"I felt encouraged and supported throughout my labour"

When I fell pregnant with my third baby I knew from the beginning that I wanted to have a homebirth. This was discussed with my community midwife at my booking appointment and again with the midwife who completed my 12 week scan appointment.

I was referred onto the homebirth team and they got in contact and arranged to come to my house to discuss my wishes and tell me some more information about the homebirth process. 

Thankfully I was a suitable candidate for homebirth and as such, my care was transferred over to the homebirth team. This allowed all my antenatal appointments to be conducted at my house, which was alot easier to manage around my work schedule. There was also the opportunity to build a bond with my midwife and to openly discuss my fears and concerns. 

As a homebirth mother, I was offered access to a hypnobirthing course and was also provided with aromatherapy treatment to aid and support my anxieties, something which later benefited me during labour.

As I went past my due date, my named midwife was on annual leave, however as we had known each other through our previous studies, she was keen to attend the delivery if possible. When I went into labour, I was delighted to learn that the 2 midwives that would be attending were people I had met, including  my named midwife who attended even though she was technically on annual leave. 

My labour was the most empowering and special experience of my life. Although all three of my labours and deliveries were special, there was something about being at home in my own space with people I knew and felt comfortable with. I felt encouraged and supported throughout my labour and even though my baby was OP and not in the optimal position for delivery, I was able to deliver her myself, at home, with no intervention or pain  relief required. 

Following on from my delivery, my recovery was remarkable and I felt amazing for having just had a baby. I genuinely believe that this is due to being at home and relaxed and secure from the beginning. My postnatal care was great and the homebirth team were willing to work around my and my families needs, especially with it being over the festive period. Each member of the team I had interactions with were friendly and approachable. 

I am so thankful to have been able to experience the joys of a homebirth and I wish I had bitten the bullet with my other 2 pregnancies and had my other children at home. Unfortunately, this pregnancy was planned as our last baby, but if I ever did have another child, I would not hesitate to plan another homebirth. 

The day I was discharged from midwifery care over to the health visitor was bitter sweet. I was so sad my journey with the team was over but so grateful for the support I had received and which had allowed both my baby and myself to thrive and be ready to be discharged. 

This team is so underrated and I will forever be promoting homebirth to other expectant parents, as I truly believe that it is a gift to be able to be supported in your own home to deliver your baby into the world in your own surroundings.