just wondering would anybody consider or have had a home birth.?:banana:

My wife has had two. It is without a shadow of a doubt, far better for the baby, the mother and, most importantly, the father. OUr first child was born in an abatoir (sorry - hospital) and it was a complete impersonal nightmare. I appreciate that not everyone can have a home birth, but most women can under most circumstances, and it is cheaper for the country. Hospitals are for sick people.

My wife has had two. It is without a shadow of a doubt, far better for the baby, the mother and, most importantly, the father. ...
Most importantly the father? How so? The prime consideration is surely the mother and the baby?

I support ther mother's right to choose the birth she wants to have, of course. Personally though, should I ever have children it will be in a drug-fueled, pain-free haze linked up to every bit of modern technology known to woman-kind.

Most importantly the father? How so? The prime consideration is surely the mother and the baby?

I support ther mother's right to choose the birth she wants to have, of course. Personally though, should I ever have children it will be in a drug-fueled, pain-free haze linked up to every bit of modern technology known to woman-kind.

The reason that it is most important that it is better for the Father is that I have a sense of humour! Actually it is better for everyone as it is more relaxed.

You may think now that it is better to be in a drug fuelled haze, but you should spend a great deal of time finding out about the damage that intervention of any kind can do before you decide.

I had my youngest daughter at home,it was a fantastic experience.The midwives were supportive and made me feel relaxed.After having 2 hospital births, I just wanted the experience to feel a little less clinical, it is a natural event and if all is well with mother and baby, i feel that there should be no objections from medical staff.I was free to do as I liked through labour, not stuck in an unfamiliar bed. My children were downstairs being cared for by my neice.I drank iced lemonade( it was a hot day), and looked out of my bedroom window at the lovely view. If all is wel medically, home births are better.

The reason that it is most important that it is better for the Father is that I have a sense of humour! Actually it is better for everyone as it is more relaxed. ...
I see. More relaxed, until the home birth doesn't go as smoothly as anticipated, in which case a rush to the nearest hospital is indicated.
...You may think now that it is better to be in a drug fuelled haze, but you should spend a great deal of time finding out about the damage that intervention of any kind can do before you decide.
There are risks associated with any medical procedure, just as there are with giving birth at home. I don't dispute that many home births (or other natural, drug and intervention-free births) go smoothly. However, many don't. Medical assistance is sometimes required for a multitude of unexpected reasons. I would sooner be in the appropriate place for that assistance to be given as soon as possible.

As for the 'drug-fueled haze'; yes I admit to having a low pain threshold and the prospect of squeezing a large object out of a relatively small hole doesn't fill me with delight, surprisingly enough.

I have to say i would prefer a home birth myself. Although as yet i don't have children but i hate hospitals even more so for me it would be stress free at home :)

i agree that home births are better for the baby if everything is ok whith him/her but in my experiance it didnt go well at all. i had a very go pregnency untill i gave birth. i phoned the midwife but she was at another home birth, i had to wate half an hour befor she phoned to say she was sending a diffrent one and then the other midwife came from the other side of town so i had to wait for her, then when she did come she had to ring for the gas and air to be deliverd but i was already 10cm and wanting to push. then some thing went wrong with the placenter so i nearly had to go to hospital anyway. it wasnt good at all, but at the end of it i liked being in my own bed and not having to get anyone to look after my other son he got to stay in bed.

I planned a home birth for my first, but unfortunately I had to be induced so was in hospital which I agree is terrible - NOTE - Hospital terrible - the care that I received from the three midwives that spent most of the 24 hours with me was amazing.

For my second, if things are going well, I will try and stay at home and deliver at home (i'll let you know in a couple of months) However, one thing I have learned is not to plan because things don't always quite happen as you think!

After having a WONDERFUL hospital birth I would not even consider a home birth. MUCH too stressful. The docs were there the moment I demanded my epidural. If anything would have gone wrong I would have had everything I needed to make it right immediately. The midwives were fantastic. The birth was brilliant. A very surreal laughing, joking and happy atmosphere. Home births better for the baby???? I don't think my baby was the least bit interested in his surroundings. It's a good job the other lady on the delivery ward had chosen a hospital birth...otherwise her emergency cesaerean might not have gone so well!!! No need for pain or risk-taking. Get to the hospital. It's the safest place to be. (PS The Father's sense of 'stress' was the LEAST of my concerns that day!)

My first child was born (only just) in hospital and I couldn't wait to leave! My second was born at home.

I found my home birth much better and a lot more relaxed as I was left to do what I wanted to without any poking and prodding. It was lovely to lie on the sofa afterwards and we all fell asleep while the midwife crept out.

As for the 'drug-fueled haze'; yes I admit to having a low pain threshold and the prospect of squeezing a large object out of a relatively small hole doesn't fill me with delight, surprisingly enough.

Don't worry Hecate it's not that painful, just a wierd sensation more than anything. The build up is worse than the actual delivery.

I had planned a home birth with my son and after a trouble free pregnancy, everything was ready and set up. Being a rather unsociable person, a home birth had great appeal and I had visions of taking my newborn into the garden and sitting under the tree drinking tea!
Unfortunately, 18 days after my due date, I had to be induced. This quickly escalated to an emergency caeserean. Obviously this is not what I had wanted or planned but at the end of the day it didn't really matter! I had excellent care in the hospital and it was still an amazing experience. My only regret is that the option for a home birth is no longer viable after a caeserean.
My advice would be to choose whichever form of birth suits you and your baby but be open minded and explore the other options just in case. You may have a set birth plan but your baby will not!

I have to say i would prefer a home birth myself. Although as yet i don't have children but i hate hospitals even more so for me it would be stress free at home :)

Hello teeny,
I had my baby at home that was nearly 21 years ago. It was all planned well inadvance and was totally stress free.
I hated hospitals, in fact i had a phobia of them back in 1990, i could not even walk past a hospital without breaking out in a panic. The 2 midwives were fantastic and we all watched block busters . I felt that i was having my baby in my own time and not being on a conveyor belt.

Hey psyn, I have a smiliar tale to your own. I won't recount it, as there are hundreds more identical ones out there....

First baby; emergency c-section (no he WASN'T overdue, Mr Specialist Consultant in Nature)
Second baby: ecstatic natural birth in hospital, and told by gorgeous midwife I could have had a home birth
Third baby: due end August - I'm having a homebirth unless something very strange happens.

Homebirth IS viable after c/s (cf. The Silent Knife, by Nancy Wainer Cohen). I know a lovely woman who had three home births after c-section, and of many others including water births, so it can be done, and the risk of uterine rupture is only slightly higher than being knocked down crossing the road/dying in a plane crash.

How can you women stand the pain of labour?????? I felt as though my whole body would explode in agony!!! Give me clean and clinical any day! (hee hee)

There is a reason for the pain. We would have evolved buckets instead if we were not meant to feel the birth of our child. We feel it so that we remember it. It is a life changing event, not something to be passed over as an inconvencience.

I have felt worse pains, breastfeeding due to improper attachment was one of them, raging toothache another, appendicitis was also worse and I'm told gall stones are equally distressing.

I was born at home, but I don't remember much about it.

Hope this helps? :thumbsup:

Then you need to do a re-birthing holisitic aura-reading birth regression humber-derder.... just kidding! :hihi:

You mean I have to hide inside a space hopper & emerge through the inflation valve covered in Tomato sauce n salad cream?

