Deciding where to have your baby is an important decision for you and your partner. We believe that you should give birth in an environmnt where you feel safe, comfortable and relaxed.
If you are healthy and there are no complications during your pregnancy then having your baby at home is as safe as having it in hospital, even if it is your first baby.
You can discuss your options of place at birth at any time throughout your ante natal period. If you decide you would like a homebirth a Midwife will visit you at home, between your 36th to 38th week of pregnancy, to discuss in more detail your birthing plan, what arrangements need to be made. Once you are in established labour a Midwife will stay with you until after the birth. A second Midwife will be called to provide additional support after your baby is born. A student Midwife may also attend with your permission.
There can be occasions when several women are in labour at the same time, this could mean a Midwife may not be able to come to you immediately. If this is the case the Midwife will make a plan with you over the phone. This could include asking you to come into the Maternity Unit instead of giving birth at home
If you choose homebirth you wil be given specfic contact number for when you go into labour. You can also use the following contact numbers:
Community Midwives Office - 0208 546 7711 extension 3863 during office hours
Labour Ward - 0208 546 0584 available 24 hour
Homebirth is not for every woman but it can:
- Help you to feel in control of your birth experience
- Reduce anxiety about the labour and birth as you feel more relaxed in your own home
- Promote active labour and normal birth
- Enables your birth partner to be fully involved and supportive in the birth experience
- Ensures support thoughout the labour and birth by a team of midwives known to you
Criteria for Homebirth
You can give birth at home if you are a woman who:
- Is medically healthy and you have no obstetric complications
- Has had no complications in previous pregnancies or births
- Goes into labour between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy
Pain Relief
Non-pharmacological forms of pain relief are promoted for homebirth and we will support you in your chosen method. This may include mobility, TENS, hypnotherapy, aromatherapy, hydrotherapy, deep-breathing and relaxation. Entonox and Pethidine are also available for a homebirth.
You may also want to hire a birthing pool for pain relief during the birth.
After a Home Birth
Following the birth of your baby at home the midwifery team will continue to visit you in the postnatal period. Sometimes it may be necessary to transfer either you or your baby into hospital, this would only occur to ensure that you were both cared for in the most appropriate setting, you would be fully involved in this decision.
Thinking of a Home Birth?
Your Midwife will go through the choices for where you have your baby. If you are thinking about a home birth let her know and she will discuss all the details with you and arrange to visit you in your home.