"Home birth"

Homebirth Story

We had a just amazing experience with the NHS Fife homebirth team.

After a previous 56hr labour with lots of interventions (some potentially preventable) I knew I wanted to explore all options and alternatives (on debrief with the obstetrics consultant they offered in my case C-section, elective episiotomy, obstetrics managed labour they did not mentioned but also did not discouraged home birth team) and after finding that home birth stats are statistically safer/less intervention is required I requested and I was supported by the team having all my appts at home and benefitting from funded classes in birth hypnosis (hypnobirthing) and individual care in managing and reducing risks of the labour complications I experienced last time. They delivered the full hospital at home kit and requested prescriptions for morphine and anti sickness injections from the GP so I had access to them if I wanted, but didn't require in the end - no meds at all for labour.

I was lucky enough to have my first allocated midwife Frances (though all of the team made an effort to ensure we had a good relationship just in case) on call when I started and she was joined by a community midwife, Rachel, who by chance lives on the next street from me.

I found the school pick up a bit of a struggle at 3pm and noticed had started losing cervical plug - suspected I might labour that night. I text Frances at 11.30pm to say I was niggling regularly enough that it woke me up and was now every 5 mins I then called her at about 12.30am to say I needed to get in the pool to help with the surges so she set off to be with us. I called granny for my 5yo and the second midwife arrived around 1.30am and baby was born not much more than an hour after that. Hubby coached me through the hardest parts of transition and when baby arrived in the pool I caught him! 

So many people commented I was brave to do this at home, but I had totally the opposite experience - it was so much calmer for me than going to hospital - although trust in the service and my birth was required it was way more straightforward, I was well prepped by the hypnobirthing, going to positive birth and home birth meets and I was able to avoid panicking into decisions on which interventions to have when. A very healing birth after our first experience - for both of us.

When I had to go in for stitches for my third degree tear a few hours after my continuous care midwives came with me and my repair went well. The team will continue to visit us until day 10 and I always look forward to Frances, Paula or Katrina coming in for their cuppa and catch up.

Fife ladies, if you are curious I wouldn't hesitate to recommend chatting to one of the team 😍