:gag: Bleeeeeeeee!

Yes, to the sound of whale music and a oil-disc -scape of twinkling stars on the inside.

ROFLMAO!

i would never have a home birth and tbh although i can understand why someone may prefer this option i still think it is an incredibly stupid and selfish thing to do imo. My daughter had to be born by emergency ceasarian after goin into distress and it was quite serious there wasnt even time for an epidural so they jus had to knock me out despite me having eaten something previously which is quite dangerous - there was running and shouting and it was really scary. My point is that i would dread to think what would have happened if this had been at home without the facilites to operate - chances are my daughter would have died. I understand that people want to feel more comfortable in there own homes and im not saying that they are wrong for this but given the choice id go for the hospital where there are staff and equiptment to hand if something goes wrong as i feel the the babys safety is more important than the mother feeling comfortable.

I understand your stand on this ha3el, but for me it seems natural. I have also had a c-section so empathise with you.

There is a reason for the pain. We would have evolved buckets instead if we were not meant to feel the birth of our child. We feel it so that we remember it. It is a life changing event, not something to be passed over as an inconvencience. ...
I do see your point here, Lizz, and I agree with you to a certain extent about the pain making an indelible memory of a profoundly significant event.

However, the pain of childbirth is due simply to the fact that it's a traumatic event for a woman's body. The sensation of pain evolved to alert our brain to an event which is potentially damaging to the body; to signal that we should remove ourselves from the source of the pain (ie when you touch something hot), or that we should investigate the pain further (ie the pain associated with illness and injury).

Although childbirth is a natural process, it is traumatic in terms of tissue damage etc. As a committed pain-phobic and utter coward, anything which minimizes the pain, from whatever source, is a very good thing.

Pain-free births (like mine) are also memorable and a wonderful experience of a life-changing event. Pain-free, stitch-free...everyone's a winner. I was interviewed on this very subject in Shef town centre last week actually. Was anyone else?

First baby; emergency c-section (no he WASN'T overdue, Mr Specialist Consultant in Nature)
Second baby: ecstatic natural birth in hospital, and told by gorgeous midwife I could have had a home birth
Third baby: due end August - I'm having a homebirth unless something very strange happens.

Homebirth IS viable after c/s

Thanks Lizzmobile,
The midwife did say that if the 2nd one was a natural birth in hospital, then they would probably consider a homebirth for the 3rd. However, unless plans change, there won't be a 3rd!

Hope everything goes well for your homebirth.

Hmm, psyn, that what we said :hihi:

Good luck for your 2nd then; is it due anytime soon?

i would never have a home birth and tbh although i can understand why someone may prefer this option i still think it is an incredibly stupid and selfish thing to do imo. My daughter had to be born by emergency ceasarian after goin into distress and it was quite serious there wasnt even time for an epidural so they jus had to knock me out despite me having eaten something previously which is quite dangerous - there was running and shouting and it was really scary. My point is that i would dread to think what would have happened if this had been at home without the facilites to operate - chances are my daughter would have died. I understand that people want to feel more comfortable in there own homes and im not saying that they are wrong for this but given the choice id go for the hospital where there are staff and equiptment to hand if something goes wrong as i feel the the babys safety is more important than the mother feeling comfortable.

I don't know the answer to this but I'd like to know what midwives are equipped with when attending a home birth? I suspect that there may be impliments to be used in an extreme emergency.

no, im already born

I was born at home, but I don't remember much about it.

Hope this helps? :thumbsup:

So was i ,and my grandmother stuck me strait in the oven as i was a blue baby (Do you think i was over cooked):loopy:

I don't know the answer to this but I'd like to know what midwives are equipped with when attending a home birth? I suspect that there may be impliments to be used in an extreme emergency.
I think the main inplement they carry in case of emergency is a mobile phone to ring 999 !

I think the main inplement they carry in case of emergency is a mobile phone to ring 999 !
I don't think so as they always ask to use your phone!! lol, just kidding.

I think the main inplement they carry in case of emergency is a mobile phone to ring 999 !

They carry all kinds of equipment. In my view it is far safer at home than in hospital, because in hospitals they dfo a number of things which increase the level of danger, such as unnecessary medical interventions and risks of infection. In the event that there is something which needs a hospital then the midwifes spot this early and there is plenty of time, becauase they are far better midwives that you get at the hospital. If something unexpected happens without warning then then you would make it to a threatre just as quickly from your house in an ambulance as you would from the labour ward. This may sound daft, but people have the idea that the midwife will suddenly see soemthing in the labour room and immediately everyone will run to an operaying threatre where there will be a surgeon standing by with all the equipment. In practice this all takes quite a while, and certainly no longer than it would take to get to the hospital from home in an ambulance.

Here here Ken. Also, some women suffer white coat hypertension where their blood pressure goes up on entering a medical establishment, which can also lead to intreventions which would have been unnecessary had they stayed at home. My s-i-l gets it, every time she goes to the Dr's surgery.

Midwives are trained to spot signs that indicate that something is going wrong, way before it happens, and they work with instinct and intuition as well as knowledge and experience, giving them time to call the relevant services.

Let's not forget that misfortunes also happen in hospitals, and not just at home. A friend who had high BP at the end of her 3rd pregnancy, went in for an elective C/s. The baby was born, took one breath, and then died. Perfectly safe environment? Not always.

When I had Andorra, the midwives said how much they enjoyed her whole birth and that it was a valuable experience for them to attend a natural event rather than an obstetric-led one. One of them went home and cried with joy, remembering the reason why she had entered midwifery in the first place!

Birth is a family event, not a medical one and it is a sad testemonial to humanity that it has become this way.

Midwives in the community are far better than those who work in the community KenH ? What do you base this huge generalisation on exactly ? All community midwives work in the hospital on occasions too ! I know that this issue is a very personal choice and every woman should have the right to an informed choice about where and how she has her baby - but to come out with such rubbish astounds me !

Midwives in the community are far better than those who work in the community KenH ? What do you base this huge generalisation on exactly ? All community midwives work in the hospital on occasions too ! I know that this issue is a very personal choice and every woman should have the right to an informed choice about where and how she has her baby - but to come out with such rubbish astounds me !

Which element is rubbish? It is sadly true that you are more likely to get a better, far more experienced, midwife for a home birth than a hospital birth. There are a number of factors that affect this, not least of which is that home births attract midwifes who want to do home births and wish to avoid medical intervention. The other factor is that the midwifes in a fair proportion of home births are working independantly having set up a practice in order to give a higher level of care. The real element that makes the biggest difference, regardless of whether it is in hospital or at home, is the number of midwives involved. If you go to hospital then you get whichever midwife happens to be free and they will go home when the shift changes unless they are catching the baby at that very minute. Having a relationwhip with only one or two midwifes for the entire pregnancy means that you will get exactly what you want throughout the experience. Home births are more likely to involve the same few midwives, probably the same two.

Which element is rubbish? It is sadly true that you are more likely to get a better, far more experienced, midwife for a home birth than a hospital birth. There are a number of factors that affect this, not least of which is that home births attract midwifes who want to do home births and wish to avoid medical intervention. The other factor is that the midwifes in a fair proportion of home births are working independantly having set up a practice in order to give a higher level of care. The real element that makes the biggest difference, regardless of whether it is in hospital or at home, is the number of midwives involved. If you go to hospital then you get whichever midwife happens to be free and they will go home when the shift changes unless they are catching the baby at that very minute. Having a relationwhip with only one or two midwifes for the entire pregnancy means that you will get exactly what you want throughout the experience. Home births are more likely to involve the same few midwives, probably the same two.

