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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
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:
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.
What if I am already booked to have my baby in
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.
Is a homebirth 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!
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:
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
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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