If you’re thinking about giving birth at home, read our post on what to expect from a home birth

There are three main options when it comes to thinking about where you can give birth. These are:

1. In a hospital
2. In a unit run by midwives (referred to as a birth centre or midwifery unit)
3. At home.

The options about where you can have your baby will depend on the type of pregnancy you are having, your needs and any risks, and potentially the facilities available where you live.

Make sure you speak to your midwife or doctor if you have any questions, concerns or worries.

What Is A Home Birth?

A home birth is where you chose to have your baby at your home, and not in a hospital or a birth centre.

During labour and delivery, two midwives will be present at your home to monitor the wellbeing of you and your baby and help with the delivery of your baby.

Home births may not be suitable for some women for many reasons. Your doctor or midwife may recommend you give birth in hospital – for example, if you have a high risk pregnancy, are expecting multiple babies or the baby is in the breech position. You may also feel more comfortable giving birth in a hospital or birth centre.

What Can I Expect From A Home Birth?

In terms of antenatal care you receive when you are planning on giving birth at home, you will be looked after by midwifes throughout your pregnancy - the same as if you were planning a hospital birth.

If you are interested in having a home birth, you will need to confirm this with your local midwife team. In the third trimester, at around 36 weeks, you will discuss the practicalities of giving birth at home. You will be given a birth kit for home birth, this includes birthing equipment and home birth supplies, which you will need to keep at home.

Once you are in labour, you will need to phone your local midwife team to alert them. Two midwifes from your local team will come to your house for the labour and birth. The midwives will bring any additional equipment needed, including disposable pads.

Once you’ve given birth at home, the midwives will carry out checks on you and your baby. They will also dispose of all waste including the placenta.

What Should I Know About A Home Birth?

You will be giving birth in familiar and comfortable surroundings. This may mean you feel more relaxed throughout.

If you have older children, they can stay at home – if you want – but you don’t need to leave them.

You won’t have to leave your partner after birth and can sleep in your own bed that evening.

You may need to transfer to a hospital if there are complications during labour and once you’ve given birth. This is something to consider depending on close your nearest hospital is to your home and how easily you will be able to get there.

In terms of pain relief, you won’t be able to have certain options such as an epidural. You can use gas and air, a home birthing pool, TENS and/ or any additional relaxation techniques.

There’s a higher chance of you being looked after by familiar midwifes you have got to know during your pregnancy.

What Do I Need For A Home Birth?

Some women choose to have a birthing pool for a home birth. This is something you will need to arrange and set up yourself at home. You’ll also need to have towels and blankets to hand.

If you are considering giving birth on your own bed, it can help to prepare this with a thick plastic waterproof sheet underneath, which you can remove once you have given birth. Wherever in your house you are planning to give birth, it can help to have plastic sheets or absorbent pads to hand.

Anything that you may need during labour, including your own TENS machine, if you are planning on using one, and your own birthing ball. Plus, whatever you want to wear in labour, food and drink for you and your birth partner.

You will need your maternity notes to hand.

You will also need access to a kettle for tea for the midwives!

For a home birth it will also help to prepare anything you need for after the delivery, including maternity pads, a blanket to wrap the baby in, plus clothes, a hat and a nappy for them.

Packing A Hospital Bag

Some women may feel more prepared to pack a hospital bag in case they are transferred to hospital during labour or after delivery.

This should include:

• Your folder of maternity notes
• Something you feel comfortable in to wear while giving birth and comfortable, loose clothing to wear when you go home.
• Snacks and drinks
• Breast pads and maternity pads for when the baby is here, and a supportive bra to wear while breastfeeding.

For the baby you will need to bring:

• Clothing (including vests, baby grows and hats as well as an outdoor suit if the weather is cold)
• Newborn nappies
• Cotton wool
• A newborn car seat to go home in, with a blanket.

Our Pregnacare Midwife Says

Our Pregnacare midwife has this advice for anyone considering a home birth:

“Home births really are just incredible and although we’re not anticipating anything deviating from the original plan, it’s important to be ready for all eventualities. My tip is to make sure that you have an overnight hospital bag packed for you, your baby, and your birth partner. Just in case if it were needed for you to be transferred to your local hospital, you and/or your birthing partner won’t have to stress about packing things to take with you. You would simply collect the bags and make your way into the ambulance ready for transfer. Oxytocin is the main hormone needed for any labour, but when we invite stress into the situation, this releases adrenaline which is what knocks oxytocin out. The transferring from one environment to another can be a stressful situation as it is, so by keeping organised and ensuring a smooth transfer, this can help keep stress levels as reduced as possible. Besides, I always like to say – if you have it there, you probably won’t end up needing it!”

Make sure you also read our posts on:

What to expect from a hospital birth

What to expect from a birth centre birth

What to expect from a c-section

The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professional regarding any medical condition. While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in the blog and to describe best generally accepted current practices, we cannot accept any liability for errors or omissions or for any consequences from application of the information given.