This is true (having experienced both sides). My midwife at my home birth happened to be the person who babysat me as a child and remembered my brother being born!!

She stayed for the duraion and was very respectful. She never examined me at all and left ME to decide what the pace was and what I wanted to do. She basically helped me out of the bath and caught my daughter (as she shot out) then cleared away after while I slept with my baby. It was really lovely and much different to the hospital when I had my son.

This is true (having experienced both sides).

She never examined me at all and left ME to decide what the pace was and what I wanted to do. .

When we are talking about medical interventions, it is worth also mentioning that the more experienced midwives, such as the one in your case, appear to be almost completely hands-off until the most critical moments. It is worth considering why one midwife will feel the need to make multiple intrusive examinations and another will not. Often women will say they didn't have any medical intervention (eg. induce, forcepts etc) but will have become conditioned to expect to be poked and prodded and to have machines attached to them as a matter of course. In some cases the examinations can speed things up unnecessarily or the stress can temporarily stop the labour and then lead to more medical intervention because things appear to have stopped.

I base my opinions on personal experience. I have given birth 3 times - all in hospital and each birth was very different. The midwives in the hospital were very busy, but I never felt that my care was compromised by this . I always felt confident in their care and they always found time for a chat and to give support and advice - especially when I was a first time mum . The 'care' I received from the community team was terrible. I found them, without exception, dismissive of all the problems that I was experiencing- always telling me that things would get better. They didn't, by the way, and I ended up being readmitted to hospital - back to an envirnment that I felt confident in and with staff who knew what they were doing.

I base my opinions on personal experience. I have given birth 3 times - all in hospital and each birth was very different. The midwives in the hospital were very busy, but I never felt that my care was compromised by this . I always felt confident in their care and they always found time for a chat and to give support and advice - especially when I was a first time mum . The 'care' I received from the community team was terrible. I found them, without exception, dismissive of all the problems that I was experiencing- always telling me that things would get better. They didn't, by the way, and I ended up being readmitted to hospital - back to an envirnment that I felt confident in and with staff who knew what they were doing.

There is a big difference between what I am talking about and the community midwifes you have met. I am talking about schemes where you see one or two midwifes who stay with you from start to finish. Sometimes the only way you can achieve this is to pay an independant midwife, but sometimes, or in some areas, there are schemes for this. In some places the community midwifes just examine you before you eventually go to hospital, and in others they are the same people as those you see in the hospital.

Having a home birth, for me, would have been far too stressful. I have a good grounding of medical knowledge and considered the risks of giving birth so far away from medical intervention too great a risk - I felt that my baby's welfare was more important than any need of my own . Home birth? Hospital birth ? Neither is BETTER than the other - it is, very simply, a very personal choice for the woman involved.

I base my opinions on personal experience. I have given birth 3 times - all in hospital and each birth was very different. The midwives in the hospital were very busy, but I never felt that my care was compromised by this . I always felt confident in their care and they always found time for a chat and to give support and advice - especially when I was a first time mum . The 'care' I received from the community team was terrible. I found them, without exception, dismissive of all the problems that I was experiencing- always telling me that things would get better. They didn't, by the way, and I ended up being readmitted to hospital - back to an envirnment that I felt confident in and with staff who knew what they were doing.

I'm not that critical of the actual midwives (apart from one or two matronly types) in hospitals. For me it was more a case of the aesthetics not being condusive to a peaceful and relaxed labour/delivery. The constant clattering of metal bin lids through the night (which woke all the babies up with a shock), the bright lights, the stagnant warm air, the electrical equipment noises etc.

I realise not all women are able to give birth at home but I do think there is unecessary taboo surrounding it sometimes.

Having a home birth, for me, would have been far too stressful. I have a good grounding of medical knowledge and considered the risks of giving birth so far away from medical intervention too great a risk - I felt that my baby's welfare was more important than any need of my own . Home birth? Hospital birth ? Neither is BETTER than the other - it is, very simply, a very personal choice for the woman involved.

It should always be a personal choice but the risks aren't understood because the data is faulty. My argument is that we should move to a system where birth isn't considered a sickness that needs to be managed by doctors, even if it takes place in a hospital. That is the first step, and the location becomes almost irrelevant once you fix that part. Those women that are more comfortable in a hospital, or better still in a birth centre close to a hospital, should have that without question, but without any medical intervention until something starts to go wrong.

The data is flawed because most women have been having births in hospital for some years. This means that data on home births either comes from the distant past if you want a good cross section, or it is from a small recent sample which is not a good cross section. In recent years we haven't had masses of fit, younger mothers having all their children at home. Instead the figures also include teenagers who hide their pregnancy and give birth themselves, older mothers (I hate that term!), and women who have had problems with hospitals and so won't do it again.

Hi All,

I'm interested in a home birth. My husband is horrified at the thought, he thinks I should be in the hospital in case something goes wrong and wont listen to rhyme or reason otherwise.

I had a normal, if not a wee bit long, labour first time round - dd will be 10yrs old when this one comes.

I think it'd be lovely not as stressful as the hospital and surely you get better care as it's one on one midwife care?

Any thoughts, advise or opinions welcomed!


p.s how do I go about doing this if I can talk him round?

You will probably talk about it with your midwife, i did at my booking appointment.

My hubby is also freaked at the idea ;)

I'm only 17 weeks at the mo though, so can't say for me if its definatly going to happen or not, but i have my fingers crossed for an uncomplicated pregnancy so i can have a homebirth :)

I toyed with the idea, but decided against. If anything happens I want to be where help is there immediately

thats what my oh thinks baileys mum. I'm think though that the chances of anything going wrong are small and if it does I can be transfd to the hosp by ambulance if need be?

I know but I'd rather be at ease knowing i don't have to wait

I've got a midwifes appointment on friday I'll ask then.

hi, i tried to have a home birth but after 17 hours and only being 5cm dilated i was transfered to hospital,.which ended in a emergency c section due to waters breaking and risk of infection and baby's heart beat dipping,..(this was after 23 hours)

So i had 17 hours at home and they were fantastic, i only wished i could have stayed i had my midwife there 100% of the time,..all the kit needed and it was the best day of my life, my midwife was behind me 100% as well.plus i only live about 5-10mins max from jessops so if anything did go wrong i knew i wasnt far away.

I had gas and air at home,..even had some more delivered by taxi when i was in labour..:hihi::hihi:

Talk it over with your midwife, hope all turns out the way you want to. I personally found it fantastic as being at home was what i wanted and i felt more at ease.....

Good luck!!!:):)

We're in Handsworth right next to ASDA so only about 15 mins max to hospital so i could get there pretty quick. I just think it'd be nicer, means dd can be involved in some way to. I don't think she'd be allowed to be there at the hospital for the birth (she'll be 10 when this one comes)

It's not like with your second you spend long in the hospital anyway (about 6 hours I think)

Do you know if Jesspos has a birthing pool?

hiya yes jessops does have a birthing pool i seen it with my own eyes,..lol, if you had a labour first time round with no complications i dont see why a home birth would be a problem :):)

Im hoping i may be able to have my second one at home but don't know with having c-section with first, will have to see when im pregnant..lol

Good luck to you:):)

Assisted home birth
For low-risk pregnancies, a number of studies have shown that planned, assisted home births are at least as safe as hospital births. There are fewer medical interventions, such as cesarean sections, forceps or ventouse deliveries, episiotomies and administration of pain medication such as epidurals, all of which may pose some risk to the health of the mother and baby.


From Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_birth

i'd have loved a home birth, i know friends who've had them and said how relaxing they are. Sadly every pregnancy i've had has has complications so it wasnt allowed. The only thing that would put me off would be the feeling that I had to get up and make everyone a cup of tea after lol

lol I suppose, that wouldn't be a consideration for me I'd make a flask up before!

We're going to speak to the midwife about it although my oh is REALLY against it so if it comes down to it I guess I wont have a home birth although I am very keen.

hi anniec

i would have loved to have a home birth but again as this is my first, oh is really putting his foot down and saying its to be at the hospital. plus i really wanted a water birth, i know i could have hired one of these for home but its an extra expense when there are 2 lovely ones at jessops. when you go for you scans there is some piccies on the way to anc.

i think men tend to over worry, which is why im thinking he shouldnt be there for early labour as him stressing, stresses me. so long as i get my calm water birth im fine wether it be at home or hospital.

p.s the pool is mine 11th till 25th october as this will allow for a week before and a week after my due date :thumbsup:

We're in Handsworth right next to ASDA so only about 15 mins max to hospital so i could get there pretty quick. I just think it'd be nicer, means dd can be involved in some way to. I don't think she'd be allowed to be there at the hospital for the birth (she'll be 10 when this one comes)

It's not like with your second you spend long in the hospital anyway (about 6 hours I think)

Do you know if Jesspos has a birthing pool?

Hi

Your only 15 mions away if it isn't rush hour.

I thought about a home birth but decided against it however I was having a water birth but due to complications I ended up in the consultant lead side of Jessop and my ideal no drugs water birth turned into 20od hours of gas &air epidural and c section. Didn't hurt though as I was only 2 centimeters after 20od hours.

Talk it through with your mid wife as I do know someone who had a home birth as she loved it.

I may as well have had a home birth for all that was done for me at the hospital, i had a room with a birthing pool, they refused to fill it, i had no pain relief. If I have another child i would definitely stay at home, good luck with whatever you decide :)

I'm aiming to have a home birth, although it is wise to keep your options open and remember that things can change. In researching the options, this is what I've found:

1. Sheffield is a Case Study Home Birth City, where a lot of work has been done to see whether home births are safe, etc. Therefore, the staff are VERY well trained in home births and the city is pretty progressive in thinking of women's birth choices. Hence, at my booking appoitment in Woodseats, I was given the option of home or hospital, it actually was a preference and not a request.
2. A recent study shows that labour significantly slows down on admission to hospital. This adds to be growing body of evidence that, all being well and with a 'straightforward' pregnancy, home births are on the whole more risk free than hospital. (e.g the chances of c-section if the birth is predominantly at home but is transferred to hospital are a third of those that are started in hospital).
3. If you live close enough to the Jessops, the travelling time is really minimal. I could understand the concern if I lived remotely though!
4. Keep your options open. Post natal depression really becomes a factor if your plans don't go according to plan. For this very reason, I will be making sure I know what is on offer at the hospital and will be cheking out the environment there to allay any fears I have now. It's not the end of the world if I'm not at home afterall, but I do know instinctively that my pain threshold somehow lowers at the sight of a consultant!

And finally, read a book by Nicky Wesson (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Home-Birth-Practical-Nicky-Wesson/dp/1905177062/ref=pd_bowtega_1/203-2776254-3083153?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1186422356&sr=1-1). Her advice and research is pretty good - it was recommended to me by an independent midwife.

Thanks Zweena, thats brilliant. I'm going to have to speak to my midwife although oh said he's not going to listen to her and that we need to speak to a Dr. Men! It's my second baby but his first so I can understand it and if he feels so strongly about it then I suppose it'll be Jessops for me but if they have a birthing pool then thats fab! I'm not due till 3rd April 08 and I'm only 5 weeks so tons of time.

I'm very open to what ever. I'll do whats best for the baby at the end of the day but I'll read the book you recommended see if that helps with the "talks" with my oh.

I'll keep you posted!

Had a planned home birth with my 3rd and it was great. Baby was born at 11.45pm, midwives went home about 1am after cleaning everything up and taking some lovely photos of us with the new baby. We went to sleep in our own bed. Our 4 year old daughter came in to the bedroom at 6.45am to find that the baby had popped out, gave him lots of cuddles then, full of excitement even though it wasn't a girl, went to wake up her wee brother. The two of them joined husband and I in our bed and we all spent a blissful morning getting to know the new baby.

The midwife team in the area where I live in Sheffield provide a fantastic one to one service and are very keen on home births so I was totally comfortable with it. Husband hated the idea but went along with it as it was what I wanted.

My first two labours were very quick. We only just made it through the door of the delivery ward the second time and the rush to hospital and stress of trying to park were no fun. Home birth seemed like a much better idea. It also meant that I'd have a midwife with me during my labour. I'd only had a midwife with me once we got to hospital the first two times. Most of the time I was in labour was spent at home or in the car with only my husband present. This time I phoned the midwife as soon as I went into labour and she was with me the whole time - all 35 minutes!

that sounds so nice cryinglion I do hope I can persuade my oh. I just think it'd be nice to get our dd involved with the whole birthing process as well as the relaxation part of it!

that sounds so nice cryinglion I do hope I can persuade my oh. I just think it'd be nice to get our dd involved with the whole birthing process as well as the relaxation part of it!

There is, of course, the argument that you know your own body and although the baby is made by two, you are the one squeezing it out! After all, if needs be, you can change your mind on the day.

I know that and I agree with you Zweena, but at the end of the day it's his baby too and if he just doesn't feel at all comfortable about us having it at home then we wont. I'd like to have the baby at home but it's not the be all and end all. I had Reise in hospital and it was fine so either way I'm sure it'll be fine xx

I know that and I agree with you Zweena, but at the end of the day it's his baby too and if he just doesn't feel at all comfortable about us having it at home then we wont. I'd like to have the baby at home but it's not the be all and end all. I had Reise in hospital and it was fine so either way I'm sure it'll be fine xx

Yeah, I know what you mean. It's always going to be a kind of joint decision. You could always negotiate and agree to be at home for the most of it and only go in if needs must.

I have two children and cant understand anyone seriously considering a home birth. I'm sure the risks are very very small but surely all you want at the end of it is a healthy baby and any risk can't be worth it. The best place to be, should anything go wrong, has got to be hospital.

Male & Medical perspective!!

(For those of you who don't already know I'm Cryinglion's other half)

You'll already have seen Cryinglion's post and thoughts about having a home birth. I can't admit to being all that keen on it from both a male and medical point of view. However, there is no doubt that the majority of women in this world give birth without any significant intervention. A combination of medics and midwives have tried to medicalise what is in essence a fairly natural process. Given how keen she was to give birth at home I felt that I really didn't have the heart to argue. After all she was the one who would be getting all the pain etc., but it is very difficult watching your other half struggling through labour.

In Sheffield there is an excellent set up for home delivery with midwives who are very experienced. If they think there is any problems with either you or the baby they will organise hospitalisation very quickly.

