If you’ve read some of my pregnancy updates or this post about birth choices then you may know that I have been considering a home birth. I was really keen on the idea at the start of my pregnancy but when I found out at the 20 week scan that I had a low-lying placenta I tried not to really think about how I would be giving birth until the next scan at 32 weeks to see if the placenta had moved. I had all but convinced myself that it wouldn’t have moved and I would have to have a caesarean so I was very surprised to find out that in fact it had moved and I could have my home birth after all! But having convinced myself of one outcome I’ve been finding it quite difficult to get back my enthusiasm for a home birth 100%. When I saw the midwife last week she was wanting to know if I had decided but despite going over everything in my mind I was still swaying backwards and forwards between staying at home or going into the midwife-led unit where I had Toby. I keep trying to think about it and weigh up the pros and cons of each option but I’m still struggling to make decision so I’ve come to the conclusion is that what I need is a list! Hopefully this will help me decide once and for all…
And so, I think I have made my decision….and I’m going to go for the home birth! As the midwife said, if it comes to the crunch (or the push!) and I really feel like I would rather go to hospital then I can, but I can’t suddenly decide I want to stay at home. The real big reasons for me are; as my labour with Toby was quick (8 hours from the first twinge to having a baby) it is likely that this labour will be even quicker and I just don’t fancy a manic drive to hospital or even worse not making it in time; and being at home straight after the birth, not having to hang around waiting to be discharged. With Toby I was still in the delivery room over 24 hours after giving birth, there were no beds on the ward and eventually I just decided to come home.
So, with the decision made I guess that means it’s time to start getting organised.
I would love to hear if you had a home birth and what you thought of it, or maybe you just can’t imagine giving birth anywhere except in hospital!
Fingers crossed for your home birth. I had a low lying placenta with number 2 and mine moved too. It’s hard to know what birth plan to make until you know and I’m glad you are so positive!
Thanks for linking to #blogbumpclub
How exciting! I think that’s the right decision, as your midwife said you can change your mind if you want to. I want a home birth if we have another but only if I can guarantee that they’d take me to the hospital I had Toby in if necessary, not the one in our neighbouring county that has a bad rep! Good luck lovely xx
Yay! Lots of luck hun!!
My midwife was really trying to talk me into having a home birth, but I really wanted a water birth. My first labour wasn’t a nice experience at all. But my 2nd was perfect! I spent the majority of the labour at home, I dealt with it so so well and was so calm. Then I went into hospital and straight into the water pool and started pushing straight away. I didnt have any other pain relief and it was great (as great as labour goes lol)
Good luck!! #MaternityMatters
Ooh so exciting! I would love a home birth, I wanted to with Harry but I have too many complications 🙁 Hope all your preparations go well and you have a lovely experience x#blogbumpclub
YAY! It is truly the most amazing, empowering experience 🙂 and then there’s the post-birth tea and cake with the Midwives 🙂 xxx
So exciting 🙂 After a really easy labour with my first and staying at home until I was 10cm, I would love a home birth next time. It’s just the fact that my daughter was unwell when she was born worries me slightly in case that happens again – oh and my husband is obsessive about cleanliness and would probably drop dead on the spot if I even suggested it!
I’m so pleased that your placenta has moved and that you are planning on getting the home birth that you hoped for. Fingers crossed everything is plain sailing for now on.
I think you should just plan to stay at home as long as possible and see what happens 🙂 It really isn’t that messy – I bought a cheap duvet and pillows to make a bed on the floor and shower curtains from Poundland to put over everything. We also bought a birth pool but you can hire them too – that’s a messy part as there’s quite a lot of ‘waste’ when you give birth in the pool but Hubby sorted that out after!! x
How exciting! I had a hospital birth with M and wouldn’t change it even if I could, but it wasn’t exactly the most stress free experience of my life. If we had A second I’d seriously think about home birth too. I’d have to feel very confident the baby and I were both up to it and I’d want to be near a good hospital as well, but otherwise I think I’d go for it. Can’t wait to hear how it all works out for you!
Eeeek! Home birth! How exciting! And how wonderful, after the worry about needing a c-section! I can’t wait to read all about it! Thanks so much for linking up to #MaternityMatters x x x