Home Births Rock! (Home Births)

Member Name: danables

Product:	Home Births
Date:	17/10/08 (20 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: so many!

Disadvantages: none

My first birth at Frimley Park hospital was traumatic. Dont get me wrong, it was pretty much textbook as far as the actual birth was concerned, no complications, just a really long 3 day labour. Apart from the overwhelming pain of childbirth which, as a first time mother I had not prepared for, I was also treated very badly.

My midwife (whom id never met before) was hardly at the birth, she seemed to wander in and out to check the machine she strapped me to, didnt really ask how I was feeling or offer me any encouragement, advice or support. I was left sucking on gas and air till I demanded to have an epidural. I was not made aware of when I was able to have one which is what id asked for in my birth plan and consequently was told that not only was no anethsnatist available but that it was to late (this was followed by a smirk from the midwife) I was freaking out and after the birth was also treated badly on the postnatel ward where I was told to "use my common sence" when asking how to change a nappy, I wasnt offered any water or food either.

So when I became pregnant again I was filled with fear and just wanted a c section. After talking with a specialist I realised that most of my fear stemmed from the hospital and how I was treated rather then the actual birth and it was then that I began looking into home births.

My home birth turned out to be one of the most positive experiences of my life. It wasnt any quicker or less painful but I learnt how to cope with it better. I wanted to remain mobile and walk around and use different positions. My husband massaged my back every time I had a contraction which could not be done if I was being monitored at hospital. I was told coping strategies and got to know the midwives (you get two with a homebirth) on a personal level which I also would not have been able to do at hospital (due to them always being needed somewhere or doing mountains of paperwork I have since been told) I was able to eat what I wanted when I wanted enabling me to keep my strength up, and afterwards I could sleep in my own bed instead of a noisy hospital ward.

But what if something went wrong I hear you say, well, the midwifes are with you right from the start of contractions (unlike a hospital birth when you are told to come in when your contractions a 2 mins apart) so had there had been any complications, these would have been picked up on sooner giving me more time to transfer had this been necessary.

The amusing thing was that the midwife who had been horrible to me on the postnatal ward was actually the one who ended up delivering my second!!!. I never told her this, as when she turned up I thought I would see it through and it would be good therapy for me, (my husband would have killed her if id told him at the time) and it was, I got to know her and she was nice, very direct. but nice. I'd also found out that she qualified 2 and a half years ago- exactly when I gave birth to my first so she was probably tired and stressed herself.

Im no longer terrified of giving birth and feel sad that I considered and elective c- section to begin with but Im very glad it turned out the way it did. Consequently Jacob, my little boy is a very calm baby, unlike my first!

Id recommend a homebirth to anyone

Summary: If you are considering this do look into it i couldnt recommend it more!