For many women, giving birth to their baby in familiar surroundings, supported by family and with the added reassurance of home comforts is very important. In England, approximately one in 50 babies is born at home.

If your pregnancy is considered to be at ‘low risk’ of complications, and you are fit and healthy, research shows a home birth is just as safe as a hospital birth.

Our midwives can help you decide if a home birth is right for you and if you wish, can help you deliver your baby in your own home.

They will provide all the facilities you need for a home birth, including gas and air. If you need any help or your labour is not progressing as well as it should, your midwife will arrange for you to be transferred to hospital.

The advantages of giving birth at home include:

• Being in familiar surroundings where you may feel more relaxed and able to cope.

 

• You don't have to interrupt your labour to travel to hospital.

 

• You won't need to leave your other children, and you won't have to be separated from the baby's father after the birth.

 

• You are more likely to be looked after by a midwife that you have got to know during your pregnancy.

 

If you think you'd like a home birth, ask your midwife whether or not it will be suitable for you. If it is, your midwife will arrange for members of the midwifery team to support you.

There are some things you should think about if you're considering a home birth, including:

• You might need to go to a hospital if there are any complications.
• You won't be able to have certain kinds of pain relief, for example an epidural.
• If you have a pre-existing medical condition or have had a complicated birth in the past that means you are at higher risk of developing complications during labour, you will be advised to give birth in a unit with access to obstetricians