Where are you having your baby?
Places to have your baby and information about them:
When your midwife asks you where you'd like to have your baby, she may ask you at the beginning of your pregnancy when really all you're thinking about is 8 months of pregnancy and how exciting (or sickneing!) it all is! You dont have to tell your midife at this point where you want to have your baby, you may liek to see how the regnancy progresses or decide at a later date, in hich case, just tell her you haven't researched it yet. Dont say you havent thought about it, the word is 'researched'!
Home
No often or always mentioned as an option when you book to have your baby. most women are asked "which hospital are you having your baby at" and home isn't mentioned, or you'r ewarned off having your first baby at home in case "something goes wrong". The body is a clever thing and often there are signs and symptoms if something was to go wrong. More often than not, plans go awry because your labour has been officated by the hospital/midwives for various reasons - but most annyingly because you're 'overdue'. despite our due dates being calculated on a dtuch village 150 years ago, we are still given a dat eour baby 'should' arrive by. With an independant midwife or with negociation with your medical carers you can go longer than 10-14 days past the date you're given.
Homebirth is considered safe, when booking with your nhs midwife they will support you throughout your pregnancy. they may mention homebirth is 'not possible' if you encounter a high risk condition in pregnancy or if something like your age pushes you into this catagory. Here at the maternity network we'd encourage you to research the condition or reason before you agree to changing your planned birth venue.
bring in your own home is the most naiutal and relaxing environment for most women. You may give birth the same place that your baby was concieved and it's hormonally possible that you're drawn to that area. Equally, some women birth in the smallest of places like the hallway on the stars or in the smallest bathroom in the house!
Your midwife will have a homebirth prep bag which will arrive towards your due date with some floor covers, clamps etc for the cord etc and they have a ressusatair which is often set up out of view so that it's ready in case it's needed. This doesn't mean your baby will need to be ressussatated, as it offers oxygen in case baby needs a whiff to stimulate breathing. Then again, if baby is connected by the placenta and cord after birth fora while, the oxygenated blood will continue to be given to your baby.
Pain reflief at home:
Gas and air (brought by your midwife, pethidine injection (muscle relaxant) birth pool, birth ball, tens machine,.
You may decide to hire or buy a birth pool in which to labour or give birth in. See our guide on birth pools.
Birth Centre
Hospital Labour Ward
Theatre (C-section)
Unexpected places:
The car
The ambulance
The carpark/side of the road
Related Articles
Feeding in public: local shops/restaurants etc. that make it easy to feed/change your baby
How to have an easier birth, by Louise Prince