First time around

This can be a problem for some women, as labour tends to be longer, and occasionally the baby has difficulty rotating properly. If your baby is in this position, you are very likely to need an epidural as labour can be long and you may get back pain.

I know I'll be labelled a doom merchant but I must also tell you that a small percentage of babies need medical help (forceps or a Caesarean Section) in this situation.

Of course, if your labour doesn’t go as quickly as it should, and you need an epidural because you're exhausted, can't cope with more pain or your midwife isn't happy about your baby, you can be transferred to hospital. But no woman in labour likes to be moved, let alone transferred by ambulance to a hospital which may be several miles away.

You'll have gathered by now that I think it's better to have a first baby in hospital but if you hate the idea, then talk to your GP or a midwife at your antenatal clinic.

Many hospitals have what is called a ‘domino’ system. This is a good alternative to a home birth for first time mothers. Your midwife delivers you in hospital, (so all available medical care is on site should you need it) but you return home after four hours or so, with the same midwife who looked after you in labour. It seems a pretty good compromise to me.