Home Comforts

Imagine the day you go into labour:-

You are towards the end of your pregnancy, you are at home, in your own surroundings, and you’ve been experiencing some mild contractions, you sway in time to the contractions, listening to your favourite music. You decide to take a bath, and as you soak into the warm bubbles, you can feel the pain getting a little worse, but the water soothes you and you talk to your partner about your new baby. Drying off from your bath, you sit and eat a scrumptious sandwich and feel very relaxed - your waters have just broken. You call your midwife who you have got to know through your pregnancy, she comes to visit you, and decides to examine you. You are in your own bedroom, and everything is very private - she tells you that you are very advanced in labour, your baby‘s heartbeat is fine, and that your baby will be coming soon. In between contractions, you and your midwife make preparations for the baby’s arrival, and find a comfortable and safe place in your home to give birth. You feel in control, and have a sudden urge to push, there is no rush and you begin to push your baby into the world at your own pace, with encouragement from your birth partner and midwife. Your baby is born and you hold him immediately, he is bathed by your partner, and your midwife cleans up whilst you take a shower. The midwife leaves about three hours later, with you, your partner and your baby cuddling and tucked up in your bed.

Home birth can be a reality for every woman, and although it is not widely known, place of birth is a choice for every pregnant woman - you do not have to give birth in hospital. It may surprise you to discover that for a woman with an uncomplicated pregnancy and medical history, home birth is just as safe, if not safer, than a hospital birth.

• You will know the midwife attending you at this very intimate time, having met her during pregnancy - she will also visit you after the baby is born
• You call the shots - Its your home! You are less likely to need pain relief if labouring in familiar surroundings.
• You have less chance of needing a forceps/ventouse delivery or caesarean birth, and are less likely to have a bad tear, your baby is less likely to be born with problems.
• You can choose the amount of visitors you want, you can have as little or as many birth partners as you like.
• You can get anything to eat and drink any time you like.
• You can have all types of pain relief except the epidural at home.
• If you change your mind, or if you need to, you can be transferred to hospital in labour - a journey you would have had to make if you were giving birth in hospital anyway.

Remember: There are only a small number of women considered unsuitable for home birth - if you are interested, contact your community midwife today who will be able to discuss this further with you.