That is fantastic that you are looking at homebirth! Do your research, this is very doable.

In the states, the midwives do all the clean up Maybe they do there as well.

a home birth would be pretty cool to do.

my sister inlaw said some nurses are snobby..well most are, you rarely get one who is nice.
They pressure to do alot when the baby is born, show you MULTIPLE ways to breast feed, and say no no no thats wrong. Its whatever feels comfortable for you. Not every woman will breast feed the same way, and some can't do it at all.
They shouldnt have put you down for it.

I hope everything goes well and that you can have a home birth.

I'm considering giving birth a home in a pool. I hear its less painful. And my cousin did it with 3 of her kids. And that turned out well.

Don't think it's too early. It's never too early to think about it...I changed my mind tons of times before I delivered my last one.

I had a home birth with my second. It was great. I just labored at home, got on the bed when it was time and had her. Didn't have to go anywhere to do anything.

My doctor had me set up a room before she was born: it really isn't such a messy thing. You just have to have a waterproof liner on your mattress, which is a good thing to have as it is anyways, a trashcan with double liners and a painter's plastic for the floor. Then you just take all the sheets and use a little hydrogen peroxide and all the fluid stains come out. You can use the peroxide for the flood if anything goes off the painter's plastic. Easy.

Good luck with it all

The very idea of home birth terrifies me. I'm a very paranoid person by nature, so naturally my mind goes to the worst possible outcome. I'd be afraid that there would be a complication that would be taken care of promptly in a hospital, but at home could be fatal to myself or my baby. Or that my baby's heartrate would drop and I wouldn't know. I'm personally much more comfortable leaving everything in the hands of medical professionals. I could never forgive myself if something were to happen.

I don't mean to sound like a downer though, Zanny! Home birth can be a very intimate and peaceful thing, and if you feel you want to do this I'm behind you 100%. Like Ingi suggested, do lots of research and definitely have a back-up plan in case of an emergency.

Thanks for all the info!

I still have all the "what if" scenarios in my head, but I'm only about 15 minutes away from the hospital, possibly less, in case of an emergency.

I've been doing some research on waterbirths too.. On a couple of websites it said you're less likely to tear if you give birth in water. I'm going to do everything I can to prevent tearing so badly again.

I have a midwife appointment on thursday so I'm going to mention giving birth at home & see what she says about it.

Ok I've just found some info that's making me want a home birth even more:

"According to the Department Of Health tables, the maternity unit with worst infection rate is at Blackpool Victoria Hospital - where 55 women in every 1,000 giving birth get an infection."

That's where I had Jenny & where I would be having this baby

That would be enough info for me to stay fimly athome! I think aslong as you're well prepared and educted about a home birth then there shouldn't be any reason why you shouldn't. I really want to hire a birthing pool and have my next at home but i'm not allowed due to my epilepsy. If it's what you want Zan then go for it

I fully support you wanting a home birth and I think its a safe way to go as long as you are low risk pregnancy. Find a midwife that wants what you want. She can be there during the birth and some even have equipement to stitch you up if you do tear. Plus like you said you are 15 mins away from the hosp. You can also notify the fire dept that morning that you will be birthing at home and that way they can be alerted asap.

I would have done the same but I would have chosen a water birth. The only reason I am not is because of my herpes and strep b. There could be dangers when I deliver. So I need to be in a hospital.

But i did tons of research and what I found shocked me. Hospitals make you birth the way they see fit and when they see fit. For one: laying flat on your back creates a small lip in your lower spine that the baby has to pass. This is why many tears happen. They have you push your baby not only out but up as well. Also they dont allow you to push when you want to they tell you how hard and how long and sometimes the baby just isnt ready. I think thats why people get cut and tear because they are trying to rush it.

Now the water is wonderful. If you dont birth in a tub you can at least labor in one. Its a natural pain releif and the water actually soaks the perinuem making it soft and stretchy. So when the baby is pushing on it, its more flexible and less likely to tear. Like shaving after a bath. Your skin is soft and easier to handle. Same with tweezing after a bath. Also there are so many medical interventions that arent necessary. Like inducing labor because your 1 week past your due date. Or youve been in the OB for 8 hours and no progress. Ok lets induce. Thats ridiculous. The baby will come when its ready.

Or you can birth on your floor in your own bed. You have the freedom to have whoever in the room. You can eat and drink, you can do whatever you want to.

Well sorry for the novel. I just am very passionate about home and water births and I was very disappointed that I couldnt do this. But just make sure you have a midwife that wants what you want.

my sister in law just had her little girl at home a little over a month ago. She had a big blow up pool in her living room and delivered in the pool in her living room! She said the labor went very easlily and no complications. Aferwards her and the baby had a nice herbal bath. This was her 5th kid, but the first one she had at home. She liked it a lot better than the hospital! And it didnt last as long! Good luck! (if this wasnt my first baby, i would do the home birth also...but im terrified with this being my first baby!)

I would never consider home birth because I am an anxiety freak but I would highly consider a water birth. My whole pregnancy had so many complications and was bummed that I couldn't have a water birth. If I ever have another baby (big if), I would definitely do that.

Good luck to you and your decisions. I don't think it's too early at all to think about those things. It gives you time to gather information and consider all options.

I had a homebirth for my daughter Ambiana and could not imagine ever having a baby in the hospital. Birth is not a medical condition but is the inherent purpose of our lives and body and to be able to bring a child into the world in a peaceful and gentle manner is the goal. Sure somplications happen and for that there is the hospital. Back up plans and choosing the right MD beforehand = peace of mind but so is trusting our bodies and ourselves and surrendering to the process. I am pregnant with my second child and we are again planning a homebirth.