Benefits of homebirth

There is much evidence that shows that a planned homebirth is as safe, or even safer, than hospital birth. Having your baby at home results in fewer, unnecessary interventions, and because you are in familiar surroundings you are more likely to feel relaxed, enabling labour to progress effectively.

A study in 1994 looked at 6000 planned homebirths in the UK and found that:
1. Babies born at home were much more likely to be in a very good condition at birth, resulting in good Apgar scores.
2. Babies were less likely to suffer birth injuries due to their mothers being less likely to need forceps and/or ventouse assistance.
3. Women were less likely to bleed heavily.
4. Women in the homebirth group had half the risk of needing a caesarean compared with the hospital group

IS HOMEBIRTH SAFE FOR A FIRST BABY?

Pregnancy and birth are normal life events. Following a healthy pregnancy, there is no reason why your first baby cannot be born at home. Every woman in Britain has the right to a home birth whatever the circumstances. To find out more follow the AIMS link on the links page.

Emma and Justin with their first child, Antoine born at home.

WHAT IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG?

Birth is often depicted on television as a dramatic process, fraught with danger and action!! In real life, it is a gentle process, one that develops slowly. A watchful midwife, that knows you well, will know if something is not proceeding as expected. If there is a need for transfer to hospital, it is done calmly and professionally, providing you with all the support that you had at home.