Hi scatterpatch. I've had two home births, both wonderful. DD1 I changed my mind quite late in pregnancy, 32 weeks. CMW was really pleased and put everything in place for us. I had no problems with the NHS, thankfully, though I realise this is rare. The only thing was that MW booked a consultant appointment for me for 41 weeks, as a matter of protocol. I rang to cancel, was told I couldn't cancel
so I said "You can either cancel the appointment or waste the consultant's time when I don't turn up." No idea whether this did the trick or not as I simply ended the call and didn't go.
I went into labour at 41+2 and had a 3 day labour with the MWs only being called on day 3, by which point I was 6cms (obviously a looooong latent phase!) and DD1 was born a few hours later in the birth pool, delivered by the MW. It was an incredible experience and completely exhausting! The length only confirmed my choice to stay at home, if I had been booked into the hospital I would have had a c/s for FTP.
DD2 I planned a HB from the start. I had the same CMW who was again totally supportive. I didn't see a consultant at all that pregnancy and took natal hypnotherapy classes. I went into labour at 40+4, woke up with waters breaking as I got out of bed! Contractions started about 3 hours later. I laboured on the bed and was in a really deep hypno-trance. I assumed it was going to take a while, what with my first labour being so long.
After a couple of hours the contractions were 3 in 10 and DH went and got the pool ready and rang the MW. He encouraged me to get in the pool and brought me some toast. I think he must have been able to recognise something about the way I was labouring that told him I was closer than I thought! The MW arrived and was not happy that I had got into the pool without her "permission". DH took her aside and gently told her that we did not need her permission to do anything!
An hour and a half later I was giving birth to DD2, with DD1 toddling around quietly! I received her myself, with DH sat by the pool with me and MW sat awkwardly on the other side of the room lol! She dashed over, not having realised I was pushing but DH gently stopped her rushing in while I put Willow to my breast. I stayed in the pool to deliver the placenta and then we asked the MW to clamp and cut the cord.
The whole thing was under 7 hours and as we moved ourselves to our bed the MW tidied up and brought us tea and toast. The second MW was never called and before the first one left she actually thanked us for letting her witness such a beautiful birth
This time we are going for an unassisted home birth. We didn't really need the MW last time so we figure why not go it completely alone unless there is a problem of course.
