"Home Birth Glasgow"

I had my little boy at home in January, he was delivered by Caroline, a midwife on the home birth team. I felt it really important to come on and say what an unbelievable service she gave. Despite an obvious lack of staff, each midwife I encountered on the home birth team throughout my pregnancy kept me well informed of my choices and made sure I knew that I did indeed have choices, as opposed to when I was pregnant with my first baby where I had quite a different experience. 

On the day I gave birth, I had an appointment at home with Caroline where she offered me a sweep but refreshingly assured me it wasn’t necessary if I didn’t want it and that it was indeed an intervention. As I was so uncomfortable, I opted to have the sweep. It was over in seconds, and Caroline left. By 6:30 I was having mild contractions and at around 8:30 my partner called Caroline to come as the contractions were coming thick and fast. She arrived at about 9pm, and asked if I would like to be examined. I declined as I knew myself we were close and an examination would just interrupt my hypnobirthing practice. She told me what a great job I was doing and just sat quietly, getting out the equipment she would be needing etc. 

I began to shudder all over and knew I was pushing without actively trying, so I moved to the floor on my birthing ball. Caroline was behind me again just telling me to do exactly what my body was telling me to do and rest when needed. Within a couple of long pushes, my baby’s head was out and he was already crying. Caroline said I could either try a gentle push or wait for my next contraction. I said ‘ah here it comes anyway’ And pushed again and the rest of my little man was delivered. Caroline gently passed him underneath me for me to pick him up, which was just amazing. He was born at 22:34, just 25 mins after I moved to the birthing ball.

With the little man on my chest I turned and leaned back on my partner while Caroline had a look to see if the placenta was coming. She was a bit concerned about the amount of blood so asked could she have a look at me to see if it was just from tearing or if it was the placenta. She told me I did have a couple of grazes but they were nothing that required stitches which I was relieved to hear. I was quite happy to have the injection to deliver the placenta as I was feeling a bit uncomfortable and wasn’t able to push it out myself. It was delivered in minutes and we got moved up onto the couch for some more skin to skin and to let me get comfortable.

Both midwives were away and left us to it an hour and a half after my boy was born. My sister, partner and I all had a wee celebratory glass of Prosecco and got off to bed.

It was everything I had hoped it would be, comfortable, cosy and right here at home. I felt so confident and capable and trusted my body, and felt so supported by my midwife. When Caroline came to see me for my postnatal visit she asked if I had any questions about the birth, and said I had done so well listening to my body and had birthed beautifully which was just so brilliant to hear after my experience with my first baby.

The Glasgow home birth team, while undoubtedly understaffed, have just been amazing. The difference in the care I’ve received from them compared to the hospital has been night and day. Even my postnatal visits have just been so different. I’ve had so much more breastfeeding support, was advised on how to help avoid jaundice by just placing his little baby box by the window to let him get some UV light as he sleeps. The knowledge of physiological birth and just less medicalised tips for caring for myself and my baby have been so valuable to me and I just wish everyone could experience their care.

Also would like to give a thanks to Gill as well who did most of my postnatal visits and really pushed for my baby’s tongue tie referral. I feel truly so honoured and blessed to have gotten the birth and support that I did. With that said, my experience should be the standard, it really shouldn’t be down to luck. Everyone should get to experience the home birth team or at least their level of care. Thank you again for everything you did for me and my baby.