The Royal College of Midwives and The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists recognise that having a baby at home is a safe way to have a baby when you are fit, healthy and have had an uncomplicated pregnancy.
In fact, research shows that in these circumstances having a baby at home is at least as safe as having a baby in hospital and even by just planning to have a baby at home you reduce the risk of having interventions such as having your labour induced or augmented, having your baby by forceps or ventouse delivery, or caesarean section, of having an episiotomy or a tear requiring stitches.
Your home is the place you feel most safe and comfortable and this helps you to feel relaxed and more able to cope with labour. Being at home means that in the early stages you will be able to distract yourself by being with your family, pottering around, listening to music or watching TV, and you will be able to eat and drink whenever you wish to.
Your Community Midwife will be able to come to your home and assess how things are going so that we can plan your care. Once you are in established labour your Midwife will stay with you and when she anticipates the baby’s arrival she will call for another Midwife to be present for the birth so that you have two Midwives with you.
Being in labour at home helps you to feel less inhibited about doing the things you want to do to help you cope, such as walking around or using the bath or shower, and you are less likely to need pain relief. We will actively encourage you to be mobile and adopt positions that feel instinctive to you and can help to position your baby for the birth. We are happy to rub your back or show your partner how to do this and we have many solutions to help ease the way for you.
After your baby is born at home we will stay with you to ensure that you are recovering and happy and that the baby has fed. We will offer you assistance with a bath or shower and make sure that you have had something to eat and drink. When we do leave you will have a contact number to call if needed.
A home birth is a great way to welcome a new baby into your family!