If it helps your other half, let him know how important it is to you. He is no doubt scared for you and baby and probably will be in no position to help (which makes us guys feel really useless) but if you're in hospital we at least know we can shout for some!

We both (and the kids the next morning) had a wonderful experience that I would not trade for anything. Our beautiful wee boy has Down's Syndrome and was born with a very large hole in his heart. He struggled to breathe but would have required no extra medical help had he been born at home or in hospital. However, in hospital he would have been carted away immediately for lots of tests and we (and the kids) would never have had quality time with him.

Unless there are good medical reasons to be in hospital I would thoroughly recommend a home birth in Sheffield. (btw the midwives clean up all the mess too!).

Male & Medical perspective!!

(For those of you who don't already know I'm Cryinglion's other half)

You'll already have seen Cryinglion's post and thoughts about having a home birth. I can't admit to being all that keen on it from both a male and medical point of view. However, there is no doubt that the majority of women in this world give birth without any significant intervention. A combination of medics and midwives have tried to medicalise what is in essence a fairly natural process. Given how keen she was to give birth at home I felt that I really didn't have the heart to argue. After all she was the one who would be getting all the pain etc., but it is very difficult watching your other half struggling through labour.

In Sheffield there is an excellent set up for home delivery with midwives who are very experienced. If they think there is any problems with either you or the baby they will organise hospitalisation very quickly.

If it helps your other half, let him know how important it is to you. He is no doubt scared for you and baby and probably will be in no position to help (which makes us guys feel really useless) but if you're in hospital we at least know we can shout for some!

We both (and the kids the next morning) had a wonderful experience that I would not trade for anything. Our beautiful wee boy has Down's Syndrome and was born with a very large hole in his heart. He struggled to breathe but would have required no extra medical help had he been born at home or in hospital. However, in hospital he would have been carted away immediately for lots of tests and we (and the kids) would never have had quality time with him.

Unless there are good medical reasons to be in hospital I would thoroughly recommend a home birth in Sheffield. (btw the midwives clean up all the mess too!).

Thanks Fragrantlion! You don't often get to hear this from a mans point of view, it's really refreshing!

Me, I'm psychologically getting ready for the day by just thinking of how much I can look forward to and how it'll be over and isn't a long lasting pain!

We went to a wedding yesterday and it turns out one of the couples at our table who we know really well recently had a home birth (we thought it was accidental home birth but it was a planned home birth) and they had nothing but positive things to say about it. We saw the midwife the other day and to be honest she made my husband more determined on a hospital birth. She said "it's only happened to me once in my years where I wished she'd
(the mum) been at the hospital and it went wrong" I asked how the baby was now and she said "who knows, seems fine now but what about when it's older?" so my oh was really adamant about not being at home now! Oh I just don't know, there's plenty of time though to decided.

I had a home birth with my only son. He was safely delivered!

Complications rarely develop suddenly, and you are still monitored whilst labouring at home - meaning that, if things aren't going well or there are some concerns, you are transferred to be closer to any help if need be. Midwives are totally prepared and trained to deal with problems that might arise, and will err on the side of caution regarding moving you closer to further assistance if needed. :)

.

p.s. there are statistics somewhere online to show that there is a lower infant and mother mortality rate with homebirths than hospital births, believe it or not!

.

Hi All

There is a Sheffield Homebirth Group meeting on 25 October, 1pm-2.30pm, at my house, Intake, Sheffield.

For further information please email me mmmbarnes@blueyonder.co.uk

Thanks
Michelle.

Sorry forgot to add that the group is also available online to offer support via email for those of you planning home births. Please go to http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/SheffieldHomeBirth/

The next Sheffield Homebirth Group Meeting will be at Christine Horner's House, on the 22 November, 1.30 - 3.30, Wadsley Park, Sheffield S6. For a full address and directions please email Christine at biff@iishin.com.

The meetings are very informal and everyone including partners and children are welcome.

I know this is a fairly old thread but I just wanted to add a positive home birth story to the mix.. hope it's not too late! I had my baby (my first) in October at home and it was planned.. I had a birthing pool set up and was determined to give birth to my baby without any drugs, just using breathing, massage, tens machine, water and relaxation... we had a wonderful experience, the midwives were amazing..they were on the end of the phone throughout the early stage to be updated and to give advice and then they arrived in the early hours (2 midwives) when things really got going.. they were so respectful and hands off really (which was what i wanted) and my son was delivered safely... a third midwife came and stitched me up and I was so happy that I didn't have to go to Jesspos... the benefits of being at home are that it is so much more relaxing (as long as you want to be there of course!) and I really appreciated getting into my own bath and bed afterwards.. we felt totally supported and trusted the midwives completely...and by the way there is no way anyone will expect you to make tea! they cleaned everything up and helped me with breastfeeding before they left and my midwife was back within a few hours to check everything was ok.. the GP attended too to check baby was all ok... it was just a really good service. My husband was totally supportive of what I wanted so I didn't have to persuade him but I really think what other people have said is so true.. you are so close to the hospital and complications very rarely happen suddenly that you and the baby are really safe...

hope this helps...good luck!

thanks for that I really appreciate it. We're going to have a combination of both (a Domino) will labour at home in the early stages and move the hosp for the birthing pool withmy own midwife and delvier the baby and come home after a few hours. My husband will just feel so much more comfortable and whilst I know it's not about what he wants that has to have some bearing on our decision, it's both our baby after all!

I'm so glad you had a good experience xx

Hello..... :)

My little boy is now 6 months old and I had a planned homebirth with him. My hubby supported my decision.
I had many reasons for wanting a homebirth like, I didn;t want any pain relief etc but one main reason was that my friend is a nurse at the hallamshire hosp, (works on gynae wards) and she said that if she was having a baby she would def have a homebirth as you get better midwife care and there's less risk of infection from c dif or mrsa.

My labour and birth was AMAZING! My labour was quick (prob because I was relaxed due to being at home) I had absolutely no pain relief whatsoever, and I can honestly say that I didn;t need it. Dont get me wrong, labour is painful, but its a kind of 'nice' pain. (well for me it was anyway) About an hour after i'd gone through labour and baby had arrived I was having a shower, the midwives had gone (I had 2 midwives plus a student midwife, so got much better care than I would have in hospital) and all 3 of of us were settling down on the sofa for a cuddle and a chance to be a family. The midwife came back that afternoon the check on us and then came round everyday for about a week.

I have nothing but positive things to say about my homebirth. I dont have anything to compare it to though, but I know that I would have hated a hospital birth because mentally i'd have associated being in hospital with being ill and ended up screaming for an epidural.

If you really want a hombirth, then go for it. Studies show that it is actually safer for mother with 'uncomplicated' pregnancies. Feel free to pm me for any advice etc on how to plan for labour and if you plan to breastfeed. etc.

On another note, I did have a natural 3rd stage and ate my placenta, so if you'd like more information on this feel free to pm me.

Jen x x x

I had a brilliant home birth, my husband didn't like the idea at first but I won him round after the whole "I'm the one giving birth" talk. I think he was just concerned that there wouldn't be as much help if something was to happen to the baby. We went through with it and it was excellent, you get constant attention from the midwifes, which some people may foind is too much for them as they never leave you but it worked great for me. You can have who you want there, I had my mum and my husband, you can get a drink when you like, you can move around alot which I found helped alot.

