Download Introduction Who can have a home birth? Why choose a home birth

Introduction
Who will be there?
This information leaflet has been
produced to answer some of the
commonly asked questions for women
considering a home birth.
A midwife will attend any women
choosing to have a home birth. Midwives
are experts in normal pregnancy, birth
and providing care after your baby is born
(RCM 2004). Whilst the midwives caring
for you would welcome the support of
your GP, this is not essential.
It includes details regarding the safety of
a home birth, the practical issues to
consider and how a home birth can be
arranged.
Who can have a home birth?
Any woman can choose to have a home
birth, including those having their first
baby. However, there are occasions
when a home birth may be unwise and
your midwife can discuss these with you.
Why choose a home birth?
There are many reasons why individual
women choose to give birth at home.
These include:
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Relaxing environment
The need to feel safe and in control
Greater privacy
Previous unhappy experience in
hospital or a fear of hospitals
To avoid unnecessary intervention
and focus on a normal childbirth
experience
To avoid disruption to family life and
separation from older children
Guaranteed one to one care in labour
The midwives work in teams and will
provide your antenatal and postnatal
care. However, the midwife on duty when
you go into labour may not be someone
you have met, as we have an on-call
system, but there will be an opportunity to
meet the team at coffee mornings or at
Aquanatal.
Is it safe?
Research evidence suggests that a
planned home birth is a safe option and
that there is a higher rate of normal
delivery amongst planned home births
(Olsen 1997). Many women report
greater satisfaction with their birth
experience at home when compared to a
hospital delivery (NCT 1997).
What pain relief methods can I
use?
Women who labour and deliver at home
report needing fewer drugs for pain relief
(NCT 1997). This may be as a result of
feeling more relaxed and in control,
therefore enabling them to cope with the
pain of the contractions. However, you
will have access to Entonox (gas and air)
which your midwife will bring to your
home. If you anticipate needing
Pethidine, your midwife can help to
organise this.
You may also wish to consider alternative
methods of pain relief such as TENS,
relaxation, breathing through
contractions, remaining active and upright
or a water birth. Water birth at home is
an option but you would need to hire your
own birthing pool. Please ask your
midwife for details.
For your consideration
Epidural pain relief is not available at
home. If you request an epidural you will
require transfer to hospital.
If things do not go as planned, your
midwife will be able to initiate appropriate
emergency first-aid. However, if further
medical treatment is required, you will
need to transfer to hospital by
ambulance.
How do I arrange a home birth?
Speak to your midwife who will discuss
home birth with you in more detail. The
midwife will then make the necessary
arrangements and discuss practicalities
with you.
To contact your midwife:
0161 276 6246
Supervisors of Midwives
first instance to speak to the manager of the
ward or department involved.
All midwives are supported by a
Supervisor of Midwives whose aim is to
ensure the safety and wellbeing of you
and your baby. If you have any issues
regarding your pregnancy or maternity
care, you can contact a Supervisor of
Midwives on:
The Trust has a Patient Advice and Liaison
Service (PALS) who can be contacted on
(0161) 276 8686 and via e-mail:
[email protected]. They will help you if you
have a concern, want advice, or wish to make
a comment or complaint.
0161 276 1234
(ask for bleep number 6060)
References:
Information leaflets about the service are
readily available throughout the Trust. Please
ask any member of staff for a copy.
Translation and Interpretation Service
Home Birth
National Childbirth Trust (NCT) 1997.
Olsen, O (1997) Meta-analysis of the safety of
home birth. Birth, 24(1), 4-13.
Information for Patients
Royal college of Midwives (RCM) 2004. Position
statement No. 4 Normal childbirth; RCM London.
Zero Tolerance Policy
We are committed to the well-being and
safety of our patients and of our staff.
Please treat other patients and staff with
the courtesy and respect that you expect
to receive. Verbal abuse, harassment and
physical violence are unacceptable and
will lead to prosecutions.
Suggestions, Concerns and
Complaints
If you wish to make a comment, have a
concern or want to complain, it is best in the
Saint Mary's Hospital
Maternity Unit
Telephone Number - 0161 276 6202/6342
TIG 121/06
Produced October 2006
To be reviewed: October 2008
Produced by the Printing Department, MRI