apparently 30% of first time mums at the birthing centre have got to transfer to the hsopital - usually for slow progress or because they can't take the pain and want an epidural. But that still means that 70% manage to have a straightforward complication free birth! And the midwives are very well trained. They can handle emergencies (if they arise) very well.

You can't have an epidural or anything like that at the birth centre (or a home birth) you have to make do with gas and air, pethidine and the birth pool but apparently most women do fine as they are less stressed in the relaxed atmosphere of the birth centre or at home so they cope better with labour. Hospitals just add to the stress and fear for some (not all) women.

Sadly I think that people who have had bad experiences in labour themselves seem to want to scare people and go on and on about how hospital is "the best place". They forget that just because their labour was difficult it doesn't mean everyone else's will be. I think it depends. We are all different and as labour is hard enough anyway, surely being in a place where you don't feel scared and intimidated is going to make it a bit easier? I find hospitals terrifying (just a phobia I have) and would only want to go to one if there was a problem and it was necessary, it would never be a first choice for me!.

If things go well and we have another baby I'd definitely like to think about a home birth for the next one.

Answer 4

Hi I had a home birth with my third child on 23 Jan 2005, it was planned as my other children wanted to be there.
It was fantastic, so much more relaxing as your in your own house. The midwives cleared up afterwards with the help of my husband they even put your sheets in the wash!
He was born at 7.26 pm and they stayed with me whilst I had a shower and got him to latch on, they stayed about 2 hours and run me about 11 pm to see if I had weed!
Came the next day to check us both out as normal and discharged me after about three days. It's longer though with your first child.
I would recommend a home birth to anyone as long as your pregnancy is ok.

Answer 5

My husbands family members has had no longer something yet domicile births with all of their babies. His mom had 5 childrens, her mom had 12 childrens and his dads first spouse had 4 childrens, and out of all those births basically a million went horribly incorrect. i think of this is relatively as much as the mummy to return to a sort, this is something which you need to do huge study on and as long as you're comfortable and properly knowledgeable each little thing must be fantastic. My husbands grandma lost somewhat one from the chord being wrapped around the neck and that they lived contained in relatively the middle of nowhere, there replaced into no way they might get her any sort of help. in basic terms determine you have a plan if something is going incorrect.

Answer 6

Hi i had my 2nd son in 2004 at home i didnt plan it he just came that quick but im glad it turned out that way i ended up with 3 midwives and 2 paramedics i had all that just for me which i wouldnt have got in hospital they were great and i got to stay at home as everything went well it was really nice after to be at home with my family in my own bed and i think it was more settling for my son i would recomend it.I hope this helps.

Answer 7

Hi, I wanted a home birth but I told the midwife I was open minded. In the end I had the baby in hospital, and it was great that I was already there because there were loads of complications.

I just want to share with people that I've known people who were completely insistent that they wanted a natural birth and believed that the medical system was trying to force them into the hospital. It works out fine for many people, but in some cases awful things have happened which wouldn't have been the case if medical intervention had been available at a instant's notice.

So if you are over that certain age - I don't know what it is supposed to be actually - is it 32? and especially if it's your first baby, please, please be relaxed and flexible about your choice and take advice. Ask the most experienced midwife you can find for her honest opinion.

Answer 8

i had my first and second baby at home, then the other 2 at hospital cos i needed antibiotics for group b strep, if i didnt need to go to hospital i wouldnt have, its much better at home, the midwifes tidied up after and put any towels hat had blood on them or that in the bath to soak for me, made me some tea and toast. they left about 2 hours after the birth and another midwife came out later to c how we were, on the whole it was great!! dont feel it has to be all natural either if u dont want, u can get gas and air and pethidine at home too.

Answer 9

Home birth was brilliant, midwife cleaned up, can't remember how long she stayed. She returned later to check that all was well. You should have someone with you after a home birth as well as a midwife e.g. Husband/ partner/ parent or friend. Don't consider a home birth unless pregnancy is going well with no complications. I wish you well in what ever you decide.

Answer 10

i never have had a home birth because i had problems with my two pregnancy's and they need to be very careful. have a chat with your midwife she will be able to tell you everything. you could also have a look at these sits they have chat forums so you can ask lots of other people.
www.hunnybeez.co.uk
www.pampers.co.uk
www.ukparents.co.uk
Also type home births into your search engine and that should come up with loads of sites for you. good luck