Home Birthing
If you decide to have a homebirth you will be looked after by our dedicated homebirth team .
The homebirth team is a group of experienced midwives who are passionate about supporting safe and positive home births. The midwives in the team are spread out over the whole county of Northamptonshire. You will be given a named midwife who will provide your antenatal and postnatal care and a small team of midwives that support your birth. We offer a 24-hour service, 365 days of the year.
You can tell us at the beginning of your pregnancy if you want to have a homebirth or transfer your care during the pregnancy, if you decide to birth at home. Please speak with your community Midwife who can refer you to the Home Birth team.
Why might I consider a home birth?
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You think having a baby is a natural process and have confidence in your body's ability to give birth
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You would like to labour and give birth in a familiar and private environment
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You would prefer to avoid having medical interventions
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You and your partner want to start your family life together at home, and/or perhaps you would like to have your other children or fur r y friends nearby for the birth
If you have any risk factors
If you have any complications, you may be advised to have your baby in hospital. This means you and your baby can be monitored more closely and have instant medical help if there is an emergency.
There are some risk factors in pregnancy that you should talk to your midwife or doctor about if you are thinking about having a home birth. These include if:
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you have pre-eclampsia or high blood pressure
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you have diabetes
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you have a high BMI
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have had abnormal scans during this pregnancy
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you have had a caesarean section before
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your baby is in the breech position
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you are having a multiple pregnancy
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you have given birth prematurely before
Are home births safe?
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Giving birth is generally safe wherever you choose to have your baby
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If you're having your first baby, home birth slightly increases the risk of problems for the baby (from 5 in 1,000 for a hospital birth to 9 in 1,000 for a home birth)
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If you're having your second baby, a planned home birth is as safe as having your baby in hospital or a midwife-led unit.
Useful information
Pain Relief in labour and birth - from Tommy's the pregnancy and baby charity