Home vs Hospital birth?

Hi, I am new to OHbaby, am due for my first baby at the end of June.

I recently went to visit the hospital where I have booked to have our baby, but didn't feel like it was the right place for me.
So... also have been reading the Tummy Talk mag/book, and am getting very interested and liking the option of a planned home birth.
The thing about the hospital is that if I needed an emergency c-section, I would have to be transferred, as it is only a Birthing Unit.
So my theory is that my midwife (and I have talked to her about this) will be as prepared as the Birthing Unit, and I would be much more comfortable at home, so I would rather be at home.

What are people's experiences with this sort of thing?

sorry its a long post, but I need to make a decision...

Hi there,

I have had 5 children, 1 emergency c-sec, 2 hospital births and 2 home births.Im pregnant with number 6 and planning another home birth.   The Midwives ( you should be having your own one and another one of her associates will come for the birth as well) are just as eqipped to deal with emergencys as a birthing unit. Ive heard and read that home births seem to have less complications anyway quite often because the mother is more at ease. Maybe you could take into account how long a drive it is to the hospital should you need it. My home births were far better than the hospital ones. I had a 10lb 4 oz boy in a birthing pool at home and a 10lb posterior boy at home and they both went really well. Even when your in labour though its never to late to decide to head to the birthing unit/hospital if you change your mind. Good luck with what you decide and Ill pop back for a update.

I would go home birth all the way with a good midwife and support! I am hypnobirthing, but at a (very natural) birth centre as we live in the country and felt it was a bit better for us there for #1, but I am really keen to try a homebirth for the next babies that come.
All the best

Thanks for all your feedback!!

I have had a fantastic pregnancy, no MS, high BP or anything.
So no probs there.

By the way, it was Burwood Hosp. I have had friends tell they had a great time there, but it just didn't sit right with me. I am a big fan of being comfortable and happy and confident in situations, and I feel I would be more that at home... so nothing against there

Burwood is great from what I've heard, but if you didn't feel comfortable there, then go with your gut.

I think the fact that you're thinking about it means you should seriously consider it. I myself birthed at CWH and will again but only because my medical history dictates specialists need to be on hand.

As others mentioned, midwives are trained to birth babies obviously, if all goes well they don't need to use forms of intervention regardless of where you birth, so a homebirth is no different really. The only thing I don't like about a home birth is that at the hospitals you get your food brought to you and have people on tap to help you out - but you can go somewhere to recover if you choose to for that reason.

Also, it may be worth hiring a TENS machine from the hospital (sorry don't know cost). Apparently they're great - I'm going to get one this time I think. Just to help you through the labour a bit more and a more natural form of pain relief if you need it. Good luck anyway

HI , ive had two homebirths and one hosp.
in my experience i would def recommend a homebirth. it was so much nicer for us, i was at home so i could feel at ease and do what i liked. there was noone telling me what to do.
with my 1st bubs at hosp was awful i basically got plonked on a bed and stayed there, it was scary and daunting for me.
the two homebs were awesome, relaxing and i felt safe.
also a big plus was the after care, it was wonderful being able to crawl into my own bed, with bubs and my partner too.
we didnt have to make a big transition adnd just found it so much nicer.

I used the canterbury homebirth midwifes last preg and they were fantastic.
they come equipped with everything and i was kept a close eye on. i was never worried for mine or the babies safetly.

sorry for the convuluted babble :)
you need to go with your gut. and you need to make sure you feel safe and comfortable.

I can't have a homebirth for a few medical reasons, and I would probably be reluctant to anyway, only reason being is I would rather not associate my home with any pain or blood and mess!

At the hospital there is someone else to clean it up for you!

Having said that, I am not a big fan of hospitals either, but I don't have a choice.

I have had friends who have had homebirths for their second or third child, and were all for it, so go with your gut instinct.

I don't think I will ever have a home birth by choice because my first baby was exactly that: an emergency c/s, totally unpredictable (I just started haemorraging mid-labour). So with that background, I would say that if you really would be more comfortable at home, well you would probably labour better where you feel more comfortable but make sure you are in an easy commuting distance. Oh and if you have other dependants, a hospital birth at least means you have the option of a stay (no responsibilities and all meals provided, on time).