likely to need to transfer to hospital for a medical reason that cannot be managed at home. Transfer to hospital is via ambulance. A common reason for transfer is a long labour where the mother and/or baby gets tired and progress slows, necessitating an assisted delivery. Transfer to hospital happens for about 50% of first time mothers and in 10% of second or subsequent births.
What if I change my mind?
If, after planning/starting labour for your home birth, you change your mind and decide you do not want to give birth at home, you can transfer to hospital (or birth centre if available), providing your labour has not already progressed too far. Your midwife will advise.
Kate Cameron,
Breastfeeding Counsellor &
NCT Excellent Practitioner
How does it work?
Once you have phoned the labour ward to tell them your labour has begun, a midwife will visit you to assess your progress. The midwife will stay with you if you are in established labour, or come back later. A 2nd midwife is called when delivery is imminent so that mum and baby are both looked after. You can delivery your baby wherever you like in your home, as long as there’s space for the midwives to see what’s happening. Some women like to buy or hire a birthing pool. Women can use gas and air for pain relief and/or hire a TENS machine, but cannot receive Pethidine or an epidural.
After delivery and (managed or physiological) third stage, the midwives will give stitches if necessary, and give you plenty of time to have skin to skin with your baby, supporting you to breastfeed if you choose to. They will tidy up and help you have a bath when you’re ready. They will leave once you are settled, then call in later that day or early the next day to check on mother and baby.
What if something goes wrong?
Midwives are trained and equipped to cope with most problems, such as heavy bleeding after birth or a baby who needs resuscitating. The midwife will be observing and examining you during your labour and will know in advance if you are
You may be interested in these home birth stories from local families:
Have a Home Birth? I Must be Mad....
I Must be Mad - Father's Perspective