MM thank you for the heads up on this thread So glad you thought of me its great
Marley2580 Thank you x10000 for sharing your birth plan I was her almost wetting myself at some parts
especialy the part about telling the "is it here yet brigade" to sod off and bashing people with the gas and air. But its really good lots of bits I would'nt have thought to include even after going through it 4 times. Good luck and don't do too much damage with heavy objects.
MM I hope you get your home birth preferably with full suport of OH. I have to say if you really feel it's right for you it probably is. My first 3 children (from 1st marrage) were born in hospital... ok easy births with no complications but it all felt so clinical. I was in more pain because of being stuck in one place and bored because of being limited to one room and because they were all born in the middle of the night, it was more or less insisted that I stay till morning.... then you have to wait to be given the "all clear" b4 you can leave and wheres dad in all this...... AT HOME ALONE (ok looking back best place for my x !!), fending of the calls and well wishers and and waiting around for the call to come get you.
Im sorry but i'm just of the opinion that at such a special time mum, dad, new baby and other children (and if its your wish other close reletives) should be with you ..especialy mum and dad together. Dads seem to get a little pushed out all too easlily as it is, all the focus is on mum and baby so for dad to be shipped off home is just out of the question for me, even the possibility of it happening.
My Oh (2nd hubby And brilliant) supported me fully when I wanted our DS to be born at home, 1st because he knows how much I hate hospitals and second because he trusted in my instincs but also because he weighed every thing up.... Pregnancy had been complication free, we were a 10 minute ambulance ride from hopspital should it be needed, full support of midwifes ( who at the end of the day knew what they were doing and talking about) And lastly because this was our time we wanted to be together and share those special precious moments that you can never have back if you loose them. And it was wonderful I had a dry birth last time but he was with me every step of the way. It was almost as if it was just us, the midwife stepped in if and when she was needed and after the three of us just snuggled up in bed and I have to say it's made us closer.
This time we've brought a pool, I'm not sure yet if I will actually have her in the pool or if we will use it but OH knows whatever happens we will be relaxed and in our home and if anything happens the midwifes are there with their wealth of knowledge and experience. They have seen things b4 and know where they do or don't lead and can make decisions way in advance of emergencys. At the end of the day if there is a problem they already know of b4 hand they are already prepaired for it, if the problem is too great they will not allow/support a homebirth in the 1st place and if a problem arrises that they or anyone else did not know of its just the same as being in hospital.. If your in the delivery suite and a problem appears they have to prep theatre get the extra staff called, assembled and scrubbed up and you knocked out or whetever. If this happens at a home birth the ambulance is already on call ( midwife notifies ambulance station etc for homebirths as routine just in case they're needed, so they are already ready) the hospital are doing all the theatre and staff prep while you are on the way and you go straight to theatre (worst case) as you would from the delivery suite at hospital.
If you are the sort of person (and this is NOT a knock to anyone) that feels more secure and comfortable in a hospital then being worried or stressed won't make it a good experience for you.
BUT if you are comfortable with a fully quailfied midwife who at the end of the day delivers babys (not doctors so is the specialist in that field at the end of the day. You wouldn't go to a heart specialist for a brain op!!) and are comforable you can manage your pain (another factor for most) but which I have to say from experience was much easier at home??? Then this will be a good and enjoyable experience for you which you may regret if you don't try it.
You can always ask at any stage to be transfered to the hospital if you get worried or can't manage the pain or just want to go. It seems to be an unspoked thing that if you choose a homebirth you only go to the hospital if something goes wrong and then it gets all scary. But thats just not the case you can ask to go in at anytime for any reason
Sorry I've waffled on enough. I don't want to sway or pressure anyone, but I hope that anyone wanting to do it but just don't know if they can will get something from this. If everything has been ok through pregnancy give it a try arrange everything and transfer to hospital if need be.... But you may just be surprised at how relaxing and calm evrything is and be there a lot longer than you thought you would. After all they are now making birthing centers away from hospitals and as homley as they can
We have paid £180 for 12 hours of sessions. I think that's good and my HIP grant covered it with a tenner to spare 
