Tag Archives: Myth-Busting

Myth-Busting: Am I a Homebirth sort of person?

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Homebirth Myth-Busting

Question: Am I a Homebirth Sort of person?

Answer: Maybe

There is no set “homebirth sort of person”,
homebirth can suit people with a variety of backgrounds, beliefs and experiences. Home birth allows many women to remain in their own familiar and comfortable environment.

The main hormones that facilitate labour, Oxytocin (the love hormone) and Endorphins (your natural morphine), are produced when you are relaxed, safe and comfortable. The best place to birth is where you feel safe, supported and empowered.

In their recent systematic review,
Reitsma et al (2020), explored the outcomes of 500,000 planned homebirths. They Concluded that “Among low-risk women, those intending to birth at home experienced fewer birth interventions and untoward maternal outcomes.”

If you are having midwifery led care (low risk), you are an ideal person to consider a homebirth.

If you have additional considerations recommending obstetric input in your pregnancy and would like to explore the option of homebirth, please contact the team for an individualised discussion.​

For more information about birthing at home contact the team for a chat at rsch.homebirth.referrals@nhs.net

Read this birth story of a previous client who didn’t think that she was a homebirth sort of person before she met the team https://surreyhillshomebirth.org/2016/09/20/home-birth-sort-of-person/

Homebirth #continuity #Choice

Myth-busting: There’s no pain relief at home

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alt text: infographic with the words Homebirth myth-busting in an orange banner. Below in a speech bubble originating from a graphic of a house, on the right of the image, the words “There’s no pain relief at home”. On the opposite side of the image a speech bubble from a graphic of a woman reads “No, find out more below”

Myth: There’s no pain relief available at homebirths

Truth: There’s a variety of pain relief options available for use at home, both natural and pharmacological.

These options are discussed in more detail during your initial chat with the team and during the homebirth advisory appointment.

Many Mums choose to use TENS in during their latent phase or early labour, which they purchase or hire themselves.

Lots of our clients also choose to hire birth pools which can be very effective in supporting labour. In 2019, 133 Mums used pools in their labours. Baths and even showers can also be ways of utilising water in labour.

As a Team, we carry Entonox or “Gas and Air”, which is available for women to use in labour. Many women find this very effective as a next step from using TENS or water.

We can also arrange a prescription of Meptid for women who would like this option. Like Pethidine, Meptid is an Opioid injection but is less strong. It can be very effective in the first stage of labour, particularly during a long latent phase where it can aid rest.

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Myth-busting: Is Homebirth just for people who have birthed before?

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alt text: infographic with the words Homebirth myth-busting in an orange banner. Below in a speech bubble originating from a graphic of a house, on the right of the image, the words “ Homebirth is only for 2nd time mums”. On the opposite side of the image a speech bubble from a graphic of a woman reads “No, find out more below”

Homebirth Myth-busting

Question: is homebirth just for people who’ve had a baby before?

Answer:
No. Homebirth can be a suitable option
for any pregnant people having midwifery led care* and has lots of advantages (see https://www.facebook.com/855315194600206/posts/1982972391834475/?d=n for some advantages)

In 2019 32% of our clients were people planning their first birth.

*If you have a more complex situation requiring consultant led or shared care but would still like to explore your birth place options, including birth at home, get in touch with the team. We can arrange a 1-2-1 chat with an experienced midwife and if the situation warrants it a discussion with the named Obstetric Consultant for homebirth

Myth-busting- Is Homebirth Messy?

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alt text: infographic with the words Homebirth myth-busting in an orange banner. Below in a speech bubble originating from a graphic of a house, on the right of the image, the words “Is homebirth messy?”. On the opposite side of the image a speech bubble from a graphic of a woman reads “No, find out more below”

Question:
Is Homebirth messy?

Answer:
No

We make sure the families under our care feel prepared for their labour and birth. At 36 weeks we will arrange a Homebirth Advisory appointment with you, where we discuss in detail your plans and preferences, and the equipment you might like to use ( read more about equipment and supplies here)

We recommend the use of waterproof coverings such as decorating sheets or shower curtains to protect soft furnishings. Absorbent pads are also advised. Cover with towels or blankets to make this lovely and cosy.

Many of our clients will choose to use a pool for their labour. Use of the pool’s disposable liner and submergible pump makes tidying up very simple.

If you would prefer not to keep your placenta, the homebirth team can take it away and arrange its disposal.

If you have any other questions about home birth or would like further information contact the Surrey Hills Team at rsch.homebirth.referrals@nhs.net

MythBusting #BirthPlaceChoice #Homebirth