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Home vs hospital births - the iVillage debate
Should I have my baby at home? Will I manage better in hospital? iVillage mums discuss their different experiences of labour and delivery
- Why choose?
- I've given birth in hospital and at home
- My hospital birth was great
- I had my first baby at home
- I wish I'd been able to deliver at home
- I started at home, but ended up in hospital
Why choose?
With baby's birth looming, most Mums in the UK opt to give birth in hospital. With only two per cent of mums delivering at home, it appears that fear of the unknown is still a big factor when it comes to deciding where to have your baby.
In normal, uncomplicated pregnancies, where mum is in good physical health, a home birth can be as safe as a hospital birth. On the other hand, many women feel secure knowing that medical help (and painkillers!) are close by when delivering in hospital.
Ultimately, it's all about choice and having the birth option that's best for you and your baby. No matter where you have your baby, every parent wants the best possible outcome - a healthy, happy baby.
I've given birth in hospital and at home
'I had a home birth with my third son in August 2005 after having two hospital births. The hospital births weren't particularly bad, but I felt very much like a patient, strapped to a machine, lying on a bed and being told what to do and when.
'My home birth was a completely different and amazing experience. I laboured wandering round my home, laughing and joking - yes, even towards the end, during contractions! I did everything I wanted, when I wanted to. As for pain relief, I only had a bit of gas and air towards the end. It was a wonderful experience and if I'm mad enough to go through it all again, I'd definitely do it at home, if possible. This is not to say I'm against hospitals and hospital births. Not at all, after all I am a nurse, but for me home birth was the best.'
scarletttears
My hospital birth was great
'My baby girl, Molly, was induced at 37 weeks gestation. The induction wasn't nice at all (the internal and the prostin gel) but once it was done, my partner and I walked around for a bit, then I sat in a nice warm bath for about an hour. I had some lunch with my partner and my aunty, who'd come to sit with me. After a while, I had pethidine for pain relief but at no time was I continuously monitored or strapped to the bed. Every time I had a contraction I leapt up and leant over the bed while the midwife rubbed my back and commented on how unusually agile I was.
'Molly was born without help. In fact, her whole body shot out in one push and I didn't need an episiotomy or stitches. The whole thing lasted just nine hours 40 minutes from being induced to holding my daughter.
'I've heard that you're more relaxed in your own home but if you have a good level of care at the hospital and have a relaxed and positive attitude I don't see why you won't have a good experience there.'
phoenix1985
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