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Homebirth Information

Since the 2007 review, a study of 529,688 low-risk planned home and hospital births was reported in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in 2009. The study concluded:

A home birth does not increase the risks of perinatal mortality and severe perinatal morbidity among low risk women, provided the maternity care system facilitiates this choice through the availability of well-trained midwives and through a good transportation and referral system.

Further sites with interesting info:

www.birthchoiceuk.com - Find the homebirth statistics for your area!
www.homebirth.org.uk - Lots of facts and statistics

Please click on the questions below to expand and view more information.

Can I have a home birth?

The simple answer would be yes. Providing you are experiencing a low risk trouble free pregnancy. The midwives professional body (The Nursing & Midwifery Council) has now published guidance for midwives on homebirth. The guidance clearly states that midwives should support women’s informed choice.

If you choose to have a homebirth then we have some useful information below to help you along your chosen path of delivery:

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When should I book my home birth?

You should be able to book your homebirth at any time during your pregnancy. It is very important that you contact your midwife as soon as you think you would like to deliver your baby at home so she can arrange to discuss homebirth with you. Once you have had this meeting you should be able to make a decision.

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What if I am already booked to have my baby at hospital?

If when asked early on in your pregnancy you chose to have your baby at a maternity unit then you should be able to arrange a homebirth meeting with your midwife to discuss changing your plans.

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Is a home birth messy?

Many times I have been asked this question, usually due to the fact that people have pale carpets or furniture and are concerned that they will become ruined if they deliver their baby at home. Thankfully this is not the case. Birth is not usually a messy business and when everyone leaves after the baby is born there will be no evidence that you delivered your baby other than the baby itself!

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Will I need to buy anything?

There are a few items you will be expected to have but mostly the midwives bring a homebirth kit with them. You will need:

There are a few items you will be expected to have but mostly the midwives bring a homebirth kit with them. You will need:

• Lots of Towels
• Plastic matting or shower curtains
• Old sheets
• TENS machine
• Camera/film
• Torch
• Newborn baby clothes, blankets
• Maternity sanitary pads and underwear
• Container for the placenta - old ice cream tub!
• Bin liners
• Birth plan
• Emergency hospital bag
• How many midwives will be at the birth?

One of your community midwives will attend once you make the call to say you are in labour. She will stay with you once in established labour until you are nearing delivery (2nd stage). She will then call a second midwife to be present at the birth.

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What pain relief can I have?

As your care at a homebirth is midwifery led then the pain relief options include:

TENS, Entonox (gas & air), water/pool and for some midwifery teams pethidine. However most teams choose not to offer pethidine at homebirths.

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What if I need more pain relief?

If you feel as your labour progresses that you need further pain relief, for example an epidural then you can transfer to your local maternity unit (even go in your own car). Epidurals cannot be given at home.

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is a home birth a safe option for us?

It has been proven that you at no greater risk at home than at the hospital. If a problem arises during your labour then the midwives will transfer you to the local maternity unit. Midwives carry all resuscitation equipment with them to homebirths should there be any problems.

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What happens after the baby is born?

The midwives will help tidy and ensure you are settled with your new arrival and have fed for the first time. They will then leave you in your own bed and return the next day, or even the same day if your baby was born in the morning. You will then receive the same post natal visits you would have done had you delivered in the hospital and come home.

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