Home births

Is giving birth at home a good idea? Despite home births being quite rare in the UK (only 2.6% of all deliveries took place at home in England in 2005-06), they are becoming a more and more popular choice, either for philosophical reasons, or simply because parents want a simpler experience of childbirth.


Your choice
You can ask your midwife if you are able to give birth at home. However, the provision of midwives to attend home births varies across the country and the NHS cannot guarantee the availability of a midwife for a home birth. From 2009, new laws apply allowing women to choose between having their baby in hospital, in a midwife-led unit or at home.

Medical conditions
Home birth can only take place if there are no particular risks associated with the pregnancy, in other words if it’s a “physiological” pregnancy.
In certain cases, home birth will not be permitted: if you are having a breech birth, twins, multiple births, you suffer from placenta praevia, diabetes or high blood pressure.
If complications occur during pregnancy or near your due date, a home birth will not be possible.

How does it take place?
Naturally! You don't have an epidural at a home birth; the midwife will, however, come along with equipment for mother and child, as well as a monitoring device to check your baby’s heartbeat during the birth. Where possible, the midwife who has assisted you throughout your pregnancy will be the one present at the birth.

Risks
There are risks, which is why many doctors are against home births. For example, a Caesarean might be necessary, or haemorrhaging might occur.

Being prepared to go to hospital during labour
You need to bear in mind that it might be necessary at some point to be transferred to hospital. If this is the case, the midwife will explain why she thinks it’s for the best and will call an ambulance to take you to hospital.

Benefits
The delivery takes place in familiar surroundings, which is psychologically reassuring for the mother. The father is fully involved in the arrival of his child. You’ll experience the natural side of childbirth, away from the medical/clinical features of a hospital.

Costs
As you may not be able to find an NHS midwife in your area who can assist with a home birth, another option is to pay for an independent midwife. Charges range from £1,500 to £4,000. 
For more information on independent midwives, visit www.independentmidwives.org.uk