The whole experience was just amazing, complication free birth, nice and relaxed, he was out after three pushes, no stiches and I was in my own bed by midnight and left as our own little family. FANTASTIC!

If you can win him round I would say GO FOR IT

Nothing i could say convinced my DH that a homebirth would be fine...

He was scared, understandably in case anything goes wrong.. or i can't cope etc. etc.

After our first parentcraft class with our midwife he was so impressed with her attitude towards homebirth and getting the information from her personally, that by the end of the evening he was fully behind me and my choice to aim for homebirth :)

I can understand why many men can't bear the thought of seeing their partner go through so much pain in a non-medical environment, and I think for many of them there will be no way you'll convince them otherwise...

The option then is to either go ahead without them (not a good idea) or go for a compromise if you can find one (ours would have been the birthing centre at Darley Dale), the domino birth idea sounds good :)

I shall let you know in the new year whether or not i was successful in staying at home...

Thanks everyone for all your replys xx

I had two of my children in hospital, and my youngest was born at home here in Scotland. By far the best experience for me was home, my fella loved it too. My older two children were there as well. They dashed out afterwards to tell all their friends as it was school holidays. They came back with armfuls of cards and gifts from friends and neighbours.

It was bliss. I would only ever consider a hospital birth now, if there was major reasons not to give birth at home. I never wanted to give birth in hospital anyway, was just forced into it by outside sources.

pleased to hear you have come to a decision you are both happy with. How long have you got left to wait?

Hello,
I attended a homebirth meeting in S6 last week with Christine (biff@iishin.com) and Michelle (mmmbarnes@blueyonder.co.uk).

They run a group to help mum's understand about home birth choices and have real experience themselves (they were inspirational).

They have a yahoo group that I think is health.groups.yahoo.com/sheffield home birth

Michelle and Chris use the forum but they'd be really helpful if you contacted them.

LL

We're going to have a combination of both (a Domino) will labour at home in the early stages and move the hosp for the birthing pool withmy own midwife

That's great you've reached a compromise. I'm 28 weeks pregnant and hoping for a home birth. Like you, I'm really keen on the idea of a birthing pool and was tempted by the nice photos at Jessops. Apparently you can normally get in one (assuming all is going well),but of course if they're both already taken when you go in, then you miss out. But did you know that the midwives can book you a birthing pool to use at home? My midwife has been really positive and supportive about it, the pool is already booked (free of charge) and fingers crossed the remaining 12 weeks won't throw up any complications that stop me from stopping at home and using it. You get it when you reach 37 weeks so there's a chance to practice putting it up, filling it etc.

Anyway, hope all goes well with whatever you go for.

im now 23 week and had a birth plan for me to be at home for the birth ,but now been told i cant :cry:due to the blood group im in so for health reason i cant, so it as made me very sad ,wanted it at home really bad ,:mad::sad::sad::sad::sad:

im now 23 week and had a birth plan for me to be at home for the birth ,but now been told i cant :cry:due to the blood group im in so for health reason i cant, so it as made me very sad ,wanted it at home really bad ,:mad::sad::sad::sad::sad:

ahh that is rubbish! You're not rhesus negative are you?

yeh rhesus negative with anti body e or wot ever its called
.when i had my first i had to have a blood transfusion which caused the anti boby e,it causes my blood not to clot so really my bloods like water. my midwife at my doctors told me id have no problem having it at home ,but it was when i went for my 20wk scan they told me no .so I'm not a happy bunny :shakes::shakes:

yeh rhesus negative with anti body e or wot ever its called
.when i had my first i had to have a blood transfusion which caused the anti boby e,it causes my blood not to clot so really my bloods like water. my midwife at my doctors told me id have no problem having it at home ,but it was when i week for my 20wk scan they told me no .so I'm not a happy bunny :shakes::shakes:

No I bet you aren't. Didn't realise this wasn't your first - I'm negative as well and have had the necessary injections, etc, and still get the go ahead for homebirth. I am assuming it's probably cause it's your second and you've had complications in the past?

no its my third ,had my second with no problem started in labour at 8.30am and was home at 2.00pm the same day ,i had no problem,but i think its like you said its just in case theres complications i guess

The next Sheffield Homebirth Group meeting is scheduled to take place on 14 January 2008, 1.00-3.00, Crosspool, Sheffield S10.

If you would like to attend please contact Lynne for further details on Tel: 0114 2306825 or Email: lfbunn@yahoo.com

It's very informal and everyone including partners and children are welcome.

Forgot to add that if you can't make it to the meeting then please join our online group http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/SheffieldHomeBirth/. You can ask questions and get information from other mums about homebirths in Sheffield.

Just a quick message to remind you about the meeting next Monday!

SHEFFIELD HOME BIRTH CONFERENCE 2008
“Making Women the Focus of Maternity Care”
FOR PARENTS AND PROFESSIONALS
Saturday 29 March 2008, 9.30am - 4.30pm,
at St Mary's, Bramall Lane, Sheffield.

09:30 Registration and Coffee

09:50 Welcome

10:00 Focus on safety - Women's perspectives
Nadine Edwards, Vice Chair of the Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services (AIMS)
11:00 LET’S GET NORMAL
Amanda Dixon, NHS Midwife, Mid Essex

11:45 WORKSHOPS: Supporting women at home - “THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX” about:
Breech/twins Jane Evans, Independent Midwife
Physiological third stage Chris Warren, Independent Midwife
Haemolytic Strep B infections Wendy Davis, NHS Midwife, Sheffield
VBAC Anne Adamson, Independent Midwife
Waterbirth Dot Parry, NHS Midwife, Manchester

13:00 BUFFET LUNCH And an opportunity to find out about local and national services including ’taster sessions’.

14:30 FOCUS ON THE MOTHER
Ruth Weston

14:45 Why women don’t have homebirths
Pam Dorling, Retired NHS Midwife, Sheffield

15:15 TEA AND COFFEE

15:30 HOMEBIRTH SERVICE IN SHEFFIELD -LOCAL UPDATE
Speaker to TBC

15:45 “STROPPY WOMEN”
Professor Mavis Kirkham, Sheffield Hallam University
16:30 CLOSE

If you would like to book a place on this conference then please email mmmbarnes@blueyonder.co.uk or Olivia.lester@virgin.net for a booking form.

Oh bum, just seen this thread :( When will the next one be please?

Oh bum, just seen this thread :( When will the next one be please?

Hi Raychul69

The next meeting will be on the 22 February, 1pm-2pm, at Hunters Bar. Email mmmbarnes@blueyonder.co.uk for the full address and contact details.

I notice you have just joined the Sheffield Hombirth egroup so please post and tell us how your getting on.

Michelle.
x

Hi Michelle, just getting my head round the posts and trying to work out where they start etc....

Will def be attending the next one (work permitting) if thats ok :)

Will def be attending the next one (work permitting) if thats ok :)

Of course it's ok - everyone is welcome, at group meetings, icluding partners and children....The next meeting should be interesting as, I think, a mum who recently fought for her homebirth and suceeded will be coming to tell us all about it. You could tell work you have an antenatal class which they are obliged by law to let you attend :)

Of course it's ok - everyone is welcome, at group meetings, icluding partners and children....The next meeting should be interesting as, I think, a mum who recently fought for her homebirth and suceeded will be coming to tell us all about it. You could tell work you have an antenatal class which they are obliged by law to let you attend :)

Yes I know but I look after an old lady and work are not very good at covering it for me so dont want to leave her in the lurch. I'll try and sort something out though :)

Hi All,

There is a Sheffield Homebirth Group Meeting, at Christine's house, on the 13 March 2008, 1.00-3.00, Wadsley Park, Sheffield S6.

