Considering a home birth...?

10,000 women a year are estimated to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after childbirth

200,000+ women a year are estimated to feel traumatised by childbirth and develop some of the symptoms of PTSD

£1.6bn worth of clinical negligence claims have been made relating to obstetrics and gynaecology since 1995

23% of all births end in Caesarean

sections being performed, nearly three-quarters of which are done under local anaesthetic

41% of Caesareans are planned in advance and are not classed as emergency cases

46% of all hospital units provide mobile epidurals for women who want to be able to walk around

358 new midwife units are needed to satisfy the current demand for midwife-led units and home births

2% of births happen at home today, compared to 99 per cent at the start of the 20th century

1,765 midwifery posts are vacant and midwives are continuing to leave the profession

19% of women do not get one-to-one care from their midwife throughout labour

69% of birth units have an anaesthetist on site around the clock

20% of vaginal births involve the use of an epidural or spinal anaesthesia

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and...

Home versus hospital birth

No strong evidence about the benefits and safety of planned home birth compared to planned hospital birth for low-risk pregnant women.

In some countries almost all births happen in hospital, whereas in other countries home birth is considered the first choice for healthy and otherwise low-risk women. The change to planned hospital birth for low-risk pregnant women in many countries during this century was not supported by good evidence. Planned hospital birth may even increase unnecessary interventions and complications without any benefit for low-risk women. The review found only one small trial, which provided no strong evidence to favour either planned hospital birth or planned home birth for low-risk pregnant women.

http://www.library.nhs.uk/womenshealth/ViewResourc...

http://www.birthchoiceuk.com/BirthChoiceUKFrame.ht...

http://www.birthchoiceuk.com/BirthChoiceUKFrame.ht...

Statistics are pretty useless, because advocates on both sides of the hospital vs, home birth argument will come up with figures that "proves" their way is more desirable.

I assume you're not only planning a home birth, but a water birth as well?

If that is the case, check your floor is capable of taking the weight of a full birthing pool, plus you, the midwife and your partner - it can be very heavy.

Buying the pool is pointless, it's expensive and what will you use it for after? Your midwife may have one - do ask.

The pain relief is something you will need to discuss with your midwife beforehand, as part of your birthing plan. Midwives will carry oxygen.

There are a lot of reasons that a home birth may need to transfer (go to hospital), probably the most common is fetal distress and/or failure to progress. You should always have a transfer plan and be prepared to trust and listen to your midwife and not fight him/her on the issue if things do wrong at the last minute.

As for recommending a home birth, I guess it's whatever you decide.

If you have a low risk pregnancy and have your heart set on it then by all means, it's certianly an option to consider. But if there is any hint of a potential problem, I'd be where expert medical assistance is right on tap.

A good compromise between a home birth and a hospital birth is a birthing centre, which is more like a home away from home but with expert help right on hand, so a transfer isn't needed, potentially saving precious minutes. Things can and do go wrong very rapidly with otherwise healthy pregnancies and what start out as nomal labours.

I can't provide any information, but I can say this, you can always go from home to the hospital without any ramifications (other than things just not going to plan). Going from the hospital to home though, not so easy, you'd have to sign an "against medical advice" form and then insurance might not pay. Though I am a labor and delivery nurse who works in a hospital, I think it's awesome when a woman can give birth at home (so long as she is well informed and has a good support team and well trained midwife). Have you seen these shows where the woman only has her partner there and not even a doula present? SCARY!

I think I can answer some of your questions though...I believe most midwives bring all the equipment you need including an oxygen tank.

If it came about that you needed to go to the hospital, it's usually because there is mecconium (the baby pooped inside), you're not progressing, you're bleeding more than you should.

I don't want to have a home birth just because I want a full medical team prepared to correct anything that may go wrong. I would love to have a home birth for the experience and the serenity of it, but I am a hypochondriac so I expect the worst and pray for the best =)). I do want an all natural labor. I don't even want an IV. If I can not handle the pain then I plan on using laughing gas only, but as a last resort. I think every woman could have a natural labor if they set their mind to it because of the simple fact that our bodies are made to delver children. Not to say some do not need some sort of assistance, but I think every woman should try. And I am not sure whom said epidurals do not cross the placenta, but yes they do. They are an anesthetic.

hiy ahunni,

i cant give u much help im afraid but if thats what u want then go 4 it.

personally i wouldnt consider it, but thats just because im such a huge wimp and i ahve no idea how im going to get through the birth of my dot lol.

i wouldnt buy a pool, as some1 said, what will u use it for afterwards?

id love to se if people did recommend it xxx