I had a home birth for my first baby, a son, who was born in May 98. At the time I was living in Stapleford, Nottingham. I decided that I would like a home birth if possible, after reading the NCT's (National Childbirth Trust) guide to pregnancy etc. It was the first time that I had actually thought about the whole issue. My mother had had all of her children in hospital, as had my sister, who had 3 caesareans.
My reasons for wanting a home birth included feeling extremely healthy throughout my pregnancy, therefore why make it into a medical issue. Also I am slightly sceptical of the traditional image of medical doctors being always in the right - probably due to knowing far too many irresponsible medical students at University!
I had a far easier experience booking the home birth than many of your other correspondents, it was a remarkably pain free process. My midwife was extremely positive, though both the GP and hospital doctor were not, as it was my first baby. There were mutterings about unknown pevis, first birth, risky etc! However, I decided to trust the midwife - they are the experts. I was always prepared to go into hospital if they said so - I relied on their judgement. The thing I was most worried about was the mess - however, a couple of plastic sheets meant that nothing was stained!
The birth went well - lasted about 12 hours, and it was great being at home. Very relaxing (as much as labour can be). Labour started about 4 pm on my due date! I found the tens machine great, though I'm not sure how much of the effect was psychological! The midwife who came out to me (at about 7 pm) was not the midwife who I had attended for the antenatal visits (she was away that weekend, much to her regret). However, this did not matter, as she was extremely experienced and very supportive. She came out and checked me, said that it could take a while, and went home for her tea, saying to phone when I needed her!
She came out again at about 10.30 pm and said that I was about 7 cm dilated - that was great news. She stayed with me the whole time, and was joined by a second midwife. Things slowed down a bit and my son was born at about 2 am - a healthy 8.8 lbs. We had a slight scare (I don't really remember this very well) in the middle of the night as there was meconium in my waters, so they called out the ambulance to bring oxygen, in case of foetal distress. Luckily it wasn't necessary, my son was fine. The worst bit was the stitching afterwards, as I tore quite badly despite all the perineum exercises I had done! I used up a whole cylinder of gas and air as the local didn't seem very effective! Luckily I hadn't used it during the birth, as they only had one cylinder!
I am now pregnant with my second child. I would like a home birth again and my doctor (I am now in Kegworth) was quite supportive. Hopefully I won't have any problems.
Good luck to everyone else,
Kristy, Kegworth, Leicestershire
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