forgot to say both times they were born in my bedroom with me kneeling at the sude of the bed something very relaxing with having your own quilt to bury yourself into when in pain x

i had my 3rd and 5th babies at home (wanted 4th at home but ended up induced a week early).

both were fantastic labours i managed without pain relief (not even a tens machine in sight lol) with both and they were 9lb4 and 8lb15 no stitches and had lovely relaxed labours. dh got stuck in too helping out. both were middle of the night jobs 3 hr and 2hr labours had baby had bath and we all snuggled up in bed until morning when the children woke tyo meet their new sibling! COULDNT RECCOMEND HB MORE. X

Well it sounds like you've all had great experiences so its defo something to think about,thanks for your advice x

I also had a hb with my last - great experience and am planning to have hb with this one too. Ist 2 were born in hospital though barely made it with no 2!

When I went into labour I called the Labour ward at the hospital told them I was in labour and was having a home birth. they called the on-call mw who was with me in about 20 mins. She came in and let me get on with it - helped herself to tea and biscuits and was great. Cameron was born 3 hrs later on the floor in front of the Aga! The mw brought out a delivery box when i was about 38 weeks which had pads, sterised instruments eg for cutting cord, hospital notes, bags to take the mess away incl placenta (all pads etc whcih have come into contact with body fluids have to be incinerated - sorry if TMI!) Also a small box of drugs which had to be kept in the fridge - Vit K etc.

All i had to get together was a plastic sheet (cheap shower curtain in ideal) clothes for bubs, maternity pads etc - basically what you need for your hos bag. I put a futon in front of the Aga with the shower curtain on it and an elastic cornered sheet over it and that was that!

It was wonderful going to sleep in my own bed and then introducing bubs to ds and dd the next morning. Go for it girl its really worth doing! Cheers Julie x (8+2)

Hi there

I had a homebirth with my second 14 weeks ago. It was the most amazing experance. It was all planned from about 16 weeks i decided to have a homebirth.

On the day I started contracting at about 7pm We rang the midwife at 7.30 and she arrived at around 8.30. She said she wasnt going to exaim me as she could see that things were moving along quit fast. They do listen to the heartbeat quit alot.

I managed without pain relife as eveything was so relaxed the midwifes let you take the lead and you feel totaly in control.Lilly-Belle was born at 10.30.

The best bit of advice would be to trust and belive you can do it.

HTH Shelly

When i fell preg with my 3rd before the mw even mentioned it told her i wanted a home birth, i first 2 were normal and my 2nd i only just made it to the hospital.

I would recommend a hb it was great,

the day i had my dd i sent the kids to school while i was contracting, she was born at 2 and the kids came home to a new baby and me sat on the settee dresses think they were abit shocked lol.

if you stay positive in your mind about pain you do manage i had no relief as the mw only just made it to me as i laboured very fast.

and you dont ned that mush i just got a single duvet for comfort for my knees 2 old double duvet covers and plastic sheeting, i gave birth on my living rom floor.

Hi all, been to mw today and she suggested i go for a homebirth this time as its my 3rd and ive had 2 straight forward deliveries. Just wondered if any of you ladies have had one before, would you recommend it? And what exactly happens,aint got a clue? Any comments, thanks x

Jo 5+5 to go !!