How do I arrange a home birth?

Discuss your thoughts with your midwife at one of your antenatal appointments. You will find most midwifes very receptive to requests for deliveries at home.

For further information on home births and water birth please read the articles provided on:

www.aims.org.uk

www.birthchoiceuk.com (This website explains your options and gives you some information to help you make those choices.)

www.homebirth.org.uk (Lots of useful information if you are thinking of a home birth.)

www.babycenter.co.uk (The UK's hands-on guide to pregnancy, birth and life.)

How to organise a water birth

First consult your doctor or midwife and determine if a water birth delivery will be suitable for you. If your delivery is not foreseen as a simple or natural one, you may be advised against a water birth. If planning a hospital birth you will need to check with the hospital in which you are booked in if they have a birthing pool. If they don’t, you should still be able to hire or buy one and take into the hospital.

If planning a home birth, you will need to buy or hire a birthing pool for use at home.