06/06/2021
๐ก Happy National Homebirth Day ๐ก
Today celebrates all things homebirth.
Fact; At UHS we supported 87 women to achieve a home birth in 2020!
Homebirth is a great option for people who are having an uncomplicated pregnancy. It wonโt be for everyone, but it is vitally important for people to know that it is an option.
This enables people to have discussions with their midwives so that they can make informed decisions about their place of birth. โค๏ธ
Here are some of the reasons why homebirth is a great birthing option:
โจ Familiarity with your environment, this enables you to feel relaxed and comfortable thus helping with the production of oxytocin (a key birth hormone).
โจ 2:1 midwifery care. A midwife will come out to your home to undertake your labour assessment. Once it is determined that you are in established labour a second midwife will attend so that you will have 2 midwives all to yourself keeping you and your baby safe. Sometimes we also have a student midwife who will come along with a midwife to take care of you during your labour.
โจ Water; you have unrestricted access to your own bath or shower throughout labour. You can also readily hire a birth pool to use in your own home which many birthing people find relaxing and relieving
โจ Lighting, sound and smell; a key element of any birth to help with creating a calm space. Dimly lit rooms with a playlist of your choice and maybe even some aromatherapy oils diffusing help with creating an intimate and personal environment for you to labour
โจ Your own bed. Once you have birthed your baby you can snuggle back into the comfort of your own bed with your new baby and partner. No bumpy car rides home from the hospital!
Are you considering a home birth?
What are your assumptions about a home birth? Would you like more information about home birth as a birth option for you?
Please speak with your midwife at your antenatal appointment for more information or take a look at our home birth video on Broadlands Birth Centre under the video tab or via the website:
https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/OurServices/Maternityservices/Maternity-services-during-COVID-19-pandemic/Online-education.aspx
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