Please contact myself or email: Christine chris@rawrabble.com for further details.

Michelle.
email:mmmbarnes@blueyonder.co.uk

Please take a few minutes to look at the new Sheffield Homebirth Group website www.sheffieldhomebirth.org.uk where you can find out about forthcoming events and local meetings.

Hi,

I had a hospital birth for my 1st, a home birth for my 2nd and now i'm planning on another home birth for this one (i'm 12 weeks pregnant). When i gave birth last time the two midwives that came were totally new to me and i wouldn't mind this but throughout the whole pregnancy when i had my midwife appointments i seemed to have had a different midwife each time. Unfortunately the one midwife that i felt comfortable with and did actually see more than once went on her holidays the week i gave birth! lol. my bad luck i guess.
Anyway this time i've had two midwife appointments so far and its been a different midwife each time! Am i destined to go thru the same all again? has anyone else had this problem or is it just me being too sensitive? I know one midwife can't be available to you all the time but to have a different one each time seems a bit strange to me.
Has anyone else had a home birth and if so did you have different midwives for the birth or did you have one that you knew?

You might get some up-to-date information from this group.
http://www.sheffieldhomebirth.org.uk/

I had a home birth 19 months ago in Sheffield but the area I live in was part of a pilot scheme where the model of midwifery care is very different. The team were all very keen on supporting women who wanted home births. I saw the same midwife throughout my pregnancy, she came to my home to see me for check ups, I had her mobile number in my phone for when I needed her, she was the person I called when I went into labour and she was round at the house 10 minutes later. Baby was born at home after a very short labour. Altogether the care was absolutely brilliant, my midwife was great and we had absolute confidence in her. If I'd lived in a different part of Sheffield where the model of care was as you describe I don't think I'd have chosen a home birth. OH wasn't keen on a home birth to begin with but came round to the idea because we knew my midwife would be there and we absolutely trusted her (and also because my labours are so short that getting to the hospital and finding a parking space in time was a big worry).

I bumped into my midwife about a year ago and she had a new job. She was no longer part of the local midwifery team but was involved in improving maternity care for women choosing a home birth right across Sheffield. I have no idea what progress has been made but the home birth group or the midwives attached to your local GP surgery should know.

Good luck.

I had a home birth with my second. Through out my pregnancy I saw different midwifes cause it was a drop in center. When it came down to having my son the midwife came about 3pm and sat with me, Id seen her a couple of times so I didnt mind. But she said it would be ages yet so she went off. Got to about 12am and I was in mega pain, phoned her up and she was at a different homebirth so she couldnt come. My sister had to phone the hospital and tell them what happend. Still at 1 O'clock no midwife. My sister kept phoning for me to see what was happerning but no one was in the area, so they had to send a midwife from the other side of town. I wanted to push before she even got here. The midwife who came I never saw before got here at 2am and i had him at 2:20. If it wasnt for my sister buggin them to come I think she would of had to deliver him.
But after all that im thinking of having another homebirth with this one.

Hi

I had a homebirth after caesarean with an Independent Midwife because I wanted continuity of care.

A 'one to one' service across Sheffield could be achieved if services were reorganised and the successful 'one to one' teams that currently run in Crookes and Sharrow were extended across the City. There are lots of midwives who want to work in this way and the new health and social care bill also contains a clause to allow primary care trusts to contract independent midwifery services in.

If women started writing to their PCTs and asking for a 'one to one' midwifery service then we would definitely get it.....AND IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT HOMEBIRTH BECAUSE THE MIDWIVES ALSO ACCOMPANY THEIR WOMEN INTO HOSPITAL PROVIDING CONTINUITY OF CARE THROUGHOUT PREGNANCY, BIRTH AND THE POST NATAL PERIOD.

I run Sheffield Homebirth Group for women planning homebirths in Sheffield see www.sheffieldhomebirth.org.uk for details of local meetings and resources.

There is also Wendy Davis, Homebirth Midwife, who is holding meetings over the coming months for women having homebirths in Sheffield. There is a meeting scheduled to take place on Monday the 7th July, 10.30 till 12.30, at the Broomhall Children's Centre, Broomhall Road. All her meetings will include a pool demonstration.

Wendy has stepped in before and provided a 'one to one' service to some of the women who came through Sheffield Homebirth Group. So it would be well worth going to her meeting to see if she could take you on. Just turn up or contact Wendy on 077 989 25 633 for further details.

I had a home birth three months ago with my first baby. Throughout most of the first 7 months of my pregnancy, the midwife attached to my doctors surgery was off sick and I saw someone different every time. Although all the midwives treated me well I didn't feel confident about the care I was getting because there was no continuity, and I felt things could be easily overlooked.

Luckily at 7 months I was allocated to the caseload of the midwife who has responsibility for homebirths in the north of sheffield - I think she is the equivalent of Wendy Davis who works in the south. She was new in this post (she was in fact the midwife who was previously attached to my surgery and who I had seen once at the start of my pregnancy before she went off sick). I have to say the care I got from her was absolutely fantastic, I had her mobile number and could call her anytime, and when I went into labour she was there as soon as I needed her. Her name is Dawn Athorn. I don't know what part of town you live in but if it's the north I suggest you ask someone if it's possible for her to be your midwife... I'm not sure how her caseload is generally managed.

The next Sheffield Homebirth Group meeting is scheduled to take place on 19 June, 1pm-3pm, Hunters Bar Sheffield. Everyone including partners and children are welcome. For further details please email: kate.marston@sheffieldhomebirth.org.uk or visit our website www.sheffieldhomebirth.org.uk

There will be a Sheffield Homebirth Group meeting on 21 July, 19:30-21:30, at Kate Marston’s house, Hunters Bar, Sheffield S11 - if you would like to attend please email: info@sheffieldhomebirth.org.uk for Kate’s address and telephone number.

The meeting will be an opportunity to meet other mums who have had homebirths and hear their stories in a relaxed and informal environment.

As well as time to talk, there will be plenty of information to take away with you. Partners, children and women who have had or have an interest in homebirths are also welcome.

Hope to see you there.

Michelle.

Its good to see this thread. When I had my son there was no Sheffield HB group - the only support I had was via email from Manchester!

x

Its good to see this thread. When I had my son there was no Sheffield HB group - the only support I had was via email from Manchester!

x

Hi Henrietta

You are more then welcome to come along and support other mums...

BW
Michelle.

There will be a Sheffield Homebirth Group meeting on 26 August, 19:30-21:30, at Kate Marston’s house, Hunters Bar, Sheffield S11 - if you would like to attend please email me off list for Kate’s full address and telephone number.

The meeting will be an opportunity to meet other mums who have had homebirths and hear their stories in a relaxed and informal environment.

As well as time to talk, there will be plenty of information to take away with you. Partners, children and women who have had or have an interest in homebirths are also welcome.

Hope to see you there.

Michelle.
www.sheffieldhomebirth.org.uk
www.sheffieldmaternityforum.org.uk

I'll be there Michelle. :) Anyone who is interested in homebirth then please feel free to come along. Mums & Dads to be very welcome.

