Place of Birth   

Most births in the UK take place in hospital, and there is a common misconception that this is the safest option.  There is a growing body of evidence to show that women planning to give birth at home have better outcomes for themselves and their babies than women who plan a hospital birth.  The reasons for this are many and varied including:

Feeling safe: In order for the birth hormones to work properly, women need to feel safe and secure.  Being able to control who is present in your birth environment is much easier in your own home.  And of course, most women feel safe in their own home.  Feeling safe is important, because it will help you to relax, and when you relax labour hurts less. 

Distraction:  In your own home, you are likely to be able to find things to help take your mind off some of the more difficult sensations of birth.  Many women potter around during the early stages of labour, baking or gardening, before settling down to the serious business of birth.  In hospital, the distractions you experience are more negative - unknown people knocking on the door to borrow a piece of equipment, or talk to your midwife - and less likely to help you to enter the safe space you need to be in for birth. 

Comfort: The furniture, lighting and decor in your home is likely to be more relaxing and comfortable.  You may also have tastier food in your fridge, and of course you can help yourself to food and drinks as you wish at home.  

Appropriate levels of monitoring and intervention: During a home birth, we will listen to baby's heartbeat at regular intervals, as well as monitoring your wellbeing.  Research has demonstrated that listening to a baby's heartbeat continuously during a straightforward labour increases the likelihood of a caesarean birth, without improving the outcomes for mothers or their babies.  We bring all the equipment to a home birth that would be available in a birth centre to deal with emergencies.

Of course, if there are additional risk factors, or if you would not feel safe and comfortable at home, hospital birth may be the best option for you, and we are happy to accompany you for this. 

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