Homebirths - fantastic (Home Births)

Member Name: HJAL

Product:	Home Births
Date:	11/10/08 (38 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: More relaxed atmosphere

Disadvantages: If anything goes wrong its not as safe as being in hospital

Fantastic! When I had my eldest son 3 1/2 years ago i was induced due to having pre-eclampsia. The birth was traumatic, they talked me into having an epidural when I didnt want one and then to top it off had to have epidural twice as the first one did not work. Also when I had given birth i was not allowed to have a bath and nobody came to clean me. I had to threaten going home before they sent somebody to give me a bed bath. So, when I finally caught on with my second, i knew that there was no way at all unless me or the baby was in danger that i would go to hospital. When I was actually in labour i waited until the pain was unbearable before calling for a midwife to come and when she arrived she examined me to tell me i was only 6cm dialated. She said it could be hours yet and I knew that i couldnt last another 2 mnutes let alone 2 hours so we agreed that i would go into hospital and have a water birth. She called the other midwife and told her not to come, rang the hospital and asked to fill the birthing pool and also rang an ambulance to transfer me. As i stood up i knew the baby was coming and within 5 minutes my gorgeous baby boy was born weighing 8lb 10oz - only an oz smaller than his older brother at birth. Even though in the end I had decided to go to hospital it was only because i was in transition. It was amazing too when 20 minutes after he was born all the grandparents were at ours to meet the new arrival. I found it the best experience of my life - so much more relaxing and less stressful. I just watched saturday night tv right up until the birth! Would definately recommend a homebirth to anybody who has had a bad experience in hospital. Although I dont think I would like to have a homebirth if it was my first pregnancy. Also being able to go upstairs and have a bath and get into my own bed was bliss. I would say that it is only suitable if you are in good health. I had to see consultants quite regularly to monitor whether I could have one due to my pre-eclampsia with my previous pregnancy.

Summary: Homebirths are great