There will be another homebirth group meeting on Monday 29 September, 19.30-21.30, at Kate's house again. Hope to see you there.

www.sheffieldhomebirth.org.uk
www.sheffieldmaternityforum.org.uk

Threads merged. Please make sure that all updates are added to this thread. Thanks

Following on from our successful conference in 2008 Sheffield Homebirth Group are pleased to announce that we are now taking bookings for Sheffield Homebirth Conference 2009 - 'One Size Does Not Fit All,' 13 March 2009, at St Mary's, Sheffield.

We have a fantastic day planned with keynote speaker Denis Walsh, a selection of workshops including breech and twins with Jane Evans, a local update from Dotty Watkins, a panel of parents chaired by Mavis Kirkham, Independent Midwifery and films including a short film produced by Nadine Edwards, Vice Chair of AIMS and a special screening of the documentary film BORN, a Birth Rites Production.

This conference is for both parents and professionals - we are offering a special discount to couples.

For further details and/or to book a place visit the website www.sheffieldhomebirth.org.uk

There will be a Sheffield Homebirth Group meeting tomorrow, 27 October, 20:00-22:00, at Beth's house, Ringinglow Village, Sheffield - if you would like to attend please email: info@sheffieldhomebirth.org.uk for Beth’s full address and telephone number. See www.sheffieldhomebirth.org.uk for further details.

Threads merged

It's your last chance to book a place at Sheffield Homebirth Conference 2009, ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL, 13 March 2009, St Mary's, Sheffield.

We have a fantastic day planned with speakers including Denis Walsh and Jane Evans plus a local update from Dotty Watkins, Head of Midwifery and Kate Laurance from NHS Sheffield.

We have numerous workshops looking at different approaches to pregnancy, labour and birth and plenty of opportunity to learn from inspirational midwives who are experts at supporting women at home, including women who are defined as ‘high risk’ in workshops titled “Thinking Outside the Box.”

We have a panel of parents, Chaired by Mavis Kirkham, sharing their inspirational birth stories (including a HBA4C) and answering any questions you might have. Plus much more......

For further details or to book a place please visit the website www.sheffieldhomebirth.org.uk

Michelle.

Hi,

There will be a Sheffield Homebirth Group meeting on Tuesday 24 February, 20:00-22:00, at my house, Intake - please PM me for full address.

Homeopath, Lois Needham RSHom, will be joining us to tell us a little bit about the benefits of using homeopathy during pregnancy, birth and the post-natal period. As always there will be plenty of time for birth stories and questions...

Michelle.
www.sheffieldhomebirth.org.uk
www.sheffieldbirthdoula.com

I'd have liked a home birth - or just a natural birth full stop. Unfortunately because of my diabetes it wasn't even an option. What I'd really like to see though is some consistency, I didn't have a choice about whether to have my maternity care in the community or the hospital, the diabetes saw to that. But what annoyed me was the midwives on my ward in Jessops seemed to look down at me all the time and when my daughter wouldn't take to breastfeeding they made me feel like it was all my fault. I'd have loved to have just one midwife who actually understood how I was feeling because they'd been with me from day 1.

Im thinking about it, i know I want a natural birth but as its my first im still a little scared about a home birth! Ive been reading lots here http://my.bounty.com/forums/Subject/177/1/1/Home-births.htm hope you find it interesting. As this is my first baby, im trying to read lots of birth stories to prepare - doubt anything will really prepare me though right ladies! hee hee x

There is loads of good, well informed information out there, I would strongly suggest your first port of call to be www.homebirth.org.uk which has a plethora of information, which can help you particularly if you would like a home birth but are finding people or circumstances are getting in the way.

Being your first baby is no reason not to have your baby at home, on the contrary, it can start you on a wonderful birthing path. After all, birth is a natural process, why should that be different first time round?

I had a natural birth at home for my first baby, and absolutely loved it. Nothing beats being in your own comfortable surroundings. I used a community birth pool, and went on a HypnoBirthing course which really helped me trully understand how my body and baby work together during childbirth to have a safe and easy experience,as well as teaching me great techniques to help me throught the process. I would heartedly recommend the course - so much so, that I have since become a certified HypnoBirthing practitioner, and now offer classes in Sheffield (had to go to Nottingham for mine!)

Do come along to the next homebirth meeting - 31st March and or my happy birth stories evening - 24th March. Both are really positive evenings looking at how birth works, as opposed to how many people like to talk about it - how it doesn't!!!!

Thanks treadlightly! x

Im booked in for a homebirth in 12wks with a birthing pool. Does anyone know how big the birthing pools actually are. Hopefully everything will remain risk free and the homebirth will go ahead.

Jenz245 - I can't tell you exacly how big they are but I know we have a fairly small living room and it fitted in the corner where the armchair was (hubby moved it into the dining room!). It will probably tell you if you Google birthing pool - I think the one we borrowed from the hospital was from www.birthpoolinabox.co.uk.

As for home births in general, I was due to have one and it was great being at home and not having to keep thinking "should we go into hospital yet?", and the pool was SUCH a relief when I got to about 5cm (they won't let you get in before that).

Unfortunately the slightly dappy midwives examined me when I was fully dilated and decided my little girl was breech so I was rushed into hospital in an ambulance. Upon arrival I was told she wasn't breech so I gave birth naturally with just gas and air.

However it turned out she was 10lb 5oz (!!!) so I needed lots of stitches and there isn't half a mess when a baby is born and I was quite glad we didn't have that kind of mess at home! So I would have had to go into hospital for stitches anyway. And there was meconium in my waters so we stayed in hospital for 24 hours on "meconium watch" - not sure how they deal with this if you have the baby at home. But they left me sitting in all the gunk from giving birth, holding my little girl, for about 3 hours in the middle of the night before anyone came to do my stitches. I didn't dare move and hubby had been sent home soon after the birth - he could have probably stayed as I was waiting that long. So I wish we could have been sat at home instead.

I'm thinking next time I would like most of my labour at home, then transfer to hospital and use the pool there. the only problem with being at home, I found, was I couldn't face going upstairs to the loo after a while so had to wee in the pool! I was bursting by the time she was born too!

I had 2 hospital births and my 3rd child at home, best thing I ever did! Got in my own bath afterwards then sat in my bed with Tea and toast and my older 2 kids slept through the whole thing ! (Plus it was only 3 hours from start to finish).

My wife has had two. It is without a shadow of a doubt, far better for the baby, the mother and, most importantly, the father. OUr first child was born in an abatoir (sorry - hospital) and it was a complete impersonal nightmare. I appreciate that not everyone can have a home birth, but most women can under most circumstances, and it is cheaper for the country. Hospitals are for sick people.

My wife had our 2nd at home, much more relaxing.

There will be a Home Birth Workshop tonight at Riverdale Studio. This informal session will cover:

* Why homebirth?
* Planning a homebirth (including how to deal with any difficulties you might encounter).
* Practicalities
* With plenty of opportunity to ask questions and hear some inspiring home birth stories.

For further details please see the website http://www.sheffieldchoicesinchildbirth.com/page3.htm

Thanks,
Michelle.

The NCT have begun running a support group which is really useful for hearing great stories, as well as sharing practical tips. The next meeting is tomorrow - Tuesday 16th Nov 7.30-9.30pm @ Hillsborough bowling paviliion in the education space.

We look forward to seeing you there. pm me for more info or call on 0844 2436259