Home birth

When choosing to give birth at home, your care will be provided by a midwife who will support you through labour and the birth of your baby. Having your baby at home is a very safe option for women without existing medical conditions or pregnancy complications requiring additional care or monitoring. 

At home you will be able to:

• Create an environment best suited to your needs
• Use a birth ball (these can be hired at home)
• Hire a birth pool
• Use a TENS machine 
• Use entonox (your midwife will bring this)
• Have your friends and family around to support you
• Remain at home - you do not need to travel to hospital during labour unless you require additional support or monitoring. 
• If all remains well, you do not need to travel to hospital after your baby is born.

It is worth understanding that if you or your baby require additional care or monitoring, it may be advised for you to transfer to hospital during labour or after your baby is born. This is also the case if you decide you require additional pain relief in labour, such as an epidural.

What the experts say:

The Birthplace Study (2011) has evaluated the evidence relating to hospital maternity and states that:

• Giving birth at home is safe for mums and babies who do not have existing medical conditions and pregnancy complications.
• Home birth is particularly safe for women who have had babies before. 
• Women who decide to give birth at home are less likely to require medical intervention in labour.
• Women who decide to give birth at home are more likely to have a spontaneous, vaginal birth, especially if having their second or subsequent babies. 
• 45 out of 100 (45%) women having their first baby require transfer from home to the Labour Ward. The most common reasons for transfer include:
  • Concern about the wellbeing of the baby
  • Additional pain relief
  • A long labour
• 12 out of 100 (12%) women having their second or subsequent babies from home to the Labour Ward during labour or soon after the baby is born. 
• Home birth is not recommended for women with certain clinical or pregnancy conditions which may require specialist input, support and monitoring.

At Frimley Park Hospital, there is a dedicated Home Birth midwifery team, but home birth is also available if you are receiving care from the midwives at Wexham Park Hospital.