HOME BIRTH ?

Isn’t that something only earth mothers do?  

-well actually no it isn’t. More and more women are researching the facts and discovering that childbirth is a safe and sensible option for the majority of women.

In 1992 the House of Commons Select Committee stated:-

“On the basis of what we have heard this committee must draw the conclusion that the policy of encouraging all women to give birth in hospitals cannot be justified on grounds of safety”.

(Health Committee Second report, session 1991-92, Maternity Services HMSO 1992)

Yet the majority of women, visiting their GP when first pregnant will be automatically booked for a hospital birth. In terms of the concept of informed choice this is almost scandalous. Repeated studies have shown that planned home birth is, at least, as safe as planned hospital birth and offers better outcomes in all major aspects.

Choosing a hospital birth :

-     doubles the risk of having a caesarean section,

-     doubles the risks of forceps or ventouse birth,

-     increases the risk of post-partum haemorrhage, episiotomy and serious tears.

Babies born in hospital are :

-     more likely to be in poor condition at birth

-     more likely to have birth injuries and to need resuscitation

Finally women who choose home birth are more likely to breastfeed and to continue breastfeeding giving their babies long-term health benefits.

These facts emerged from a major study of nearly 6000 women who planned home birth in the UK. Each woman was matched for risk with a woman planning hospital birth. (1) Yet this information was not new – everytime research is carried out into the safety of planned home birth the results are the same, yet the home birth rate still remains frustratingly low.

As independent midwives we work outside of the NHS and therefore rely on our clinical judgement to ensure the health and well-being of women and  babies. For that reason we encourage all women to consider seriously homebirth as an option. At home a woman feels at ease, secure in her own environment, she can move freely and eat as she chooses, she can use her own toilet and bathroom and have her loved ones about her, or she can be alone if she chooses. It is her space and the midwife is a guest. These circumstances allow the woman to relax and release the vital hormones necessary for her body to labour effectively and for her to cope with the labour and give birth with confidence.  

The midwife’s role is to ensure that nothing occurs to interfere with that environment, but also to ensure the safety and well-being of woman and baby. Midwives working at home understand and feel at ease with the ebb and flow of labour, they sit and wait or they offer support where appropriate. They are trained to recognise where problems might be occurring and will advise transfer to hospital if necessary. They carry all of the first line of emergency equipment and are trained to deal with such events, although these are rare. Many women say the greatest joy of homebirth is to be with people you know and trust and that works for midwives too. Caring for a woman who has become a friend brings a particular pleasure and we share the delight of the family after the baby is born and the tea or champagne is passed round. 

Finally what could be nicer after giving birth that to sink into your own warm bath while the midwives tidy everything up, then into your own fresh bed with your baby and partner. The midwives will say good-bye, to return to-morrow. The perfect solution.

Don’t let anyone tell you that you need to be brave to have a homebirth, that you’ll never cope and “wouldn’t you rather have a nice epidural?” Women know how to give birth, somewhere within our bodies is the knowledge handed down through generations, we need the right support and environment, then we can give birth with confidence and be amazed at what we have done.

Tina Perridge 

 (1) Chamberlain G., Wrought A., Crowley P., Homebirths. The Report of the 1994 Confidential Enquiry.  National Birthday Trust Fund. Parthenon Publishing, 1997.