"Positive home birth"

I am writing to thank all the health care professionals for the amazing support pre & post natal and during labour.

This was my first pregnancy and I decided to look into a homebirth due to hearing such positive homebirth experiences. The team were very person centred throughout, I went over my due date and Lorna went above and beyond to provide me with support, I also received acupuncture within my own home in the days leading up to labour.

I started experiencing contractions just after 5am, my waters broke around 230pm and I called the maternity assessment unit around 330pm expriencing contractions consistently every 5minutes for over an hour with the expectation the homebirthing team would be contacted to come to my home.

Due to being uncertain if I had another show or was passing fresh blood I was advised I had to go to the hospital to be medically examined - I was slightly upset as I was unsure if I would be able to have a homebirth at this point. However, on arriving at the assessment unit the staff were kind and compassionate and took my feelings into consideration with regards to still wanting to return home if there were no medical concerns with the baby or me. I think one of the midwifes was called Gemma from the assessment unit.

I got set up on the monitor and was examined and I was 6cm - due to a break in the monitoring I was transfered to the labour ward for the baby to monitored for another hour. The medic returned and advised there was no medical concerns, baby was sitting in the best position for labour. It was suggested due to being in hospital already and experiencing consistent contractions I should remain there and be transfered to the midwifery suite where I would still be able to have a water birth, I was examined again and was still only 6cm dialated. One of the midwifes from the midwifery suite came to the labour ward as it was a change over of shift and if I was going to remain in hospital I was going to be transferred to midwifery suite. I forget the midwifes name from the midwifery suite however she was extremely supportive and displayed compassion and care throughout her contact with myself and my partner. After much consideration we decided we would return home as there was no medical need to remain in hospital. The midwife called the homebirthing team and I was so lucky it was 2 of the midwifes oncall who had been involved in my care throughout my pregnancy - Lorna and Jenny.

I was advised by the midwife my contractions may become more frequent on the journey home due to oxytocin levels rising however was provided with reassurance if I felt I needed to return to hospital not to hesitate about it.

As advised by the midwife my contractions did intensify very quickly on the journey home - thankfully my partner had already set the pool up earlier that day and was able to start filling it as soon as we returned home in the midst of supporting me with contractions. Lorna arrived shortly after we returned home from hospital, straight from the start she provided me with reassurance and support and helped keep me calm and focused - reminding me of my breathing techniques when required. The setting was just amazing and I felt calm within my own home, in the birthing pool, with fairy lights and my own soundtrack playing. At 2227, just over an hour and a half returning home I gave birth to our beautiful baby boy - Jenny unfortunately missed the birth as the baby decided he wasn't hanging around any longer however arrived 3 minutes after he was born. Again, the care I received straight after birth was amazing, it just seemed so natural to Lorna and Jenny who continued to provide me with reassurance - they both just made me feel so relaxed and calm.

Reflecting back I am so glad I made the decision to return home from the hospital whilst in labour and I believe it was due to having such confidence and trust in the homebirthing team which was gained from the care and treatment I recieved during my pregnancy.

Many people made negative comments with regards to me wanting a home birth (including some midwifes which wasn't helpful however this was a small minority) - especially because this was my first baby. However, it was the most amazing experience and I would definitely encourage others who are considering it to go for it if they can!

Overall the care and treatment I recieved from the majority of staff involved was amazing. I would like to thank all the staff within the maternity assessment unit, labour suite and midwifery suite for the support I received whilst in their care and a huge thank you to the homebirthing team.